Just wanted to share in case it helps anyone else....
Mum has a number of health conditions including stroke, diabetes, AF, thyroid problems and severe arthritis for which she takes a whole suitcase full of pills. For pain relief she has had morphine in various forms including patches and now slow release tablets. Over the last couple of years she has become more and more withdrawn and in the few months before Christmas was confused, forgetful and unable to concentrate on anything for more than a few seconds. At 80, we suspected dementia of some sort and eventually plucked up courage to approach the doctor for his verdict. We were so lucky, he took the time to listen and eventually diagnosed that rather than become tolerant to the morphine, as her body aged it had started to metabolise it differently and she was effectively overdosing. He cut her dosage in half and after a few painful weeks of withdrawal she is now more mentally alert than she has been for several years! Physically there are still issues, but mentally she is fine apart from a degree of depression. So I would say to all carers whose elderly loved ones take morphine, make sure you demand regular medications reviews from the doctor - it may be that fears of dementia are caused by morphine intolerance.
Mum has a number of health conditions including stroke, diabetes, AF, thyroid problems and severe arthritis for which she takes a whole suitcase full of pills. For pain relief she has had morphine in various forms including patches and now slow release tablets. Over the last couple of years she has become more and more withdrawn and in the few months before Christmas was confused, forgetful and unable to concentrate on anything for more than a few seconds. At 80, we suspected dementia of some sort and eventually plucked up courage to approach the doctor for his verdict. We were so lucky, he took the time to listen and eventually diagnosed that rather than become tolerant to the morphine, as her body aged it had started to metabolise it differently and she was effectively overdosing. He cut her dosage in half and after a few painful weeks of withdrawal she is now more mentally alert than she has been for several years! Physically there are still issues, but mentally she is fine apart from a degree of depression. So I would say to all carers whose elderly loved ones take morphine, make sure you demand regular medications reviews from the doctor - it may be that fears of dementia are caused by morphine intolerance.
