Morphine withdrawal help

boots_babe

Hi,

My mum had been on a very high morphine dose (180mg daily) for over 10 years to cope with severe pain. She has recently been told she must swap onto fentanyl, and was under the GP surgery's pharmacist.

She gradually reduced down to 120 mg, but then was told to do a straight swap to the fentanyl. So effectively a sudden cold turkey on the morphine.

The pharmacist said she'd only have a couple of days of issues, but it is now 2 weeks and she's still really struggling.

This is not a post for medical advice which I know is not allowed. Mum has just called the GP again to ask for help or advice, they said they can't do anything. She's then called the pharmacist and has an appointment booked for Tuesday, but that is a long way away.

I was just wondering if anyone who has experience of similar, could suggest anything non-medicinal that may help? Whether it's eating or avoiding certain foods, as an example.

Mum is 81, has heart failure and cancer, and a host of other issues. It's agonising seeing her go through this with what seems no proper support, despite her having pleaded for help. She was in tears again this morning, after another night of no sleep. Even though she can not move much voluntarily due to other medical issues, the withdrawal sees her limbs all jerking frantically in the night for hours on end, so she is absolutely exhausted. Also she has the feeling of bugs crawling all over her, and regular freezing chills, even with temperature up to 28 degrees in the room.

I cannot believe there is nothing she can do to help herself through this terrible ordeal. Just hoping for some helpful tips from those who have experienced similar directly or indirectly.

Many thanks.

NanookOfTheNorth

Hi, I would think the best thing to do is call 111 and explain the situation and they can advise appropriate action - back to GP, walk in centre or hospital.

Loanranger21

could you call 111 nhs for advice?

boots_babe

I must admit, I had dismissed 111 in my head, as I thought they would simply say the same as her GP i.e. there is nothing they can do and that she just has to put up with it. But actually there is no harm in trying is there.

NanookOfTheNorth

Sometimes NHS 111 are able to make an appointment for the GP or walk in centre hospital appointment which for the latter reduces wait times instead of just turning up and being there for hours, and hours, and hours.

silvercar

NanookOfTheNorth said:

Sometimes NHS 111 are able to make an appointment for the GP or walk in centre hospital appointment which for the latter reduces wait times instead of just turning up and being there for hours, and hours, and hours.

You can also request to speak to a prescriber on 111, who can send a prescription direct to a local pharmacy,

Savvy_Sue

I'd also phone any local agencies who deal with addiction and see if they can help or advocate. I know your mum has been prescribed these drugs, but the withdrawal issues are no respecter of how the substance was obtained.

silvercar

Some of these posts are providing medical advice, even though OP particularly said they weren’t asking for medical advice but how to get some help.

I’ll close the thread now and ask the Forum Team to take a look.