Question for anyone with a morphine pump

[CatsandCars]

Hi, I have a baclofen pump, and back when I first got it, my doctor mentioned the possibility of putting pain medication into it as well. Before asking him about it, I wanted to see if anyone was using a pain pump for pain in the upper body, because I'm struggling with neck pain from multiple neck issues with the additional burden of painful spasticity in addition to that. I am asking how well pain pumps work for the neck, because my baclofen pump only helps my legs. However, I think there are different receptors for opoids. Any information about your experience would be helpful. Thank you!

Edited to add: I wrote this post this morning after a bad night. The pain was better today, thankfully, although I am having to take a lot of baclofen to keep from being dizzy or even nauseated from the tight neck muscles. If I take enough, I may feel lightheaded, but it doesn't progress to the part with the nausea. I'm getting mighty sleepy, but I guess we do what we have to do what we have to do.

I messaged my neurologist and he said they don't deal with morphine pumps in the MS clinic, just baclofen, but that putting morphine in the pump with the baclofen may help, because the receptors are different.

I see my pain doctor on 9/6, and I will talk to him about it then. They have no messaging portal, and it's "painful" to tell the nurse/tech person anything, because I have to keep repeating myself, and she has kind of am interrogation-style way of asking the repeated questions. Even if I suffered through that process, she would most likely tell me that I have to talk to the doctor. Thankfully, he's an excellent doctor, so while it's frustrating, it's worth putting up with.

[Xvettech]

I’m sorry. I have no experience with that yet. I hope you find your answers!

[CatsandCars in reply to Xvettech]

I hope you never do. Thank you! 😊

[Xvettech in reply to CatsandCars]

Awe I’m sorry you do! Thank you

[mathematics]

Hi my husband has SPMS but has recently had to have an operation to remove the primary ependymoma tumor from his thoracic spinal cord. He was given recently zomorph 30mg to help with the pain twice a day. He unfortunately by the seems of it has a bad reaction to morphine although it kills the pain it puts him on another planet completely. So I would say progress with care. He was also on a morphine pump in hospital after the operation and it sent him away with the fairies then without going into details. Take care

[CatsandCars in reply to mathematics]

Mathematics, I'm so sorry to hear that. Your husband has been through so much, and so have you. My father had a similar problem after lung cancer surgery. Good point, though, it might be good to get a test dose or something first. Thanks for responding. I will pray for you and your husband, if that's okay with you.

[mathematics in reply to CatsandCars]

Thank you and ditto all the best

[Greentime in reply to mathematics]

Same thing with my Dad. He was on another planet. Got to be careful.

[CatsandCars in reply to Greentime]

I hear you on that. I take oral opioids and I have had fentanyl during procedures for my neck, back, and pelvic floor botox injections. I've been okay with that, so I hope it won't be an issue, but I will ask my doctor about avoiding that possibility. Thanks!

[Greentime]

I am so sorry. You have to deal with so much. I hope your appointment in September is really helpful.

[CatsandCars in reply to Greentime]

Thanks, Greentime. I really appreciate that!

[Kenu]

Good Morning I’m getting my third pump replacement in October. They last six years as maybe you know. I initially had it installed for back issues and it turned out helping me with my MS also. Mine has been morphine pump the whole time. I have two buldged and two herniated disc’s in my upper neck and two herniated and one buldged disc’s in my lower back at belt line. Every three months I have cervical spine injections and every three months lumbar spine injections two weeks apart. Been doing this now for a couple of years and helps a bunch. They talk about surgery but I’m not there yet till pump and injections aren’t working. Before having the morphine pump I was at a 9-10 daily for years and was taking several opioids to help feel a little bit better but didn’t like side effects. Used to be at a3-4 pain level but as my back has gotten worse I’m at a 4-5 with pump. The best thing I like is that it doesn’t effect my brain 🧠 and no effect on kidney and liver function 🙏 Best decision I ever made. Good luck and hope it works out for you as well 🙏 👍🏼 😉

[CatsandCars in reply to Kenu]

Hey, Kenu! I was hoping you would weigh in on this. Reading about your spinal issues, I almost wondered if we might be related. 😂 I have been a frequent flyer at the pain clinic for at least ten years because of bulging disks in my neck and spasticity. I get nerve blocks and ablations for the disk stuff on a regular basis. I have to get botox injections for spasticity that started in one tiny spot and has spread to encompass the back of my head and all my neck muscles and down into my shoulder on the right side. The botox is a ton of injections, and the relief it provides isn't great, but it's better than nothing. In addition to the baclofen, I'm taking hydrocodone and using CBD pain cream every few hours, and using a heat compress thing on my neck and shoulder. I have to microwave it so much that I'm wondering how much longer my microwave will last (I suspect the door or the keypad will be the first to go). Then I need facet joint injections in my mid back, pelvic floor botox injections, and I just found out that I need to do physical therapy because I have bone spurs in my neck, irritating my nerves, or I'll need surgery. I'm with you on avoiding surgery because so many people wind up with new chronic pain afterwards. Like you said, all the medications make it impossible to think clearly, or even stay awake at times.

I'm sorry that you've been through so much pain and so many procedures, but I'm really glad that the pain pump has helped you so much! I really appreciate you sharing your experience with me, and it's fantastic news that intrathecal morphine does indeed work on the neck area. Yay! 👍😁🎉🥳

[lexsarset]

I hope you feel better. I take Baclofen tablets so I can not give any feedback. I hope someone can give you an answer. Continued blessings.

[CatsandCars in reply to lexsarset]

Thank you, lexarset. I appreciate the support!

[Tazmanian]

Sorry I don't know anything about that

[CatsandCars in reply to Tazmanian]

Thanks anyway, Tasmanian!