Baclofen pump info for a friend

[Rrrrronnn]

A friend of mine who was in rehab with me is looking into the baclofen pump procedure. She had a tumor at the top of her spinal chord removed about 15 years ago. She has two children, and her tone and spasticity make it more difficult to keep up with them. Oral dosages are not much help.

I was hoping that people who had it done could share some pros and cons about the system, and the procedure to have it put in? Basically some personal input would be great. So far she has just read the medical lit side of it.

The thing she mentioned was called Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy. Are there other names or versions of this? The link she sent said it was for MS, but she is a walking quad.

Thanks in advance for any info!

[SCI-Nurse]

Hi Ron,

It is great that you are seeking as much information on the pump as educated users tend to do better with the pump. Here are a few sites that may help but doing a search on carecure/google will bring many discussions on the topic.
http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3438
http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=45474

AAD

[McDuff]

Here is my short thread on getting a pump installed:
http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8007

Not sure what else to tell ya. I have had no "cons" with my pump. It has worked well from day one. I have had to have the dose "upped" a few times over time but have now leveled off, keeping some spasticity/tone as I find it helps w/ transfers and such.

If she is walking, I would be careful with a pump, it is a fine line between real tight and flaccid. If she uses her tone to walk, she will need to get the pump dialed in real well to maintain the "right" level of tone. But w/ a good Doc this is no biggie I would think.

Refills are a breeze, takes way more time for the nurse practicioner to setup then to do the refill.

Happy to answer any other Q's y'all may have.

[Shwetarose]

I have baclofen pump installed bcos of much spasticity. and i got lil relief too when i use to do exercise.Spasms are less.