Hospice nurse reveals ALS is the worst disease to die from: 'I just wouldn't do it'

Although it is a taboo topic for some, death is a part of our lives. Carers for a dying loved-one often need support, and a hospice nurse has taken it upon herself to educate families on the best course of action in different scenarios. She also explains the process of dying, as she looks after dying patients every day. In a podcast, she recently revealed which diseases are the 'worst' to die from, and the one of them is cruel beyond imagination...

Nurse Julie educates families on the process of dying

Nurse Julie McFadden was an ICU nurse before she moved on to hospice care. At first, she did not believe in many phenomenons that happen right before death before she actually experienced them with her patients. This realisation caused her to start her own YouTube channel, mainly to educate families on what to expect and how to react in case your loved-one goes through these phenomenons, such as terminal lucidity or visioning.

In a series of videos posted on her YouTube channel, she explains several deathbed phenomenons, which can be very traumatising for the patient's family, whether because they expect their loved-one to get better after a good day, or because the patient is 'seeing' their dead relatives welcoming them to 'the other side'.

She reveals what she would do if she suffered from ALS

Talking to the Problem Solved podcast, Julie McFadden was asked about the worst ways to die. She said:

To me, there are a couple diseases that are the worst.

According to her, ALS (amyotrophic lateral schlerosis) would probably be the worst, as your mind remains intact, but your body slowly shuts down, which makes you feel like you are trapped in your own body. The disease is always fatal, and it can be years before the patient eventually chokes to death, in a slow and excruciatingly painful process. She explains:

ALS is really bad. If I ever got ALS, I think I would take medical aid and dying, like I would probably end up taking medicine to end my own life. I just wouldn't want to do it. That's a tough one.

According to the Center for Disease Control, around 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS every year. Patients are usually between 55 and 70 years old, but some can be in their twenties. If you are caring for a loved-one, do not hesitate to contact Carers UK on 0808 808 7777.

Read more:

Hospice nurse reveals 'messy' phenomenon that happens in your body when you die

Visioning: Hospice nurse explains this common phenomenon which happens weeks before dying

What is terminal restlessness? The end-of-life phenomenon that could change your personality before you die

Sources used:

YouTube: What happens on the Death Bed

Spotify: Problem Solved podcast

Daily Mail: End of life nurse reveals the 'best' and 'worst' diseases to die from

Center for Disease Control: What is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?