Please don't be afraid of the pumps. What happened to me was a fluke. My doctor was not at fault at all. I have 5 different. Meds in my pump all the time and have benefit from them. The fentanyl and morphing can cause crystals to form at the tip which causes the meds to stop. When the blockage broke with me I received the med all at once. Noone was at fault and the hospital was on top of the situation quickly. Most people will never have a problem with their intrathecal pain pump at all.

What has been anyone's experience with this form of pain relief, especially with pain surrounding the torso and rectal areas?

I am on my second Medtronic pain pump. Every seven years it needs to be replaced, it is a same day procedure. Every discin my back is either herniated or compromised. I've had both front and back cervical C2-C7 operations. My complete lumbar spine was fused with a laminectomy. My left shoulder hip, knee and hip are replaced. About nine years ago I became in operable, and was offered either the stimulator or a morphine pump. I spoke with two women who had the stimulator and tney told me don't waste your money or your time. So i choose the pain pump. With it I can get out of bed in the morning and goo about my daily rountine. It is like getting your life back. Sometimes there is breakthrough pain - if i overdo it or the pain comes from somewhere else, like my shoulder. I can take some meds by mouth ffor that problem.I;m 74 years old and I have to adjust to my condition, which sometimes is hard. All in all, if you have patience and follow the instructions you can feel a lot better.it's better than being knocked out all the time and unable to drive, etc. hope this helps.

I also have a Medtronic pain pump. I am just wrapping up my first year with it. It has prevented me from taking large amounts of oxycodone. It is amazing how much less medicine you need to use. I have scleroderma (year 23) with severe calcinosis. In the past the calcifications have caused both my elbow and my femur to break. In addition I have rheumatoid arthritis, Raynauds syndrome, Sjogrens disease, pulmonary hypertension and am hypothyroid. Using the pain pump instead of taking the narcotics orally will help with narcotics induced constipation.
I had my pump put in right in Florida, but I needed to get a refill while in New York. It was very difficult finding someone. I ended up going to Manhattan.