Morphine For COPD ??

[vmrdoug]

My COPD has recently been causing problems with breathing on any exertion I have tried almost all usual meds and now the Doctors want to introduce low doses of morphine. When I researched the web I was surprised to see how often it has been used. Can anyone please provide their response to taking this opiate approach. Thanks

[R2B_John Moderator]

Please remember we are not physicians and can only offer lay opinions and what we have read/seen/heard.

I have heard many have experienced an ease of breathing when using low dose morphine.....generally as a last resort after other treatments no longer are effective.

Have you been thru pulmonary rehab? Often, we can easily get short of breath when simply deconditioned and out of shape.

Good luck and let us know.

[vmrdoug in reply to R2B_John]

Thanks John it is as a last resort I have tried most other meds both inhaled and nebulized and they have no positive affect and I am allergic to several of them. I am hoping the treatments work as when resting SP02 is great but when I stand up I am immeadiately out of breath. I will post the results when I am stable in the treatment

[vmrdoug in reply to R2B_John]

Yes went through ReHab and as a last resort I will keep posting Thanks for your response

[Kstttvll]

I asked my dr for some she refuses to give me any for help with my breathing won’t change any meds nothing won’t listen that as soon as I take 10 steps I’m at 80 with the oxygen

[vmrdoug in reply to Kstttvll]

Kstttvll

I am feeling exactly like you are SP02 is great sitting or laying down but move around and and it drops immediately very discouraging I have had only 3 doses of the morphine felt a little relief from the first dose, nurse messed up on second dose however on the 3rd I am feeling improvement and crossing my fingers. I will post my progress.

[Vicky-HT]

I wason morphine for a while and it did help, the amount that I was taking at a time was 2ml and it worked well with no real side effects apart from a little sleepy at times.

I was given this for about 3 months till I could get oxygen in the house, and now just take a few blasts of that if I have to walk across the room.

It worked for me in the short term.

Good Luck

[vmrdoug in reply to Vicky-HT]

Vicki Thanks for the feedback it is helpful and I am now getting ready for my 4th dose but I do feel some improvement already. I will keep the group posted on efficacy.

[Maxiem in reply to vmrdoug]

What dosage are you on and how often.

Thanks Max

[vmrdoug in reply to Vicky-HT]

Thanks Vicky I have been taking it for a week now while in the hospital and getting ready to go home need to arrange home health through either Palliative or. Hospice hopefully we will get through this for longer than expected

[Vicky-HT in reply to vmrdoug]

It was given to me as part of my pallitive care, I was also on heavy doses of Valium as well as super strong anti biotics, I had been in hopital 4 times in the past two months and every time it was the same put me in a bed with tablets, in the end I refused to go in, as I wanted to die at home, and every time I went into hospital the result was the same, me not getting better.

I have decided that I will NEVER go into hospital again, if you havd ever been in a UK hospital you would understand, that said you do not loose you house trying to pay for the DR's kid to get through Yale!!

Now my biggest problem is trying to get to sleep!!!

[vmrdoug in reply to Vicky-HT]

Vicky I can understand how you feel I am in the hospital for the 3rd time in 8 weeks never before so it sucks. But the Drs. don't have a crystal ball I don't know what is going to happen but I am going home and take the same meds they are giving me here and see what happens like you I don't want to live in a hospital but I am optimistic that I have some good life left and I pray that you do too

[vmrdoug in reply to Vicky-HT]

Vicky as to your sleep I too had that problem and the key is HAD My Psychiatrist and I tried a lot of options and after a year a solution. 50mg of Benadryl, 5mg of Melatonin and 3x1 mg capsules of Prazosin or Mini-Press an off label use for this blood pressure medication. Try it I never thought that the insomnia would go away and it did.

