SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post - Morphine Pump for Chronic Pain; My Decision.

butterfly19 · 05-29-2008, 05:45 PM

ksos,

My apologies for just now getting around to reading this post. Have you had the procedure yet? I hope it will work wonderfully for you. As you know, I also work in the medical field and have seen many people with morphine pumps. It seems to work well for many folks. I am wondering about some things though, because a lot of those patients I had seen with morphine pumps said they also still took narcotic pain meds. They said the pump alone was not enough. Do you know if that is common to continue taking oral meds with the pump in place? If I understood you correctly, you will not be on those meds any longer. Maybe it is just that these patients I have seen had been on the pump for a very long time and needed something orally for breakthrough pain. I don't know. Just curious to your thoughts on this.

I wouldn't worry too much about methadone withdrawal. It seems to me that with the pump in place and giving you a continous supply, that withdrawal shouldn't occur. Basically the methadone is being replaced with a more potent narcotic, so I don't think the withdrawal should be much of an issue. They may actually need to give you a huge dose of the morphine initially to keep the w/d at bay. But then the morphine dose can be adjusted to a comfortable level that works for you!

I also was wondering about the neurontin. You said you wouldn't have to take it anymore, and I wondered if this is a wise choice. The morphine is going to treat your pain, but it can't treat the spinal nerves like neurontin can. Just something to keep in mind and perhaps ask the doctor about. It would be great if you didn't have to take it, but don't think it's the end of the world if you need to. It is a good medication at treating the actual source of the pain.

I think you're making a great choice ksos!!!! I applaude you for finally taking this huge step. Keep up the positive thoughts, as we all know that helps the healing process tremendously. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!! Keep us updated on the situation!

butterfly19

05-29-2008, 05:45 PM	#33 (permalink)
butterfly19 ". . . Closer to Feelin' Fine" Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WV Posts: 213	ksos, My apologies for just now getting around to reading this post. Have you had the procedure yet? I hope it will work wonderfully for you. As you know, I also work in the medical field and have seen many people with morphine pumps. It seems to work well for many folks. I am wondering about some things though, because a lot of those patients I had seen with morphine pumps said they also still took narcotic pain meds. They said the pump alone was not enough. Do you know if that is common to continue taking oral meds with the pump in place? If I understood you correctly, you will not be on those meds any longer. Maybe it is just that these patients I have seen had been on the pump for a very long time and needed something orally for breakthrough pain. I don't know. Just curious to your thoughts on this. I wouldn't worry too much about methadone withdrawal. It seems to me that with the pump in place and giving you a continous supply, that withdrawal shouldn't occur. Basically the methadone is being replaced with a more potent narcotic, so I don't think the withdrawal should be much of an issue. They may actually need to give you a huge dose of the morphine initially to keep the w/d at bay. But then the morphine dose can be adjusted to a comfortable level that works for you! I also was wondering about the neurontin. You said you wouldn't have to take it anymore, and I wondered if this is a wise choice. The morphine is going to treat your pain, but it can't treat the spinal nerves like neurontin can. Just something to keep in mind and perhaps ask the doctor about. It would be great if you didn't have to take it, but don't think it's the end of the world if you need to. It is a good medication at treating the actual source of the pain. I think you're making a great choice ksos!!!! I applaude you for finally taking this huge step. Keep up the positive thoughts, as we all know that helps the healing process tremendously. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!! Keep us updated on the situation! butterfly19 __________________ My Disgrace Is My Saving Grace