My Aunt, in her nineties, is in end-stage chf and wants to die at home. Palliative Care is pushing the morphine and Ativan cocktail although my aunt says her pain is mild. I'm calling her doctor tomorrow to discuss pain relief and I know I'll hear the same song-and-dance about morphine. Does anyone know of a natural alternative to morphine for end-stage discomfort? I'm looking in my area for a homeopath or alternative medicine MD also.
I haven't done any studies or research on why people refuse pain relieving drugs. So I don't know whether it's because of fear, or like me, impurities and lack of quality control in manufacture of ingredients for the end results of pills. Or, just not being reliant on drugs at all.
After reading about the filthy conditions in certain emerging market countries, and seeing photos in a congressional hearing of specific manufacturing plants in one of those countries, I was even more determined to screen whatever medications we take and buy only from pharmas in industrialized countries.
I eventually found a good pharmacy which buys quality medications.
However, I still would prefer to use natural substances that are proven, such as those used by Native Americans.
It's not a fear of becoming addicted though. I'd rather use meds sparingly, period.
I take the meds as needed, and have done so for nearly a year. They very much allow me to function as I did before the disease became pronounced.
I have a strong interest in the application of computer science to medication and their impact on disease and patients. I spend most of my day working on these problems (for free) with colleagues from the past. I am not a paid consultant, but receive my remuneration by knowing that I can still be of help to the sick and dying. To be able to help others. I can only do this through the relief from pain that is afforded me through meds.
I become angry that some caregivers refuse utile medications for their charges, when they could be relieved from a great deal of pain and suffering in their months last on earth. In today's political climate, patients are far more likely to suffer from under medication rather than over medication. Not only does proper dosing reduce the suffering, and improves the patients quality of life, but improves many of the ancillary symptoms as well as the lucidity and clarity of thought.
One of the most interesting observations that demonstrates the truth of the above assertions is that patients who have control of their own pain meds, use less, and report less pain, than patients whose pain meds are controlled by a third party.
But the answer is that there are herbs which lessen or mitigate some pain. Salmon oil has helped me with knee pain. I have a great muscle salve with a variety of non prescription substances that is the most effective thing I've used for pain. But it's for muscles aches.
However #1, these are minor pains compared to more serious medical conditions.
However #2, and this is the clincher, since I'm not a certified herbalist, a naturopathic or homeopathic practitioner, I wouldn't consider suggesting anything.
Any qualified practitioner would obviously need to meet with a potential patient and take a detailed history so that if anything was prescribed, it wouldn't interact or counteract with any other meds.
And some of the herbs in question might be sourced from countries that don't have a reputation for purity of products. That might be worse than no pain relief at all.
We often tend to think of medicine as a first choice, but there are hundreds of years of history during which Native peoples and herbalists and perhaps even some medical practitioners didn't have access to the volume and sophistication of meds these days. And some meds are in fact from natural sources.
And yes, some people obviously post without reading anything beyond the first question or checking the date, that is why we get so many seemingly irrelevant answers and posts resurrected from years ago.
But I fully agree with your aunt and you that she shouldn't take morphine unless she herself feels she needs it (she shouldn't be afraid to take it, though, either - perhaps check that she hasn't been scared off it through misinformation?).
Back her up if anyone gets pushy with her, and guard against the kind of nurses - we've all met 'em - who forget their training and breeze up to administer the drugs without so much as a by-your-leave.
We never know what something is like until we experience it. That's why I like to get those personal and candid perspectives from those who have been there with their loved ones.
Elizabeth, I wish you and your Auntie peace.
Now, my own doctor says, don't ever take Ibuprofen again, because of your heart. It make irregular heartbeats worse.
Anyway, we didn't try "natural" painkillers, other than basic comfort measures.
I think the idea of consulting a Naturopath is a good start, and I also think it will become obvious when it's time for the Morphine. I know that in my own anxiety I was always trying to look ahead to the next "phase", but it wasn't really productive- as the dying process was it's own moment by moment affair.