Hi Geifer, Before reducing the morphine and reducing your relief, I would suggest removing the marcaine from your mix. At high doses it's no different than an epidural given to mothers ready to deliver. You need to balance the amount of marcaine with ability to function. Morphine does reduce smooth muscle contractions like your bowels and that's what causes constipation. But with IT meds morphine doesn't run through your entire system systemicly. Meaning the meds stay in the intrathceal space mixed with spinal fluid. IF the marcaine % is too high then it wouldn't certainly expalin loss of function depending on the placement of the cath.
I'm sure your PM doc that manages your pump has a different view of what the pump is capable of doing than your GI doc. Blaming the pump is an easy answer, but removing the pump isn't a realistic cure unless you can prove that the pump is causing the problem. Did you have any esphegeal problems prior to the pump, Obviously you had some other GI problems prior to the pump so blaming the pump doesn't really make sense. It may be worth going through a cycle without the marcaine. If that is the cause,and you miss the relief, He can reintroduce a numbing agent like Bupivicaine at lower doses and see if you still have the same problems.
I would also assume they thay have done a CT or MRI of the esophegeal area to ensure you don't have any growth that may be causing your swallowing problems. Good luck and welcome, Dave
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