Oramorph as treatment for breathlessness?

[Gooner1947]

A palliative care nurse dropped by today and mentioned very small dose of Oramorph could help with breathlessness. Can anyone comment with experience of it please?

[Val2118]

yes it can be taken for breathlessness also

[Gooner1947 in reply to Val2118]

Do you think I should let the cardiologist know?

[Gooner1947 in reply to Val2118]

How does it help?

[Alfie33 in reply to Gooner1947]

It helps with your breathing, and helps you sleep

[Val2118]

i would probably speak to your cardiologist

[Gooner1947 in reply to Val2118]

Almost Impossible to

[Queserasera25]

Hi. Oramorph is supposed to help with Breathlessness yes. My Husband was given it and he said it did help quite a bit. He was given it though because he had Chronic COPD and Emphysema. So try it and see. Hope it helps you. 😀

[Yumz199725]

I remember havin it when I was in hospital and was having bad chest pain x I was very breathless at the time and did help a little bit I think.

[T666]

it can help but it is a controlled drug as is very carefully and thoughtfully prescribed It is also quite strong and absolutely imperative that you run this past a qualified medic ie GP or Cardiologist

[Dingdongdong]

Be careful because it also makes you constipated . Great medication for making you relaxed and slowing you down . But obviously there are side effects. Hope it helps

[Heathylass]

I have experience in palliative care (20 odd years) and can say that oramorph in small doses can be useful in helping manage symptoms of breathlessness. The key is small doses ( I.e 2.5mgs), as the higher doses used for pain relief dont tend to be as effective and may cause unwanted side effects (in some instances).

[Gooner1947 in reply to Heathylass]

When do you give the small amounts?I can easily predict my breathlessness. Almost every time I get up to try and do something.

Going to bed(can't sleep)and getting up takes about 20 mins to get breath back

[nilmonisikdar40]

Hi Gooner1947, I guess the Oramorph was given to manage your pain and though it is not specifically designed for breathlessness , perhaps it takes off the anxiety and stress and that helps. May I know what was your actual medical diagnosis ? Regards.

[Gooner1947 in reply to nilmonisikdar40]

I have two on the go. Acute aortic stenosis. Been through many procedures this past 12 months and awaiting a TAVI.I also diagnosed Myeloma. Was told by Haematologist shouldn't stop the TAVI. But a blood test other week showed some cell had spiked so it needed a control. I'm to two cycles of chemo to control. Cycles being 4 x chemo takes 5 weeks.

Sadly has held up TAVI. So no hope new heart valve yet solve the breathlessness caused by it.

Thanks for any information

[Elliot43 in reply to Gooner1947]

I do hope it all works out for you soon Gooner.

I have blood cancer too and heart problems so I know what you are dealing with.

Sheila in Oz

[Grimmer]

I'm sure the palliative care nurse knows what she's talking about ! Many nurses are more experienced than some doctors

[Alfie33]

Yes i take oramorph, 1mil as often as required upto 4 times a day, it helps with breathing also helps me sleep and stops me coughing . The gp also gave me a laxative because it can make you constipated

[Gooner1947 in reply to Alfie33]

Thank you. That would definitely help me

[Milopalm]

I was given a very small dose for breathlessness (less than 1ml). I tried it twice and made me feel terrible...numb face, couldn't see as everything went bright, unbalanced and had to sit quietly and wait for the effects to wear off. Never again. After a 3 month wait I see cardiac nurse today. Maybe she will help??

[Qualipop]

I've been on opiate pain medication for 20 years and have always been warned hat the biggest danger is that they depress your breathing. I had oramorph at first then changed to oxycodone because of allergy.

[Kelling]

I take Oramorph for chronic pain and have done for about two years. I am also taking 80mg morphine tablets morning and evening. I take the Oramorph as and when which has been as much as 4 times a day to 2 to nothing for days. I have done much research into the positive and negative aspects of this versatile medication that requires much respect since it can be lethal in the wrong hands!

I am aware that Oramorph, in small doses of between 1 and 2mg can assist in breathlessness along with breathing exercises to assist in maintaining a good volume of oxygen into the lungs with some positive results. However it is incredibly difficult to have a GP that is willing to prescribe almost any form of morphine purely because of the potential difficulties the drug can trigger if it is not used to the letter. Therefore I would rest assured that if you are prescribed the drug, your GP has the knowledge to allow you to use it and at the low doses you will have been prescribed, will have an extremely low health threat but a very high rate of success in it's use.

Finally regarding letting your cardiologist know? Well your doctor no doubt knows your medical history and remember also that these days, medical records are or should be available across the board - although that would not necessarily reason your cardiologist might know - however, if in doubt, ring the cardiologists secretary and ask that the information be presented for addition to the patients records. Or indeed same request to GP.

Hope this helps - please note these are my own thoughts brought about by my own experience from information read or given verbally to me. But rest assured Morphine can be lethal if abused in any way and is why it is a Class A drug as described by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, is prescribed for specific use for the person prescribed it and as such, should not be shared with anyone else - ever! Care should also be considered when traveling abroad with the need for larger amounts of the drug in your luggage, where a covering letter from your GP or Specialist may be called for, for clarity purposes.

[Whiteghost]

Oramorph has been used to treat breathlessness for many years and is proven to be effective and safe. It should make your breathing easier and more relaxed. Oramorph works quickly to relieve the feeling of being breathless and help you gain control (recover more quickly). 🤗

[buddy2blue]

I take 2-4 mils of oramoph each night to help with my breathing. I'm also on 4Lrs of oxygen and on palliative care as well