Hi toughhummingbird,
I'm tomcat and just found your entries while checking the bio boards. I don't check it that often since we use the "general" board for the majority of our posts. Why don't you join us there and you can get to know everyone? You'll have so much support from everyone and some of our members have pain pumps and can tell you more about them. Come to the general board and ask them what they think about theirs.
I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time with getting your family to understand your chronic pain. It took a while for my husband to "get it". He finally does. Take care and hope to see you over in the other room.
tomcat
asst mgr