Stopping Decadron At End Of Life

My father is currently in the final stages of life after suffering with GBM for almost 5 years.  We have decided to stop his decadron because he wants to die.  He is in Hospice and is weak, confused, incontinent, and basically miserable.  The doctors said it would be 2 weeks from the discontinuation of decadron until death.  My question is, how accurate is this (shorter or longer)?  Thank you.

Have you visited www.brainhospice.com?  You may find the answers to your questions on that site.

My best to you,

Barb

Did you see where you can post questions on the brain hospice site?  Diane will advise you based on the information you give her about the symptoms.  She does say that there comes a time when Decadron should definitely be stopped as using it just prolongs the patient's suffering. 

Best of luck to you and I'm sorry.

Barb

My 54 yr-old brother died on Tuesday, 2/12/08 from this same tumor. Just 9 months after his diagnosis.  Your Dad sounds much like my brother in his last days.  We took Tim to the hospice facility on a Wednesday, 2/6.  On Thursday we decided to gradually reduce his steroid dose of 4 mg per day.  The only maintenance drug we kept going was his Kepra to prevent seizures and that was successful.  Before getting to hospice and for the first 3 days he was there, things were very difficult.  Those days were full of extreme aggitation and restlessness for Tim.  I'm not trying to scare you but you do need to be prepared for that as it is very common in brain tumor patients when the end is near.  On Friday noon, we asked/demanded for better control of his symptoms.  For the first time in 9 months Tim started complaining of pain.  They added Haldol by IV and  started 2 Sub-Q lines.  One was used for IV Adavan and the other was used for a continous IV morphine via a pump.  Once that got going, he started really sleeping.  By Sunday he was sleeping most of the time, was not eating or drinking.  He was resting and peaceful and free of pain.  Tim died 6 days after being admitted to hospice.  In the end, his death was gentle and easy - and for that I am truly grateful.

I pray God's hand will be upon all of you in the days ahead.

Judy