Is there a defense for long term use of morphine and continued mental competence ?
amidoomed? Good choice of display name even if there is no profile and just this one question! Long term use of morphine for chronic head/TMJ pain is not the only option. Long term use of morphine for ANY pain, with the exception of patients that are terminally ill and have a life expectancy of 6 months +/-, creates problems that are relative to any addictive substance. Morphine is an opiate derivative and has a history of documented abuse that is easily followed to the American Civil War. Morphine addiction was known as ‘The Soldiers Disease.’ Morphine alters the ability to function within reality and changes the perception of reality just as any other mind altering substance. TMJ is best treated by a physician/surgeon that specializes in Otolaryngology. There are surgical procedures that are effective . . . in the event that there is a contraindication to surgical options, I would suggest a referral to a board certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Clinic. My concern would be
