Yes, the place where I work has a number of patients w/chronic pain who have pain pumps implanted. Typically these are used for intractable back pain, etc (non-cancer) but they can be used for people who have cancer-related pain who still have some time and may do better with meds that are delivered into the intrathecal space (in the spine). Side effects tend to be much lower b/c the dosing can be so much lower with more consistent effect. The med is typically programmed for a constant rate so the blood levels don't rise and fall as they do with oral meds. Best of luck to you with that if it's something you decide to do. If I can answer more questions, just ask.


GM, for John who has SCC Rt tonsil with 3+ nodes, Stage T1 N2b MX; surgery 04/09; Rad X 33 completed 7/14/09...f/u imaging and scopes looking good as of Feb 2011