About a year ago, a good friend of mine told me she had just met someone (whom I'll call Joseph) who's brother (whom I'll call Steven) was dying of late stage cancer (he had liver cancer and gastrointestinal tumors). She said that Joseph really wanted his brother to try this water I kept talking about, so I brought him a 5 gallon container of it.
A woman who has been drinking the water for many years told me that the water may not help much if Steve was on hospice drugs (she said it could be a losing battle). I said "Why??" And she told me that a woman who was a nurse and had studied this stuff, told her that some (not all) hospice drugs caused organ failure (albeit "slow and peaceful organ failure"). I'm not saying that all hospice drugs do this, but she said that some really do, and sometimes it's the combination of drugs that can cause this (like mixing windex and ammonia).
If you don't believe me, please see the discussion on this page and decide for yourself.
Also, my friend (who told me about the dangers of certain hospice drugs) sent me an email that was sent to her by a doctor who had analyzed a lot of these drugs, and said she did not recommend them if a person was truly trying to turn someone around.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email that was sent to her... I copied and pasted the whole thing). You can decide for yourself, what you think, but I think you owe it to yourself to at least have a look at it, and if you have a loved one in hospice, PLEASE look up the side effects of every one of their medications, and also google the name of the drug plus "organ failure" and see what comes up. Hopefully, there will be nothing to speak of. But I think you should at least have a look and make sure.
If you scroll down you will see the drugs that are mentioned in the email are:
Depakote, Phenergan, Haldol, Motrin, MSContin, and Ativan.
Please scroll down to read what a doctor told my friend about these medications!
Why it's important to look up the side effects of all medications
When my husband was diagnnosed with Stage 4 cirrhosis, his doctors told me there was no way to reverse it (except for getting a transplant). They put him on six medications. I looked up every one of those medications... but there was one that I missed, and it was the most dangerous out of all of them: Pantoprazole (which is a proton pump inhibitor, like Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Omeprazole, etc).
My husband took this medication for NINE months before I learned that it actually CAUSES scarring of the liver... the exact thing we were trying desperately to reverse! I was shocked and downright angry to find this out. NONE of his DOCTORS (and we saw dozens) told us about this! Over the last six months I've communicated with hundreds of patients who had family members with cirrhosis, who were on this stuff, and not ONE doctor ever told them that this medication caused even more scarring of the liver. NOT ONE.
Now, I do understand that the doctors feel that they have a good reason for prescribing this stuff. It's because it can supposedly prevent esophageal bleeding and gastric ulcers, which can cause bleeding which can lead to death. So, I get it. But in all of my husband's endoscopies, his esophagus looked great. So I didn't feel that he needed this particular drug. He was drinking aloe vera juice, and I believe that this was the reason his throat was doing so well (he had just about every other symptom of end stage liver disease, besides the bleeding varices). We were trying everything in our power to reverse the cirrhosis, while he was taking drugs that would have made it impossible. Because of the pantoprazole, he developed Osteoporosis and is now almost 3 inches shorter than he was when I first met him (still love him, but I know he's not thrilled about this). He also had extremely low iron.
I later found out that the FDA actually has an additional warning, showing that PPI's can have serious side effects, including osteoporosis. You can see it HERE.You'd think that SOME doctor would have told us (OR my sister in law, or one of my best friends, or the many other people I've spoken to) that the FDA says you're only supposed to take these things for 14 days, or that no more than three 14-day treatment courses should be used in one year, but... nope. I was very angry about all this, but it taught me a very good lesson:
YOU CANNOT RELY ON DOCTORS (or nurses or hospice workers) TO WARN YOU ABOUT ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS OF EVERY MEDICATION YOU ARE BEING GIVEN... BECAUSE THEY WON'T. It doesn't matter if this is "right" or "wrong." What matters is, if they're NOT going to tell you (which they most likely won't), so it is YOUR JOB to look it all up!! (I had to learn this the hard way, so PLEASE learn from my mistakes)!!
