Autopsy Question

Nurses General Nursing

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My sister died last Wednesday, 4 days ago, and has been in the morgue awaiting an autopsy by the Medical Examiner. I was wondering if it normally takes this long for an autopsy to be performed.

My sister was only 46 years old when she died, had Rheumatoid Arthritis and used various pain medications such as percocet and fentanyl patches. My brother-in-law said that she died from the complications of RA, and that she began to lose a lot of weight over the last 4 months. There's a lot of things surrounding her death that just don't add up. Sorry if I'm rambling right now. I'm just very distraught and saddened by her death. :crying2:

I'm just wondering if it's possible to die from the complications of RA, especially at her age, and why it would take so long to perform an autopsy on her.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or input any of you may have on this subject.

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Specializes in Hospice & Palliative Care, Oncology, M/S.

Dream Girl, I'm not familiar with the timing of autopsies, but I wanted to send my condolences, lots of strength and love. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister.

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I'm so sorry about your sister. :redbeathe

I don't have any answers to your questions though.

steph

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Specializes in Med-surg.

So sorry for your loss! It must be hard waiting for an answer. Usually the people I've seen pass so young from RA end up with complications from treatment, often methotrexate. Hope the ME can give you some answers and some peace. *hugs*

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Specializes in med/surg and Tele.

One of my friends that had a roomate that died unexpectadley. The autopsie for that took about 3 weeks or so to perform it and the report took about 2 or 3 months to get back. Sorry about your loss. But its really just a waiting game when it comes to these sort of things. :(

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

My best guess here has to do with the patient load - have there been many other deaths in your area recently? Are they waiting for lab results to come back before they do the actual autopsy?

This must be an extremely difficult time for all of you. Take care of yourself and each other.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
There's a lot of things surrounding her death that just don't add up. Sorry if I'm rambling right now. I'm just very distraught and saddened by her death. :crying2:

Heartfelt condolences to you at this time, dream girl. It sounds like the timing of this was a shock to you? Your statement above just leaped at me because of my father's death. Disclaimer: we cannot give legal or medical opinion (ie could she have died because of the RA?)

If it were me, I would need to have all my questions answered in full, whether by liason with the Coroner's office, the Hospital where my dad actually passed away, and even because of MY CASE, a detective became involved. Your circumstances are entirely unique, but just from my experience- those questions do not fade with time if left unanswered. I had to let all parties know that my dad wasn't a John Doe and I will fight tooth and nail for the truth on his behalf. Blessings to you in this most difficult time. (((dreamgirl)))

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

It depends on the work load at the coroner's office. What town or state are you in? You will need to keep in contact with the ME's office and they can keep you posted. Toxicology studies take a while to come back so even after the autopsy is completed, you will wait a while for results. Did the family request the autopsy or did the ME request it? I am so very sorry for your loss. If you need to talk, email me privately and I will be glad to lend an ear. Take care. Diane

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As per Terms of service we are not able to offer any legal or medical advice.

I am so sorry for your loss

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