Morphine Pump Implant??? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

pixiepoodle · 01-18-2002, 04:58 PM

Has anyone with FMS tried or currently have a morphine pump implant to treat your pain symptoms? Is it true that you don't build a tolerance towards the drug since it is being pumped directly into your spine? I am going into the hospital next Friday for a trial run to see how it works for me and how often they will need to set the timer on the pump. Then a week later, I will get one implanted. I had mentioned a couple of months back that I went to a chronic pain specialist and he put me on 15 mg of MS Contin. It worked absolutely great for about 1 1/2 mos. and then I developed a tolerance. At my next appt. he doubled the dose to 30 mg. That only worked for 3 days and I built a tolerance to that, as well as it made me extremely sleepy and it was difficult to stay awake at work. I wsa shocked that I developed a tolerance so fast to the double dozage. When I went to see him yesterday, he said I would get the same results with any other opiod type drug I took and that he had a better method he would like me to try. He said by injecting the morphine directly into the spine, it bypasses the bloodstream and brain - therefore you are extremely alert, you don't build a tolerance and the dosage will only be 1 mg. I will keep you posted as to how it works out for me. I really got spoiled from the 1 1/2 mos. of being pain free and its makes it difficult to go back to the misery.

DMS · 01-18-2002, 09:34 PM

Hi Pixiepoodle!
I hope the trial for the pain pump goes well; How do they do a trial for that anyway? Can you tell me more information regarding the pump...how is the procedure done, will you be able to see the pump or feel it, how do you keep getting your dose of medication??? Is MS Contin anything like Oxycontin? I'm trying that now, but I don't really notice any relief greater than the hydrocodone gives and the whole point of it being prescribed was to take less pills per day. I'm sure the doctor will raise the dosage, but I get sooo drowsy from it, I don't know if I can stand that side effect much longer. I think it could be quite dangerous since I can doze off very easily without realizing it and I drive everyday!! My dosage is 10 mg 3 x a day with the hydrocodone for breakthrough pain. So, you were really pain free for awhile? Was that absolutely no pain? Gosh, how I would LOVE that. Especially if I could wake up in the morning without the horrible pain and stiffness. Well, good luck and keep the board posted. I'm real interested to see how this goes for you. Deanna

korken · 01-19-2002, 02:09 PM

Pixiepoodle,

Gary and I have been talking about the pump for him. Please keep us updated on how you do. He's on extreemly high doses of Oxy and I saw a medical show about it the pump and the reduction in dose by up to 80% when it is direct.

I don't remember all the details about the show and wish I had recorded it. I was channel serfing. Could you explaine for us again and we will be thinking about you.

May we also ask who is the doctor or center that is doing the study. Do any doctors do this yet?

As you can see I am very interested. Thank you

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Take care ~Kim & Gary~

[This message has been edited by kim (edited 01-19-2002).]

pixiepoodle · 01-21-2002, 12:05 PM

Kim, as far as I know this is not a study I am participating in, this is what the dr. offered to do for me because of my pain. My dr. is a pain mgmt. specialist/emergency medicine dr. who is also an anthestiologist. He treats cancer patients and people with chronic pain. Considering I am located in Houston, Tx, he works out of a small independent hospital. His colleauge, who referred him works directly with a hospice program. I heard speak at a Fibro seminar back in Sept. and asked him to give me the name of a similar dr. who treats Fibro patients. I seriously doubt if any rheumie or family dr. would consider giving a patient a pump - they would probably think you are nuts if you asked them for one. My sister-in-law even suggested I get a 2nd opinon, but I said from whom? My family dr. won't even prescribe Ultram and my rheumie wanted to stop giving me Ultram because my liver enzymes were high. I will update you sometime during the weekend after my procedure. P.S. I just called my dr.'s office and they said they will give me a local before the injection so I don't have to be put to sleep - only when I have the surgery. I have hated to get put to sleep twice in a 2 week period.

korken · 01-21-2002, 12:57 PM

Sorry about that. Thanksfor the info. We to see a doctor who is a FMS etc and Pain management specialist.

The problem we have is Gary is scarred to dealth of needles of any kind. I thought this was a good idea for him.

Good luck

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Take care ~Kim & Gary~