I realized that there was a general assumption, among these doctors, that my husband was so far
gone, he was going to die anyway, so it didn't really matter if they were giving him drugs that caused more scar tissue! I talked to sooo many people who either had late stage cirrhosis or had loved ones with it, and they told me their doctors had the same attitude. It seems to be very common, so I can't help wondering how many late stage cancer patients experience the same thing.
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Back to the hospice drugs...
My friend told me that some drugs are shown to cause slow (but painless) organ failure. Basically, the role of hospice is to care for a person who has surrendered, and has accepted the idea that they are going to die. Their primary job is to make the end of a person's life as painless as possible... not to try to help them turn things around! Their job isn't necessarily to research and look up every little side effect of every drug they are bringing to the person with cancer (or whatever other disease the person has).
I am fairly sure that if these drugs do, indeed, cause any amount of organ failure, the people who are giving them are very likely unaware of their side effects. And they see so many people die, they probably don't think about the idea that there could be anything that could turn the situation around.
Back to my story about Joseph and his brother Steve (with Stage 4 Cancer)
Shortly after I brought the water to Joseph, he told me over the phone that he was thinking it was probably too late for his brother. He just sounded completely exhausted and depressed, as many family caretakers sound. He told me that a priest had already come to the house, and he was told that there was nothing else that could be done.
I told him that he should still try giving him the water, and I told him about how I saw a guy in a video saying that he gave this water to his mother when she was on her deathbed and being taken off life support. All the doctors kept saying he needed to take her off life support, and they said it was cruel to let her continue to suffer. But he insisted on giving her this water, even though she was unconscious. She actually began to wake up, and guess what? She actually recovered, walked out of the hospital, and was alive and doing well (the video was filmed about a year and a half after her release from the hospital).
My friend Joseph took the water to his brother, and I got a text from our mutual friend that told me a priest had come to their house, and at one point they found Steve looking like he was dead. His eyes were rolled back and dilated, his mouth was open, and they couldn't wake him up. But Joseph was determined to help his brother, so he gave him the water with an eyedropper and got about a cup of it down his throat.
Joseph reported that not only did Steve wake up, but he also sat up in bed and was asking for snacks during the football playoffs. And he said Steve hadn't been hungry in a long time.
Unfortunately, Joseph was unable to convince Steve's family to take him off hospice drugs, and he wasn't able to get the water every day. We told Joseph that in order for the water to help his brother, he would need to get it every day, and get it fresh. In Japanese hospitals, when a person is sick, this water is given to patients every hour, on the hour (a few sips of the water out of a shot glass, every hour, fresh, is better than getting large amounts every few days, with long breaks in between). But Joseph lived over an hour away from Joseph, and Joseph wasn't able to give the machine to Steve's family because he needed it for his own health issues. And if his brother's family wasn't willing to take him off certain hospice drugs, or get a machine themselves... so he felt like he was losing the battle.
But the worst thing, in my opinion, was Steve's water source. Ironically, on the exact day I looked up Steve's water report (just because I had been looking up many different water reports in Northern California that day), I gasped when I saw how much Hexavalent Chromium was in Los Banos, California (where Steve was). Hexavalent Chromium is known to cause gastrointestinal tumors and liver cancer... exactly what Steve had.
The California proposed health limit for Hexavalent Chromium is 0.02 parts per billion. The amount that was in Los Banos was 25 parts per billion... which is over 1200 times what the California health limit is (that's nothing... the FEDERAL EPA's limit used to be 100 parts per billion... over 5,000 times the California proposed limit). You can read more about Hexavalent Chromium on THIS PAGE. You can see the amount on this page I made, showing how much has been detected in various cities in California. Just CLICK HERE to see it.
As soon as I saw how bad Steve's water was, I opened up my email to contact Joseph and tell him to please make sure they are filtering all of their water really, really well. Sadly and ironically, as soon as logged into my account, I saw an email from Joseph... telling me that his brother had just passed away.
Please, people, take a good look at your water report and find out what's in it. You should learn what's in your water and find out what kind those can cause! You can find out what is in your water by CLICKING HERE.
