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Morphine and pain control.

Jo_BLFHelplineBritish Lung Foundation•

12 years ago•3 Replies

Hello Again,

Another article today on BBC Health about how morphine can be used to treat pain in people with long term conditions including respiratory conditions.

bbc.co.uk/news/health-18169840

Cheers

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Jo_BLFHelpline

British Lung Foundation

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Morphine

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3 Replies

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12 years ago

Thanks again Jo, that is so good to know that Daniel and others with long term conditions will no longer have to suffer such excruciating pain.

thank you for posting.

Zoe

Daxiemad12 years ago

I have been using morphine on a as and when needed basis for just over 12 months after trying various other painkillers. It is an excellent drug but you can very easily become addicted and need more and more to get the same result. Chronic pain for which I have can really take over your life, and I have learnt that pain control isn't just about swallowing painkillers, it is about learning what triggers your pain, and learning ways to avoid that trigger. So pacing, learning different methods of doing things and understanding pain are just as important. Of course excruciating pain must be treated with drugs like Morphine, but that alone in some cases is not enough, and so I think it is really important for anyone who has severe pain to have access to Pain Management Nurses. I haven't needed to contact mine for over a year, but now I am on a list I can just ring up at anytime without having to through my GP.

12 years ago

Hi Jo

I do hope this will translate into improved access to opiates for late and end stage copd patients who are markedly dyspnoeic despite other traditional measures being used. While hospice patients are well served in this aspect, patients who prefer a home death frequently seem to loose out. This appears to be partly due to nervousness surrounding use of opiates generally, and the often poor communication and timing between Doctors, nurses and the patient's needs when dealing with home EOL scenarios. This has been highlighted both in medical literature and in recent sensitive TV documentaries dealing with the subject. Frequently end stage lung cancer patients have excellent relief from both pain and dyspnea, while copd patients spend their last days suffering. With the future of copd care looking pretty much home based all round, lets hope they finally get this aspect right in practical terms. P.

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