morphine and pred. need help to get off last amount.

[ejvb]

Hi I'm new here I wish I would have had you all 16 years ago when this all started. First want to thank you for sharing info. Is there something I can take to help with getting off last 15mg morphine once a day. And last 2mg pred. Has any one been able to stay off pred. I have flare ups...... but getting off is more important. The Dr. says I have to be off both to get knees replaced. Having a problem with tendons snapping away also.

[piglette]

Why are you taking morphine?

[ejvb in reply to piglette]

Dr. put me on it for the pmr and gcr as I was getting to where I could not walk. Also the light is still such a problem.

[piglette in reply to ejvb]

As PMRPro says morphine does pretty well nothing for PMR/GCA. I know in my case it didn’t. However it is fantastic for other things, so perhaps what it is helping is nothing to do with PMR/GCA or possibly you don’t need it at all.

[HeronNS]

Has your doctor provided you with any help to finally get off the morphine? I think there are certain substances which can be used to reduce the craving, some safer or better than others.

[ejvb in reply to HeronNS]

I see him in a few weeks I will press the point by the way I'm down two thirds of the way. Just so know what it will be like. hope there is help for the last jump. thanks fo the thought

[HeronNS in reply to ejvb]

There's been a lot of conversation about opioids in Canada and I remember hearing a radio program about a man who was able to wean himself off his dependency. (He'd been prescribed an opioid for pain.) I'll see if I can find it and will post the link if I do.

[HeronNS in reply to HeronNS]

Here it is. He wasn't taking morphine but another opioid.

cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/gett...

[ejvb in reply to HeronNS]

thanks I just played it. I was also on oxy. for brake thru pain. I have been of that for about a year. Now I want off everything. Just learning what to do when my skin gets so cold or can not be touched. I want to be back to being able to ride a scooter again.

[HeronNS in reply to ejvb]

It sounds like you've come a long way already. I am sure you will be successful. I hope you do have some support, though, as that will help you.

[ejvb]

thanks so much. I will get off this to see how I can cope with pmr&gca. I have to see if I can change back to the old way 16 yrs has been too long. If I still have problems with my health I will try and do what I should. But I have to try. best to all

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Find another doctor about your knees. If you are down to 2mg pred then there is no reason at all why you shouldn't have knee surgery - there are a few on the forum who had replacement surgery at as much as 10mg and one on 20mg.

As for the morphine, I can't help except to say you need support - especially if they are insisting. But I'm a bit surprised you were given it for PMR/GCA break-through pain since most people who have been given it say it did nothing for either pain.

If the underlying cause of the PMR symptoms has burned out and gone into remission then you will be able to stay off pred. There is a post from the last couple of days where a Swedish gentleman is celebrating his 10 year anniversary of being off pred. But it only happens once the PMR has gone.