/Dilaudid (was: Re: My FIL Arrived Yesterday...UPDATE)

July 7, 2006

Thank you for the input Dixie. I have some big decisions to make today

regarding Mom's

care.

I hope you are healing without too much pain.

, Oakville Ont.

Mom 92, 12 1/2 years " Parkinsons "

3 1/2 years ago LBD diagnosis, evident much longer in hindsight.

Encouraged to give up her licence 6 years ago.

Eltroxin, Tylenol 1g 3 times a day

Off Aricept since Feb./06

On " gentle care " June 30/06, spoon-fed pureed foods

>

> When was in the hospital he was started on dilaudid. At the time he

> had septicemia and was in a lot of pain so it made sense. They also gave

> him Tylenol every four hours. Two months later, when he was finally sent

> home he still was prescribed dilaudid twice daily plus the Tylenol. They put

> the pills in a bubble pack so I would automatically give him the correct

> pills every four hours. I asked the doctor why the dilaudid because he was

> no longer in any pain, but they insisted the dilaudid was why the pain was

> gone. was totally doped, unresponsive, unaware of his surroundings

> and appeared to be near death. I was assured he would not live any time.

>

> After a week I stopped giving him dilaudid. I was sure he was not in pain

> and if he was going to die anyway, what was the harm? In about two days he

> started to wake up. Finally I also stopped the Tylenol. He did fine without

> either. He lasted almost four months, and was able to see his children

> and grandkids, talk with his dog, kiss me and even tell a few jokes. With

> dilaudid he could not do any of that. I recommend questioning, questioning,

> questioning, any drug given to a LO with LBD.

>

> Dixie McIlwraith

>

> West Vancouver, BC V7W 2P5

>

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