Hi Chris, Wanted to add a comment after reading your message. To add one of the goals and advantages to a pain pump versus oral pain medication. Prior to getting the pump I was taking a large dose of oxycontin every day. In order to qualify for a pump I had to detox from my dependency on oral narcotics and wait six weeks (which gives your brain cells time to return to normal as they are different when on oxy). The reason for this and one of the purposes of the pump over oral pain meds is the small amount of medication that is delivered daily. My pump (via implanted tubing that is sewn into my spine) delivers .328 mg (yes there is a . in front of the 328). The meds are designed to sit in your spinal cord and block the pain signals being sent to your brain. I'm not a doctor but I think that is how it works. In other words, the dose is so small it doesn't give you the side effects of oral pain medication. I read about your friend not being able to drive and wanted to send this additional comment. I have had a pump for about ten years and have driven and worked without incident. I was given no restrictions on driving from the doctor who manages my pump. In addition, I don't have the brain fog I had when I was taking the oxy. My dose, even as small as it is, will show up in a drug test. Hope that makes you feel better as you consider where to go from here. All the best, Joan