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Morphine SUL 15 mg.

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Posted 2/21/2009 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I just received a prescription from my doctor for 15 mg. of morphine SUL. I was using Vicadon 7.5 mg. one to one and 1/2 tablets per day for chronic back pain. They told me to take the morphine every 12 hours. The problem - I don't trust doctors. Can anyone tell me what to expect and what their experience has been. Will I need more morphine as my tolerance increases? The doctor also told me that I could OD if these are chewed (freaked me out). Could someone give me some advise on what these will do and how I should go about taking these? I got the prescription 4 days ago but have not had anyone send me a reply yet. I take Xanax at night to sleep, 1 mg., is this not good to mix this?
Posted 2/21/2009 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
when my father had melanoma cancer he was taking 25 pills a day, he would take 200mg of ER morphene...im pretty sure from my own experience and what ive seen, youll be just fine and appreciate the relief from your new med.

15mg is a farely small amount, they have up to 60's and 100's mg's....good luck

Posted 2/21/2009 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you soooooo much What is it like compared to hydro...I mean I hate vicadon, I hate the way I feel 3 hours after I take it. The doctor said I should take the morphine in the morning then again at night. Does this sound right to you? Because it's extended relief, is it enough to get you through the day? Does it make you tired? I drive 1300 miles average per week. Appreciate you answering my request, I'm thankful.

Posted 2/21/2009 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, painman,
Welcome to the CP forum of Healing Well. Always sorry to see another person in pain, but this is a great support group. But we're not doctors, and medications and each person's medical history and body are so different, there's no way to know how a medication is going to affect you other than to take it as your doctor has prescribed. I wouldn't recommend any other way. Your pharmacist can also be another resource.

As far as driving and such, with most of our pain meds (& even with some OTC meds) there's a caution about driving and other activities until you see how it affects you. When I'm trying a new medication, or making other adjustments with my doctor's permission, I try to do it on weekends or days when I won't be doing much. That way I can tell how it's affecting me. I would talk with your doctor about your work (it sounds like you have to drive a lot for your work) and see what he/she says. But please, take the meds as they've been prescribed, not how anyone on any forum suggests, ok? And if they're not helping, or you're getting too many side effects, call your doctor and/or your pharmacist. Some meds take awhile for our body to adjust, and then we'll be ok. Your pharmacist could help you with that.

Hope this helps a bit.

PaLady
Posted 2/21/2009 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Painman, you have been given some great tips here by the others. The main thing is no two people react the same on a medication. The dr told you to take one in the morning and one in the evening because its a twelve hour medication, now whether it last twelve with you none of us know. But, I sure would take it exactly as it has been prescribed. We assume you work during the week so do as PA suggested try it on a weekend and see how you do with it. If it too much or too little then you need to let the dr know.

Susie
Posted 2/21/2009 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am grateful for all of your replies. I guess what I was trying to ask is that I've taken morphine by a doctor IV and knew what to expect when I received it. I've never taken it orally and was trying to find out what to expect. Lightheadedness, tingling, etc.? I guess I'm kind of a nervous person and sensitive to medications so I was wondering if anyone would know what I could expect so I wouldn't freak out when I started to feel it. Does it have the same effect as being injected into an IV? I do appreciate the support. Thank you!
Posted 2/22/2009 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Painman,
I wonder what's got you so very worried. There is no way to answer the question without trying the medication. And it probably won't be the same as IV. I'm guessing you had an IV when you had some type of surgery as an inpatient? Did you have a bad reaction and you're afraid of having another?

You say you don't trust doctors - again, did you have a severely bad experience? We all have difficulties with finding a good match in a doctor, but think about it - you don't trust your doctor, who's had years of training and experience but you'll come onto a forum of total strangers and take advice on how to take your meds? Think about that one, ok! I'm not trying to be hard on you, but I think you need to relax a bit. Do you have any friends or family that could help you as you try this medication, so you're not quite so scared?

One thing - you did mention in your intial post you had been breaking the vicodin and it's ok to do it with that medication (as long as your doctor has told you it was ok). But it's not the same as the longer acting medications, just as your doctor told you. That isn't meant to scare you but to teach you that you can't treat all meds the same.

