Morphine

[IvanOpinion]

Anybody who knows Ivan knows I have mentioned DWs back problems on various occasions. Unfortunately things are getting worse, the doctor has informed her that things are not going to get better and they can not give her any more Tramadol (pain killer) since she is already exceeding the highest dose allowed. This week they have told her they are putting her onto morphine (in the form of a patch).

The use of morphine scares me because I always associate it with terminal illnesses. While the doctor has tried to allay any fears I just can not get this image out of my head. Has anybody else had to deal with morphine (patches or otherwise) for long term?

Ivan

[wigginsmum]

I've got a friend in the US with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome who has lived on morphine for several years for the chronic pain. There don't seem to be any bad effects (I've spent some time with her while she's been on it - she's compos mentis and able to function, even drive) and it's worked well enough for her to be out of her wheelchair and digging the garden. I'll PM you her email addy so you can discuss directly with her.

[Westywoodpecker]

morphine patches work well for pain relief as they are slow releasing,thus avoiding symptoms sometimes associated with morphine such as n & v. She will probably be commenced on a low dose to see how it effects her pain relief. Her first patch will take a while to take effect, but these are a very effective and useful method of pain control, which will hopefully improve the quality of daily living for her. The use of morphine in terminal illness is used in a very different way, and in much higher doses, although I could see why you were concerned. HTH Westy

[kaya]

Morphine is actually a very clean drug, the only problem being dependance, im heading the same way and trying everything to avoid the inevitable "prescription junkie" syndrome. Have you tried stopping the tramadol at all? Sometimes a break for a while can remove the tolerance that has been built up to the painkiller?

[suki1964]

I was put on Morphine for my back at the grand old age of 26 :(

I had the same fears as you and refused to take it long term - more fool me.

It is a great pain killer and I honestly do belive you have less chance of developing a dependancy on properly prescribed morphine then you have with the other pain killers on offer. I stopped taking the morphine at the earliest oppertunity and was left with a valium and co something or other (the one that was banned recently - brains gone :) )addiction which took me years to kick.

If you really are concerned, can you not get a referral to a pain clinic where they may have other ideas on how to treat

[wigginsmum]

Co-proxamol?

[UNICORN]

Co-proxamol is quite mild, solpadol is a higher strength painkiller, but it can be addictive since it contains codeine

[penyekz]

Don't worry. Lots of people get put on morphine for pain relief. Its a great opioid analgesia. Doctors usually work to the WHO analgesic ladder starting from paracetamol at the bottom up to morphine/diamorphine and its various derivatives at the top. Different people have different threshold for pain which in itself can be subjective. Being put on morphine does not mean its terminal!

Biggest problems with opioids are nausea, constipation and to a lesser extent, dependence.