Morphine and trouble swallowing?
I was recently given morphine for severe pain. I’ve tried many other narcotics but either they didn’t help or had very bad side effects. Now I’ve been on morphine for just a few days and have noticed that I can’t swallow well, especially later in the day as the med ‘accumulates’ in my body. I’m on the immediate release form of morphine. I’m wondering if anyone has had this side effect and if so, did it go away with time or did you have to go off of it? My doc knows about this and we’re just waiting to see what happens. If I complain about this much he will switch me to another narcotic and finally I found one that actually WORKS and don’t really want to ‘experiment’ with other meds. I have a *very* good doc so please do not tell me to find a new one. He’s very conservative and cautious so it’s up to ME to tell him what’s going on. Any help regarding this will be enormously helpful! Thanks in advance!
Anything which diminishes sensation, such as a narcotic, has the potential to cause swallowing problems.
The swallowing reponse is mediated partially by reflex, but is mostly voluntary.
Compensation for the problem entails tucking one’s chin before initiating swallowing. Sucking hard will stimulate the swallowing response by moving the material to be swallowed to the location where the swallow is triggered.
Keeping the chin tucked while chewing helps to protect the airway from premature spillage of material into the pharynx (throat) and will prevent choking.
If you are having trouble with liquids, drink stuff with high stimulus value, such as well-chilled nectars, sodas, and the like. It’s safest to use a straw, but be sure that chin stays tucked! Ice water is good, too. Room temperatue or warm liquids will be the most difficult to get down because of their low stimulus value.
October 26th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I definitely think you need to talk to your doctor immediately.
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October 26th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I take morphine as well 30mg 2x aday and i have not had this issue maybe which to an extended release kind its brand name is MS CONTIN which last about 12 hours instead of an instant release
Hope this helps
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October 26th, 2009 at 8:05 am
i understand 100% what you are saying about at last finding a drug that works for your pain. i know narcoticcs can suppress your respitory system but not your treachea. maybe it is upsetting your stomach, do you usually have a strong stomach? and if so, maybe your body realizes your stomach is upset and you do not? so, i would try something over the counter like Prilosec, Tagament along w/your pain med and see if that helps. cause when my stomach flares up, i have trouble swallowing. just an idea, run it by your dr. hope you find relief!
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October 26th, 2009 at 8:15 am
im on morphine imediate relese tabs 30 mg, i have had this alot, dont worry, and my advise don’t change im on 13 per day and to find a dr, to give it is sonething, may i ask the dr name, mine is dr lizzi in albany ny, but any wahy i often awollow wrong, on my juice or eat and swollow and cough, its a side affect of the dose, try a few less pills keep them aside see if it stops, ive been on oxycodone and, norco, and lortab and i asked for a change and got the morpine, oxy worked better for me, I work around it, try to eat slower, you work your way into no meds if you keep changing so be carefull OK I dont want to see you without you well needed pain meds like i did I really hope this helps you do you best but its bot you my wife hits my back all the time, we just get through it its better then no meds, best adise drink and eat slower and if you can dont be alone
Best wishes
joe
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October 26th, 2009 at 9:04 am
I’m on MS Contin slow release 30mg 2x day and I sometimes have trouble swallowing. It deadens your gag reflex along with giving you a dry mouth. I’ve found the best way to minimize the problem is to keep something to drink handy. The problem tends to come and go, being the worst when the morphine is at its highest level. I’ve managed to tolerate it for 5 years now.
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October 26th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Anything which diminishes sensation, such as a narcotic, has the potential to cause swallowing problems.
The swallowing reponse is mediated partially by reflex, but is mostly voluntary.
Compensation for the problem entails tucking one’s chin before initiating swallowing. Sucking hard will stimulate the swallowing response by moving the material to be swallowed to the location where the swallow is triggered.
Keeping the chin tucked while chewing helps to protect the airway from premature spillage of material into the pharynx (throat) and will prevent choking.
If you are having trouble with liquids, drink stuff with high stimulus value, such as well-chilled nectars, sodas, and the like. It’s safest to use a straw, but be sure that chin stays tucked! Ice water is good, too. Room temperatue or warm liquids will be the most difficult to get down because of their low stimulus value.
References :
I was a swallowing disorders specialist.