intrathecal morphine pump

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote, " The only thing that has helped was an intrathecal morphine pump,

now that has changed my life. "

I remember when you wrote about getting the pump. It sounded horribly scary

and painful. Maybe it is like having a baby, the joy of the results vanish any

memory of what you had to go through to get there.

I surfed through the web and read up more about the intrathecal pumps,

placement, etc. There was one clinic that did pretty heavy sedation. I am just

so on

edge when it comes to pain, I just cannot bring myself to voluntarily put

myself in a position of having any painful procedures, unless it is a

life-threatening emergency.

That, of course, changes when the pain of the disease is worse than anything

else I can imagine. Right now, I have too many memories of painful procedures,

IV's PICs, etc.

The one thing that is enticing about the intrathecal pump is that by nature

of where the medication goes, it requires a significant less amount than with

an oral or topical dose. This is attractive because it should have much less

cognitive impairment, memory problems, etc.

What is great about the board is it gives us an opportunity to sit back and

watch " mikey " do it first!

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International