Hi Jenny and thank you for your post.

I'm so sorry to hear what your friend is going through. It sounds very distressing for both of you.

Strong painkillers like morphine can sometimes affect the eyes and may cause changes in vision, changes in pupil size, unusual eye movements, or confusion. However, any new symptom should be assessed properly so the right treatment can be given.

When wards are busy, patients who normally "just get on with it" can be overlooked, but there are other pain medicines and treatments that doctors can use alongside, or sometimes instead of, morphine depending on what is causing the pain.

If he feels able, he could also ask to be reviewed by the hospital's specialist pain team, who are experts in helping people with uncontrolled pain.

Hearing him say he has had enough must have been very upsetting. Sometimes people say this when they are exhausted, frightened and in a lot of pain.

The most important thing is that the hospital team know how he is feeling right now so they can reassess his symptoms and support him. He or you (on his behalf) could contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and discuss your concerns. They maybe able to talk to his doctors on his behalf.

Please remember that you are being a good friend by listening to him and encouraging him to speak up about how he is feeling.

It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

I hope he gets some relief very soon.

Kind regards,

Tina