Originally Posted by bobinjeffmo

For anyone considering a morphine pump as an option for pain management, here's my two cents worth:

1: If you're looking to be pain free, then you're going to be disappointed. I've found in my situation that the pump helps moderate pain levels better throughout the day, but that it wasn't one solution that took away all my pain. In my situation we also have me on two different kinds of oral opioid.
2: These are not really small devices, so be prepared for the hockey-puck that's going to stick out from under your belly. The thinner you are, the worse it will appear.
3: When I had my second morphine pump installed (first one lasted 5 1/2 years before the battery finally conked out), the pocket they installed my first pump in slid down, hence making my second pump directly under the belt line. Bending over has become much harder. Make sure the install location is high enough so you won't have quite as much problems when reaching down to pick up an item.
4: Anyone that goes to a brand new doctor and announces that they think they need a morphine pump is going to probably not going to get a positive response as they were hoping for since we're talking about a major commitment from both the doctor and patient, not to mention sizable investment and upkeep costs. The only way you can build up this kind of trust with each other is over time. It's my opinion that only those with more lengthy doctor relationships will have this option opened up for them.
5: Since my damage is from the waist down, I'd say that I have had very good coverage as far as how well the pump works.

After living for 5 1/2 years with my first pump, I had come to the conclusion that the thing really didn't make much of a difference since I'd grown so accustomed to it. Then the battery died. For a little over 3 months (I had another surgery scheduled that prevented it from being replaced ASAP), I found my pain levels were simply unbelievable once again. When they got my second pump reinstalled, I was blown away once again about how wonderful this amazing piece of technology can really work. I know it's given me back a much better quality of life, but it's no easy ride.

Anyone who "thinks" this might be an option worth consideration should bring it up with their doctor and then have themselves checked into the hospital overnight so they can be tested. It's not a result you'll have to wait for. You'll know right then on the spot of having morphine going directly into the spinal fluid in the spine is going to help manage your pain levels better.

Always be 100% honest! The worse story I ever read was about a person who lied about getting positive results during the test when he/she hadn't, and so of course the device was installed. That person then complained that the pump had failed, when that couldn't have been further from the truth. It was the patient who failed when he/she said that the test was successful. An open and completely honest relationship is vital with anything regarding pain management.

I just wish everyone could be as blessed with their pain management as I have been. There's no doubt that this goofy puck under my tummy has made all the difference.

Originally Posted by Rrae

I was sure hoping you'd chime in on this thread!
There seems to be very little discussion on the pain pump.......so you are the first 'Go To' man we've got!
The other's who've received the pumps have drifted off somewhere beyond the great divide....... I think of them often and hope they are doing well!

THANK YOU so much for your commitment to stick around to answer questions and give straightforward feedback!
The pump could very well be the answer many are looking for, but like you say, it's a matter of hooking up and communicating with the right Dr to make this commitment!
You are a true blessing to this forum!

Rae

Originally Posted by vannafeelbettr

I'd say I get 100% coverage, and 80% pain reduction. Only difference is if I'm in a flare of RSD, the burning on the surface of the skin gets no relief at all from the stims