How long to get use to tiredness from morphine sulfate

[Gimpy]

My pain dr. finally decided to take me off the percodan because they haven't been working lately. He put me on Morphine Sulfate, extended release 15 mg x 3; and morphine instant release 15 mg for break through.

It doesn't seem to be working much better but he said this was a very low dose and we will work our way up as tolerated. Which is smart because I don't tolerate meds very well. I don't feel doped up or anything, but I am more tired than usual. Not yawning tired, just warm and tired if that makes any sense. Will this feeling eventually go away and if so how long before it subsides? I'm also wondering if this change was wise so close to the big shoulder/elbow surgery in 2 weeks.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated, as usual.

Thanks, Gimpy

[Jo6]

I wish I could be of help but not sure about the meds. I recently went on MsContin, and as I understood it that was the time release. I was on 1 every 12 hrs. but I'll tell you, they do not last 12 hrs.!!

I don't know about the other one. I take norco for break-thru if needed. He did try me on 1 every 8 hrs. and I did have a time staying awake and that is not usual for me. I asked him to go back 2 times a day. The sleepies went away, thank goodness.

As for helping out with the pain it isn't anything to write home about! It's better than nothing though. I'm going to be in pain no matter and I don't want to use the strongest, I hope to live a bunch of years more:eek: We may have to talk about other options next visit.

Good luck Gloria, Julia

[Mark N]

Gimpy, everyone adjust at different rates but I usually take about 4 or 5 days to adjust. The feeling you have, I haven't ever gotten over and with my meds as it happens every day. I am not sure as I have other meds that add to my sleepiness but it is like walking around ready to lay my head down and take a nap.

I don't know if I helped you but maybe it helps you to know that some times there is a trade off between pain relief and sleepiness or pain and alertness.

[Stetson]

I was on Morphine Sulphalte for 3 years.I remember the change over to
long acting meds it made me sleepy for about a week and went away.
I can tell you this medication does not work for 12 hours ! It worked no
more than 5 hours for me do I switched to methadone which is better.

[Gimpy]

I guess I'm lucky that my dr. rx'd 3 pills a day, so that's every 8hrs rather 12. I doubt it would last 12 hrs either. I was hoping to hear someone say that the tiredness would go away in about a week. I think we'll be upping the dose in about 2 weeks after my surgery because this dose doesn't seem any different than the percodan I was taking. I think it was just a lateral change to start with.

Thanks,

Gimpy

[Jo6]

Since your surgery is not that far off I would go ahead and take like he perscribed. I would think he would up at least for awhile.

Marks right, it is a trade off sometimes. Like I leave off the early morning dose if I have an early appointment.Then take when I get home. It may be alright for some, but I am very serious with my driving and taking strong meds. I may "feel" alright, but I can't be as alert.

I don't answer or talk on my c-phone while driving. I will pull off the road when I can do so safely, but it is a distraction I don't need to take on.