Older man helping younger girl with homework.

OPTIMIZING THERAPY TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY

REGULAR

DOCTOR VISITS

You will need to return to your doctor's office periodically for checkups and to have your pump refilled.

Older male patient speaks with younger female doctor.

PUMP REFILLS

Keeping all of your refill appointments will ensure your pump does not run out of medication. If you miss a refill appointment, it may result in:

Loss of, or change in, your therapy
Underdose (too little of the drug) that could lead to a return of pain symptoms or, possibly, symptoms of withdrawal
Damage to the pump that could require replacement surgery

The frequency of your refill appointments will depend on the concentration and amount of medication you receive each day. Refills generally happen every 6 weeks to 6 months.

FOLLOW YOUR TREATMENT PLAN

Follow the treatment plan developed by your doctor, including participating in physical therapy as prescribed.

ADJUSTING DOSE

Work with your physician to find the dose of medication that is most comfortable for you. Dosing can be customized to accommodate your needs at different times of the day, night, or week.

If you have the personal therapy management device, be sure to talk with your doctor about the number of doses programmed and the length of time between doses. Your doctor may need to adjust the programming to find a combination that meets your needs.

TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Tell your doctor if you are not feeling well, if you are having problems with your therapy, or if you are not receiving adequate pain relief.

Review your goals regularly with your doctor. Are you making progress toward achieving them? Is drug delivery therapy helping you reach your goals? What adjustments need to be made?

USING THE PERSONAL THERAPY MANAGEMENT DEVICE

If your doctor prescribed it at time of implant, you received a personal therapy management device that works with your drug pump to help alleviate unpredictable pain.

The personal therapy management device allows you to self-administer bolus doses of morphine from your pump when needed and within limits set by your doctor. The amount of boluses it can deliver is determined by your physician. With it you can easily track your expected refill date, review boluses remaining and see how much time remains before your next bolus is available. It generates reports that you and your physician can review together at each refill appointment.

PUMP ALARMS

AND CAUTIONS

Understand what your pump alarm sounds like and what activities to avoid or limit during therapy.

Man and woman speak to two medical professionals.

UNDERSTANDING PUMP ALARM SOUNDS

Be aware of the critical (two-tone) alarm and the non-critical (single-tone) alarm on your drug pump. Alarms may sound when the pump needs to be refilled, replaced, or is experiencing a problem. Contact your doctor if you hear an alarm.

Please note that the volume of the alarm on your computer may be louder than the volume of the alarm heard from the implanted pump.

The alarm signals a critical or noncritical event in your infusion system. A critical alarm is a dual-tone alarm. A critical alarm means that therapy has stopped or will stop soon. A noncritical alarm is a single-tone alarm. A noncritical alarm requires a doctor or nurse's attention because it may mean therapy will stop at some point in the future.

After your implant, ask your doctor to temporarily program your pump to sound the alarm in his or her office so you will recognize the sound if an alarm goes off in the future.

A non-critical alarm will sound when you are nearing replacement. Learn more about pump replacement.

ACTIVITIES TO AVOID

Avoid activities that put stress on your drug system, including sudden, excessive, or repetitive bending, twisting, bouncing, or stretching that can damage the pump or catheter or cause the catheter to become disconnected.

MEDICAL TESTS

The drug pump was designed to be MRI safe under certain conditions. Learn more about MRI and diagnostic test compatibility.

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PUMP

Resources are available to help you as you prepare for travel. Learn more about how to prepare for travel and vacations.

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.