The following information explains why:. The breathing muscles become weak like all the other body muscles. When the breathing muscles are weak, extra muscles help out. It may look like the person is working hard to breathe, but does not always mean that they feel short of breath.
These pauses are often followed by a few fast and deep breaths. The person dies when he or she does not draw a breath again after a pause.
These changes in breathing are a sign that the control centre for breathing is failing. The person may seem to be working hard to breathe, but this is a natural and normal response. If there are concerns about increased rate and work of breathing, gasping for air, and that the person is distressed, we know that morphine is not a factor in the dying process.
Instead, this suggests an ongoing need for giving the person additional regular doses of morphine to relieve distress. Send to a Friend.
A small catheter is then inserted through a needle into the spinal fluid space and is threaded upward. The catheter is then tunneled under the skin to the abdomen and is connected to the pump. The pump is filled with the drug morphine and is programmed by a computer to continuously release a specified dose that is determined by the physician. The operation is completed when the incision is closed with suture material stitches or surgical staples.
If the outer incision is closed with staples or non-absorbable sutures, they will have to be removed after the incision has healed. Some people find they get a bit sleepy with morphine. Once again, this is a sign of your body adjusting to the drug and should ease after a few days. There are other possible side effects — very rarely some people will see things hallucinations.
This may mean the dose is a little high. Occasionally some people will develop an itch. Morphine is unusual in that there is no maximum dose. If it is taken for pain as prescribed, the dose can be increased gradually to match your pain. Many people find that once they are settled on a stable dose of morphine they can actually do more than they used to because the pain is much less. The one exception is driving. You should talk with your doctor about driving. Morphine may slow your reaction time, especially if the dose is increasing from time to time, so be sensible about it and discuss it with your doctor or nurse.
The same goes for operating machinery. You have been given morphine because you have severe persisting pain that is not likely to just stop on its own. However, all your medications, including morphine, will be reviewed regularly by your doctor or nurse. If you adapt or distribute a Fast Fact, let us know! Disclaimer: Fast Facts and Concepts provide educational information for health care professionals.
This information is not medical advice. Fast Facts are not continually updated, and new safety information may emerge after a Fast Fact is published. Health care providers should always exercise their own independent clinical judgment and consult other relevant and up-to-date experts and resources.
Some Fast Facts cite the use of a product in a dosage, for an indication, or in a manner other than that recommended in the product labeling. Accordingly, the official prescribing information should be consulted before any such product is used.
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