Dying With Dignity: Hi. My wife is a member... - Cure Parkinson's

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Dying With Dignity

jeeves19 profile image
48 Replies

Hi. My wife is a member of this organisation (she had a friend die unpleasantly of cancer last year) and read out to melast night that one doesn’t have to ‘go to Switzerland’ any more. Apparently they can send a pill called Nembutal? which you can take at home. I know not everyone agrees with assisted dying but I thought that people should be aware of the possibility that exists now.

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jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19
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48 Replies
Manypony profile image
Manypony

my understanding is Nembutal is part of a combination that is used. I’d like to know how accessible this actually is. The documentary “Laura’s Choice” documents the accessibility in Switzerland

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright

I'd need more details, but most of the people claiming to mail nembutal (I think it is liquid) just keep the money and don't send anything. I am pretty sure mailing nembutal would be a federal crime in almost every country.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright

Here is the Nembutal Scams site: nembutalscams.com/en/

jeffmayer profile image
jeffmayer

I knowl it's only a soap but mnd has to be the worst condition ever.in that situation it would be a thought life is precious in any form who knows what's round the corner good or baad

jeffmayer profile image
jeffmayer in reply to jeffmayer

Whatever you call it dying with dignity or whatever it's stil suicide

BeedieBird profile image
BeedieBird

As far as I'm aware and researched, PwP aren't able to use death with dignity in the U.S. ? According to state law in the U.S. Washington, where I live, has Death with Dignity, but you must have a terminal diagnosis with end-of-life projection within 6 months. Parkinson's doesn't qualify since they can not project end of life in such a way, as far as I know. One can withdraw food and water and if in pain, hospice/palliative care with a doctors order could provide morphine for a peaceful death. I don't think however that would work with Parkinson's since morphine can not replace Levodopa and the relief it provides? But then, when Levodopa no longer provides relief, what does one do in our situation to not suffer in the end? I do plan on going to Switzerland since you don't need to be a citizen of that country to avail yourself of their assisted suicide laws, available to anyone. Being Buddhist, my beliefs are such that a peaceful ending is of my own choosing.

beehive23 profile image
beehive23 in reply to BeedieBird

they can predict when pd advances to organ failure....

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to beehive23

Hi Beehive! I had not seen you in a while. Good to hear your post :)

beehive23 profile image
beehive23 in reply to Bolt_Upright

hanging in there Bolt!

rebtar profile image
rebtar in reply to BeedieBird

In Calufornia, a total of 47 people with PD have used the Death with Dignity law to end their lives since the law took effect in 2016. I'm not sure how they did this...

BeedieBird profile image
BeedieBird in reply to rebtar

That's interesting since I know CA has the same law as WA. Maybe they found a doctor that was willing to write the prescription to ease their suffering. There's no point in having to suffer, so I'm hoping laws loosen allowing Doctors and Nurse Practitioners the ability to write the prescription without fear of their boards coming down on them.

Nitro53 profile image
Nitro53

357 or gun of your choice held against your heart and it’s over. Not the head as it leaves to much trauma in case family members want viewing.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to Nitro53

A surprising number of people survive this method and find themselves in a much worse position than they were before.

Nitro53 profile image
Nitro53 in reply to Bolt_Upright

I don’t see how.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to Nitro53

I don't want to get morbid. If you Google you will find them. It's about 90% successful and a 10% chance of failing. Maybe with a 357 the odds are better, but not 100%

Nitro53 profile image
Nitro53 in reply to Bolt_Upright

I’m curious, how do they fail. It doesn’t have to be morbid . They must flinch at the last moment.

PowerJones profile image
PowerJones in reply to Nitro53

The blood the heart pumps to brain stops and the brain is starved of blood and oxygen. This starvation doesn't happen in "an instant but is relatively slow". And most slow deaths are painful

Nitro53 profile image
Nitro53 in reply to PowerJones

A massive heart attack stops blood flow to the brain. I’ve seen this happen before and believe me that poor soul wasn’t feeling any pain

rebtar profile image
rebtar

If this is true, I'd suggest you remove or edit the post or ask them if it's OK. It may cause them legal trouble.

Wonky-Bride profile image
Wonky-Bride

I have a brother who lives in Switzerland. He bought his in Mexico. It lasts for 25 years apparently (or approximately). He thinks it extremely unlikely that the drug would be available as described and quite rightly. He also feels it is important to have options, which I understand.

rebtar profile image
rebtar

Here's a list of "right to die" organizations worldwide.

wfrtds.org/member-organizat...

Jean-louisVLR profile image
Jean-louisVLR

Hi Jeeves19,

Most of us, human beings will be dying one day or another - with or without PD - and I concede that death is not always a pleasant moment. But I cannot see any specific dignity in committing suicide...

In actual facts, with due respect to your wife, Dying with Dignity is a pure slogan invented and used throughout the world by pro-euthanasia lobbyists.

Without entering into a philosophical debate, I would just like to point out that this thread is called "Cure Parkinson's" and would appreciate to keep it focused on this theme.

Kind regards,

Jean-Louis

Nitro53 profile image
Nitro53 in reply to Jean-louisVLR

I don’t see any dignity in soiling yourself, screaming obscenities at your loved ones when you’re out of your mind or wasting your money on hospitals when it could have been given to your loved ones or chairity.

pdpatient profile image
pdpatient in reply to Nitro53

Interesting. I didn't realize that yelling, screaming or being abusive to our caregivers at stressful moments is more common than I thought. It is heartbreaking and takes a lot out of us and the caregivers and doesn't bode well for the long term.

This disease tears apart homes and families. And friendships.

