Oramorph to help with breathing - Multiple System A...

Multiple System Atrophy Trust

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Oramorph to help with breathing

Keycode profile image
4 Replies

Hi, after having a difficult week with her breathing the Drs have prescribed Oramorph for my mum to take when she is struggling. Although since it has been prescribed mum has been a lot better and not had to use it yet. I don't know what to make of it really, when I watch mum struggle to breathe it scares me, she holds her breath for so long I sometimes wonder if she is going to stop altogether but then she gasps and finally starts to breathe again. In between times she looks so grey and poorly but the Dr has checked her over and is happy with her oxygen levels and says her chest is clear so left wondering why she is struggling so much. When the Dr prescribed oramorph my initial thought was that she is reaching the end as I associate morphine with being at the end but now she seems a bit better and has not had to use it. I have my hopes up again. Can anyone offer and advice?

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4 Replies

Keycode,

Sorry to hear about your Mum and I hope using this forum helps you and your Mum with this horrible condition.

My wife has been gradually getting worse with her MSA over the last 10 years.

She was prescribed Oromorf a long time ago to help with pain as it is a type of morphine, but now she is on a combination of nerve pain inhibitor tablets and a patch.

She also has a sleep breathing issue as she "forgets" to breathe, but when he is in deep sleep this changes to normal. She has had similar tests to check her O2 and CO2 levels and the thing i learned is that your body will not let you hold your breathe forever, so whilst it may be erratic if her oxygen is OK just accept it as part of the condition!

You may, or certainly will find the condition affects your mum in different ways over time and all you can do is accept and overcome those challenges the changes bring.

Seek all the help you can, use this forum and also contact MSA Trust as they have specialist nurses who can advise.

Good luck and enjoy every moment you can.

Paul

Keycode profile image
Keycode in reply to Paul_and_Sue_Wood

Thank you Paul think we definitely need to take each day as it comes. I do think talking to the MSA nurses would help me too as I'm feeling a bit like it's all getting too much at times. Thank you for your support it certainly helps hearing from others who understand this condition.

Yanno profile image
Yanno in reply to Keycode

Great advice from Paul and I would definitely get in touch with your local MSA nurse - they can be such a comfort even on the little things that may worry you.

Paul - sorry you're not at tomorrow's meeting, both of you make sure you enjoy Cornwall.

Take care, Ian

Keycode profile image
Keycode in reply to Yanno

Thank you for your help!

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