I agree with cwillie. There is a time and place for everything. My mom went in hospice in March 2017. While they did bring out Ativan and morphine in the initial "kit" we did not feel like she needed it. I discussed this with her team and they agreed based on her symptoms. Almost a year later after more decline and a stroke, she started showing new symptoms, including signs of pain. At that time we started using a very small dose of Ativan at night which helped her rest...and 3 drops of morphine 3 x day. That amount was increased with her need. We never gave her the top amount we were allowed. The thing to remember is that there is a time for there use. I did not want my mom to die in pain. She was a fighter who made it all the way to Stage 7f... She went 7 days with no food or water as her body shut down. Yes I used Ativan and morphine to ease her pain and allow her to breath more comfortably and her death was peaceful with me holding her hand. I feel at peace with our handling of the meds.
Do you ever watch those advertisements for medicines on TV? After they list all the possible negative outcomes and side effects you have to wonder why on earth anyone would want to try them! The thing is there is a time and place for everything, even ativan and morphine, and of course the negative commenters are going to draw more attention than the tens of thousands who have been satisfied and say nothing.
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