Hello.
My Sister who is 70 has been In hospital for over a week with COPD, has had for a while, Can’t even get out of bed for toilet, she Is on steroids for a blockage to Aroata and also morphine for COPD, has been advised willl need oxygen when sent home. Can I. Please ask why is she having morphine as thought was given for pain. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank YOu
Hi, my husband was prescribed morphine for copd . The reason being to relax him and his muscles, helping him to breath more easily. It is usually a very low dose of morphing. Hope this helps.
Many Thanks and much appreciated X
This is very odd since morphine depresses lung function. Ask at the hospital.
We were surprised at the time as I think we all think of morphine as a pain relief but 2 of his consultants prescribed it and encouraged him to use it. As I said previously it assists with tension and panic, especially if you are prone to breathing attacks.
from patient uk page:
Other medicines
Medicines such as morphine and codeine may be prescribed to try to reduce your coughing, and to help with breathlessness. Hyoscine is a medication that can be given to try to dry up secretions from your lungs. Anxiety is a common symptom when you are breathless. Morphine can help the feelings of anxiety. In some cases, other anti-anxiety medicines (such as diazepam) can be given. Depression and anxiety are common in patients with COPD, at all stages of the disease. You may already be prescribed medication for this.
Scroll down page under End stage COPD
https://patient.info/health/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-leaflet