What is palliative care

antcat
antcat Member Posts: 270
in Ovarian Cancer #1
One of my home care insurance nurses said I should ask the dr. to get palliative care. What is that & what does it do that your doctor doesn't do. Thanks.

Comments

  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    #2
    P.C.
    Pallative Care should really be call symptom management. People when they hear pallative care often think end of life care and that is not always the case.
    My Mom was terrified to see a pallative care doctor but when she finally did they were able to offer her relief from the symptoms that really bothered her.
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #3
    kellyh33 said:

    P.C.
    Pallative Care should really be call symptom management. People when they hear pallative care often think end of life care and that is not always the case.
    My Mom was terrified to see a pallative care doctor but when she finally did they were able to offer her relief from the symptoms that really bothered her.

    More to the story
    What Kelly says is true and there is more to the story. Palliative care is the intermediate step between active treatment and hospice. Usually, it is the same company that offers both. You get home visits from nurses mostly for pain management...you would probably get quicker attention if your condition changes, too.

    The problem with hospice is that the insurance won't pay for chemo or surgery that is being done to extend your life AND hospice at the same time.

    You are still in active treatment and may need an expert's help to manage pain or other cancer symptoms. That makes you a candidate for palliative care. The nurses are very supportive for the family, too.

    Someone like yourself (who is looking at a situation that may lead to hospice care if they stop chemo) will benefit from enrolling in a program that offers palliative care (aka "comfort care") and they could transition from that into hospice care if they wish.

    You don't have to be within 6 months of the end of your life to get into palliative care whereas hospice won't accept someone who is expected to live longer than 6 months. I think the doctor has to set up the intial prescription for palliative or hospice care.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #4
    In palliative care now
    I was having a lot of issue with pain and was seeing the pain center of AZ and ever time I went for chemo my main complaint was pain so my doctor sent palliative care see me. They explained to me that it was not for end of life care it was to help me find resorces that could help me. They put in contact with a doctor who handles cancer patiant and pain I now don't have so many bad days. I also see a nurse every two wekks to see that I am doing ok and on the last visit we were talking about the neck and shoulder pain I was having and now I am going to meet with a lady that will massage my feet, hands, and neck. I also meet with a social worker if I need help with any services that I need and I am having trouble getting them to listen. I love my palliative care nurses they are compationet adn caring everytime I meet with them. Sorry about any spelling you might find the chemo brain is really bad and now my mussles twitch so I find extra letters because my finger jeck while I am typing. Maybe my fingers have something to say lol. Any way they are great and it does not mean you are dieing so please use them it has been great for me.

    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #5
    AnneBehymer said:

    In palliative care now
    I was having a lot of issue with pain and was seeing the pain center of AZ and ever time I went for chemo my main complaint was pain so my doctor sent palliative care see me. They explained to me that it was not for end of life care it was to help me find resorces that could help me. They put in contact with a doctor who handles cancer patiant and pain I now don't have so many bad days. I also see a nurse every two wekks to see that I am doing ok and on the last visit we were talking about the neck and shoulder pain I was having and now I am going to meet with a lady that will massage my feet, hands, and neck. I also meet with a social worker if I need help with any services that I need and I am having trouble getting them to listen. I love my palliative care nurses they are compationet adn caring everytime I meet with them. Sorry about any spelling you might find the chemo brain is really bad and now my mussles twitch so I find extra letters because my finger jeck while I am typing. Maybe my fingers have something to say lol. Any way they are great and it does not mean you are dieing so please use them it has been great for me.

    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne

    are you from arizona
    Hi Anne
    are you from arizons also, i live at mesa arizona
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #6
    azgrandma said:

    are you from arizona
    Hi Anne
    are you from arizons also, i live at mesa arizona

    yes you gave me your number
    yes you gave me your number but I have had a lot going on and was not able to really do anything. I got knocked off the study I am in because my number keeps rising and no one can tell me why. So right now I feel like I am walking through the desert all alone. I am a lot better at texting so maybe I can text you and then we can talk some more. Lovesbutterflys also lives here and there is another one I can't remember her name. But maybe we should all get together.

    Love, Hugs, and prayes
    Anne

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