Morphine Sulfate Relief. Too Good to be True?

1

Hello friends,

This med has proven to be my "get out of TN hell free" card. I never thought anything else ever would be AGAIN! I don't seem to be "fuzzy headed", shaky, or a little forgetful, like with all of the other medications, including the anti-convulsants, that I have tried . . . . just need a lot of "Miralax"!

It just, somehow, seems as if my coach will turn into a pumpkin at any time, or someone will pinch me and I'll wake up. Hmmm . . . . .and I only have to take 30 mg. every 8 hrs., which means that I'm only needing 2/3 of my script. I combine it with Oxycodone, prescribed by the same PM doc, for "breakthrough pain", because Oxy isn't as constipating. I know, though, because I have had Oxycodone before, that the Morphine Sulfate is doing most of the work.

I've been able to drop two of my other "maintenance meds" without any consequences. I don't want to dump any more chemicals into my system than I have to.

Has anyone else here had any experience with Morphine Sulfate a/k/a MS Contin? Does a tolerance develop quickly? Is there anyone else here who works or goes to school on this particular med. I feel as if I could. I feel almost NORMAL AGAIN!! (well, ok, I'm Stef, I never have been and never will be normal and I like it that way . . . .lol, but you know what I mean).

I haven't let onto my kids yet how I think it is working. I don't want to give them false hope. It's been impossible for my fiance to not notice that my demeanor is more chipper, that I am not always grabbing my face, complaining about my pain spikes, having to lie down in misery at certain times of the day, etc. But, then again, he has always thought I would find the answer to my problem. He just thought it was a matter of time. I don't want to get his hopes up too high, either.

I have three people depending upon me to be "functional". I wonder what this is doing to my body long term. I wonder what else isn't moving as it should. Surely, this miracle comes with more problems than just constipation!

I remember the first other TN patient I ever spoke with. She is a nice lady, a friend of mine on Facebook. I was in horrid pain every day, feeling like the ATN symptoms were worse than a cancer, eating at my life and at those around me. It was miserable. I described my plight to this person, who claims to "no longer have flair-ups". I thought it was one of the procedures she had undergone, but no, she told me, "Morphine and Lyrica" were my miracle. I hope you find yours soon. Well, that was approx. two years ago. Could it be that I have? I don't know. All of my life, if something sounded too good to be true, it probably was (except for the guy I plan to marry, so far, but I even look for "what's the catch" in that). I'm a natural skeptic, I guess.

So, any info that any of you could provide me about your experience with this medication would be helpful and sincerely appreciated.

Sending wishes for compassionate and informed care to all.

Your friend,

Stef

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My PM gave me morphine sulfate 5mg last week and soo far it helps to a certain extent. I have to take 2 or them so 10mgs every 4 hrs and even then I still have low pain. So I dunno if we can up my dose. I think this will probably help for a month and then loose all potency. I’m on Gabapentin also and it helps allot because my ears don’t hurt anymore and that was the worst part for me. I have atypical TN and MRI’s show no compression of the trigeminal nerve. My pain is on both sides of my face so that really sucks and I’ve always had TN pain it just gets worse every year. But, I’m not sure what it means but I have pain and muscle spasms all over my body. It feels really similar to TN but I don’t know what it is. I’m supposed to be referred to a rheumatologist and neurologist so I keep you posted. I am applying for disability but I’m also bipolar and have a hard time keeping a job. Anyways, I hope this works for you and is your “miracle cure”. My PM says opioids are the only thing he can do for me. That is really sad.

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I think you know my story Stef, but in case others read it, I'll share it here. I have been on 30 mg morphine twice a day with immediate release morphine 10 mg for breakthrough pain for 13 years. I have only had to raise my dosage during severe days, then back down to my normal dosage again. I agree, I can drive, think clearly enough to run my business, think more quickly, no fog, I don't even get much of the constipation, because it helps control my irritable bowel to some extent. From what my pain Dr. explained, people who take morphine for severe pain do not get high and they don't have to keep raising the dose higher and higher. The morphine just neutralizes the pain. I should add "On the right dosage" they don't get high. They also don't get addicted or have tendencies to abuse the medicine. We do get "dependent" which is MUCH different than addicted. Dependent means if we quit too fast we will get withdrawal symptoms, but "addicted" means you want more and more, can't get enough, dosage goes higher and higher, you abuse it, get high, etc. Most doctors don't even know the difference between those 2 words. I know a mother of 10 who is on morphine AND fentanyl, and working full time, tending her kids as a single mom, driving, no problem. As soon as your body adjusts to the initial sleepiness, life is good again. I hope it keeps working for you. You will have occasional breakthrough pain, but that's true with all treatments.

Blessings, Sheila

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Hi, Sheila.

Thank you for that explanation of addiction vs. dependency. I try to tell as many people who tend to confuse the two the same thing.

Thanks for sharing the success story you know of about the lady who handles so much on those medications. It give me A LOT of hope!

You seem to still have a lot of TN pain, though. Is the Morphine not working for you?

Janet, I was going to invite you. I thought you were already here, in the e-mail I sent. But, just in case you weren't . . . .I was going to invite you. Thanks for weighing in. My late husband was bipolar. So, in essence, you have his disorder and my disorder going on at the same time. I know he had a hard time. He was the "kind of good intentions". But, bipolar can rob a person of a lot too. It is another "invisible illness". I didn't know what was wrong with him, until a few days before he passed away. Just remember to keep your head up, and stay on your meds! I sympathize for people who suffer with bipolar very much. It is a subject dear to my heart.

Anyway, I don't think it is so sad. Sometimes, when I think about surgery, I worry about things going wrong. I don't know. Maybe taking medication less scary to me than having someone poke around in my brain and spinal cord. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'd do it, if I thought it may help. I just haven't been impressed by the stats on the effectiveness of surgery MVD, Gamma Knife, etc. on ATN patients.

Sometimes, I wonder if pain medication works better for Atypical TN patients, and if anti-convulsants work better for the people with Classic TN. I see a lot of people with Classic TN who are greatly helped by things like Tegretol. That was never the case with me.

So . . .whatever it takes to not lose the rest of my girls' childhood. This drug seems like a godsend, for me!

I will be remembering you both in prayer. Blessings to both of you!

Stef

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Dear Stef-

I also take MS Contin (30 mg twice daily) and oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I have found that MS Contin is BY FAR the best long-acting opiate that i have used. I, like you, seem to have no side effects from it. I've been on it for about 5 months. I am sure that I have built up a tolerance somewhat but so far so good. However, I also take Lamictal as my maintenance med.

MS Contin has worked better for me than any other pain med in controlling burning/aching pain associated with ATN. It doesn't seem to work on extreme cramping pain (neither does oxycodone) but it gives me a leg up and my pain has been more tolerable. The combo of meds that I am on right now is the best yet and my pain is much more controlled than it has been in the last 3 years.

One recommendation, in addition to Miralax you might want to use Senna & Colase (dulcosate sodium- spelling?). That combo has worked well to help with bowel issues. And remember to drink lots and lots of water. Good luck and it sounds like you've found what i have- no side effects and a med regimen that lends to a less painful life.

Best. Johanna