My Mother's doctor has her on Morphine and I'm afraid it's too high of a dose?

Curiosity had me googling this as the use of opiates is something that comes up on the site fairly often. There are several sites that quote studies of the benefits of morphine to relieve laboured breathing and air hunger in COPD even when the patient is not yet on hospice. I found a good blog "Five Things to Know About a Possible Option for Really Bad COPD" that is an easy read.

Trust them. Rather there be pain? Morphine will calm your mom too. Went through the same feelings with my wife and morphine. They give it for a reason. Don't put your feelings for the drug into the equation. Think no pain for your mom.

If you think it's problematic in terms of her ability to function, you could request that the doctor reduce the dose to see how she does. It's very unusual for doctors these days to over-prescribe pain meds; it's usually the opposite problem where they don't want to prescribe them at all and the patients are suffering.

In addition to the important questions others asked here, I'm concerned about whether your mother is in a situation where other people are with her 24/7 in case she falls. The doctor should let you know whether the increased dosage of morphine is to treat her disease or for palliative care, such as hospice. Hospice claims that it prescribes morphine only to relieve pain. From my hospice experiences with two people in my family, I believe this may not be the case. However, I'm relieved that they did not suffer longer than they did. I suggest that before contacting the doctor, you may want to contact hospice to learn more about whether you would chose its services.

Is it a continuous flow of morphine? Is she in hospice? Does she become agitated when morphine wears off or is given another dose? The answers to these questions will help provide some insight as to what the doctors plan is. Did he say for what time period it was. Is she mobile? Was she mobile before the morphine?

I can relate to your uneasiness and concern. Yet, I echo what Sunnygirl1 says, and feel the main thing is her comfort at this very difficult time.

Grace + Peace,
Bob

Is she on Hospice? I would think that the medication is to treat her pain and to make her more comfortable. I wouldn't be concerned about her speech if she was comfortable. And can't she just rest and get up only with assistance?

I'm not familiar with this condition. Perhaps someone who is will post.