Hi Dr Vinod, just like to say that during my two op's, I found the pain managment not very good, I had to get rid of the black shoulder bag, as the Morphine, was like Dr Who , I was dombarded with computer style images, and felt as though I was on a roller coaster, when I got home the tramadol made me pass out, why do you think I was unable to take the morphine ?

Garance, The first time I tool morphine. I completely freaked out. I don't know what happened to me. I was lost, in my own home. Talk about scared to death--I was. I only took 15ml of it. That was a year ago. They put me on it in the hospital after my surgery, I have had no problems since..I wish you luck tho. You need to talk to your pain management team. We try all kinds of drug until we find the one that I can take. This one, DOCTOR, is the best out of all of them...Best of luck Vicki

Interesting to read of your experiences Garance. Following my op. and only whilst on the High Dependendcy Unit morphine on was available on demand (just push a button, get a dose), but I didn't need any. I was sent home with Tramadol which really knocked me out. That was for the orial cancer.

For the lung cancer pain management I'm on a mix of Co-codamol and Volterol with Ora-morph (10 ml. dose) for break-through pain. Totally difference to you Vikki it doesn'tseem to do much for me. I've a session due with the MacMillan nurse later this week and I intend asking about either a higher dose or a change of drug.

Keep you posted

Hi All after I had my mouth cancer surgery they put me on Morphine. I heard voices, Music, and other strange things. I was so glad to get off of it. My mother had to come to the hosiptal because it made me crazy. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in this. I had my surgery in 1990.
Cathy

Hi Guys, The Morphine seems to be ok with me
I feel tired all the time but cannot sleep for long but Hey its better than the pain, if I have a Max Fax appointment or shopping leave off it for a day or so or I would never make it there and back(carrying is another problem entirly) and have no go or confidense in me to do it.
Tramadol thats another thing it just zonks me out and I feel very strange.

Paul

Hello All

Try relaxation, visualisation and affirmation in addition to taking the medication - it can help.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee: :coffee:

Recent findings :

quote:

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Morphine affects people differently...

Research into 46 patients given morphine for cancer-related pain showed that the same amount had a different effect on different people. Some people needed much higher doses to get relief from their pain. Overall, however, the research found that patients did get the pain relief they needed.
Quigley, C et al. Palliative Medicine, 2003: 17, 185�190

...And some patients won�t take it

A questionnaire survey of 93 doctors and nurses found that more than one in seven patients did not take the strong opiates prescribed to reduce their pain. The main reasons were side effects and fear of addiction (which is rarely a problem in practice). Morphine given every 4�6 hours was most likely not to be taken (55%); giving the drug through a skin patch was more acceptable to the patients.
Abbas, SQ et al. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 2003: 9 (2), 56�63


Medical reviewer Dr Terry Priestman comments: These two reports should reassure people who need morphine as part of their cancer care. The fact that different people need different doses of morphine for good pain control comes as no surprise. There is no �right� dose of morphine � the dose that should be given is the dose that gets rid of the pain. Higher doses don�t usually cause more side-effects. Understandably some people worry about taking morphine, especially if they need larger doses, and this may account for why the prescribed dose is not always taken. But people should be reassured that if their pain is severe enough to need morphine they should take whatever dose is necessary to control their symptoms. Any side-effects will usually be more than compensated for by the improvement in their quality of life that good pain relief will bring.

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Dr Vinod, I would like you to imagine the scene in Charing Cross Hospital Hammersmith; after my 2nd op, I was transfered to plastic surgery, 7 on the ward, my French visiters horrified as this would not be allowed in France, max 4 people; Me with piped up nose, in neck, arm, etc, with my morph black hand bag, feel like hell with images coming at me feeling as though I was on a roller coaster; aprt from two woman, the other 5 were transgender, running around in blond wigs and fluffy slippers, and hideous cheap nylon dressing gowns in flesh pink; with the Morph, I felt I was about to audition for the League of gentlemen; although I was unable to talk, I made it be known that I wanted off the Morph and into an all FEMALE WARD :help:

LOL Garance too too funny. I was on LORATAB 10's for about 9 months. They stopped doing anything for me. So I was put on MORPHINE 15ml, the lowest they have. That is the day I freaked out. However in the hospital they had me on MORPHINE I am still on it today. They are trying to ween me off of it, I have been on it so long that I am adicted to it, which was my BIGGEST fear. I do not like drugs never took them before CANCER. Now look at me...Lord,, Always Vicki

Hi Vicky, I Don't think that your hooked on it.
I take Loratab and Mathadone. Not addicted to either of them. Have cronic neck pain.
Cathy

Hi Cathy
I agree chronic pain is a nightmare. I think most people I know think that if you have had the treatment you must now be fine if you look fine.

I have chronic neck and shoulder blade pain that shoots down my arm. It's mind blowing on occasion as if I am being repeatedly stabbed and can bring my eyes to tears and double me up. I manage it with solpadol and ibuprofen and reminding myself that pain and being alive is better than no pain and being dead!

I do have some 2 year old morphine but have resisted using it. I thought morphine was a terrific product for pain relief and Vicki I had no trouble weaning myself off it. I just used to make myself go half an hour longer before the next dose till there were no spaces betweeen the doses. It must be hard if you have taken it some time though and you also have had terrible things done to you.

I think it's just we are all indeed very different in how we react to medications.

Hi Pauline, I agree with you we would be better off without meds, but if you have to take them to stay alive so be it. My pain in my neck is from nerve endings that never heeld up. They also can't do surgery on it either so I'm stuck with it. But at least I'm alive and can be with my
family and nieces. Thanks to all of you make me
feel that I'm not alone in the world of pain.
Cathy

Cathy I think medication is a useful tool. I don't think I'd get through my days without knowing there are meds I can take. I try not to take the full daily dose especially of some products.

Recently I was prescribed a sleeping pill, but have only taken one I felt so awful the following day. I've tried herbal sleeping pills , stuff on the pillow etc. Nothing works except going shopping all day and exhausting myself!!!

I think our attitude of at least weare alive is more likely to be successful thanconsidering the alternative.