Cancer Research UK main site
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Syringe Drivers - Did it speed up my mum passing away??

Nicolac978
Offline

Hi All

My mum sadly passed away 10 weeks ago, a week before Christmas due to cancer of unknown primary with small bowel mets. Mum was dignonsed a week before she passed and it is all extremely hard to accept and to get my head round.

Mum was under hospital admission when she passed, however the day she died, the staff administrated a morphine syringe driver into the thigh. A macmillian nurse later visited mum and the driver was changed to also include anti-sickness drugs as well as the pain releif and then within about 4-5 hours mum had passed away.

Does anyone know if these syringe drivers are only used when someone is extremely sick and in final stages and likewise do you think they quicken things up or was it only used to make mum more comfortable and as pain free as possible?

It's a question that keeps going around in my head and anyone's advice and help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Nicola

  • Offline in reply to davek

    And Dave thank you again your words have helped and your right the reason I have to do something is so it never happens again to anyone in that hospital other people in my town have told me there bad experiences with the hospital so I'm not alone thank you and take care

  • Offline in reply to Luke

    It's been six months now since my dad passed and there has been an investigation by the McMillan nurse that's the head of my area.I have a meeting on Tuesday about the outcome. I havnt been on this chat since I first put it on I have been to hell and back felt every emotion possibly , but I want you all to know who have lost someone to cancer that what you go through makes you a stronger person you must beleive in time that the pain never leaves but god gives you time to breath and you learn to accept that your loved ones are at peace . I don't know what made me go bk on this tonight mabye just to say hang in there this pain will get easier and you will get through this because our loved ones that have passed don't want to see us suffer  and we will be together in a better life. God bless

  • Offline in reply to Luke

    Im sorry to say this luke but what you said isnt always the case unless you have been through what our family went through you cant say that the drugs dont have anything to do with there death in my dad's case I believe the drugs killed him I'm sorry but no disrespect to you I know you are only trying to help but every case is different  my dad's case was horrific and was under investigation I get answers on Tuesday. But I have to say that my dad's case was so unbelievably because there was circumstances that I can't talk about yet but I will when I'm ready then youus can judge thank you and god bless

  • Offline in reply to isabella

    Hi Isabella,

    Thanks for the update, I'm glad that you've reached acceptance and are feeling emotionally stronger. I hope things go OK for you on Tuesday and you get the answers you need to all your questions.

    Best wishes

    Dave

  • Offline in reply to shirljon
    hi sorry for your loss But Iam thinking the same. My mum went in hospital with a swollen leg and foot She was placed on a diabetic word which I won't say anything about that work apart from they hadn't got a clue on what they was doing Got a call to say mum had a seizure And was being taking for a scan results come back as she'd had a very small stroke Two weeks she was in the hell of a place then another call you mum in being transferred to ICU The staff there are 2nd to none mum what in there 4 day not being told anything apart from the doctor with come and see you Iam still waiting now 3 mum was put on a syringe drive and lasted 18 hours so YES in my opinion they do help them along. I phone the hospital 3 weeks ago to request to see the who my mum was under at the time in ICU and still waiting for a call back Wen I say the ICU are 2nd to that's referring to the care they get Kind regards Steve
  • Offline in reply to william1939

    Thank you for your reply.i have known for 7 months that the driver killed my father and I followed my heart to prove this as I don't want anyone going through what he did. dad was not near ready for the driver .there has been an investigation at the hospital and for a while I thought there was going to be a cover up but i was so excited when I got a phone call on friday from the top people who handle complaints on the nhs there is a big meeting tomorrow. Monday. They have told me that there is certain things they are not happy about in dad's medical report and they are very concerned and that I should be proud of myself for not giving up.it's a big meeting tomorrow and hopefully I'l get answers as my heart is broken what I saw dad go through.so follow your heart and get the answers you need or you will never move on .I will let you know how the meeting goes take care

  • Offline
    Sorry to hear about you're loss, my dad was in and out ove hospital, but the last 5weeks he stayed in and he got worse bed bound, on friday i was told he didn't have long he had that drive in by monday he had died he only lasted 5hours15mins and yes it helps them its them fighting till its time for them to go , my dad hadn't spoke to his brother for over 10years he was asked what time you going home he said 4oclock he died wright on 4oclock, but just before he died he looked at his grandson turned his eyes looked at his brother looked at me and died, but thay do get a burst ove life then back down again then it time thay no, but its even harder when you are in the room watching them die and you can do nothing its really killing me
  • Offline in reply to isabella

     I went to see the doctor and we asked questions i took my son with me because he nose about this, he asked the doctor was it a driver he said we can't use  that word it was jus a very high pain relief, but it wasn't morphine but it was from the Same family with a different name, my dad was given that by mouth first with one ove then little cups then with a siringe, but i can still see his face it was really tromatizen and i can't stop crying i have the fruneral to go to yet.

  • Offline in reply to davek

    No he hasn't had a post mortem half a hour the nurse came in to roll him washed him down took his socks off but clean sheets on and took the driver out his lung were filling up with water , it was really traumatizing that was half 3 by 4he was dead ever time we were talking to him his leg and toes were moving he was moving his jaw trying to say sum it.my dad wasn't ready to go, if he can get through having nearly thirty strokes which his thirteen one paralysed him.and he was suppose to come home on the day he died, the bed and every thing was brought to the house, im dreading the funeral. Yes thay did take him off his meds and changed some ove them

  • Offline in reply to William-Jacqueline
    i know how you feel my dad looked traumatised as well it was awful .I still cry everyday but I function a bit better now .I'm so sorry for you my darling ,I don't know how ill your dad was but I have always believed the driver killed my dad,the nhs have now took dads death to a different level it is under a bigger investigation now but I'm not allowed to talk about it.i have been called brave and that I should be proud of myself but I don't see me like that iv just followed my heart and doing whats right I will get justice for my dad and make sure that a bad decision like they did to dad in that little town hospital wont happen again.take care and god bless

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.