Source: Ensuring competency in end-of-life care: Controlling symptoms
Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever heard of opioid-induced myoclonus and hyperalgesia? If you or someone you love is taking opioids for pain relief, you may want to know more about these uncommon but severe side effects. Opioids are medicines that help people feel less pain, but they can also cause problems for the body and mind. Some of these common problems include drowsiness, nausea, or constipation. But some of them are rare and can be scary and uncomfortable. Myoclonus means that your muscles start to jerk or twitch without you wanting them to. Hyperalgesia implies that you feel more pain than you should, even from things that are not supposed to hurt. These side effects can happen when you take opioids for a long time or when you take a lot of them, especially when you are incredibly sick and near the end of your life.
In this article, you will learn more about these uncommon opioid side effects, how they affect you and your family, and how you can prevent or manage them. You will also learn how hospice can help you cope with these side effects and improve your comfort and quality of life.
What are opioids, and how do they work?
Opioids are medicines that help people feel less pain. They are usually given by doctors to people who have severe pain from injuries, surgeries, or diseases. There are different kinds of opioids, such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Some opioids are pills that you swallow, some are liquids that you drink, and some are patches that you stick on your skin.
Opioids work by attaching to particular parts of your brain and spinal cord called opioid receptors. When they do that, they block the messages telling you you are in pain. They also make you feel happy and relaxed. This is why some people like to take opioids even when they don’t need them for pain. But this can be very dangerous and lead to addiction.
Opioids can also cause some problems for your body and mind. Some of the common side effects of opioids are feeling sleepy, feeling sick to your stomach, having trouble going to the bathroom, and breathing slowly. These side effects can make you feel worse and affect your daily life. That’s why you should always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking opioids and never take more than you need.
What are opioid-induced myoclonus and hyperalgesia?
Sometimes, opioids can cause some rare side effects that are not very common. Two of these side effects are called myoclonus and hyperalgesia. Myoclonus means that your muscles start to jerk or twitch without you wanting them to. Hyperalgesia implies that you feel more pain than you should, even from things that are not supposed to hurt. These side effects can happen when you take opioids for a long time or when you take a lot of them, especially when you are very sick and near the end of your life.
Myoclonus can make you move in ways you don’t expect or control. For example, your face might twitch, your arms or legs jerk, or your whole body spasm. This can be scary and uncomfortable for you and your family. Hyperalgesia can make you feel pain in places where you didn’t have pain before. For example, your chest, stomach, or limbs might hurt even though nothing is wrong with them. This can make you suffer more and need more opioids to ease the pain.
How can you prevent or manage these side effects?
The best way to prevent or manage these side effects is to take opioids precisely as your doctor tells you to. Do not take more or less than you need, and do not stop or change your opioids without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor knows what is best for you and your pain and can help you avoid or reduce these side effects.
Watching for signs or symptoms of myoclonus and hyperalgesia would be best. If you notice that your muscles are twitching or jerking or that your pain is worsening or spreading to new areas, you should tell your doctor immediately. These side effects may mean that your opioids are not working well for you and that you need a different dose or type of medicine.
There are also some things that you can do to cope with these side effects. You can try to relax your body and mind by breathing deeply, listening to music, reading a book, or doing something you enjoy. You can also distract yourself from the pain by focusing on something else, such as a puzzle, a game, or a conversation. You can also use ice packs or heat pads to soothe your muscles or joints or get a massage or acupuncture to relieve tension and stress. These are called complementary therapies, and they can help you feel better along with your opioids.
However, if these side effects become too severe or interfere with your daily activities, you should seek medical attention immediately. These side effects can harm your health and well-being, and you may need urgent care or treatment. Do not ignore or delay getting help, as this can worsen things. Remember, you are not alone, and some people can help you.
What role do medication technicians play in caring for patients with opioid-related side effects?
Medication technicians are healthcare workers who help pharmacists and nurses give medicines to patients. They work in different settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospices. They must have good math, reading, writing, and communication skills. They also need to be organized, careful, and responsible. They have to follow the rules and regulations for handling and dispensing medicines and protect the privacy and safety of the patients.
Medication technicians may face some challenges when caring for patients with opioid-related side effects. Opioids are powerful painkillers that can also cause problems for the body and mind. Some of these problems are rare but can be severe and complex. For example, some patients may have confusion, agitation, or delirium tremens (DTs), which are severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Some patients may have withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, or vomiting if they stop taking opioids suddenly. Some patients may have interactions with other medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, or sedatives, which can make them more sleepy or dizzy.
Medication technicians can support patients with opioid-related side effects by following some tips. Here are some of them:
Follow proper medication administration procedures. This means checking the patient’s name, date of birth, allergies, and medical history before giving any medicine. It also means providing the right medicine at the right time, in the right dose, by the right route, and with the right documentation.
Communicate clearly with patients and their families. This means explaining what the medicine is for, how it works, and what side effects to expect. It also means listening to and answering their questions and concerns honestly and respectfully.
Document accurate information. This means recording the name, dose, route, time, and response of the medicine given to the patient. It also means noting any side effects, adverse events, or changes in the patient’s condition.
Report any adverse events. This means telling the pharmacist, nurse, or doctor if the patient has any serious or unexpected side effects, such as allergic reactions, breathing problems, or seizures. It also means calling 911 or getting emergency help if the patient’s life is in danger. If the patient is in hospice, don’t hesitate to contact the hospice provider before 911.
Seek additional training or supervision when needed. This means learning more about opioids and their side effects and how to prevent or manage them. It also means asking for help or guidance from the pharmacist, nurse, or doctor if you are unsure or uncomfortable with any situation.
How Hospice Can Help
Hospice is a type of care that helps people who are incredibly sick and have a fleeting time to live. Hospice provides medical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families. Hospice staff includes doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. They work together to ensure the patients are comfortable and well-cared for.
Hospice can help patients with opioid-related side effects by managing their pain and symptoms, reducing their suffering, and improving their quality of life. Hospice staff can adjust the dose and type of opioids that the patients need and monitor them for any signs of problems. They can also provide palliative care, which focuses on relieving pain and other distressing symptoms rather than curing the disease. Hospice staff can also offer emotional and spiritual support to the patients and their families and help them cope with their feelings and beliefs. They can also educate them about their condition and prognosis and answer any questions.
Hospice care can benefit patients with opioid-related side effects by increasing their comfort, dignity, and peace of mind. It can also help them avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, tests, or treatments that may cause more harm than good. Hospice care can also help them spend more time with their loved ones and maximize their remaining days. Hospice care can also help them die with respect and grace and without pain or fear.
Conclusion
Opioids are powerful painkillers that can also cause severe and rare side effects, such as myoclonus and hyperalgesia. These side effects can make you suffer more and affect your daily life. That’s why you should always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking opioids and never take more than you need. You should also watch out for any signs or symptoms of these side effects and tell your doctor immediately if you notice them. There are also some things that you can do to cope with these side effects, such as relaxing, distracting yourself, or using complementary therapies. However, if these side effects become too severe or interfere with your daily activities, you should seek medical attention immediately. Hospice can help you with these side effects by managing your pain and symptoms, reducing your suffering, and improving your quality of life. Hospice can also support you and your family emotionally and spiritually and help you die with respect and grace. If you or someone you love is taking opioids for pain relief, you may want to know more about hospice and how it can help you. Remember, you are not alone, and some people can help you.
