There is often a fear that morphine can cause adverse health effects. By learning more about morphine, including debunking myths and determining the truth about the treatment, you can make the best decision possible for yourself or your loved one if you are considering morphine use in hospice care.
The following are five common myths about morphine in hospice care and a detailed explanation of the truth about each myth. This should help you and your family make more informed and responsible decisions as to whether or not morphine is appropriate as a part of the hospice care plan.
Myth: Morphine Addictions In Hospice Care are Common
One of the biggest fears that patients and their loved ones have about morphine is that it can become addicting. Much of the fear centers around the belief that patients can quickly build up a tolerance to morphine. While a tolerance does develop and the dosage amounts increase over time for patients in hospice care, the concern of addiction is often overstated. In fact, morphine addictions in hospice care are incredibly rare. This is especially the case when the patient takes the prescribed amounts of morphine with the supervision of a hospice caregiver.
Myth: Taking Morphine Too Soon Can Make It Less Effective
Another common misconception about morphine usage in hospice care is that it should only be reserved for the end stages of an illness when symptoms are the worst. The belief here is that morphine may lose its effectiveness over time, and the patient may experience higher levels of discomfort in the end stages if they start taking morphine in the early or mid-stages of their illness.
However, the truth is there is no limit to the dosage amount of morphine, and hospice caregivers can carefully and gradually increase the level of morphine if the patient begins to develop a tolerance or if their condition worsens and leads to more severe symptoms.
Myth: Morphine In Hospice Patients Leads To A Sedated and Foggy State
This is another common concern that families and patients have about morphine in hospice care, and it is an understandable concern and question to ask. Like all medications, there are side effects of morphine, and a lethargic feeling is a possible side effect initially.
However, the fear of a sedated or foggy state is not a serious concern when morphine is used for long-term symptom management for patients in hospice care. In fact, in most cases, the patient adjusts to the medication within a few days and no longer experiences a lethargic or apathetic state. If the side effects, which are minor, do continue past a week, then the hospice care provider can simply adjust the dosage to alleviate the side effects.
Myth: Morphine Leads to Unsafe Drops in Breathing Rate
Drops in breathing rate is another possible side effect of morphine, which understandably gives patients and their families pause. However, unsafe or discomforting drops in breathing rate are rare among hospice patients who take morphine. In fact, quite the contrary. For most patients, prescribed morphine that is monitored by hospice care professionals often reduces symptoms such as shortness of breath and air hunger.
Much like with other side effects and other medications, dosage can be altered or the medication can be discontinued if side effects persist, and the risk of respiratory depression is extremely low when morphine is taken in a responsible manner.
Myth: Morphine Usage In Hospice Care Leads to Premature Death
There is a natural inclination to link the medications hospice care patients take to their death if they pass earlier than expected. In some cases, medications can negatively impact life expectancy if side effects occur. However, this is rarely, if ever, the case with prescribed morphine used for the alleviation of shortness of breath and other oxygen and breathing complications.
While there is no evidence that the life expectancy for hospice patients is negatively impacted by prescribed morphine, there does seem to be a correlation between those who take morphine to alleviate certain symptoms and an improved quality of life.
How to Determine if Morphine in Hospice Care is Appropriate
Much like any medication, it is best to consult with your doctor or hospice care provider prior to taking or agreeing to take morphine for symptom alleviation. By speaking directly with a medical professional, you can ensure that the morphine, if appropriate, is used in the most effective and safest manner possible.
Call Our Hospice Team Today for More Information
At Harbor Light Hospice, we have a comprehensive team of hospice care providers who can help improve the quality of life for you or your loved one. If you have any questions about morphine use or hospice care in general, then give our friendly and professional team a call today.