Hey Em,

Karen makes great points in her posts, she's a wise gal. Understanding that the use of these drugs can/will affect motor functions etc until a tolerance is built a bit...especially fentanyl. Of course some studies of morphine actually shows improvement in reaction times, I really wouldn't trust her driving or operating heavy machinery!

Fentanyl will reduce the heart rate, sometimes to dangerously low levels. If your mom is getting up after long periods of rest, walking is going to be an issue. I've been carted off to the ER several times due to really low BP...not enough blood getting to where it needs to go before racing my walker...bad deal!

Of course Karen was spot on...talk to her MO or pain management team, they're the experts.