Morphine pump: 2 Questions re Long-term Use

[dnw2]

Question 1: TOLERANCE. My neurosurgeon said that a person can develop tolerance with long-term use of a pump because the amount of morphine would have to increase as the pain increases, just like it does with oral pain meds.   Has anyone had this experience? What did you or your doctor do?

Question 2  WITHDRAWAL My same neurosurgeon said that if the pump broke releasing the morphine inside, a person would go into severe witihdrawal.  Has this happened to anyone? I would think that overdose would be more likely...but I don't know.  Csn anyone help me?

I know my doctor is in favor of another treatment; but I'd like to know some answers from people who've experienced tolerance and withdrawl, if possible.  Thank you.

[rookie97]

morphine pumps do help a lot of people deal with cronic pain, myself being one of those, I have had mine for 3 yrs now, and I am just starting to have my first problem, swollen calfs, ankles, feet, and iching, same areas, so a change is needed of the medication, morphine, and no these pumps don't cure anything, that's not what they do, they help fight pain and hopfully lets you live a little better life, I am thankfull for 3 yrs of improved pain relief instead of all the pain without it, I could not function before and I could after, so it's your choice, believe this guy or get some real info to go by! good luck!!!!!

[saraberry555]

You will experience the withdrawal no matter what, then you will experience more pain if it's a life long condition, nothing you can do, enjoy what you can and get off of it, it can make you sick or totally unstable,  eventually you'll have to live with that pain. Morphine pumps never cured anyone, and they never will. you'll go threw the whole thing of every pain thing out there, none of them ever cured anyone, there only temporary. and yeah i would worry about that long term pump thing, I think i would want one if i didn't already know, they don't last. and it all falls out in the long run.

Bless you and I hope you feel better one day with physical therapy or anything that can help.