Breathing extra oxygen will make you feel easier, whatever the reason for your breathlessness. Ask about this if the reason for your breathlessness cannot be corrected, or if you feel that the cost of trying to correct it is too great for the likely benefit, or while you are waiting for treatment of the cause to work. It is quite feasible to have an oxygen cylinder at home and it also comes in small cylinders which can be fixed to a wheelchair or carried around fairly easily.
Feeling very breathless can be extremely frightening and stressful. You may find it very hard to relax or to sleep, even with oxygen. Having somebody sit with you may help. Taking a sedative is another possibility. In considering whether to take sedatives you should understand that they could make your breathing and coughing less efficient. This is a cost that you may well be prepared to accept, especially if your cancer cannot be cured and the reason for your breathlessness cannot be relieved. Some doctors take this choice out of their patient’s hands, either by prescribing a sedative without telling them or by refusing to prescribe one even when the patient asks for it. The choice should be yours. Insist that your doctors prescribe nothing without your agreement. Tell them if you would prefer to be either more alert or more drowsy than you are. You have the right to choose, even if the choice to be more drowsy could mean that you don’t live quite as long.
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