Intrathecal Pain Pump

@bilt4pain Do you mean 1.97 mg continuous?

@sreary74 If CBD doesn't work, perhaps you might try TCH gummies. Of course there might be some side effects.

@heisenberg34
Yes, the pump must never stop. I get 4, 2.5mg. Bolus’s/day with 1.97 mg. Continuous.

I am approaching my 3rd pump in March. I've had great results; without it, my level of mobility would be nil.

Have an appointment with pain management in a few days. Plan on asking about the implant. After a failed TKR my pain is off the charts. Hoping for some relief. Were your results immediate?

@bilt4pain I have been searching for information regarding my pain pump. Many out there have been a great help. More recently I have been increasing my pump by 15% every three weeks. I had one good day of pain relief back in September, but nothing since. After my most recent visit, the doc put it up to about 2.3 mg/day of Dilaudid with six boluses. No help. I am getting a bit discouraged. I know that some of you have reported getting to 4,5, or 6 mg/day. Can you please share how you felt, trying to get to a helpful dosing from your pump? Were you discouraged along the way? Thank you.

@archie2 Hi, Archie. Merry Christmas. I have been seeing your posts here on May. As I have mentioned, I am still trying to get some pain relief from this pump. Nothing (except one day about two months ago) after two and a half years. You say that you receive 6.8 continuous. Is that mg? Also, is your medication morphine or hydromorphone (my med)? Thank you.

Hi Brother,
Happy Holidays to you too. I have Dilaudid in the pump. Initially tried morphine, but had stomach troubles. Constant flow on the pump (40 ml pump) and concentration is 6.8 mg/day. I also have the flexibility to give myself 5 "boluses" per day if I'm having a bad pain day. The bolus feature also helps you keep ahead of the pain which as you know is critical.

Just a word of advice, this whole issue of mg vs ML vs dose vs pump volume capacity can be very confusing. Let the experts figure out the dosing and timing. I communicate in terms of "I need more pain relief more often" or "can we try a different opioid next fill??" I've even gone through periods of Fentanyl (don't waste your time). The positioning of the catheter lead is probably your most critical variable. Ask.

Finally, if things still aren't working, your body can actually grow tissue that impedes the medicine flow (called a granuloma)--again, something to check for if relief is not good.

That's enough--I appreciate meeting you and hope the best for you in the New Year.

Best--Archie

@heisenberg34 I was constantly discouraged for most of my first year and a half. My Doc was very conservative. And started me with true micro dosing after my trial. Keep in mind I’ve been on morphine. It was very frustrating. So, I kept complaining of no real relief. I was at 1.3 mg of morphine when she sent me to an associate for a surgical procedure to check if the catheter was clogged. It wasn’t. So he boosted me to 3.0 milligrams. Finally some relief. I guess he crossed a boundary she was to cautious of. After that I might get two, 15% increases a year. I was limited in that I had the 20ml pump. So concentration had to be adjusted too. I just got my pump replaced in September 2025. Now I have a 40ml and I’m at 12.47mg of morphine per day. Four 2.3 mg. Bolus flex dosing and 1.99 mg for 24 hour continuous. It keeps me at steady 6 level pain. I too enjoy a 3 month stint of level 4 pain. I’ve never been able to get there again. I have a lot of back issues that require interventional pain management, injections and ablations. When they are done on a regular basis I’m good unless it rains. Had fentanyl in the pump for 1 weekend, thought I was losing my mind. I’ve never been given dilaudid. But I’m getting ready to ask. I’ve attached some photos of what’s inside me. I’ve had 14 back surgeries, and a hip replacement. I also have a 16 lead SCS that I use on Tingle every night to help with the pain. My pump philosophy is that having it can be real frustrating nuisance. But without it, I’m a deadman walking. So I’ve learned to live with my discouragements, as they are temporary. It’s a forever thing inside us. And docs are afraid of going to far to help. At 67, disabled since 2005, I’m not afraid of going to high. What good is retirement if I can’t enjoy it. Hang tight, maybe interview a different doc if yours doesn’t listen. I should have answered this earlier in the day when my pain is lower. If I didn’t give you the message you needed, ask again, I have it. Wrong time for my response. Good luck 👍

@bilt4pain Man! You are about as close to the bionic man as anyone I’ve seen. I truly appreciate your getting back to me. I have Dilaudid in my 20 ml Medtronics SCS. Currently on 2.3 mg continuous with six small blouses available daily.
I’ve had this thing in me for over two and a half years. So, you can see why I am discouraged. Plus, my neuropathic pain seems to be getting worse. Walking is problematic along with balance issues. You say tat you are at a pain level 6?!That sounds like still quite a bit of pain.
I had a spinal cord stimulator that worked well for a couple of years until it just stopped. I have seen others here saying that the had to go up to 4 mg daily to get relief. I’m praying that getting to a higher dosage will help me. Again, thanks for responding. I hope you can find a way to bring tat pain level down.