Morphine side effects

[Shanna707]

  Has anyone else had the side effect of swelling with the use of ms contin/ morphine ER??  I don't mean like swelling in airway or face which could mean an allergy.  I have noticed that when I take it I get swelling in my ankles.  I know that urinary retention is a side effect for the morphine ER, but didn't notice dependent swelling noted.  I went off of the drug for a while and had very little swelling, but as soon as I restart it notice swelling to start in my ankles.
Thanks,
Shanna

[Scrappy999]

Try drinking a powerade or gatorade it helps get the kidneys flowing less swelling in the amkles.  However if l skip a day of drinking it the swelling returns.  Also smoking makes it worse try to cut down if u smoke.

[Elle__Bell]

I take morphine er 15 milligrams twice a day. I have noticed extreme feet ankle and lower leg swelling. Im positive it's  the morphine. I'm on a lot of meds As I am a liver transplant patient. My meds adjusted quite frequently and I notice all the subtle changes that occur. With the morphine, not so subtle. Im not sure what to do about it other than perhaps try another med. Has anybody done this yet?

[fntn]

Make sure your blood albumin levels are normal. If the liver synthesis isn't keeping up, then the albumin drops and your vascular system will tend to lose fluid/water in your peripheral regions. Just something to check.

[Lynnsshadow]

I have severe swelling and I am dismissed when I discuss it. I am on MS Contin 30mg x 3 and I blow up like a balloon when taking this. God forbid I drink water then it's worse. My labs are actually perfect and the doctor said my labs are even better than his so there's no other reason why this would be happening I have no heart problems so this just does not make any sense I did not have this problem when I was on Percocet

[Scrappy999]

I have the same problem l find drinking gatorade helps with the urine retention reducong the swelling.

[Tuckamore]

Phil is not talking about a new forum. We want you here. :o)

He's talking about beginning a new thread, "Post A Question." Information on an old thread is often out dated, especially in pain management. Changes happen quickly. The climate for opiate therapy has become hostile and some medications are changing.  

Additionally many of our active members don't read these old posts for various reasons- so they miss good - often that new information I spoke about. So a new thread is most desirable.

Thanks,
~Tuck

[maggie7775]

I see your point but there is not much else out there on the interwebs regarding this issue, sadly. And a new forum will not include all the old information which is really helpful.

[Tuckamore]

You have valuable input - that others will find helpful - but it's hidden in an old thread (question) and won't be visible when searching - or even now. I almost missed it.  We don't often pay attention to old threads.

Sadly these posters are no longer active.

Please begin a new thread. We have much to learn from you - and I hope you can learn from us. We are a supportive community.

Please select an appropriate title and begin that new thread. I'd like to hear how your appt went - and the solutions you have found.

Welcome,
~Tuck

[Pengirl2001]

Oh boy do I have first hand experience!  I had a Morphine pump "installed" lol 5 days ago.  At present, my foot looks like I have Lymphedema.  It is so swollen that it's cold because of the decreased blood flow!  The pills made it swell a bit when I started taking them but nothing like this! Today is my follow up appointment and Im going to ask to try dilaudid!

[philnoir]

Folks, thanks for your support, but you've got to read the dates of these posts before you reply.

Shanna707 has not posted on MedHelp since 2011, which usually means that he or she has moved on.

If you have a question or comment, open a new thread, give it an appropriate title, and go for it -- we welcome your input.

Thanks.

[Mojaveshopper]

Four weeks ago I had a Pain Pump inserted.  One of the first problems that I noticed was leg and ankle swelling (Something the doctor did not mention.).  The problem was brought to my attention by another lady who had to have a pain pump removed because of the severe edema (swelling) in her lower legs and especially the ankles.  The doctor is now aware that I have this problem and his response is to change drugs, i.e. use a different drug in the pump rather than MS.  Note, I am still on very low doses of the MS pump version of MS.  In the 4th week, the swelling is a little better.  Other problems may include a change in appetite and poor passage of GI food contents (peristalsis is slowed) and I've lost weight which is not a good thing for my currently very thin body.  I'll monitor the edema and other new problems.  So far, I have NOT had a good experience with the loudly touted (by the doctor) pain pump. I am STILL taking my regular oral MS dosages because I have had no decrease in pain with the pain pump med.

[Ghazallaty]

I'm so glad I found this forum. I'm taking 20mg slow release morphine and 10g severdol which is instant (almost) for chronic pain caused by endometriosis. In the last 2 weeks I've noticed extreme swelling to my ankles and fingers so swollen I couldn't remove my rings. I asked my doc and they just blew me off so have like you guys ended up searching the web. I've just had kidney and liver function tested and both are fine so I must conclude its the morphine. Thanks so much everyone for your contribution and Shanna for asking the question, Seanie.

