My Aunt, in her nineties, is in end-stage chf and wants to die at home. Palliative Care is pushing the morphine and Ativan cocktail although my aunt says her pain is mild. I'm calling her doctor tomorrow to discuss pain relief and I know I'll hear the same song-and-dance about morphine. Does anyone know of a natural alternative to morphine for end-stage discomfort? I'm looking in my area for a homeopath or alternative medicine MD also.
In any case, since she is under your care it is your decision whether to use the morphine or not. Hospice does not force that on you. I did not use the morphine I was given for my husband. He was not in pain or in distress. Each case is different.
Morphine was not used for my mother while she was on hospice, based on previous bad reactions to it.
It sounds like you very much want to keep this dear lady out of pain, and in her home environment. That is very commendable. I hope that you can achieve that using only drugs you approve of. And if you can't achieve it that way, I hope you will be flexible enough to take hospice advice. But remember that you are the person in charge. You make the decisions.
Elizabeth, I wish you and your Auntie peace.
I am sorry that you are going through this. I am glad hospice is there with you. I agree with you about putting off the morphine unless the pain becomes bad. Morphine tends to make people nod out, so they lose time with their family. There may be a time when this will be a good thing to ease pain. You will know when that time is.
I don't see any problem with some Ativan if it helps your mother feel more calm. Maybe some tablets would be good if that is a problem. It can also help your mother sleep on those difficult nights, so can be very handy.
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