Hi all,
I have very severe COPD & have just been prescribed Oramorph as I have lots of mucus & lots of clearance & coughing each day.
I’d just like to ask about experiences with Oramorph & how it works for you? I haven’t taken it yet as I’m a bit nervous 🙈
Any thoughts?
Lynne xx
Hi Lynne - I have used Oromorph during and following serious hospitalisations and Ive found it brilliant at relaxing me, helping with panic and improving my breathing.
Sometimes people are anxious about taking morphine but there's really no need. This prescription is to make your life easier and more comfortable. It is not addictive either which I know some ppl worry about it. I am not taking it now but if I needed to I would do so again in a flash. Im sure you will get more replies so you get the widest perspective possible.
Take care 
I’m so pleased it helped you when you needed it.
How did it help your breathing? 😊
Hard to remember exactly - I was choking with double pneumonia, respiratory failure and asthma and frequently felt like I wouldnt survive. So I was pretty bad and effects of the Oromorph was basically a matter of degree - it wasn't quite as bad as it had been, and I was just so grateful for any improvement. As I got better it helped me breathe better until I was back to normal and didnt need it any more.
what about constipation
Never been a problem for me. I use it occasionally for severe pain from another condition and find it helps me relax and at least get some sleep. I also took it during a bad flare up of asthma recently and it helped relax so I could breathe more easily
I take it for pain and it does help breathing. I take 7mg a dose 10 mg being the maximum. I thought if you have an asthma flare up, morphine was taboo. I have asthma also.
Hi. Lynne. I use orimorph to help with my breathing to help calm me down when I'm going out. To help. Ie does help.
Don't be scared,of using the oramorph, it helps to relax you and at those lower doses it wont interfere with your breathing or cause,more phlegm , it can be a god send at times just use it when you really need it . Hope this helps
I am a bit scared! I always worried when taking new medication 🙈
I’m just curious how it helps with breathing..?
Firstly it helps to calm us down and then relaxs us lynne , you won't feel any of the usual side affects accociated with morphine because it's suc a,low dose, it does help .
Ok 🙈 I’ll bite the bullet & try it tomorrow 😬😂
Go for it Lynne,I have suffered severe panick attacks and can't breathe for years. Only prescribed OraMorph less than a week ago and already panick attacks under control and not so anxious Give it a try ,I can see this post is 8 months old hope it has helped you like me. I still get out of breath on movement but no panic attack which was my worse nightmare. Sending cwtches from Wales. Xx🙏🙏💕👍Sheila
Sorry Sheila, I’ve only just spotted your post.
I’m so pleased OraMorph has helped you! Panic attacks are just so awful.
My lungs actually did a 180* turn around a few months ago and stopped producing mucus and my breathing settled to a more normal and far more manageable level. I think I’d finally got over a 6 month run of debilitating chest infections and feel quite well at the minute.
I never started OraMorph, but the positive responses from our lovely people here has made me realised it will be fine to take if and when the time arises.
Thank you for your kind words and sending hugs back to you too 🤗💕
Lynne xx
Thank you Lynne wish I had been prescribed years ago. Panic attacks and health anxiety have been my worse nightmare. I would wake up thinking I was going to get an attack and get in such a state I would cause sn attack..I can't believe tge OraMorph has controlled this. It has to be this as prescribed it only last week. What a difference. Hope you are well .I am on my 5th course of antibiotics and steroids,praying this will sort thus infection out . Sending Welsh cwtches xx.Sheila Merry Xmas and a happy and healthy 2024. 💕🙏😍👍
Oh bless you! You sound like you’re going through a tough time at the minute. I can empathise completely. I’ll cross everything for you that your infection is sent packing for Christmas 🤞🙏 I’m so happy that at least the OraMorph seems to have enabled you to manage your panic attacks more. What a blessing for you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy and infection free New Year to you too 🥰💕 xxx
Don't be scared , it will help
Hi Lynnetp! I was a little wary of taking it too! I think because of the morphine association? It won't make you feel "out of it", but just relaxes you and slows your breathing down, I take it in any situation where I know my anxiety levels are going to be raised. Really, it does help All the best, Laurie x
Thank you so much. I feel much more reassured 🥰xx
I tried it at 1.25. Affected my stomach. Bloating and constipation. Have laxatives ready. I wasn’t keen on it.
was prescribed Oramorpf but I started off at 1mg in a syringe...At first it knocked me out then they wanted me to move it up to 5mg but I said no...If 1mg does that to me 5mg would see me asleep all day so i decided not to take it...I understand it works for a lot of people its just not for me.
Hi Lynne, I have recently been prescribed Oramorph for COPD breathlessness, I rejected it first time I was offered it 5 years ago due to the anxiety caused by its an opioid, is it addictive, will it stop me driving etc. This time when it was offered I did a bit of research, apparently breathlessness is caused by the chest muscles over reacting when the body thinks there is a need for extra oxygen. The Oramorph calms the muscles and reduces the effect of the rapid breathing, at the levels prescribed it is not addictive and does not affect driving unless you feel drowsy. It certainly helps me I’m on 1.25ml every 4 hours as required. Try it, it may make you a bit drowsy so don’t take it just before you have to go and do something, until you know if it is going to make you feel drowsy.
Hi….. I have IPF and I take Morphine 10mgs tablets twice a day which are prolonged release, I also use Morphine liquid (same as Oramorpf) as a breakthrough during the day. Morphine relaxes your respiratory system and slows your breathing down and this is what helps the breathlessness and cough. It’s prescribed at the right dose for you so dont be frightened to take it you will feel better. Good luck x
I agree with everything O2Trees and others are saying . As long as you take the prescribed dosage , it helps you to relax, relieves panis and calms down your breathing. Go for it!
Thank you! Time to bite the bullet 🙈
Hello Lynnetp,
I too have severe COPD (ACOS ). Just wondering if anyone has offered you a try of Roflumilast? I was offered it last year and once I had worked through slightly uncomfortable side effects and settled into it, then it began to make a BIG difference to me. It didn’t impact on my 02 requirement, which in fact slightly increased. The greatest effect on me was to reduce cough and mucous production with a good experience of wellbeing, which was quite a relief after struggling for years! It increased my exercise tolerance as well.
It is a drug on the Amber list so it can only prescribed initially by a consultant. I know it doesn’t suit everyone but thought it might be worth mentioning it to you.
Go well.
Pauline
Hi Pauline,
That must have made a huge difference to your life! I’m definitely interested in that! Anything to reduce the mucus! It’s exhausting!
I’ll do some research 😊
I’m so glad you were helped by this
Many thanks
Lynne x
Not sure why I am still shocked that we folk with severe COPD are not automatically offered this medication !
I fully support you asking to be prescribed Roflumilast to see if it will help to improve your health. Are you seeing a consultant regularly? If you are you can discuss with them to prescribe it to you? If not them you will need to ask for a referral from your GP for an OPD appointment. I requested a referral to a consultant for a review as I hadn’t been seen for about 6 years. In my experience we need to be assertive about asking for what we need theses days, which goes against my grain, but there we are. If I don’t look after myself then very few others will do.
Here is some more information for you. You are welcome to message me if you need more information.
Let us know how you get on won’t you ?
bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/roflu...
Go well.
Pauline
Another thing is that this winter I caught a nasty fluey type virus, however it only triggered my asthma, ( bad enough ) but didn’t give me a chest infection, so no antibiotics needed! That is the first year since 2005 I have not had a bacterial chest infection in the wintertime!
Great pain reliever but can give you constipation. Be prepared.
Hi, it will help with your cough as it will suppress the nerves that prompt you to cough. As for it not being addictive, it is but usually when it is at a higher dose for treatment of severe pain.
I'm allergic to morphine so take oxycodone instead. It's an opiate that has the same effect on breathing that morphine does. I've been taking it for a while at 1.25 but palliative have just suggested I increase to 2 as I'm struggling a bit. It does help me and I've no negative side effects yet.There can be a problem with constipation but I've never had to resort to the HUGE box of laxido that is prescribed alongside my meds! I just ensure that I eat plenty of veg, salad, fruit and nuts.
