Hello Alton, I'm not needing one of these pumps but have a question just the same. Is the Baclofen in these pumps administered automatically or do you have to do something to engage it when you need it for pain? Can you increase the amount yourself? Thanks,
Heather in Hot Hot Hot Calgary ----- Original Message ----- From: Alton Ryder To: T Kanon Cc: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2007 5:37 PM Subject: Re: [TMIC] morphine pump 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.6/902 - Release Date: 7/15/2007 2:21 PM
