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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Possible Pain Relief????? 
        
(Message started by: tinkster45 on Jul 5^th, 2004, 11:19pm)

Title: Possible Pain Relief?????
Post by tinkster45 on Jul 5^th, 2004, 11:19pm

Hello

This could be WAAYYYY out in left field but just a thought I had and wondered if any of ya'll had been presented with the option or would it even be viable for some of the chronic suffers.

My daughter has a medtronic pump. This pump (computer) is implanted in the stomach with tubing that runs back to the spine where a cathedor is inserted into the spinal cavity. It then pumps medicine into her spinal fluids.

This pump has to be refilled every 3 to 6 months depending on doseages but when we go to get it filled at the local "Pain Management Clinic" all the patients there except her use these pump for sever, chronic pain. Broken backs, many there have told me they cant live with it, for cancers, etc. I was just wondering if that might be a option for pain control. The medicine is administered to the spinal fluid allowing much much higher doses of medicine and more concentrated without as many side effects and it doesnt enter the bloodstream..

Just wondering if any of yall had been presented with that option.

Joy

Title: Re: Possible Pain Relief?????
Post by floridian on Jul 6^th, 2004, 8:46am

Joy,

Interesting, though I haven't heard of that for clusters. Standard pain relief medicines (opiate like compounds) are not the first line in treating clusters. But anything that can reduce the side effects and improve the effectiveness of pain killers sounds good, although the implant sounds like an invasive (and risky) operation. I suspect we will hear more about this in the future if this method becomes more widespread.

Title: Re: Possible Pain Relief?????
Post by tinkster45 on Jul 6^th, 2004, 10:00am

http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/paintherapies/pain_treatment_ladder/drug_infusion/drug_drug_deliv.html

Hello I should have put the web page up.. it tells more about it. REading today I find on a few sites medtronic (makers of the pump) do mention it as treatment for headaches. I believe morphin is probalby the most commonly used in it. . I am sure it would be for those that suffer daily and whose quality of life is hindered but it sure would be a thought!

My daughter has had the system since she was 5. She is now 16. They sound much scarier than they are. The pump is implanted in the front of the stomach in just a fat pocket right below the skin. anyway for those that would like to read about it that site has some information and maybe a starting place to research it.

Joy

Title: Re: Possible Pain Relief?????
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jul 6^th, 2004, 5:49pm

Wouldn't be strong enough for my Kip 10's. I met reps from Medtronics a few times ... they didn't feel it would help me much either. I'd prefer Imitrex plz.

Unsolved

PS. I have heard of a "CH sufferer" who had this morphine pump implanted. Just don't see how it would help much with major attacks.

Title: Re: Possible Pain Relief?????
Post by don on Jul 6^th, 2004, 8:10pm

Morphine pump?

I could see that triggering more attacks than it would alleviate.

Title: Re: Possible Pain Relief?????
Post by tinkster45 on Jul 6^th, 2004, 8:51pm

Hello

Not sure if its the same pump as your talking about. this is the intrathecal pump not a intravaneous morphin pump. I copied a a page from medtronic that kind of explains it better than I did.... ;;D

The physiology of pain begins with sensory neurons called nociceptors. A pain message is transmitted along these neurons to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. In the dorsal horn, sensory neurons release several neurotransmitters that act on the dendrites of ascending neurons. Eventually, these ascending neurons carry the signal to the brain where it is perceived as pain.

One of the key neurotransmitters in pain transmission is substance P. Opioids inhibit the release of substance P and other neurotransmitters by bonding to opioid receptors (e.g., morphine binds to Mu, Kappa and perhaps Delta receptors1). This, in effect, blocks the message before it reaches the brain and is perceived as pain.

Intrathecal drug delivery places medication directly into the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord. Morphine delivered directly to the intrathecal space is particularly effective because it does not have to circulate systemically to reach the CSF and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

Joy