PaLady
Posted 2/22/2009 12:50 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, I think most of us are afraid when given a new med. 15mg is the lowest there is and you will not od. The first time I tried it, I got hyper and freaked but it went away. And yes, I wound up asking for the higher dose (30mg) after awhile. In fact the lower dose was so easy to get off, which I did because it didn't feel like it was doing much. People that know me on here, know I struggle with being on a drug but found I need it. But back to you, 15mg is the lowest and to me, not strong at all. If you look up Hospice Care (I think), it will tell you how safe it is and you can even drink on it--not that I'm encouraging you to, but morphine seems to be associated with a strong drug when in the long run, it is very safe. My husband sent me 2 articles on it, if you want me to look for them, explaining it and how it is less addicting to those who are really in pain.

Hope that helped some. You will not get drugged out on it--at least it doesn't affect me that way at all. I've felt much more drugged out on other drugs, which I hated. It is long lasting but I wouldn't take it before bed. For me, it's more like about 9 and 6. It seems to wire me up a bit.

Good luck. I think you'll be fine.   

Posted 2/22/2009 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I would never mix alcohol with any of these medications. That's how accidental overdoses happen.

PaLady
Posted 2/22/2009 5:14 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks to all who gave me some good wisdom...I plan on taking one Tomorrow at about 9am or 6pm I dont know with to do first...I need to drive my daughter to collage (3 hours round trip) so I have to decide if tomorrow will even be a day that is worth trying it on..My back is in soooo much pain I was hit from behind just over 3 years ago by a drunk driver. I was driving a honda civic, I was hit at fifty one mph with a Ford explorer. I was at a dead stop and she ran into the back of me. i have tried everything to end this pain. All of you make so much sense. I guess it's just all the hype about morphine that freaked me out a little bit. Thank you all for being so considerate. I will keep you all in my prayers and keep you posted. 

Painman VIEW IMAGE

Posted 2/22/2009 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
   Sometimes you just have to leap .....And build your wings on the way

     Painman

Posted 2/22/2009 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Painman,
Sounds like it might be better to wait until you return from your trip if you're the only driver.

I was thinking if you drive a lot that's not so great for your back to begin with. Have you ever had physical therapy? You might need to get some regular treatments and learn to stop and stretch a lot, even along with the meds.

Good luck!

PaLady
Posted 2/22/2009 9:40 AM (GMT 0)

I was very surprised to read about mixing alcohol and morphine myself. I can give you the url and you can read the page--that was the only reason I wrote it.

It said "What about morphine and alcohol? It is safe to have an alcoholic drink. Many patients taking morphine enjoy their accustomed cocktail each evening. In fact, most British in-patient hospices have a small bar or a drinks trolley for just that purpose!

This was taken from http://www.hospiceworld.org/book/morphine.htm--and as I said before, I wasn't encouraging it or endorsing it, just repeating what the article said.

I imagine they know things we don't know, but was also very surprised to have read it.

Posted 2/22/2009 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
P.A Lady
Thank you for your continued support..I did take one 15 mg morphine sul at 9 am. It did not do a whole lot in fact it seems that it might have given me a headache . . .I can feel it but just barely... I guess the dose is very low or maybe my tolerence is high...Anyway thank you for your advice I think I am going to call my DR, and find out what I need to do ...maybe 15.mg is just such a low dose. It never even took any of my pain away. The Vicodon works a lot btter but I hate the after affect...{few hours Later)......

Painman
Posted 2/22/2009 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
The reason you were told not to chew them is that slow release morphine is coated so that it is released slowly over 12 hours. If chewed or cut in half (as one nurse did for me) a sudden release of too much morphine is given. Fortunately I am highly tolerant having taken prescription Diamorphine for 3 years for renal pain.
Posted 2/22/2009 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Denim,
Hospice is an entirely different situation. To be admitted to most hospices, one needs to have a terminal diagnosis of 6 months or less. Britain is where the Hospice program was started. But having alcohol under those situations - where one is dying - is an entirely different matter than with a chronic pain patient. Entirely different.

One should never have alcohol with these medications as a chronic pain patient. Remember Heath Ledger? Many of these medications depress the CNS (central nervous system) and even though a person may not be taking them at lethal doses, and may have no intention of overdosing, even mixing the medications is a challenge for doctors. Notice Painman even recognizes this issue with the xanax at night (BTW Painman, as long as your doctor knows you're taking the xanax at night that's ok - just make sure all your docs know all your meds, including OTC meds). Alcohol is also a CNS depressant. As I said, this is often how accidental overdoses occur.

A hospice setting is an entirely different situation.

PaLady

Post Edited (PAlady) : 2/22/2009 2:44:08 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/23/2009 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
palady

You are a wise person....I do agree with you...I dont drink at all..I am not saying its wrong ,,,for me and my choice I live a differant way...use and abuse are a fine line.... I do start Physical therepy in a week...That and some prays and the right meds will get me painless...Thanks for the tex...I will keep you all up to date

Painman
Posted 2/23/2009 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your compliment. I'm sometimes wise, sometimes not so much! LOL Sometimes I'm wiser for others than for myself.

Glad to hear you're starting PT. I've learned so many good things from PT over the years. No, it may not be a cure or certainly not a quick fix, but can often be a great help. I'd suggest tell your PT right up front how much driving you do. He/she may have suggestions re: back supports, cushios, etc.

Keep in touch!

PaLady
Posted 2/23/2009 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Good to hear you are going to give PT a try, it may help it may not, each person is so different. But, like PA said, they may could give you some good info on the amt of driving you do. If you look at the script bottle, at least all of mine say it, DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL with this drug, in big letters. With that URL being in another country and the fact hospice was involved I don't think it applies to our every day drugs here in the states.

I would be terrified to drink on any of my medications. Thats close to abusing in my book. Just my opinion anyway. Susie
Posted 2/24/2009 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Painman i`m currently on 60 mg of morphing 30 morning and 30 at night .Some days it knocks me around some days it has little effect .If you are still experiencing pain after a few days you should see your dr again .
I also experience some nausea and at some stage become very drowsey but that i can put up with the pain i cant .The side effects depend on if i have eatn anything ... an empty stomach then you feel the side effects more .
I hope you can find some answers .
Snowflake
Posted 2/24/2009 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Oxycontin 20mg x2 and Norco 10/325 x 4 when I was switched to 30mg Morphine Sulfate x 2 (MS Contin) after telling the Dr. that I was having problems achieving the same amount of relief I had been getting previously. I was on the MS Contin for about 3 days before breaking down and calling the Dr. to tell him that I could not stand being in that much pain. For me, I was not able to achieve much relief at all on the MS Contin. It did not hold a candle to the relief I got from the 20mg Oxycontin and Norco for breakthrough. It might not have helped that he took me off the Norco at the same time he went to the MS Contin. I think I caught him in an off mood or something that day.

For me, the MS Contin didn't work very well. You could have a different reaction to the medication but I can see shy you would say that the Vicodin helped out more. I couldn't quite tell from your post if you were still on the Vicodin while taking the Morphine Sulfate.

Skrape
Posted 2/28/2009 7:45 PM (GMT 0)

skrape,

Thanks for your comment. I took 30 mg. morphine sul, it seemed to work for a couple hours and then it's as if I never took it. I did take Vicadon 7.5 last week after only taking 15 mg. sul morphine and it helped. I was hoping that my doctor upping the morphine to 30 mg. would allow me to stop taking the Vicadon. I'm still debating if Oxycontin is a better or more effective drug than MS Contin. I hate taking two different kinds of pain meds to achieve pain free. Perhaps there is no such thing. PA lady has given me some good advice but I don't know if anyone has the answer to this except by just trying and seeing what works best.

Does anyone have any advice ON CONSTIPATION, my doctor recommended Colace 100 mg. gel tab. I took one last night, it did nothing so far, it's 1:30 which is about 12-13 hours after the fact. Does anyone have any other info. on constipation? I appreciate your help.

Painman

Posted 3/1/2009 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am on morphine 30 mg. sul, will probably have to take it twice a day. CAN ANYONE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE CONSTIPATION? I tried Colace but only took one tablet at night, I took two today, should I take more or does anybody have any info. you can help me with?

Painman
Posted 3/2/2009 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Painman,
I can't give you any medication advice, but don't discount basics like prunes! Of course be careful - I love fruit and one night I sat down with a container of those little bite size things, and ate at least half the container. Needless to say I was up the entire night! No problem with constipation, that's for sure. So I'd go a little slower if you try that route! Sometimes I also use prune juice. Drinking a little regularly might help.

PaLady
Posted 3/2/2009 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
tongue PALady...lol You make me smile. Funny how when we are really suffering with something...there is no hesitation to talk about any subject...no matter what. I actually have this relief from constipation down to a science. I have tested every med and every food trying to find the perfect solution. Everyday, no matter what my plans, I always have a snack sized bag of raisins, prunes and assorted nuts. Makes a great sweet energy pick up and if you can handle about 1/2 cup every day...you will have your bathroom visits on a regular basis. No cramps and no discomfort.

PS...in case your no Julia Child, Walgreens has a great premixed bag called Mediterranean Mix down the snack aisle and it cost about 3 bucks and will do you all week. Has raisins, cranberries, apricots, walnuts, almonds, and peanuts. Its delish...lol

Good Luck !!!
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