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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Insomnia Be Treated While On Morphine?

My sister is taking morphine and adavan for her late stage cancer. Final stage to be exact. She will probably pass any day now. She is at home and has only partial hospice care because she lives in a very rural area. The she has become very adgetative and harder to control. Sleeps very little and needs constant watching over. Which is very difficult for us to do. Especially at night. She is taking high dosages of morphine and the adavan for her pain. She has small cell carsenoma. It s in lungs liver anal area and kidney. We are having a horrible time with her staying calm. Despite all the pain meds she needs desperately. Any suggestions for us to suggest to the hospice nurses?
Fri, 6 Jul 2018
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

You should consider canceling or reducing dose of morphine medication. Anyway, insomnia may be difficult to treat, but there are some methods which can be used. Treatment options include behavior and lifestyle changes, medicines, and complementary medicines. You need to change your dietary habits and these include changing your sleep area or schedule, watching what and when you eat and drink, and being more active. It's also important to keep regular bedtimes and wake times-7 days a week-and to try to avoid taking naps during the day. Prescription sleep medicines also help and include Diazepam and similar medications. Melatonin is supplement which may be of help as well. In severe cases special testing is needed.

I hope I have answered you query. If you have any further questions you can contact us in every time.

Kindly regards. Wish you a good health.
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How Can Insomnia Be Treated While On Morphine?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. You should consider canceling or reducing dose of morphine medication. Anyway, insomnia may be difficult to treat, but there are some methods which can be used. Treatment options include behavior and lifestyle changes, medicines, and complementary medicines. You need to change your dietary habits and these include changing your sleep area or schedule, watching what and when you eat and drink, and being more active. It s also important to keep regular bedtimes and wake times-7 days a week-and to try to avoid taking naps during the day. Prescription sleep medicines also help and include Diazepam and similar medications. Melatonin is supplement which may be of help as well. In severe cases special testing is needed. I hope I have answered you query. If you have any further questions you can contact us in every time. Kindly regards. Wish you a good health.