Morphine side effects

[toast1]

I'm taking liquid morphine, but its causing terrible stomach problems, such vomiting and stomach pain.
Apparently, this is a common side effect of morphine.

 

However, I need this, as its my only strong pain killer, which is necessary at the moment.

 

What might I take to calm the stomach?



Thanks

[ChipButty]

Have you tried cannabis oil? 

[toast1]

No, I'll do this

Thanks

[Sheryl]

You need an antiemetic drug to control the nausea/vomiting, and laxatives. Such as Ondanestron (brand name Onsia in Thailand) for nausea and various drug combinations for the constipation (e.g. senna, biscodyl, various osmotic laxatives).  In some cases daily or every 2-daily administration of a small enema is needed.

 

Eating a lot of stewed prunes will also help (available at all supermarkets, take 5-6 a day) but you will likely still need an additional laxative.

 

Doctors specializing in palliative medicine are skilled at handling these problems and have specific laxative regimens and anti-nausea regimens for it.

 

See your other thread and my recommendations for palliative specialists.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1297273-where-to-die/

 

[FritsSikkink]

Ask the doctor who subscribed the morphine.

[TheFishman1]

Maybe you’re taking too much morphine I would check with your doctor is in the correct amount to meet. Sounds like you’re taking way too much TNT.

[Drumbuie]

A long time ago,  I had to wait on a trolley for an urgent operation and the kind attendant topped up the pre-op medication every time I complained of the pain.

After the (entirely successful) operation, I had night sweats, extreme fatigue and my bones ached constantly, so I went to see my GP. He looked at my notes and said, " I'm not surprised". Then he explained that the pre-op stuff was almost pure morphine and what I was suffering was morphine withdrawal. 

Be prepared! 

 

[Crazy Noobie]

When I took morphine for pain, I found if I eat something first then take it, I had less stomach pain. I remember a doctor in the past told me to never take a pain medicine on a empty stomach. Another thing, instead of taking the amount you presently take all at one time, break it up into two smaller doses all within a hour of each other, as I found that helped too.

[Sheryl]

5 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

Maybe you’re taking too much morphine I would check with your doctor is in the correct amount to meet. Sounds like you’re taking way too much TNT.

Both nausea/vomiting and constipation are extremely common side effects of morphine and other opiates at any dose.

 

Virtually every one suffers constipation from these drugs, unless they have soem other condition that offsets  it. . The nausea/vomiting is more individual. Some people are more sensitive than others. Personally, I cannot tolerate even the tiniest quantity of any opiate (such as low dose codeine as in cough suppressants) without vomiting unless I also take an anti-emetic.

 

No reason to think OP is taking "way too much" -- especially as  he has terminal cancer.

 

It sounds like the meds were not prescribed by a Palliative care specialist and that is what he needs. They are very, very familiar with these common opiate side effects and know how to deal with them. They also have a wider range of treatments and meds which can sometimes (not always) reduce the amount of opiate needed.

 

 

[Sheryl]

4 minutes ago, Drumbuie said:

A long time ago,  I had to wait on a trolley for an urgent operation and the kind attendant topped up the pre-op medication every time I complained of the pain.

After the (entirely successful) operation, I had night sweats, extreme fatigue and my bones ached constantly, so I went to see my GP. He looked at my notes and said, " I'm not surprised". Then he explained that the pre-op stuff was almost pure morphine and what I was suffering was morphine withdrawal. 

Be prepared! 

 

The OP has terminal cancer so withdrawal will not be an issue for him.  The only issue for him is ensuring adequate pain control and managing unpleasant side effects.

 

For those not terminal, of course, opiate withdrawal is a very real problem and a good reason to minimize their use.

[AgMech Cowboy]

26 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No reason to think OP is taking "way too much" -- especially as  he has terminal cancer.

You're a wonderful person and well informed. 

Thank you for the gentle chastisement of the out of line 'advisors' and commentators.  Well, done.

[Lacessit]

The OP might get better pain relief without nausea symptoms by trying kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa ) . It is legal in Thailand.

Illegal in the US and Australia.

 

I drink half a cup brewed as a tea from the leaves. My reaction to kratom is mild euphoria for an hour or two, and pain relief for 5-6 hours. In larger quantities, it acts as a sedative. YMMV. As with all opiates, it is addictive.

 

Synthetic opiates such as oxycodone, fentanyl etc. target specific pain receptors. As i understand it, kratom targets all of them.

 

Oddly enough, morphine has zero effect on me in terms of pain relief, it seems to be less effective than even panadol. We all are different.

I have never had any nausea with any opiate that has been prescribed for me.

 

Feel free to disagree with this post, Sheryl. I am posting on the basis of practical experience with various opiates, although not as someone with terminal cancer.

 

 

 

 

[Sticky Rice Balls]

sangsom--the poor mans morphine  ????

[connda]

8 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

sangsom--the poor mans morphine  ????

What is sangsom?

 

[connda]

@toast1
Prayers for you my friends that you don't needlessly suffer.  ????

[Paradise Pete]

5 hours ago, connda said:

What is sangsom?

An alcoholic beverage. 

[natway09]

Talk to the folks that supplied your medication. Is it real or synthetic ? If real

they should have supplied what they call in Thailand as "anti morphine" at the same time

& supplied you with explicit instructions. Very remiss of them

[Sticky Rice Balls]

23 hours ago, connda said:

What is sangsom?

 

(facepalm)..............*google is your friend*

[MJCM]

post withdrawn

Edited June 9, 2023 by MJCM

[Sticky Rice Balls]

1 minute ago, MJCM said:

I think you need to read this post to know that your suggestion is totally not helpful

 

 

 

 

sangsom reduces my pain ......less side effects  a drug is a drug

[MJCM]

2 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

sangsom reduces my pain ......less side effects  a drug is a drug

OP has terminal cancer. So drinking sangsom will not help him much

[toast1]

Thank you very much for the advice - most useful.

 

I've been taking morphine for a few weeks, but developed a stomach reaction of nausea and vomiting. This is odd, as usually these side effects diminish with time, but perhaps I increased the dose too quickly and so caused a reaction.

 

Yes Sheryl, morphine was not prescribed by the palliative doctor but the oncologist.  So I was not getting the required oversight.

 

Now I'm getting anti-nausea medication from a palliative doctor, and so am able to take as much morphine as necessary, which is a great relief, as it is vital in controlling pain.

 

Thanks again