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What Are The Side Effects Of Narcotics?
Question: I have chronic back pain. In July 2015 a pain pump was inserted using morphine. I developed severe (4+) edema of the lower legs - at times above the knee. My pain doctor wants me to switch pain pump meds to Dilaudid (hydromorphone). Will I have the same problem with peripheral edema? The research/side effects seems to suggest that edema is a problem with Dilaudid, also.
Your advice and knowledge of the side effects of narcotics would be of great assistance. XXXXXXX RN
Your advice and knowledge of the side effects of narcotics would be of great assistance. XXXXXXX RN
Brief Answer:
It' expected to cause edema.. if old edema was caused by morphin
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing.
I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read your question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.
Hydromorphone has almost the same side effects as morphine.. Edema can be because of other problems too like heart issue ..renal problems.... venous issues etc.
If your doctor has ruled out these issues already and edema is confirmed to be because of morphone then in my opinion hydromorphone can cause edema just like morphine.
Severity of edema can vary though.I would expect it to cause hydromorphone the same problem as morphine although severity can vary.
I hope this answered your question, a
if you have more please feel free to ask.
Regrads.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)
It' expected to cause edema.. if old edema was caused by morphin
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing.
I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read your question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.
Hydromorphone has almost the same side effects as morphine.. Edema can be because of other problems too like heart issue ..renal problems.... venous issues etc.
If your doctor has ruled out these issues already and edema is confirmed to be because of morphone then in my opinion hydromorphone can cause edema just like morphine.
Severity of edema can vary though.I would expect it to cause hydromorphone the same problem as morphine although severity can vary.
I hope this answered your question, a
if you have more please feel free to ask.
Regrads.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do not have other conditions, e.g. heart failure, that could cause such severe edema. I used oral morphine for about 3 years and had some problems with edema but not nearly as severe as with the pain pump. The pain doctor does not want me to stay on oral morphine. His rationale is that US Federal Regulations discourage high doses of oral drugs and for me to continue on pain meds, I must use the pain pump. I doubt that that this information is accurate; there must be exceptions to federal pain narcotic regulations if the individual cannot tolerate pain meds through the pain pump. There is no chance that I can function without the narcotics and I do function fairly well taking the meds.
Over the past year, the back problems have gotten worse and there is no surgical therapy or injections that are of help. My question, can I refuse to continue this 8 month "experiment" with pain pump narcotics but increase my oral narcotics?
Thank you for your assistance. XXXXXXX RN
Over the past year, the back problems have gotten worse and there is no surgical therapy or injections that are of help. My question, can I refuse to continue this 8 month "experiment" with pain pump narcotics but increase my oral narcotics?
Thank you for your assistance. XXXXXXX RN
Brief Answer:
This thing needs to be talked out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back,
Dear me I understand your concerns, indeed federal laws discourage use of excess pain meds orally , there is a time when need of these centrally acting meds keep making the person more and more of them , and the patient tends to increase the dose even if he doesn't want to.
So they are prescribed till a certain threshold of dose and then the patient is switched to the pain pump as pain pump doesn't let the patient exceed a dose limit , plus it controls the pain well and narcotic side effects are lesser with pain pump along with lesser predisposition to abuse.
Yes every patient has a right to refuse a treatment but every doctor has right to decide what he thinks is best for his patient. It is better to discuss this thing out with your doctor. Indeed what doctor will decide for you will be in your best long time benefit.
Regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
This thing needs to be talked out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back,
Dear me I understand your concerns, indeed federal laws discourage use of excess pain meds orally , there is a time when need of these centrally acting meds keep making the person more and more of them , and the patient tends to increase the dose even if he doesn't want to.
So they are prescribed till a certain threshold of dose and then the patient is switched to the pain pump as pain pump doesn't let the patient exceed a dose limit , plus it controls the pain well and narcotic side effects are lesser with pain pump along with lesser predisposition to abuse.
Yes every patient has a right to refuse a treatment but every doctor has right to decide what he thinks is best for his patient. It is better to discuss this thing out with your doctor. Indeed what doctor will decide for you will be in your best long time benefit.
Regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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