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Suggest An Effective Alternative To Morphine

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Posted on Thu, 8 Dec 2016
Question: Thanks, I have been a chronic pain patient for many years. I am on 60 mg morphine sulfate time release, Norco for breakthrough pain, valium as needed for muscla spasm and ambien for sleep. I have been on Norco for 15 years fr breakthrough and it doesn't work as well and the M.S. time release gives me heatr palpitations. I have psvt and take toprol. I want to switch the morphine sulfate time release and Norco but my dr. brushes it off. What do i do?





I am on 60 mg morphine sulphate time release 2 times a day. Norco for breakthrough pain, valium as needed for muscle spasm(mostly at night) ambien and torpor for psvt(heart beat) I have been on Norco for over 10 years and morhine sulphate sometimes aggravates heartburn and palpitations. Have talked to my dr about trying something new a the pain meds also don't work as they did, think I'm getting so used to same pills. He says if its not broken don't fix it but i feel its broken any suggestions on med. changes.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need to elevate the dose.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well I have gone through your problem and like to tell you that most people after chronic use of opioid analgesics develop a tolerance for them , that time we need to escalate the dose or shift to a new one . Since you also have fibromyalgia why dont they try tryptomer or duloxetine for the same .
Have you used these drugs ?

Take care.

Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (4 hours later)
I have had bad side effects to those drugs and celebrex,elavil.. drugs of that sort. very severe. Fainting, blurry vision,headaches. actually broke my nose falling flat on my face from fainting. I DO NOT want to raise my dosage. The morph. sulfate. also makes me a bit nauseous . Have lost 25 pnds and its actually to much weight. Any suggestions of meds to switch to????
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for reverting back.

Nausea is a side effect of morphine sulfate . In my opinion then fluoxetine should be added to your regimen . whatever your regimen is there , better not to disturb it and add additional agent . See , pain is a subjective feeling so only you can determine whether a particular drug is working or not or else your treating doctor can determine that by usingvpain scales . I think you should talk to your doctor for adding fluoxetine or escitalopram.

Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (5 hours later)
That is prozac and lexapro, both have been tried. Anything that falls into the "antidepressant" category. HAS HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. i have tried about 7 of these and can not take them!!!! All those "possible side effects I get. I can't walk around like a zombie ready to faint. 5 fainting spells on those types of meds and now as drug allergies I have SEVERE reactions. I am asking not for additional drugs but what would work as far as similar drugs but maybe a change may help. tried fentynol patch helped pain but made me so tired. Is it possible there is a drug that is like morphine and Norco combined/ a bit stronger than norco but maybe not as strong as morph. sulfate? What is percacet? have heard success with that but don't know what it is. I appreciate your help but I feel your not hearing me. Those drugs you suggest have ADDED to pain as when a person faints they go SPLAT, not like the movies. I want to go to my doc. with some idea he has not thought of but please hear me, i can't take anti depressant type drugs. I know in my case its not used for depression and I am not depressed clinically but of course pain gets me down/ I do take st. johns wart for mild depression,one of the only herbs approved by FDA. If these are your only ideas thats fine but search your mind a bit as to what pain meds may work instead of what I am taking so when i go to my doc I am informed. I am monitored each month with urine tests and won't try anything unless perscribed by dr. I am very frustrated. Nobody hears me.!! you are giving me generic answers to my questions and I am paying for this,adding to my high med bills. Don't mean to be difficult but there must be a better answer than mild anti-depressant. I have a thought but want to hear your answer first. Thank you very much for your help.
This doc says I have mil fascial pain disorder, not fibro, doesn't agree it exists much as diagnosed. I agree . but i know i have it along with all the other conditions I listed He is into giving injections . Had 10,000$ out of pocket and all they do is give me severe injection site pain and severe muscle spasm for WEEKS!! OTHER DOCS SAY YES TO FIBRO PLUS ALL THE OTHER STUFF BUT HE IS MY DOC NOW. there is very little difference between fibro. and myofascial P.Dis. they come up as one on the computer. No luck with Lyrica either. I do my Physical therapy exercises eack day and make sure I walk the dog. So I move a bitI feel there is NO HELP FOR ME. used to work but now don't only made 800$ a month by the end. working on disability case as there is no job I can do. can't lay to long, sit to long, stand to long. I do my best. Some days i get up walk and back to bed. There is no understanding my case. started 25 years ago. 5 years ago I could not go on and can't make a living. since stop working better after correcting posture and walk. i know the body as i worked with chronic pain clients for years as a specialty P.T. please read ALL my messages before answer . can't type anymore,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

