on hospice- anyone have experience discontinuing thyroid meds?

kbl54

Hello I am looking for advice or experience on discontinuing thyroid medication for my mom. She is in end stage Alz- bedridden, awake maybe 3-4 hours a day in total and does not interact. Occasionally she will notice us but other times she is just staring at the TV or wall saying random words or grinding her teeth.

We have been on hospice now for a year and I have discussed with many of nurses about maybe discontinuing her thyroid medication. It is the only medication she is on besides meds that hospice covers for anxiety/behavior issues. The nurses have all supported this decision and did not think it would do much to my mom, maybe just weaken her slowly over time. In their opinion she has a terminal illness and the thyroid medication is just keeping her going in a state that isn't really living.

I am in agreement with this, but like all of you, I want to keep my mom as comfortable as possible. When I google hypothyroidism I am nervous of the extreme cases where swelling or skin break down may occur. I just don't want her to feel pain, but I also don't want her to just be in bed grinding her teeth for 10 more years. I know 10 more years probably isn't possible but that is where my mind goes considering I am 7 years into this journey.

Have any of you stopped thyroid medication or something else that is considered life sustaining? Did your person feel discomfort? Any experience or advice is appreciated.

M1

kb, I wouldn't have any problem stopping it.  Thyroid's effects are slow, it will take quite a while for the lack of it to make any difference, and it doesn''t sound like she has that long anyway.  Stopping it will not cause pain or discomfort.  I think you are right, it sounds like it is time for comfort measures only.  

Glad you have hospice to help you, may they bring you and your mom as much peace as possible.