Thank you so much. I’m glad it’s a help to you.
I think it’s time to try 🤞
Just try the lowest dose suggested by the prescriber. Usually 1.25 four times a day. You can buy the little syringes to ensure an accurate dose.
Hi, I am puzzled - You (and others say " at 1.25 " - What do you mean by that? MG or ML? - I take between 2.5 and 5 ML (5-10mg) for pain. 1,25 would be about the same as a codeine tablet, or just a tad more. (10mg morphine = 100mg codeine)
If your are taking codeine for other than pain say BREATHING. I don't know the dosage to relieve breathlessness. So apologies for question.
My starting dose of oxycodone for breathlessness was 1.25 millilitres four times a day, hence the need for a baby syringe. You can have slow release tablets but I chose liquid as it gives me more control to adjust doses if I want. I've just been advised to increase to 2mls four times a day as I'm struggling a little. (And don't apologise, I wouldn't want anyone to take the wrong dose.🙂)
Thank's - I have up to 5ml for pain but, I found it makes breathing easier.
Hi in MG 1.5 oxycodone is = to 6.6mg of Morphine. Yes I know about the giant boxes of Laxido. I eat brown buns with soup.
Do try it , my husband has been on it for a while now and couldn’t manage without it . The usual dose of 1.25 is very very low and definitely not addictive , my husband can go all day without the need to use it but it’s so reassuring to have it there if he’s really struggling with the breathing . It works within minutes ! As to the side affects he was prescribed Docusate , which is not a laxative as such but keeps everything moving as it should 😊
Thank you so much. I’m glad it helps your husband. I just need to open the bottle now lol! 😊
Hi Lynnetp!
I was originally prescribed Oramorph because of back pain due to osteoporosis and not my COPD. However, my respiratory consultant recommends a spoonful, especially at bed time, to generally relax you. That works well for me and leads usually to a good night's sleep.
The only warning I would give is if you take it during the daytime. It doesn't knock you out or anything but can lead to you wanting to nap. No bad thing in itself but something you need to be aware of if you're going to a situation where napping would not be appropriate or possible.
Hope it works for you!
Chris
I had never heard of it. But I see it is a morphine.
What is Oramorph? Oramorph is liquid morphine that is taken by mouth. It is normally used to treat pain. There is also evidence that in small doses Oramorph is effective for treating long term breathlessness.
Oramorph as a treatment for breathlessness for patients with ...
uhcw.nhs.uk/download/client...
Have to cut and paste I am afraid....
I take Morphine Sulphate daily, I need it for pain. Oramorph is a Brand Name of Morphine Sulphate.
However I have COPD and Asthma and I have no problems - I take the least dose posible that helps, 5ml or 10mg is the maximum of any one dose.
It dose help the pain and it also helps my breathing
.
If you take it as your doctor prescribes you should not have any problems at all. I would read the medication leaflet in full - any worries phone your GP.
I tolerate Morphine quite well .
Lastly you will have been given an oral syringe or 5ml spoon - first does take the less does and see how you are.
A little top, if you have been given a spoon - go to pharmacy and buy oral syringes and 50 pence each, the dose is more accurate.
Hi Lynnetp, I have severe emphysema iI've Used oramorph for four years now, it is perfectly fine with the low dosage for breathing, it can be great for those who benefit from its use it relaxes the tensions associated with COPD and the awful breathlessness this causes, it makes a huge difference for me as I use it when going out or doing tasks and I have no issues after these years of use just keep to the correct dosage which works for you, the stigma associated with this medicine i believe puts folk off which is a shame as it can be so helpful. Best of luck 🙂
I've been taking oramorph and as long as you stick to your doses you'll be fine honestly xxx
Never seen oramorph used for mucus... I thought morphine/codeine (at least one if them) actually suppressed coughs?
No I’ve been given it to help with my breathing, not mucus
Ah ok, that makes sense
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