Mom’s on hospice

Discussion Board Forums General Discussion Mom’s on hospice

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  • #57641
    sharonlee
    Member

    Thanks all you wonderful people for posting and helping me take care of Mom.
    Mom’s taking Adivan for anxiety. She does not like all this hanging around. She is not enjoying the time she has left I’m afraid. She does not want too many people around and she does put her hands out like to reach someone at times. Other times she’s calm. I dose off and on all night being with her, but the worst is getting her out of bed to get on the commode as she is sore.
    Tonight I will give the tylenol product. She still tells me when she has to go even though she is weak.
    Bless you all.
    Thank you again

    #57640
    marions
    Moderator

    I also would like to add to Percy’s comments that it is important not too let the pain escalate – it then becomes more difficult to control.

    #57639
    marions
    Moderator

    Byron… I believe that drugs are tested at the highest, tolerable level to humans and then marketed. Therefore, it just makes sense to play around with lower doses (I like the pill form for that reason, you can cut it in half or quarter it.)
    Hugs and love,
    Marion

    #57638
    fireeeyore
    Member

    OH, SharonLee, I am so sorry to hear this. My MIL only had one chemo treatment and hasn’t been right since either. The doctors have not talked hospice to us, nor have they done any guessing at prognosis, so I have no words of wisdom for you. I can only send you some of my strength to help you& your mom get through. {hugs}

    #57637
    pcl1029
    Member

    Hi,sheron,

    Byron is correct , it depends on the dosage as well as the patient’s sensitivity to the drug itself.
    what is the name of the anti-anxiety med.
    Lexapro,Prozac,Remeron ; or the old kind of Xanax,valium or Ativan?
    God bless.

    #57636
    mustangmort
    Spectator

    Some people DO feel the “knock out” punch with anti-anxiety medication. My wife is one. It’s all in the dosage. She may need a smaller dose.

    #57635
    pcl1029
    Member

    Hi, Lainy,
    Thanks for responding to her. I did ask her to talk to you since your know more about palliative and hospice care.

    Hi,Sheron,
    The anxiety meds will not knock her out,in fact it may help her to gain weight by increasing her appetite.
    However the pain medications such as morphine,oxycodan , Norco, fentanyl patch ,hydromorphine will.
    Titration( give pain meds depending on the response of the patient rather than give a fix amount prescribed by doctors ; ask the nurse to teach you how to use the pain scale before each pain med will be given your mom.the pain scale is(1-10,10 being having the worse pain)and teach your mom indicate what # of pain level she is on BEFORE give the appropriate dose of pain meds to your mom.ask the nurse teach you before you attempt to do that.as the nurse to ask the doctor to give you the AMOUNT of pain medication for each level of pain eg.pain scale 1-4 takes X amount of morphine liquid for breakthru pain;5-7=y mg and 8-10= Z mg etc.) this is the key to keep your mom comfortable while still awake and function normally.
    God bless.

    #57634
    marions
    Moderator

    Sharon….Hospice services vary from location to location. Some people are given in-home intravenous medications and fluids whereas others do not. Above all, Hospice is to assure that the patient is kept comfortable. I don’t see any reason as to why you would not want to give your Mom enzymes, have her eat the food she likes to eat and have her given intravenous fluids. Check with different Hospice organizations.
    Obtaining pain control and lessening the anxiety while simultaneously preserving your Mom’s mental aptitude may involve some trial and error with different medications. But it can be done; hopefully others will chime in and share their thoughts with you also.
    Hang in there, Sharon. Know that we are here for you.
    Hugs and love,
    Marion

    #57633
    lainy
    Spectator

    SharonLee, if you feel up to it, PLEASE call me. 480.895.0974

    #6359
    sharonlee
    Member

    I thought I would post in this section as more people may respond.
    Mom only received one chemo treatment and because she became so weak afterwards it was suggested she go on Hospice. Mom was fine before the chemo, with just the internal stent. After the one chemo treatment she went down fast.
    My question is does hospice try medications to try to stimulate appetite? Does hospice give fluids in the home? Does hospice take blood samples in the home? Does hospice talk to doctors about enzyme meds or something to help with weakness? I have read some posts on this site about Hospice giving people medications. Do they think Mom is too far gone? When I told hospice about what I read on this site, they tell me to let them know what medications I read about. I know the extent of Mom’s illness but if there is something that may have her feel better in the short time she has left can someone help me. The last doctor Mom saw was the oncologist. He said she can continue to go there for fluids, but Mom is too weak to do that. Another subject I am concerned with is the anxiety medication given to Mom. Does anyone know if there is one without too many side effects that will not completely knock her out?
    Thanks to all who reply.
    Sharonlee

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