Does pain medication affect immune system / increase infections?
Options
mossycow
Scope Member Posts: 500 Pioneering
Hi there fellow Scope community members!
So something I've wondered for a while and I'd appreciate all input even 'just' your own experiences....
Do you think that opiate medications like codeine, oramorph can affect how many minor illnesses you get.
I've noticed I've definitely had a massive increase of infections that require antibiotics and minor illnesses since requiring such medications....
And while watching ER (hospital TV show from the 90s...absolutely absorbing.... Great pain distraction) Dr Ross (aaahhh bless him... Do you remember when George Clooney was new on the scene?... I was always more of a Dr Green girl myself.... But I digress... Sorry)
So yeah Dr Ross was talking to a mum of a kid taking oramorph and they implied that this was why her son was having more chest infections.
What do you think?
So something I've wondered for a while and I'd appreciate all input even 'just' your own experiences....
Do you think that opiate medications like codeine, oramorph can affect how many minor illnesses you get.
I've noticed I've definitely had a massive increase of infections that require antibiotics and minor illnesses since requiring such medications....
And while watching ER (hospital TV show from the 90s...absolutely absorbing.... Great pain distraction) Dr Ross (aaahhh bless him... Do you remember when George Clooney was new on the scene?... I was always more of a Dr Green girl myself.... But I digress... Sorry)
So yeah Dr Ross was talking to a mum of a kid taking oramorph and they implied that this was why her son was having more chest infections.
What do you think?
Comments
-
Hi,Nope, i've never noticed anything like this and been taking opiates for almost 6 years. Highest dose of tramadol a day for almost 3 years, stopped this and been taking morphine for 3 years.I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
-
Nice one thanks. It's that kind of response I was hoping for to be honest because I can't imagine life having much quality without the painkillers I'm getting on with. The opiates have always been the kinder of the drugs I'm able to use.
-
I think it might depend on the reason that you take the opiates and any other conditions present.I take Morphine mainly for disintegrating spine and general joint and body pain( I don't want a name for this ) But also have chronic COPD. with an increase in morphine dose I now get chest infections a lot. Two weeks of antibiotics and steroids clears it but then two weeks later another chest infectionBe all you can be, make every day count. Namaste
-
That's interesting (sorry you are living through it) thanks.
I take oramorph as a top up pain killer for chronic pain. I have a weird body... Not easy to describe .
Off to gp this afternoon as week of amoxicillin hasn't cleared this infection up... Bit scared to be honest... Feel like my body is just getting more and more broken...
Brightness
Categories
- All Categories
- 13K Start here and say hello!
- 6.6K Coffee lounge
- 69 Games lounge
- 385 Cost of living
- 4.3K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.9K Research and opportunities
- 199 Community updates
- 9.2K Talk about your situation
- 2.1K Children, parents, and families
- 1.6K Work and employment
- 768 Education
- 1.7K Housing and independent living
- 1.4K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 586 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 363 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 737 Transport and travel
- 31.6K Talk about money
- 4.4K Benefits and financial support
- 5.2K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 17.1K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 4.9K Universal Credit (UC)
- 6.2K Talk about your impairment
- 1.8K Cerebral palsy
- 869 Chronic pain and pain management
- 180 Physical and neurological impairments
- 1.1K Autism and neurodiversity
- 1.2K Mental health and wellbeing
- 317 Sensory impairments
- 818 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions