WhiteBeard?

The pump works great. It gives me a constant low dose infusion of morphine into my lumbar spinal canal!I also I have a PTM a small device ( about the size of a small cell phone ) that I can place on my abdomen on top of the pump and with the press of a couple of buttons on the PTM I can give my self a preprogrammed bolus dose of morphine for break through pain! My PM has it programmed so I can give myself up to ten bolus doses in a 24 hour period but they have to be at least 2 hours apart! Anyway I go in every six months to have it refilled, I am more than satisfied with the pump and wish I would have gotten years ago!.

The only draw back I can see with the pump is it only treats my lower back pain and sciatica. Pain in my upper mid back and neck is not affected or treated by the pump! Also I had to temporarily go back on Percocets when I got my total right knee replacement to control the pain from that surgery, as the pain pump only controls the pain caused by the nerve impingement in my lower spine and not from other causes!

But for me, my major source of pain, that has not been treated or taken care of by surgery is the pain in my lower back, and that gnawing and intense sciatica pain going down the back of my hips and down the back of my legs. The pump more than takes care of and controls this pain! I seldom use the PTM, but every now and then when I am not careful and if I do something I shouldn't, I will then sometimes need to use  the PTM and give myself a bolus dose, by doing this, I find I can usually manage even the most persistent break through pain!

White Beard

Nick WB brought up a really good point here and I think is a huge misconception by many. This type of pump is NOT the same as a pcp or patient care pump such as the ones used post op and this seems to be the perfect place to differentiate the whys. These pumps are placed with the position of catheter in direct correlation to area of pain versus the pcp being systemic. These pumps have a target area unlike pcp that releases meds into your bloodstream. The type of pumps WB, Susie and Laura have are NOT for everyone and are not going to relieve pain stemming from multiple area's. Its almost as direct a hit as the surgeon can get to the space and nerves causing the problems. They have came a long way since the design of the first pump but can target still only several close areas. It would be nice if ever they can design one to target multiple places but to date they haven't and although I have spinal issues the most of my pain isn't initiated there and all the Dr's I have inquired of say that yes getting one would eliminate the back pain, Possibly most of my sciatica to a point but the horrendous bulk of my knee pain would go untouched? Therefore its not something I would consider nor they and certainly not something Medicare would approve the cost of with my diagnosis.

Just thought this needed clarification as so many folks don't see why their Dr doesn't offer them one or understand why WB,Susie and Laura would have the need for P.O meds. Now they do hopefully have a clearer understanding of how these pumps work.

now that i read your response WB and Susie and Vickie which more than clarified the pump option i can see the positives and negatives for myself. most physicians i have spoken to have said oral meds always still required, that it treats global pain and never a word about a clogged cath. that they fight unclogging much less another surgery. i think with this knowledge i will go on for a while until i freak out again and tell myself i cannot go anymore in this torture. i have been reminded recently when you think it is bad, it can be way worse. 8 out of 10 does not hold a candle to 10 of 10. thank yall so much, this reminds me why i love this forum. Best wishes to you, NICK