Back to the hospice drugs....
(Sorry, I got a little off track there but I can't stress the importance of water quality enough!)
This is the email that was sent to my friend, regarding hospice drugs and their side effects. I have removed the email addresses that were in the body. My friend had been asking about the hospice drugs because she had a family member with late stage cancer, who was on hospice, and she was concerned that the drugs could be making her more sick.
Please read this and make your own conclusions!
Here is the email I told you about...
HOSPICE DRUGS
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 2:36 AM
Subject: Dr. Day about hospice drugs (What NOT to do)
To:
Guy, this too I am sending so you can show it to Sherry at your discretion. I suggest NOT sending it yet, but keep it on hand in case they decide to start giving him drugs.
From:
Date: Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 2:36 AM
Subject: Dr. Day about hospice drugs (What NOT to do)
To:
Guy, this too I am sending so you can show it to Sherry at your discretion. I suggest NOT sending it yet, but keep it on hand in case they decide to start giving him drugs.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Tue, Jul 2, 2013 at 5:57 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: Re Shawn's response to my inquiry re J
To:
You must understand that I have never seen your daughter as a patient. I cannot be her doctor from a distance. Also, there are NO "Quick Fixes." It has taken many years for your daughter to get herself sick with cancer, then she spent the next 3 years weakening her immune system even more because of the "treatments" the doctor has given her.
The medications prescribed by the doctor have her so totally "snowed" that she is sleeping almost all the time, as you say. Also, if she is sleeping all the time, and at bed rest, she will be breathing very shallowly, and will likely develop pneumonia, which could be the final event in her life.
These are the side effects of Phenergan which is often used to treat nausea. But you see, one of the side effects is "Seizures" - a problem she already HAS.
Read more at http://www.drugs.com/sfx/
From:
Date: Tue, Jul 2, 2013 at 5:57 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: Re Shawn's response to my inquiry re J
To:
Hope this comes through to you! She finally addressed the meds. Very eye opening!!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Dr. Day"
Date: Jul 2, 2013 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: Re Shawn's response to my inquiry re J
From: "Dr. Day"
Date: Jul 2, 2013 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: Re Shawn's response to my inquiry re J
To:
Dear Mrs. P:
Please see below.
On Jul 2, 2013, at 2:03 PM, C wrote:
Dear Dr Day, I haven't heard from you what I need to know most At This Point; I.e., what do we do Now.
And as I said, she is probably having seizures because the cancer has metastasized to her brain because of the destruction of her immune system from all the chemotherapy, radiation, and experimental drugs.
I understand the materials we purchased need to be read as soon as possible. ( By the way, she refused the additional dozen+ treatments her Oncologist kept insisting that she take.)
I have given you a list of some of the major side effects of the drugs she is on - and why she has been given them.
I cannot make your decision for you. You must make your decision.
But if this was my daughter, I would immediately stop the motrin, haldol, and Ativan, and see if I could get the Phenergan decreased. And if possible, I would get her up in a chair twice a day to stimulate her breathing so she doesn't die of pneumonia.
You need to know that hospice is primarily to help a person die. They will do nothing to help a person live - and get well. By allowing her to be under the control of hospice, this is what you have agreed to.
That's why your daughter threw away her golden opportunity to turn her situation around when she was in control of her own life. But instead, she got on a plane and travelled, when her body was very ill - and went downhill rapidly.
Please see the list of side effects of these drugs she is on, and you will see why she is sleeping all the time. And the more she sleeps, the shallower she will breathe, and the more prone to a fatal pneumonia she will become.
Again, YOU are the one who must make these choices. I can't do it from a distance, particularly since I have not even met your daughter, nor examined her, nor am I her personal doctor.
Sincerely,
Dr. Day (See below)
The Depakote is being used most likely to treat her seizures. Was she on a bunch of other drugs before - some of which may have contributed to her seizures?