Bunny622023 profile image
Bunny622023 in reply to pdpatient

I can definitely vouch for this yes. It is heartbreaking what we, as caregivers are dealing with and very few people think of that. SO different to what the pwp is experiencing which to me, is equally heartbreaking.

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo in reply to Jean-louisVLR

As far as I'm concerned getting to choose is one way to cure suffering caused by PD. It's all ip for interpretation. There is an amazing book about this btw called Die Wise. And there are people who work as death doulas. audible.com/library/titles?...

ghoegap profile image
ghoegap in reply to Jean-louisVLR

Maybe there should be a Right to Die forum on healthunlocked for likeminded people?

beehive23 profile image
beehive23 in reply to Jean-louisVLR

there is no cure for pd ...thats a slogan, death with dignity is a movement to ease suffering by easing legislation that keep you alive unnecessarily. i watched my grandpa and uncle die from it and it isnt pretty.

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply to Jean-louisVLR

This community (not thread ) is called Cure Parkinson’s. I suggest if the subject matter of a particular post does not interest you that you skip past it and move on to the next one.

Parkie- profile image
Parkie- in reply to Jean-louisVLR

Dear jean Louis

"Dying with Dignity is a pure slogan invented and used throughout the world by pro-euthanasia lobbyists."

I feel lucky i was aprouved for receiving medical aid in dying. I have become a 84 lbs vegetable suffering from horrific levodopa induced dystona . I cannot take 1 Day at a time, in fact im always trying to figure out how to get through the next half hour... I hope you get it

PowerJones profile image
PowerJones in reply to Jean-louisVLR

There is a pain level at which you will begging to die. This is so unbearable and is often prolonged in to months. Pain killers don't work at this stage

Is it fair to keep such a person alive in the name of some pro-life political correctness

ryzlot profile image
ryzlot

I requested and have been "approved" or accepted in the Canada-Wide MAID program. (Medical Assistance In Dying). In fact MAID has become the second most "case of deaths" in Canada. I want to be able to choose NOT to burden my spouse and kids with being responsible for all the things I cannot do for myself.

It is a great comfort to retain the choice.

pdpatient profile image
pdpatient in reply to ryzlot

ryzlot Are you going to be leaving too?

ryzlot profile image
ryzlot

Well I get to decide and get the help I need to make that choice

jeffmayer profile image
jeffmayer

How's the dbs

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to jeffmayer

Just responded to Marc Anderson thus: Hasn’t really changed my world like I thought it might. It’s rid me of the debilitating dystonia which had got to astonishing levels but my bradykinesia for some parts of the day is still evident as are off times. I can turn over in bed, get out of the bath unaided and get out of bed independently. So some pluses but as for these guys who show themselves on YouTube almost as a ‘new man’:that ain’t happening mate.

jeffmayer profile image
jeffmayer in reply to jeeves19

Do you think it's a bit over hyped

Sherry1960 profile image
Sherry1960 in reply to jeeves19

I had DBS to help with dystonia which as you know is very painful. The DBS helped with that but I had to have frequency tweaked due to stiffening of muscles. The neurologist or programmer has to do it. We are unable to with our hand held device. Hope this helps.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to Sherry1960

How often do you get tweaked Sherry? ( if that’s not too personal a question 😂)

Sherry1960 profile image
Sherry1960 in reply to jeeves19

Lol. I had to see my neurologist every 3 mos initially. It is 6 mos now. My arms hurt and I have adjusted to 1.8 but still no relief. I think the frequency is needing adjusting.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to Sherry1960

What system did you go for? I’m Medtronic Percept. I’m still surprised at how much Levadopa I have to take. Was yours cut drastically? Mine was cut by 1/3.

Sherry1960 profile image
Sherry1960 in reply to jeeves19

Medtronic Percept as well. My Rytary and Sinmet dosages were reduced quite a bit.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19

yes I’d say so.

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo in reply to jeeves19

So sorry to hear this.

zozo444 profile image
zozo444

Here’s a case in the US where a man with advanced PD committed suicide via starvation after pursuing other options. Euthanasia is a political topic here. His wife, a radio journalist, wrote a book. nbcnews.com/health/health-n...

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply to zozo444

**cking hell. Starving is an awful way to die. That’s a bit much imho.

Esperanto profile image
Esperanto

m.youtube.com/watch?si=cwMP...

This is the trailer for a documentary made by a son about his father who chose to die by voluntary fasting. It's an impressive film that has been shown on television in the Netherlands and makes you see this process in a different way.

Consciously stopping eating and drinking can be an alternative if you want euthanasia but don't meet the requirements. It can also be a way for you to have control over how you die. Anyone can stop eating and drinking, whether they are ill or not seriously ill. It requires a lot of willpower, and support from others can be helpful.

Most people who consciously stop eating and drinking die in a peaceful manner. They can spend time with their loved ones and say goodbye calmly. However, it is not a death without suffering. Almost everyone experiences symptoms such as thirst, pain, or confusion. The doctor can help manage these symptoms by providing medication. For loved ones, consciously stopping eating and drinking can be challenging. They may find it difficult to see you become weaker or suffer, and it can feel like a long process to them.

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57

"A Time to Die, ITV1 review: superb, heart-rending documentary humanises the assisted dying debate. A Time to Die, ITV1's superb documentary film, began by noting that over 425 million people around the world now have the right to some form of medically assisted suicide.13 Nov 2023" on 13 Nov 2023 I was in depths of depression, when I saw this superb documentary, I was shouting at the tv tears coming down my face, I live in Northern Ireland, but I could see the arguments for "No" and "Yes" assisted dying debate has been going on for decades, it is legal in the likes of Canada and Switzerland, but in the likes of UK a person can be arrested for just helping someone or themselves in the process of assisted dying.

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