Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Change Of Taste And Erratic Arm Movements After Taking Morphine?
Question: i stare at items and they seem to move. I know they are not, but they seem to be.
I have been on several medications for sleep and for pain both. I have an infussion pump for pain (morphine). Water is tasting sweet for me and I tend to have erratic arm movements every so often. I am not a weirdo. Just a retired teacher getting more and more concerned.
I have been on several medications for sleep and for pain both. I have an infussion pump for pain (morphine). Water is tasting sweet for me and I tend to have erratic arm movements every so often. I am not a weirdo. Just a retired teacher getting more and more concerned.
Brief Answer:
seems to be adverse events of morphine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having perception of moving objects. I would like to ask you few more details.
Since, how long you are on morphine ?
what is the primary cause for pain (cancer related) ?
Kindly get back to me with the details.
Change of taste can occur morphine as well as other cancer modalities (chemotherapy or radiotherapy).
As such, morphine is a central nervous system depressant.It impairs functioning on critical flicker frequency (a measure of overall CNS arousal) and impaired performance on the XXXXXXX Wing test (a measure of deviation of the visual axes of the eyes, causes visual abnormalities like miosis, blurred vision, nystagmus, diplopia ). A high dose of morphine can impair finger tapping and the ability to maintain a low constant level of isometric force (i.e. fine motor control is impaired) (cause for your arm's erratic movements).
In my opinion, your symptoms are related to morphine. please re visit your treating doctor and adjust the infusion dosage of morphine.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
seems to be adverse events of morphine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having perception of moving objects. I would like to ask you few more details.
Since, how long you are on morphine ?
what is the primary cause for pain (cancer related) ?
Kindly get back to me with the details.
Change of taste can occur morphine as well as other cancer modalities (chemotherapy or radiotherapy).
As such, morphine is a central nervous system depressant.It impairs functioning on critical flicker frequency (a measure of overall CNS arousal) and impaired performance on the XXXXXXX Wing test (a measure of deviation of the visual axes of the eyes, causes visual abnormalities like miosis, blurred vision, nystagmus, diplopia ). A high dose of morphine can impair finger tapping and the ability to maintain a low constant level of isometric force (i.e. fine motor control is impaired) (cause for your arm's erratic movements).
In my opinion, your symptoms are related to morphine. please re visit your treating doctor and adjust the infusion dosage of morphine.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
The morphine is in tiny amounts into the spine for severe injury/pain in an intrathecal pump system. I take some oral pain meds for pain beyond that. I have a horrible time sleeping and am working now --- we have been through several medications for sleep. The sleep doctor is a pulmonologist. I have been diagnosed also with severe sleep apnea. I am current averaging <4 hours per night sleeping. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
CT scan of para nasal sinuses/sleep studies.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
In my opinion, you are on wrong medications (morphine causes respiratory depression and induces sleep apnoea).
I suggest the following measures to overcome your sleep apnea.
1. evaluate with ent surgeon, CT acan of para nasal sinuses, laryngoscpy and sleep studies (to know the exact level of obstruction and cause for lack of sleeplessness).
Depending on the severity, sleep apnea can be managed with medications, pneumatic splints (cpap) and surgery.
2. Weight reduction (if your obese), stop smoking and alcohol intake (if you are with these habits). Regular walking exercises.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
CT scan of para nasal sinuses/sleep studies.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
In my opinion, you are on wrong medications (morphine causes respiratory depression and induces sleep apnoea).
I suggest the following measures to overcome your sleep apnea.
1. evaluate with ent surgeon, CT acan of para nasal sinuses, laryngoscpy and sleep studies (to know the exact level of obstruction and cause for lack of sleeplessness).
Depending on the severity, sleep apnea can be managed with medications, pneumatic splints (cpap) and surgery.
2. Weight reduction (if your obese), stop smoking and alcohol intake (if you are with these habits). Regular walking exercises.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
