Most narcotics for pain will suppress breathing. My husband was on 30 mg extended release morphine twice a day, and had no trouble, however it didn't touch his pain. He is now on 4 mg hydromorphone 4 times a day, and again no problems with breathing, and it does help his pain. He got 2mg of hydromorphone in an IV Mon night in the ER, and it did affect his breathing for a short time. Start out slow, like 15 mg of the extended release twice a day. When he was on this,(15 mg twice a day) he also was able to take .25mg of oxycodone for breakthrough pain. What type of pain do you have? He has degenertive disc disease in both his back and neck, and has pain 24/7. If it is nerve pain, try Gabapenten or Lyrica.