Quote:
Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist
It is always the hardest decision for the caregivers to decide at what point in the spectrum to be with regards to pain and narcotic side effects. I think I speak for every healthcare provider who deals with this when I say I really wish we had something better than narcotics for pain.  |
I am sure that there are cases in which people are over-medicated but having talked to the doctors and moreso the nurses in a hospice type environment, they care about the patients and they don't want to see them suffer anymore than the families do. It really isn't a good spot to be in because the person in their dying days isn't really the same person who the family has grown to love but they are just a shell of themselves because of the narcotics they are given, but at the same time, I would much rather be comfortable in my last moments on this earth rather than in pain. I am sure you have more knowledge on the matter than my basic pharmacology course though.