Questions and Answers – Drug Pumps
Does more pain mean my cancer has gotten worse?
Not necessarily. You will need to discuss this with your doctor. Regardless of the state of your cancer, the right treatment for cancer pain relief may improve daily life for you.
What is a drug pump?
A drug pump (intrathecal drug delivery system) is designed to manage pain by delivering pain medication to the intrathecal space that surrounds the spinal cord. Because this treatment delivers pain medication directly to the receptors in the spinal cord, smaller doses of medication are required to gain relief from chronic pain.1-5
How does a drug pump work?
The spinal cord is like a highway for pain signals going to the brain. Because the pump sends medication directly to the area around the spinal cord, it interrupts pain signals before they reach the brain. Results may vary depending upon the individual.
Is a drug pump right for me?
Talk to your doctor to determine what kinds of pain treatments may work for you. The choice of treatment depends on the type of pain, how severe it is, and how you respond to your pain treatment. If your doctor thinks you are a good candidate for a drug pump, you can complete a screening test so that you can experience the therapy to see if you are a good candidate.
Is the pump new?
No. The pump has been approved by the FDA since 1991 and has helped thousands of people worldwide.
Will drug delivery treatment completely eliminate my pain?
Drug delivery treatment does not eliminate the source of the pain, so the amount of pain relief varies from person to person.
Isn't it easy to become addicted to pain medication?
This is a common misperception. In fact, medical research shows the chance of an individual with cancer pain becoming addicted to pain relieving drugs is extremely small.6
Will the drug pump eliminate other sources of pain?
Your pump will not provide relief from other types of pain such as headaches, stomachaches, fractures, etc.
What is the surgery like?
The surgery to implant the system takes approximately 1 to 3 hours and a brief hospital stay is recommended. Typically, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
What do I need to know about opioids (pain medication) used in my pump?
Some doctors choose to use an opioid medication in the drug pump. There are risks associated with the use of any opioid pain medication. For more details, see opioid pain medication question and answers.
References
- Onofrio BM, Yaksh TL. Long-Term Pain Relief Produced by Intrathecal Infusion in 53 Patients. J Neurosurg 1990; 72: 200-209.
- Winkelmuller M, Winkelmuller W. Long-Term Effects of Continuous Intrathecal Opioid Treatment in Chronic Pain of Nonmalignant Etiology. J Neurosurg 1996; 85: 458-467.
- Paice JA, Penn RD, Shott S. Intraspinal Morphine for Chronic Pain: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 1996; 11(2): 71-80.
- Lamer TJ. Treatment of Cancer-Related Pain: When Orally Administered Medications Fail. Mayo Clin Proc 1994; 69:473-480.
- Portenoy RK. Management of Common Opioid Side Effects During Long-Term Therapy of Cancer Pain. Ann Acad Med 1994; 23:160-170.
- Smith TJ, Staats PS, Deer T, Randomized Clinical Trial of an Implantable Drug Delivery System Compared with Comprehensive Medical Management for Refractory Cancer Pain: Impact on Pain, Drug-Related Toxicity and Survival. J Clin Oncol. 2002;20:4040-4049.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
Last updated: 24 Sep 2009
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