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DNR or Full Code for Resuscitation?

Posted by grrranny @grrranny, Jun 26 7:31pm

How do you make the decision? Those of you who made the decision to have Full Code resuscitation (and have had it) instead of Do Not Resuscitate -- what factors did you consider, how old are you, and do you feel you made the right choice?
I have read that CPR is very hard on the body -- from breaking ribs to breaking bones. And there's also the possibility of being put on a ventilator -- which is sometimes deadly. What if an elderly person is already very frail, with multiple incurable chronic problems?

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Profile picture for rollingf
rollingf | @rollingf | 6 days ago
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "@rollingf Yes, many people do not realize they have to think of so many possibilities that..." + (show)
Profile picture for blm1007blm1007 @blm1007blm1007

@rollingf Yes, many people do not realize they have to think of so many possibilities that might happen and be sure to plan for them in a Will or Trust.Such as what if the person dies first...then where would you want the Estate to go to.
Happens many a time....regarding the sixth one. They do not get the fact that an inheritance is a gift and not a right. One sometimes has to have a disinherited clause in the Will or Trust to name persons that one feels should not be given a gift and possibly why they are not to receive a gift. Communication!!!
Barbara

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@blm1007blm1007
Thank you, Barbara! This thought gives me something to think about.
Jan

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rashida | @rashida | 6 days ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@rashida Usually a defibrillator is used in conjunction with CPR. BUT...Let's put it another way- if..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@rashida Usually a defibrillator is used in conjunction with CPR.
BUT...Let's put it another way- if you need CPR or definrillation, your heart has ceased to function well enough to sustain life. What a DNR order means is that at that point all efforts to revive you stop and you die.

IF YOU ARE DNR, that info needs to be on your person ALL the time. If it is not, and nobody is with you to hand it over, in writing, emergency responders WILL try to revive you. By that I mean police, fire, EMTs, paramedics, and even bystanders who know CPR or have access to a defibrillator.
So if you truly do not want resuscitation, wear a medical alert type necklace and bracelet that state DNR and direct responders where to find the document - like wallet, purse, refrigerator door. Meke sure your loved ones know it too, and keep a copy with your insurance card in case of hospitalization.

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@sueinmn I have, however, heard of cases where a person has been resuscitated and gone on to live a few more productive senior years. Age 70 or 80 may not necessarily be the end of the road for someone who has suffered a heart attack. But … that’s just my opinion …🤷🏼‍♀️

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | 5 days ago
In reply to @rashida "@sueinmn I have, however, heard of cases where a person has been resuscitated and gone on..." + (show)
Profile picture for rashida @rashida

@sueinmn I have, however, heard of cases where a person has been resuscitated and gone on to live a few more productive senior years. Age 70 or 80 may not necessarily be the end of the road for someone who has suffered a heart attack. But … that’s just my opinion …🤷🏼‍♀️

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@rashida Yes true that some do O.K. with being given CPR.
However in reality many decisions are based on more than one concern and factor.
We all have to do that deep thinking for the present and the long term factors and as some people will say...'when it it our time' let me go." Age plays a big factor in many decisions.
Wishing and hoping that we all know the right answers for ourselves as to what to do and decide.
Barbara

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 5 days ago
In reply to @rashida "@sueinmn I have, however, heard of cases where a person has been resuscitated and gone on..." + (show)
Profile picture for rashida @rashida

@sueinmn I have, however, heard of cases where a person has been resuscitated and gone on to live a few more productive senior years. Age 70 or 80 may not necessarily be the end of the road for someone who has suffered a heart attack. But … that’s just my opinion …🤷🏼‍♀️

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@rashida It is true that some do survive resuscitation. However this discussion is specifically about DNR orders, and what happens. Some people feel that the risks of injury and more disability after CPR/defib and subsequent treatment are not worth it to them.

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kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | 4 days ago

Since a good bit of the DNR question seems to center around the risk of broken bones as we age, maybe it's worth discussing your bone health with your doctor before making a decision. We don't all fit in the same category for bone health. The question of DNR for me could also be different if I have a heart attack or medical emergency in or out of a hospital, rehab facility or hospice setting. Can we have a limited DNR which rules out CPR but not a defibrillator, limits the attempts or covers the possibility of being found unconscious with no way of knowing how long ago we experienced the medical emergency. How do we account for future changes in CPR or alternative lifesaving measures? I don't want to be laying there with a DNR order based on outdated medical criteria. I guess I need to have this conversation with my cardiologist and oncologist because I have more questions than answers.

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rollingf | @rollingf | 4 days ago
In reply to @kjoed53 "Since a good bit of the DNR question seems to center around the risk of broken..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjoed53 @kjoed53

Since a good bit of the DNR question seems to center around the risk of broken bones as we age, maybe it's worth discussing your bone health with your doctor before making a decision. We don't all fit in the same category for bone health. The question of DNR for me could also be different if I have a heart attack or medical emergency in or out of a hospital, rehab facility or hospice setting. Can we have a limited DNR which rules out CPR but not a defibrillator, limits the attempts or covers the possibility of being found unconscious with no way of knowing how long ago we experienced the medical emergency. How do we account for future changes in CPR or alternative lifesaving measures? I don't want to be laying there with a DNR order based on outdated medical criteria. I guess I need to have this conversation with my cardiologist and oncologist because I have more questions than answers.

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@kjoed53 ,
DNR/DNI Documents need to be reviewed as your life changes, not just by yourself, but with several doctors--GP, Cardio, Endro--and whoever is involved with your care. The decisions documented in a DNR are not simple and you need as much input as possible. Another question you need to ask yourself: "What do you want to do with the rest of your life?"

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 3 days ago
In reply to @kjoed53 "Since a good bit of the DNR question seems to center around the risk of broken..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjoed53 @kjoed53

Since a good bit of the DNR question seems to center around the risk of broken bones as we age, maybe it's worth discussing your bone health with your doctor before making a decision. We don't all fit in the same category for bone health. The question of DNR for me could also be different if I have a heart attack or medical emergency in or out of a hospital, rehab facility or hospice setting. Can we have a limited DNR which rules out CPR but not a defibrillator, limits the attempts or covers the possibility of being found unconscious with no way of knowing how long ago we experienced the medical emergency. How do we account for future changes in CPR or alternative lifesaving measures? I don't want to be laying there with a DNR order based on outdated medical criteria. I guess I need to have this conversation with my cardiologist and oncologist because I have more questions than answers.

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@kjoed53 "I guess I need to have this conversation with my cardiologist and oncologist because I have more questions than answers." Good for you! Having questions is a good thing. and wanting answers is a good thing. And understanding that life circumstances can change is a definitely a good thing! Exploring our options and accommodating changes shows you are aware of things. What was important 5 years ago can certainly change. Something for all of us to bear in mind!
Ginger

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kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | 3 days ago
In reply to @gingerw "@kjoed53 "I guess I need to have this conversation with my cardiologist and oncologist because I..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw

@kjoed53 "I guess I need to have this conversation with my cardiologist and oncologist because I have more questions than answers." Good for you! Having questions is a good thing. and wanting answers is a good thing. And understanding that life circumstances can change is a definitely a good thing! Exploring our options and accommodating changes shows you are aware of things. What was important 5 years ago can certainly change. Something for all of us to bear in mind!
Ginger

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@gingerw
Cogito ergo sum. Medicine is continuously changing too, so even if you have a DNR in place, it needs to be reviewed with your doctor periodically to assure that it doesn't require revision. As an example, if something was to replace the current CPR procedure, it might be more acceptable.

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