[maine-iac7]

some side effect of Ativan: (and it would interesting to see the strength of the dosage. one of the side effects is also nausea and vomiting - and I can tell you from personal experience - the same with morphine. These would hasten dehydration)

"Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •confusion •depression •double vision or abnormal eye movements •hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not really there) •lightheadedness or fainting spells •mood changes, excitability or aggressive behavior •movement difficulty, staggering or jerky movements •muscle cramps •restlessness •tremors •weakness or tiredness Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •constipation or diarrhea •difficulty sleeping, nightmares •dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, or unsteadiness; a "hangover" effect •headache •loss of memory •nausea, vomiting"

Along with the morphine - these would not only hasten dehydration but keep her "out of it" so's she can't communicate. Be a good area of investigation, i.e., what is "protocol" in Hospices

[sageb1]

Ativan is a psych drug, usually not given by hospice unless there are extenuating circumstances.

[amdgmary]

This is a copy of Terri's "exit protocol" signed by a hospice staff named Lisa Miller) on April 19, 2001.

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/maryspage/Exit%20Protocol%204.2001.pdf

Copy of Symptom Management Orders signed by Dr. Victor Gambone on April 20, 2001.

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/maryspage/exit%20protocol%20part%202%20w%20Gambones%20signature.pdf