[tiffanycrystal]

My Doctors just started me on the Opana xr 10 mg every twice a day.I started five days ago.The day after I started it,My feet and ankles started swelling too.I have never before in the past had issues with morphine when I had surgeries but taking this has caused me to swell in my feet.I have been trying everything to get the swelling down,soaked feet,propping them up,taking diuretic,eating no salt,but still swollen,spent 6 hours at the emergency last night.They checked my urine,blood,and pressure,everything's fine.Only thing they can say is it had to be my medicine.And the only new medicine is the opana. So Yes this can happen.Its says it on the paper the pharmacist gave me,yes its rare but it can happen.Guess we are the lucky ones.I am taking myself off to see if it helps now,started today.

[stonyR]

I am noticing that after I take my MSIR 15mg X 2 that my feet hurt really bad and that my lower legs swell up down to the ankle but the feet are normal looking and they feel ok and warm but MAN THEY HURT BAD ! So why do my feet start hurting me like stabbing them with a hot pin right in the center of the foot ?

[AngelsluvMuzic]

I have been on morphine ER for a bit over a year. As soon as (within 2 days) my dr upped my dose from 30mg to 60mg ER, what was once mild swelling became alarming enough for a trip to the emergency room. Of course that dr now has me set up for cardio and pulmonary tests, and made me think my kidneys are failing. It's just the morphine...I'm sure of it. The swelling is worst in feet and ankles but includes the rest of my body too. I need a new pain med.

[lastnerve508]

I have had to up my morphine dosage until I get an MRI for spinal fractures. My hands are not swollen but my ankles are HUGE! This was the first site that I landed on so its great to see that I am not alone. I'm hoping that taking an over the counter diuretic will help the swelling as well as putting my feet up. Thanks for posting the question.

[lastnerve508]

I have had to up my morphine dosage until I get an MRI for spinal fractures. My hands are not swollen but my ankles are HUGE! This was the first site that I landed on so its great to see that I am not alone. I'm hoping that taking an over the counter diuretic will help the swelling as well as putting my feet up. Thanks for posting the question.

[jhonni]

I too am looking for this answer. Only when my doctor had to switch me to morphine for my migraines (CVS pharmacutical company won't cover demerol) did I notice a serious swelling of my hands and feet! I may be making a connection when there is none but before taking the morphine, I had no such problem. I am frightened by the reaction. Is it the morphine or is there some serious medical condition going on now, and it just happens to have occurred at the same time I was put on the morphine.
jhonni

[laalaa64]

I have noticed my hands, feet and legs are quite badly swollen and my stomach seems to be too.  I have been taking morphine for 2 months now and am really struggling with weight gain.

[sandee1818]

I do know that all to often things like this are not listed as side effects. The problem is that the doctors and or patients do not report them and so they too often get looked over as is the case here. I am sure there are many documented cases they just are not reported.
I am not sure what the protocol is far as doctors reporting side effects but we as Pt's can call the pharmaceutical company and report effects. this will help many. Just like your situation, just because the side effect is not listed doesn't mean it is not a common one.
I hope the Lasix helps:)

[BOK2Bjan]

Hi,
I have experienced this side effect and it is more common that you might think.  Some will react this way for other medical issues and some won't.  I would like to offer some advice which is given just in case you weren't told to be careful with the lasix.  Being a nurse, I'm sure you know that it can create an imbalance in your electrolytes / specifically your potassium.  Even mild diuretics can cause problems.  At the least, be sure to ask that your levels are checked.  I was on a potassium sparing diuretic for a long time and had dangerously low levels of potassium, which can become a medical emergency.

Good old home remedies would be to stay active while on morphine, yet put your feet up on occasion if you have too much ankle swelling.  I'm happy to relate my personal experiences, as I've often reacted to meds differently than others.  We're all unique!

I wish you well.  Blessings, Jan

[Shanna707]

Thanks sandee.  I have already consulted with my usual pharmacist and doctor who prescribes my pain medication.  I am using lasix, a diruetic, for the swelling.  So, again I wasn't asking for an expert opinion, but personal experience which the forum is for.
  I was especially asking for personal experience because, as you found, swelling nor edema is documented as a side effect of the morphine. However, since I have been an RN for over 10 years and was a pharmacy tech level A for several years before that, I am aware that there are more rarely reported side effects of medications that aren't documented!
  So, again, was only asking about personal experiences with the use of Morphine ER.

[sandee1818]

Mollyrae is trying to offer you a solution, which is correct that you speak to your pharmacist. We are not experts here only chronic pain Pt's trying to help each other with our personal experiences and first hand knowledge as you know.
I have never heard of the problem your having and did a little research and found nothing.
Perhaps speaking with your doctor will help. He/she can try diuretics if necessary:)

[Shanna707]

  Thanks for your comment, but I already talked to the pharmacist and she had no more info than I already knew.  I am aware of all documented side effects.  I am asking if anyone else has had fluid retention while taking the morphine.  Urinary retention is listed as a side effect officially, but not swelling or fluid retention.  I am asking anyone to comment who may have had first hand experience with morphine, not an expert who has no personal experience.  I hope that makes my needs more clear.
  Thanks for responding Molly,
  Shanna

[Mollyrae]

Its possible that you're retaining fluid due to the Morphine. My advise would be to ask your Pharmacist. They should know the answer to your question and most qualified to answer it.

My best,
Molly