I can well understand your agony , but you need to understand this that medical science also has some limitations . I see that you have been on every possible drug and many of them gave you adverse effects . Dont rely only on drugs for pain , try alternative therapies like yoga and tai chai .Also keeping pets has shown to reduce pain a lot .According to me your doctor has prescribed you right treatment . Percocet contains similar compound that you are already taking . Other thing I can suggest you to take is Tramadol , which is effective for many patients . Combination of tramadol and acetaminophen is quite efficacious . I know bearing pain is very difficult but we have to balance both sides before prescribing you anything . I hope you get what I mean to say. Any other doubt please ask.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (32 hours later)
The first thing I did when I stopped work was to get a dog and this dog gets 2 walks a day no matter how Im feeling. I was a yoga? dance teacher Personal trainer for people with fibro. Even if I hurt I get up and take my dog for a car ride and then to the woods for a walk. some short some long. I do this in all weather unless below 20 degrees. Then home to do yoga and physical therapy ex that help. some days more some says less. I am doing everything I KNOWW. plus what my dr. says. although he is upset that after 6 procedures,i don't want anymore. To expensive. I would dnt feel like this if i got more relief. Like i said elps spine but sends body into full muscle spasm. I can't win. I will keep putting one foot in front of the other as that is all I can do. BUMMER I will ask about that med. Tramadol,think i tried it, its been around a long time,right? Whats your thoughts on medical marajuana for sleep. maybe I could get off ambien ?? its legal where I live. I understand one can eat it, maybe it could eliminate the ambien and some valium. Just a thought.I know my dr is doing his best, i just have these chronic problems starting 28 years ago ,getting worse as the years past.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

I understand your issues but I would suggest tramadol before using medical marijuana as it is more habit forming .There is no sure shot cure for pain but it a hit and trial method . You need to try things and see what works for you . Also expressing your thoughts relieves the stress and helps with pain so dont limit yourself share your pain and it will be less . Any issues you have further you can always discuss .

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (52 minutes later)
Thank you for your time, I know this is chronic and I just have to cope. I do have people around that understand and help me. Guess after being with one dr. for 5 years i wanted another opinion,
. That was a letter expressing frustration not anger. sorry if i went on. I have tried tramadol,it made me so fuzzy headed and it didn't g away at the lowest dose. Marajuana is not addicting, maybe mentally meaning it becomes a habit but there are no withdrawal problems. Don't know where you are located but where I live people are changing over to it and getting off the heavy opioids. I am not looking for more meds. If anything less or different. Guess I've had it so long i have tried everything mentioned. Thanks for your time. i will carry on with positive attitude. thanks and stay with what i know helps. Ms. Gray
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Follpws.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

I just hope you get well very soon . Anytime you have XXXXXXX issue feel free to ask.

Dr. Shruti
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani

Rheumatologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2366 Questions

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Suggest An Effective Alternative To Morphine

Brief Answer: Need to elevate the dose. Detailed Answer: Dear Madam, Thank you for posting your query on HCM. Well I have gone through your problem and like to tell you that most people after chronic use of opioid analgesics develop a tolerance for them , that time we need to escalate the dose or shift to a new one . Since you also have fibromyalgia why dont they try tryptomer or duloxetine for the same . Have you used these drugs ? Take care. Dr. Shruti