Community Chat

[Mominohio]

On 3/9/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 3/9/2014 Wuzzup said:

On 3/9/2014 mominohio said:

On 3/9/2014 NoelSeven said:

Shorty -

In spite of your bad back, you still have much to enjoy in life, and you have a wonderful husband who is able to help you.

There are others in much worse shape and with multiple conditions that are life threatening. I held my best friend's hand as she died from pancreatic cancer, each day bringing a new horror for her. You just can't compare that kind of suffering with the pain that is routine for me and for you.

Some people have no one to help them, or their significant other is ill, also. Some soil themselves or can't get out of bed, or have nothing to look forward to.

Seems pretty presumptuous of you to tell someone just how much pain they are or aren't in. I think I'd leave that decision to the person suffering.

Shorty, I hope you are able to get some relief if only for periods of time, as I know how that can help brighten your outlook on life. I'm glad you have a husband who is able and willing to assist you. Blessings to you both.

I agree. Nobody but the OP knows the pain she endures and to even attempt to measure one's pain to another's is condescending.

Sorry, new poster, but it was not about pain comparison, no matter how much you wish it was.

Let me spell it out for you...

None of us can know, even those of us with chronic pain, what it's like to suffer from something like pancreatic cancer, or even clinical depression, and want to end it. Not unless we've been there ourselves.

NoelSeven, it was all about you making a pain comparison. What else would "there are others in much worse shape" and "in spite of" type phrases make one think. It shows you trivializing one person's pain, just because someone else has what is perceived by most to be a "worse case". Not exactly helpful to someone suffering.

[NoelSeven]

On 3/9/2014 cyndog said: Leaving family members with instructions on morphine use and doses is absolutely done and everyone knows what it means when told that. In most cases, I would imagine the patient is dying, in pain and beyond deciding for themselves. Hope someone does that for me if necessary.

Hi cyndog,

Thank you for your confirmation It's been going on for so many years, I'm surprised it's news to someone in the medical field.

[NoelSeven]

On 3/9/2014 Shorty2U said:

Thank you for the replies and kind words. I was just wondering your thoughts. For all those suffering with health issues I will keep you in my prayers.

Noel- I know what you were trying to say. Its fine.

Still no sleep but Im trying to think on the bright side. At least if I have pain Im still here!

I am going to phone my doctors in the morning. I cant go on with no sleep and sitting in a chair and shuffling around w my cane, is not making it better. I need rest!

Chair lifts are a lot but DH said tonight we must check into it because when I am like this, going the 17 steps is impossible. (When Im OK I can make it).

Thank you, shorty I'm glad you understood.

You and I are both strong women even though we deal with a lot of pain

I don't remember if you've tried sleep aids, but I hope you can find something to help you.

[lulu2]

On 3/9/2014 lilypadfrog said: I don't know. I could not do this to my family, I think, but then I just don't know. I can say my DAd killed himself on 12-12-1969. I was 18 and remember virtually every minute of that day. And if I happen to see the digital clock show 12-12, then I am taken back again. He was mentally ill but we didn't have the knowledge or resources to help him find hope. I find myself angry at what he did, at missing my wedding, missing his grandchild, everything. I hope I would have some understanding and compassion for someone who was in severe pain or illness. I am sorry. I am just not sure.

lily, I am so sorry.

[Irshgrl31201]

On 3/10/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 3/9/2014 cyndog said: Leaving family members with instructions on morphine use and doses is absolutely done and everyone knows what it means when told that. In most cases, I would imagine the patient is dying, in pain and beyond deciding for themselves. Hope someone does that for me if necessary.

Hi cyndog,

Thank you for your confirmation It's been going on for so many years, I'm surprised it's news to someone in the medical field.

There are a ton of things that are news to Happy Housewife. She was just saying on another thread that someone taking pain medication could NOT get addicted to pain medicine if they were actually in pain and taking the dose the doctor recommended and not more. That will be news to a lot of rehabilitating addicts who got addicted in just that scenario. I am shocked at some of the misinformation she spreads here.

I too have know people who were given the same info on how to end it by hospice employees.

[NoelSeven]

On 3/10/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:

On 3/10/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 3/9/2014 cyndog said: Leaving family members with instructions on morphine use and doses is absolutely done and everyone knows what it means when told that. In most cases, I would imagine the patient is dying, in pain and beyond deciding for themselves. Hope someone does that for me if necessary.

Hi cyndog,

Thank you for your confirmation It's been going on for so many years, I'm surprised it's news to someone in the medical field.

There are a ton of things that are news to Happy Housewife. She was just saying on another thread that someone taking pain medication could NOT get addicted to pain medicine if they were actually in pain and taking the dose the doctor recommended and not more. That will be news to a lot of rehabilitating addicts who got addicted in just that scenario. I am shocked at some of the misinformation she spreads here.

I too have know people who were given the same info on how to end it by hospice employees.

Irshgrl -

I'm with you, that would be big news to a lot of people!

Thanks for your last comment. I was beginning to wonder if this didn't happen in other parts of the country.

[reese2]

On 3/9/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 3/9/2014 happy housewife said: Last year I had a family member under hspice care here in Fl. he was at home with around the clock nurse aides and when he needed pain medication the aide called the nurse and she came and administered the morphine. The bottle was in their fridge but she did not leave any apparatus to inject it. they were extremely careful about it. and when he died the nurse was there pronto to take away what was left of the morphine in the bottle.They kept very careful records of how much was used and when and how much was left when he expired. So i seriously doubt any hospice nurse is telling anyone how to off themselves and leaving the means to do so available to the patient or their family.

You'd be wrong, and I do know that for sure.

Absolutely wrong, and I know it for sure, too.

[colliemom4]

I think I would go on. No judgement on those that feel otherwise. We've actually had several family members that commited suicide due to chronic pain and other issues.

[Cyndog]

Yes, although I haven't experienced it personally, several friends have told me that that was done with their dying family members and others here have confirmed it. Like I said in an earlier post, I was glad to hear that there can be compassion shown for those dying in pain and it gives me some comfort to know that in case I'm ever in that position on either side.

[MrsLorraine]

I have my own health and pain issues, and I'm having to face the fact that they aren't going to get better and they're not going to go away. I can understand why someone in a similar/worse state would do that.

But I wouldn't; I couldn't do that to my husband, son, relatives, etc. Even when I feel like I'm a burden, DH tells me I'm not and I believe him. Knocking myself off would kill him and I wouldn't be so selfish as to do that to him.

As I said, though, I can understand why people do that. In our (American) society and health-care system, a lot more can and should be done for people with terminal illnesses and intractable pain, but we don't. So sometimes they feel that they've used up all their options and there's nothing else to do.

I feel very sorry for them, and their loved ones.