I think this is on the Medtronics web site. Search for "intrathecal
pump".
The pump is put into a subcutaneous pocket just above the belt line.
A tiny tube is threaded under the skin around to the lumbar area
where it enters the spine and is guided up or down to the appropriate
region. The old pumps were expensive hockey pucks. The new ones are
smaller, but no bikinis.
The pump reservoir has a diaphragm on the outer side for a long,
thin, refill needle. It will be refilled painlessly every six to
eight weeks before the reservoir is dry. If you screw up, an audible
alarm will nag you. [Baclofen patients MUST NOT let the pump run dry.]
A suitable computer can communicate with the pump computer to manage
pump rates separately in multiple divisions of the 24 hour period.
The other factor is the concentration. [Yes, this is another parameter.]
There are few downsides. The refill process has to be very, very
clean. The cost of the refills adds up. A pump failure is conceivable.
Alton, whose pump knows his name, today's date, and Heaven knows what
else
On Jul 14, 2007, at 7:5720 PM, T Kanon wrote:
Dear TM Friends,
Once again I'm asking you for information for a friend. He is
considering getting a morphine pump for an illness unrelated to tm,
but needs some feedback on the results, the procedure etc. Any
information from those of you who have had pumps would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you once again for all your help and opinions.
Tobe
Brooklyn NY
:O)
Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and
always stay connected to friends.