Present: Should she immediately stop taking the Depakote 250mg tid,
Depakote has a black box warning - meaning it can cause Death. Here is the warning:
This medication has rarely caused serious (sometimes fatal) liver problems. Children less than 2 years old are more likely to develop severe liver problems, especially if they have metabolic problems, severe seizures with mental retardation, brain disease(organic) or if they take more than one drug for seizures. If divalproex sodium is being used in patients with these conditions, then it should not be taken with additional anti-seizure medications. Liver function tests should be performed before and during treatment.
Early signs of serious liver problems include vomiting, unusual tiredness, swelling of the face or loss of seizure control in patients with seizure disorder. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms.
This medication has rarely caused severe (sometimes fatal) disease of the pancreas(pancreatitis). This problem may occur at any time during therapy and may worsen quickly. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite while taking this medication.
Taking this medication during pregnancy can cause birth defects and may lower your child's IQ. Women of childbearing age should discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, other treatment options, and use of reliable forms of birth control with their doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately talk to your doctor. If you are taking divalproex sodium only to prevent migraine headaches, this medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you are taking divalproex sodium to treat seizures or mental/mood disorders, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. Untreated seizures and mental/mood disorders are serious conditions that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby.
Here are some of the other side effects of Depakote:
Diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, hair loss, blurred/double vision, change in menstrual periods, ringing in the ears, shakiness (tremor), unsteadiness, weight changes may occur. Chest pain, easy bruising/unexplained bleeding, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, swelling of hands/feet, uncontrolled eye movement (nystagmus), feeling cold/shivering, rapid breathing, loss of consciousness.
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicida
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes or skin.
Severe (sometimes fatal) brain disorder (encephalopathy) has rarely occurred, particularly in patients with certain metabolic disorders (urea cycle disorders). Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unexplained weakness, vomiting, or sudden mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash,itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Phenergan 25mg,
Phenergan in Detail - Patient Information: Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using promethazine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- twitching, or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;
- tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble swallowing, problems with balance or walking;
- feeling restless, jittery, or agitated;
- high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing;
- feeling like you might pass out;
- seizure (convulsions);
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, sore throat, flu symptoms;
- decreased night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light;
- hallucinations, agitation;
- nausea and stomach pain, skin rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- urinating less than usual or not at all;
- joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color; or
- slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety;
- blurred vision, dry mouth, stuffy nose;
- ringing in your ears;
- weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet;
- impotence, trouble having an orgasm; or
- constipation.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
bid, Haldol 5 mg,
There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (e.g.,pneumonia, heart failure)
This medication may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any facial/muscle twitching such as tongue thrusting, chewing movements, puffing or puckering of your mouth, or uncontrollable shaking.
This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdom
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, chest pain, fainting.
A very severe allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching/
bid, Motrin 400mg, tid, used for relief of moderate pain.
Side effects:
- chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
- black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
- swelling or rapid weight gain;
- urinating less than usual or not at all;
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
- bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
- severe headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, and/or seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
- upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;
- bloating, gas;
- dizziness, headache, nervousness;
- skin itching or rash;
- blurred vision; or
- ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.
MSContin 30 mg daily, for pain
Side effects:
- shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
- stiff muscles, seizure (convulsions);
- cold, clammy skin;
- confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
- severe weakness, feeling like you might pass out;
- trouble swallowing;
- urinating less than usual or not at all;
- pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of brea, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
Less serious side effects of morphine may include:
- weight loss;
- constipation, diarrhea;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
- memory proble
(insomnia), strange dreams.
Read more at http://www.drugs.com/sfx/
Side Effectsplus Ativan prn. ?? Used to treat Anxiety
Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, headache, nausea, blurred vision, change in sexual interest/ability, constipation
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any unlikely but serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations, depression, thoughts of suicide), slurred speech or difficulty talking, vision changes, unusual weakness, trouble walking, memory problems, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat),trouble breathing (especially during sleep).
Get medical help right away if you have any rare but very serious side effects, including: yellowing eyes or skin, seizures.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash,itching/
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