So many doors must seem to close when a doctor tells you that there is little more that can be done to your life-limiting condition, and it can feel exceptionally lonely and frightening not knowing what to expect by means of help or medication. For those who care for patients in such situations, or live alongside them, feeling helpless in being able helping to alleviate their pain and suffering, can also be so difficult to bear.

In many cases, the response from conventional medics has been to treat the patient’s physical pain, with increasing doses of medications such as opioids, perhaps with antidepressants, or sleeping medicines, alongside all the other medications that must also be taken, adding the side effects of these medicines to the significant side effects of their oncology medicines. Carers will know well the impact that all these medications can have on their loved ones. Many patients report experiencing ‘brain fog’, extreme fatigue or nausea. They will sometimes talk about how they feel unable to interact with their families in a meaningful way, or feel unable to engage anymore, with activities that bring them joy.

At Integro Medical Clinics, we aim to help patients towards the end of life by helping them achieve the best quality of life for them and their family, while promoting as much independence and enjoyment of life as possible for as long as possible.