Hi all-my 92 year old mom has progressing dementia, undiagnosed stomach pain (no more to investigate) and weighs about 90 lbs. Stroke in November which resulted in a steep decline physically and mentally. We care for her at home with round the clock aides and me.
We were treating her with CBD and Tylenol for pain and that stopped working. Seroquel for hallucinations was a nightmare. The pain and anxiety along with the dementia really put her in full on distress. We now have Tramadol and Xanax which seem to be helping but she is so blank. I also have a comfort pack from hospice that I haven’t used yet. I’m hesitant to start it. With my father once I started he passed in a week so I have issues.
I hate that she’s now semi out a lot of the time but the distress was beyond awful. Heartbreaking both ways.
Trying to keep her medicated enough to ease the distress and pain but not so much that she’s fully out of it. Tough road to walk.
Any advice helpful.
Wishing you the best of luck keeping your mother's comfort in mind as you navigate her end of life care.
I sure hope my kids see my pain and treat it when I'm 'there'.
Ask yourself "Why am I so opposed to using the comfort pack?" If it's personal, then you need to make it NOT be personal, but think of mom.
Morphine, for daddy, was the absolute godsend that kept him pain free for the first time in 15 years. We ALL breathed a sigh of relief when he began to slide into that sweet peace of pain free existence. He had suffered so much.
You can ask the nurse to administer the first dose and stay to see how she reacts.
The doses are small and not enough to kill someone.
The fact that your dad passed within a week of you starting morphine is/was coincidental. he probably would have passed in the same period of time.
It sounds like your mom is "out of it" currently so if using morphine allows other medications to be discontinued (if they can be) she may still remain in the state she is now.
All that said do what you feel is right for your mom. Set aside your discomfort with medications and keep her comfortable.