To use oramorph to help with flu symptoms

Please do get yourself checked for a chest infection. DH was recently in hospital for several weeks because he had an undiagnosed and untreated chest infection - he ended up with pneumonia and pleurisy. Had to have a chest drain and narrowly avoided surgery to remove all the infected matter. It's taken him several months off work to recover.

As a former nurse of many years I would do exactly the same as you. Flu has to run its course, you just need to treat the symptoms. We know Oramorph won’t treat your infection but neither will antibiotics as it’s viral. Also, flu can continue for longer than three days. Of course you should seek medical advice if you continue to feel this bad in three or four days time or if your symptoms worsen or you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or a sudden onset severe headache. I’ve tried to cover all bases there. 🙂

Oramorph is not for flu. You may feel better but it won’t treat your infection.

They can arrange a call back with a clinician who could send antibiotics to a pharmacy or they could arrange for the OP to attend an OOH service to see a locum. It depends what's available in her area, but it's unlikely to be ambulance or nothing. That's what 999 is for.

Nobody can 100% reassure you, sadly. I do think you need some medical advice though. Hope you feel better soon.

It’s amazing how being dehydrated - properly dehydrated not just very thirsty - makes everything so much worse. If you feel bad as you did pre-oramorph in the morning you need to be seen by a medical professional. Hopefully sleep and fluids will help. Sucking ice cubes or sipping hot water might help you keep your fluids up with a very painful throat.

They still might. Sometimes it takes 48 hours. I've also had them ring back at 3 am after an initial call at 6 pm.

Flu should be starting getting better after 3 days ish. It's a short lived illness. What do you think 111 can do if you won't get to the GP. They won't send an ambulance for something like this so you will have to go somewhere if you want medical attention. Why couldn't your husband take you to the GP?

Be careful taking it if you have a headache as it can increase the intensity of the headache to migraine level. Cannot remember the physiology of that but its a mistake I will never make again.

You can call again.

Chase 111, you need medical attention.

When I thought I had a nasty dose of flu and didn't bother going to the Dr because too ill, it turned out I had a chest infection. Took the GP all of about 10 seconds to diagnose. I needed to be on antibiotics. Please drag yourself to the Dr or at least try an e-consult.

I’ve never had oramorph but I’ve been known to break out the codeine when I’ve had a really bad cough, just to get some unbroken sleep.

It’s fine :-)

I’m not a dr but I just wanted to say I have used oramorph on occasion for similar flu like symptoms as I have severe ME and in a flare up, it can present in a similar way to flu. Like yourself, I’ve only taken it when the pain has had me in tears and the usual pain killers don’t touch it. This is with the knowledge of my GP as long as it’s used sparingly and only on occasion. I’ve only used it for a couple of days at a time until the flare eases so I’d say you’ll be okay to use it in the very short term. However, I would try 111 or your GP if symptoms are severe enough to need it and talk it through with them. Hoping you start to feel better very soon as it sounds rotten for you.

Drink lots of fluids - if you haven’t been eating or drinking use rehydration sachets - and get some sleep now your cough is suppressed by the drugs. Those two things will make a big difference.

Not a doctor, but I would. If it's what's going round at the moment, I've just had it. If I'd had oramorph lying around, I'd have had a little dose and a nap.

I've been prescribed it before a few times for severe pain. I've never become addicted after taking a short course. I doubt there's enough in the bottle to get you hooked and it's not like you can get more anyway.

Morphine is an antitussive, so it suppresses coughs which is why your cough has improved.

I do think you should speak to a doctor though if it goes on like this. Have you done an online assessment for 111 so it will tell you how quickly you need to be seen? That might be an idea.

Enjoy your sleep👍

Have you spoken to a medical professional regarding your symptoms? Flu is horrible but Oramorph seems a bit like overkill. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen, along with hydration and rest, is the normal advice.

It’s fine to take short term , some people take it daily to help with breathing problems. I assume as you were prescribed it you don’t have any issues with it reacting to other medications

I’d have done the same to be honest.

Just do not ask the doctor for any more of it.