HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Treatment For The Build Up Of Carbon Di Oxide In Lungs

My Mom has COPD and Emphysema with seriously dimished lung capacity. Has also had pneumonia 5 times in 15 months, she is 82 yrs of age on 3 liters of Oxygen 24 hr a day. She has a buildup of carbon dioxide due to lung condition and her home health nurse has suggested morphine a long acting low dose 15mg @12 hrs and a short acting .25 mg dose for short acting to help slow her breathing and keep her more comfortable as she panics when she can't get a full breath. I have been unable to find any information on this subject please advise. Her Pulmonologist appt is not for 5 weeks.
Mon, 27 Nov 2017
Report Abuse
Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Morphine should not be given to your mother.
Morphine is CNS depressant drug. It reduces respiratory drive. So it can even worsen hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide in blood).
So morphine is contraindicated in her case.
In my opinion, you should not wait for pulmonologist appointment. She needs urgent treatment to reduce high carbon dioxide.
So better to take her to emergency room and start treatment.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Morphinans


Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Treatment For The Build Up Of Carbon Di Oxide In Lungs

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. Morphine should not be given to your mother. Morphine is CNS depressant drug. It reduces respiratory drive. So it can even worsen hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide in blood). So morphine is contraindicated in her case. In my opinion, you should not wait for pulmonologist appointment. She needs urgent treatment to reduce high carbon dioxide. So better to take her to emergency room and start treatment. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.