Could I Be Resistant to Morphine?
Subject: 40-Year-Old Male Seeking Insight I'm reaching out to gather some advice from medical professionals regarding an experience I had a few months back. While hospitalized due to severe abdominal pain that was so intense it nearly incapacitated me, I learned that I had developed a blockage in my stomach that my body was strongly resisting. I experienced bouts of agonizing pain approximately every 5 to 10 minutes, which I would rate at a 9 out of 10, although I imagine true agony might be worse since I’ve never experienced burns. Even with my stomach empty, I was persistently vomiting bile as my body attempted to release whatever was causing the obstruction. During this episode, a nurse administered morphine, although I was entirely unaware when it occurred. Twenty minutes later, when I asked her when I could expect the morphine to begin alleviating my discomfort, she seemed shocked and informed me that I had already received a substantial dosage. However, I felt no relief from my abdominal agony. Subsequently, they provided dilaudid, which proved to be very effective and worked almost immediately, bringing me much-needed comfort. Given this situation, I'm puzzled and would like to understand: is it possible for someone to have a lack of response to morphine? Or might my pain level have been so extraordinary that the morphine did not have any discernible effect? To provide further context, I had previously taken a minor dose of fentanyl prior to a septoplasty, which was notably effective. Could it be that this was merely a freak occurrence, or am I at risk of morphine being ineffective for me in the future?
Answers (1)
6/19/2025, 12:20:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
You’ve experienced a challenging situation with pain management, and it's understandable to have questions about your response to morphine. It is indeed possible for some individuals to have a reduced response or complete lack of response to morphine, known as opioid tolerance or specific receptor differences.
Explanation
- Opioid Tolerance: Regular use of opioids can lead to tolerance, meaning higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect. However, in your case, it seems the response was immediate and effective with dilaudid, which suggests a more complex interaction with morphine specifically.
- Pain Severity: Severe pain, particularly from conditions like a bowel obstruction, can sometimes exceed what typical opioid doses can manage, especially if the pain is visceral (from internal organs). This might explain why you felt little relief even after receiving a large dose of morphine.
- Individual Variation: Everyone metabolizes medications differently due to genetic factors, previous exposure to opioids, and even differences in pain receptors. It’s possible your body metabolizes morphine in a way that diminishes its effectiveness for you personally.
Next Steps
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Monitor Your Pain Responses: Keep track of how you respond to different pain medications in the future. This includes noting both effectiveness and any side effects. This information can be very helpful for your healthcare provider.
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Discuss with a Healthcare Provider: If you anticipate surgery or a situation requiring pain management, inform your provider about your previous experience with morphine and your effective response to dilaudid. This will help tailor your pain management plan.
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Consider Consultation on Pain Management: If you often face severe pain or have ongoing concerns about your response to opioids, consider exploring options with a pain specialist. They can provide insights into alternative pain relief methods or medications.
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Stay Informed: Research and understand your pain condition and available treatments. Knowledge can empower you to make better choices regarding your healthcare.
Remember, experiencing varying responses to medications is not uncommon, and your concerns are valid. Advocating for yourself and discussing these experiences with your healthcare teams will lead to better pain management strategies for the future.
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