Hi all, first time on this forum as I’m seeking some guidance, support and information for those who are at the end stage of COPD and what to expect.
My dad is 79 and he’s at the end stage of COPD. For the past 2 years, he’d been in and out of hospital and in the last 6 months, was admitted to the hospital about 4 times. He’s been in hospital now for the last two weeks due to infection and pneumonia. He’d accumulated fluid in his lungs and he’s now on 24/7 high flow oxygen.
Last week, he was doing quite well. The infection had gone and although he was still on oxygen and his kidney function is at 20%, he was quite motivated to try and move around. The palliative care team put him on hydromorphone, giving it to him 4 times a day, and also have been giving him lozerapam at night to help with his anxiety. They also told him he can have this drug ‘on demand’ if he needs it.
Three nights ago, he increased his lozerapam to 2 to 3 times per day. And for the past 2 days, he’s been disoriented, confused, angry, more anxious and he’s been shaking uncontrollably. He also keeps asking for the drug every few hours.
My family is convinced this recent disorientation is to do with the increase of the drug and we’re trying to wean him off.
Just want to reach out to see if anyone went through something similar? Or are we reaching the end for my dad and this is just the way it is? The doctors haven’t given us any estimate other than to tell us we need to take it day by day.