[judson in reply to vmrdoug]

I have trouble sleeping also, but I found if I take 1mg lorazapam , (which is Ativan) that I take for anxiety, and 6mg of Melatonin , I sleep a good seven hours. Well, I do wake up every two hours to go the bathroom, but always go right back to sleep. I would check with your Dr. first. Good Luck. Keep me posted

[barbs47]

Hi I went to see my respiratory consultant in December, he suggested to me and my doctor to try low dose oramorph. I am about to send an econsult to my gp to get started I’ll let you know how I go. I’m surprised you haven’t had more replies as I know there are quite a few people on here who use it. Good luck Barbs x

[vmrdoug in reply to barbs47]

Thanks barbs47 I had never heard of it until this visit in the hospital 3rd time since Memorial Day just had my 4th dose and I am feeling some relief hopefully the improvement continues. I will post how it goes.

[barbs47 in reply to vmrdoug]

Thanks I will do the same when I start Barbs x

[vmrdoug in reply to barbs47]

barbs47 I am now on .5 morphine 4x Day and I can tell a difference I don't lose my breath as quickly so it is working I am going home and will see how I manage there and will let you know

[barbs47]

Morning my prescription is arriving today so will be starting soon. Take care and let us know how you get on. Barbs x

[Maxiem in reply to barbs47]

Barbs

My doctor has recommended that I try morphine, have you found it beneficial?

Keep well

Max

[barbs47 in reply to Maxiem]

Hi Maxiem I haven’t used the morphine. I take co-codamol and have decided to continue with them and of course I can’t take both. I hope you find the morphine good for you please keep me posted please..Barbs x

[Burbagegran]

Hi,

I have severe COPD and was prescribed Oramorph last June after I heard about it through this site. Sadly none of the doctors, professors or COPD specialist nurses thought to help me to reduce my coughing and relieve my breathlessness. This site therefore was a lifesaver for me as I'd never heard of it. The first time I took it, I had the best night's sleep! I don't take it all the time only when I feel I really need that extra help. I could take 5ml as prescribed but find 1.5ml sufficient to help me.

I say go for it and use sensibly as it is addictive.

I hope you get some relief.

[vmrdoug in reply to Burbagegran]

Thanks for your input I am now out of the hospital and taking the morphine as directed by dosage amount but not as often and results are encouraging. However the most important learning I received from your response is how long you have been using it and continue to give it a positive 👍 review which gives hope. Thanks

[Burbagegran in reply to vmrdoug]

I'm glad it's given you hope. As I said I don't take it every day or through the day, but you can take down to one ml for relief. It's six days since my last dose. I may take some tonight as I've been coughing a bit today.

I wish I'd known about it years earlier, it would have saved me a great deal of anxiety and fear.

Stay safe.

[Maxiem in reply to vmrdoug]

Hope the morphine is helping, my dr has suggested I try it. What dosage are you on?

Keep well

Max

[vmrdoug in reply to Maxiem]

Maxiem I’m taking 2.5 ml 4x/day with The option of 2 more doses if needed. It has helped quite a lot some constipation So worth the effort Let me know how it works

[Azcowboy]

These doctors are idiots. Most the last time thry.opened a med book or read a journal was more years you can count. We have an opioid problem already. Small does of drugs is how an addict starts.

I have the issue with being short of breath. O2 levels 92/94. FOUND its another issue to be aware of. The HEART isn't getting enough o2 thus shortness after even minimum exertion. Have a call today with primary. By the way I'm stage 4. COPD

[Angelspick]

While in hospital, that was only medication that allowed painless gasping. It relaxes spasms, and you.

[vmrdoug in reply to Angelspick]

I have been out of the hospital for about 10 days and they have increased my dosage but the relief is there and the Dyspepsia is reduced. Let me know your progress. Thanks

[tallmama]

Hi I was given morphine the last time I was in hospital and was having a hard time breathing . I was confused at first but it did help , I had always thought it was for pain . I now have some at home for when I am really struggling but have been warned that with constant use the more you need so I use it sparingly .