HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can Choking On Pain Killer Tablets Lead To Death When Suffering From Cancer?

default
Posted on Thu, 14 Aug 2014
Question: Hi My mom died three months ago. She had liver cancer which had spread to her bones. About half an hour before she died I gave her some painkillers. I had to make some calls and when I returned she had died. Her lips were blue and had brown liquid coming from her mouth. Could she have chocked on the tablets ? Did I kill her ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No, you most likely did not kill her!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this disturbing thoughts related to the death of your om. You were simply doing the right thing, serving her her medications as prescribed by her doctors. It is unlikely that she choked on these drugs as she would have had breathing difficulties and put up a fight trying to get air before dying and it would not have been a very calm and sudden death. Did your mother ever had swallowing difficulties before or why would you suspect possible choking on her tablets? This is very unlikely and tablets would cause breathing difficulties. They are small enough and would not cause complete obstruction of the airways and death.

With a spread liver cancer to her bones, her life expectancy was certainly no where more than 3months. Though it still hurts to see her pass away, it was the inevitable destiny. Kick away this feeling of guilt as it does no help but tries to add more pains to the loss of your mo which is not true.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can Choking On Pain Killer Tablets Lead To Death When Suffering From Cancer?

Brief Answer: No, you most likely did not kill her! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this disturbing thoughts related to the death of your om. You were simply doing the right thing, serving her her medications as prescribed by her doctors. It is unlikely that she choked on these drugs as she would have had breathing difficulties and put up a fight trying to get air before dying and it would not have been a very calm and sudden death. Did your mother ever had swallowing difficulties before or why would you suspect possible choking on her tablets? This is very unlikely and tablets would cause breathing difficulties. They are small enough and would not cause complete obstruction of the airways and death. With a spread liver cancer to her bones, her life expectancy was certainly no where more than 3months. Though it still hurts to see her pass away, it was the inevitable destiny. Kick away this feeling of guilt as it does no help but tries to add more pains to the loss of your mo which is not true. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.