How long does someone have left once they quit eating and drinking?

[Yoyo53]

[Kathy]

Hi yoyo,

It's difficult to say for sure and can depend on how much body reserves they have. That's to say a fatter person can last without food longer than a thinner one! Fluids, however are a different matter. If someone is not taking any fluids at all they are unlikely to last more than a week. I read somewhere that the medical professions use a guide of 7's - on average an adult human can survive 7 weeks without food, 7 days without fluid and 7 minutes without air. Do you have a palliative care team/hospice involved?

Hope that helps

Kathy

[Yoyo53 in reply to Kathy]

Yes, I just had hospice start today. Thank you for your answer.

[jimandsharynp in reply to Yoyo53]

Our Hospice put my wife on a low dose of Morphine just to relax her a bit and NOT because she had pain because she did not. Also another drug Lorsipan (spelling may be wrong).

[Kathy in reply to jimandsharynp]

Mum was also on morphine in the last weeks of her life and a low dose sedative called Medazolam to reduce her agitation. These were delivered by continuous sub-cutaneous infusion (syringe driver). They added glycoperronium as required when her secretions were being troublesome. How you doing, Jim? x

[jimandsharynp in reply to Kathy]

Kathy, I'm hurting at this time. I had no idea how much I would miss Sharyn. Tears come easily these days and I see her throughout our home in items, photos, smells, and her personal effects. I try to get out but the return brings it all back. Friends say it will "get better" but I have to wonder about that. Thanks for asking. Very kind of you! Jimbo

[Yatton6-]

My wife was fitted with a peg , feeding into her stomach and she lived for 15 months with this feeding

[jimandsharynp in reply to Yatton6-]

I know a person with PSP who has lived three years with a feeding tube. Although mobility was totally gone as was most eyesight and speech she was alive. Jimbo

[cabbagecottage]

my mum for three years with a lot of funny and sad time together

[llangton]

My mam died a week and a half ago.

The hospice started in April.she was about 45kilo in weight.only eating a couple of tea spoons of blended food a day.the last week no liquids at all. You will know your yourself when its the last few days. My mams doctor was surprised.i was not. You dont need a medical degree.you just need to know the person.

[jimandsharynp in reply to llangton]

llangton, you are so correct. I knew when it was Sharyn's time without Hospice telling me. Jimbo

[gmunsot]

Hola Yoyo:

I would like why is your question.

Regards

Guadalupe

[jimandsharynp]

Yoyo53, This, like all of PSP, depends on the person. My wife lasted only a week when her eating became absolutely minimal. I've heard of people lasting two weeks or more without eating or drinking (with PSP) but don't know for sure. I think, as I said, PSP is not a one-size-fits-all disease so every patient is a bit unique. Hang in there, you can do this!! Hugs, Jimbo

[Yoyo53]

My husband has MSA . They thought it was PSP for awhile. We have been married for over 30 years. He still had a healthy appetite and was able to drink plenty of fluids with a straw. . He started sleeping more...a lot...and started to sleep thru breakfast.. He started throwing up anything he did swallow and usually he just rolled the food around in his mouth without swallowing. Then he couldn't drink any amount of liquid without choking on even a sip..

He started gurgling with every breath he would take. He hasn't been able to talk for a long time now. Just yes and no.

Now I can't even differentiate between that. He lost control of his bowels the other day. Never did like that before.

So now , I am guessing it is just a matter of time.