Is a Pain Pump Better Than Taking Pills?

Chronic pain is a problem that affects millions of people worldwide, and it can be especially tricky to control. Medications exist for just about every type of pain, including opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories — but they don’t come without risks.

Long-term medication use for pain can result in opioid dependence, addiction, and other serious health problems. Using nonopioid medications also affects the liver and kidneys and may lead to stomach ulcers or bleeding.

An intrathecal pain pump may be the answer for severe pain that persists despite conservative measures. Dr. Stephanie S. Jones and the Consultants in Pain Medicine team provide pain management tools, including pain pumps, spinal cord stimulators, and epidural steroid injections.

Understanding a pain pump

A pain pump is a surgically implanted device that delivers medication into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord. The area, known as the intrathecal space, contains the nerves that deliver pain signals to your brain and central nervous system.

The pain pump consists of several parts, including the catheter in the intrathecal space, the pump that delivers the medication, and the reservoir in the pump that holds the medication.

A pain pump is a surgically implanted device, meaning you need to undergo anesthesia to get it. However, it offers many benefits, even with surgery, over using oral analgesics for chronic or intractable pain.

You also get a device that allows you to give yourself an extra dose during a severe flare-up of pain. The pain pump is programmable, meaning you can’t overdose yourself even with an extra dose of medication with the hand-held device.

The pain pump sits just under the abdomen, with an extension catheter connecting to the intrathecal catheter. Dr. Jones can inject more medication into the device port in the office to add more medication.

Consequences of long-term pain pills

A pain pump is an excellent alternative to long-term pain medication for several reasons. First, pain medications, especially opioids, are addictive. Long-term use puts you at risk for opioid addiction and severe health issues.

But addiction isn’t the only issue with continued pain pill usage. They also have unpleasant side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Other aspects of these medications can affect your body’s functions and may lead to long-term damage.

You may also build up a tolerance to pain medications, meaning you have to take more of the drug to get the same effect. As the dosage increases, so do the side effects and other issues associated with chronic pain pill usage.

Taking pain pills for short periods isn’t usually an issue. Still, when it comes to long-term use, it’s detrimental to your body and health. A pain pump is an excellent alternative for managing chronic pain that persists despite trying other conservative methods.

Benefits of a pain pump

A pain pump is an excellent option for people living with chronic pain who can’t seem to control it with conventional methods. It offers many advantages over pain medications, and we can use it using minimally invasive surgical techniques.

One significant benefit of a pain pump is the low medication dosage. The dose is very low because the pump delivers the pain medicine directly to the nerves. Still, it achieves the same results as a pain pill.

The pump also delivers pain medication regularly, so you won’t need to worry about taking another dose. You can even give yourself a booster dose during a difficult flare-up for extra relief.

Because of the low dosage, there are minimal, if any, medication side effects while using a pain pump. The medication also bypasses your GI tract, eliminating harmful side effects like constipation and abdominal discomfort.

For people living with chronic pain, a pain pump is a much better option than taking pills every day for relief. With a straightforward procedure, you can be pain-free and live the life you’ve dreamed of without worrying about chronic pain.

Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jones and learn more about our pain pump procedure. You may also request a consultation on our website.