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What Causes Difficulty In Breathing Inspite Of Using Morphine For COPD?
Question: hi doctor---my mother-in-law is on oxygen and has copd---these last several weeks, she has what she says she can't really explain except she says she can't breathe---she has a lot of anxiety---they gave her anti-anxiety meds plus morphine---she has always been a with it lady even at 90 years of age---since being given morphine, my husband says she has gone way down---why in the heck would she be put on morphine---she doesn't have any pain-thanks XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Morphine should not be used.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I have read your query in detail. I understand your concern.
I must say here, that Morphine should actually be avoided in patients with COPD as it depresses the respiratory centers and reduces the Oxygen drive leading to retention of Carbondioxide (CO2) and worsening the COPD.
Doctor must have given her Morphine for her anxiety or if he has seen any component of Heart Failure and Pulmonary Edema, but actually that should be avoided.
To help you better, i need a few details from you about her:
1. What has been the cause for her COPD? Smoking?
2. Does she has any breathlessness or do you hear audible wheezes?
3. When does she complains of breathlessness? In night or in day or all the time?
4. Does she ever gets up in mid night gasping for air and running towards window for air?
5. Any breathlessness that aggravates on lying down position?
6. Any history of swelling in feet?
7. If you have her investigations, please attach, i want to see her ECG, Blood tests and X ray chest.
8. Since how long has she been on morphine and how frequently does she takes it?
9. Does she improves after taking morphine?
In general, there is no point in giving morphine to a 90 year old lady.
This is my best advice for you based on available details. If you have any further query please ask me and revert with the asked details for a better help.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney, MD
Morphine should not be used.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I have read your query in detail. I understand your concern.
I must say here, that Morphine should actually be avoided in patients with COPD as it depresses the respiratory centers and reduces the Oxygen drive leading to retention of Carbondioxide (CO2) and worsening the COPD.
Doctor must have given her Morphine for her anxiety or if he has seen any component of Heart Failure and Pulmonary Edema, but actually that should be avoided.
To help you better, i need a few details from you about her:
1. What has been the cause for her COPD? Smoking?
2. Does she has any breathlessness or do you hear audible wheezes?
3. When does she complains of breathlessness? In night or in day or all the time?
4. Does she ever gets up in mid night gasping for air and running towards window for air?
5. Any breathlessness that aggravates on lying down position?
6. Any history of swelling in feet?
7. If you have her investigations, please attach, i want to see her ECG, Blood tests and X ray chest.
8. Since how long has she been on morphine and how frequently does she takes it?
9. Does she improves after taking morphine?
In general, there is no point in giving morphine to a 90 year old lady.
This is my best advice for you based on available details. If you have any further query please ask me and revert with the asked details for a better help.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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