Opioids Chronic Pain Patient needs info on changing Morphine Sulphate IR tablets for IV use??

[babbo]

I am a chronic pain patient as a result of two failed back surgeries with instrumentation. The most recent CT scan showed that, over the years, huge amounts of scar tissue has formed and has adhered to the exiting nerve roots, not to mention that two of the six 4 inch titanium screws have fractured and show displacement (movement) on videoflouroscopic examination. I do see a pain management specialist who prescribes pain meds to me on a monthly basis. I take the pain medications to lower my pain levels to a point where I can lead a fairly normal life and function at work. I do not take the pain meds to get high... actually, I’ve been taking the meds for so long that I don’t even get a little buzz, like I used to when I started taking the medications. It’s kind of a shame because I used to enjoy that little buzz that lasted for an hour or so. I am quite opioid tolerant as I have been taking oxicontin, morphine and hydromorphone (dilaudid) on a regular basis for several years now. My problem is that there are occasions where I get what is called, ‘breakthrough pain’... which can be defined as bouts of pain that do not respond to my normal regime of medication. As such, when the breakthrough pains occur, the oral medications do not, or are incapable of relieving or reducing my pain levels to a level where I can function. On one occasion, my breakthrough pain was so bad that I went to the ER at a local hospital. I spoke with an anesthesiologist and explained my situation. They put an IV in my arm and gave me some morphine. That worked fantastic as there was an almost immediate reduction of my pain. Hence, I have learned that the only thing that does relieve my breakthrough pains is the use of IV morphine. However, although I wish that they would, there is no way that my pain management doctors are going to prescribe liquid morphine for IV use at home.
So... I understand that there are ways to produce IV morphine from morphine sulphate tablets? I have morphine sulphate tablets that are IR (Instant Release) 30 milligrams from Roxane Laboratories. Does any one know if this is possible? And if it is possible, does any one know of the proper procedures of how to transform the tablets in a SAFE manner? I’m not looking to mess myself up here, I’m just looking for some pain relief (don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind a little bit of a buzz!!). However, besides not knowing HOW to make IV morphine from the tablets that I have, also, I do not know how much or what dosage that I should inject. Can anybody help me?
I apologize for writing such a long post and I thank you for reading it. I would appreciate some serious responses. Thanks in advance. Hope to hear from some one soon.

 

[sekio]

As such, when the breakthrough pains occur, the oral medications do not, or are incapable of relieving or reducing my pain levels to a level where I can function. On one occasion, my breakthrough pain was so bad that I went to the ER at a local hospital. I spoke with an anesthesiologist and explained my situation. They put an IV in my arm and gave me some morphine. That worked fantastic as there was an almost immediate reduction of my pain. Hence, I have learned that the only thing that does relieve my breakthrough pains is the use of IV morphine.

Threads like this make me sad. IV morphine isn't going to work forever, you know, and using opiates for anything more than pain reduction is unsustainable. Nobody's life is pain-free, and IV usage of drugs is usually restricted to serious cases where the drug can be delivered in a sterile setting.

Seriously, you need to be discussing this with your doctor. Perhaps you can go on anti-inflammatory drugs to help the pain, or some sort of physiotherapy program? There are also fast-acting opioids like Fentanyl lollipops you could try. Pain is a symptom, not a disease to be treated. The fact you "wouldn't mind a buzz!!!!" leads me to believe you're not doing this for pain relief so you can function, it's to feel euphoric.

If you are serious about IV usage of morphine IR tablets, obtain some sterile kit and micron filters, learn IV technique, and follow proper procedure - sterility is key. Never re-use or "clean" needles - put them in a sharps box when you are done. Never share shots or injection gear. Always register before you shoot. Always use an alcohol wipe. Always rotate injection sites.

 

[Missykins]

Threads like this make me sad. IV morphine isn't going to work forever, you know, and using opiates for anything more than pain reduction is unsustainable. Nobody's life is pain-free, and IV usage of drugs is usually restricted to serious cases where the drug can be delivered in a sterile setting.

Seriously, you need to be discussing this with your doctor. Perhaps you can go on anti-inflammatory drugs to help the pain, or some sort of physiotherapy program? There are also fast-acting opioids like Fentanyl lollipops you could try. Pain is a symptom, not a disease to be treated. The fact you "wouldn't mind a buzz!!!!" leads me to believe you're not doing this for pain relief so you can function, it's to feel euphoric.

If you are serious about IV usage of morphine IR tablets, obtain some sterile kit and micron filters, learn IV technique, and follow proper procedure - sterility is key. Never re-use or "clean" needles - put them in a sharps box when you are done. Never share shots or injection gear. Always register before you shoot. Always use an alcohol wipe. Always rotate injection sites.

OMG finally a rational response to this sort of question!

I agree 100%. Of course IV morphine will work, but there's a reason why its use is reserved for end-of-life care.
You have many alternatives available to you.

Becoming an IV drug user has all sorts of ramifications that are legal, physical, and emotional. I wouldn't encourage it.

 

[muvolution]

I would encourage you to tell your Doctor what is going on with your pain, and that you are not getting adequate relief. Once you start shootin your pain pills, even if you go up in dose, like if the doctor switches you to a stronger dose, you will be fucked, because if it is HC or OC, the oral BA is the same (basically) as IV so you will have withdrawals even with taking the prescribed amount of meds by the prescribed amount, and you just don't want that.

If you must shoot pills, please see the links on filtering in my signature.

 

[TheLostBoys]

Has your doctor offered oxymorphone (Opana) yet? If not, maybe you can ask him/her about it. Opana supposedly works great for your kind of pain.

 

[PainWarrior]

babbo,

Anyone who deals with chronic severe pain wants relief and hey why wouldn't we want to feel a little euphoria for an hour, but the top priority is easing the pain. I realize that because you use to like the tiny buzz is not a sign of addiction, as long as you do not try to get a high and you are not taking more meds than Rx'd to get high.

I am now on Opana and it is helping me better than oral Morphine sulfate. I hope you find pain relief. Also, Fentanyl lollipops are strong and may work better than the IV Morphine. Ask your doctor about other options.

Good luck!
PW

 

[OntarioGuy]

What if he followed CH's guide to prepping buprenorhine into IV'able vials using micron filters.If the OP followed that guide down to every last detail,he could make a safe IV'able solutin of morphine sulfate of like 30 mg/ml or something.(obviously he'll adjust it to his tolerance,I'd personaly make it 60 mg's per ml,but thats me)

But to the OP,you would have to be serious about using it ONLY for pain,and ONLY when it's incapacitating.But I don't know if you could,because like others have said,tolerance will grow rapidly ro IV morphine,meaning you'll use more and more,until eventually it does next to nothing but manage the withdrawal symptoms.

If you are serious about pain relief (*snip*) please stick to taking your medication as prescribed. If it isn't cutting it, talk to your doctor about medication for break-through pain. Chronic Pain is serious business, the last thing you want to do is go fucking around with your opiate tolerance or misusing your medications. Once you go down that road, there is very rarely any going back.