Seeking sympathy
Author
Discussion

Rs4guy

Original Poster:

14 posts

220 months

Monday 23rd January 2012
quotequote all
Hi All

Ive been a long time lurker on the website and have decided to post today, for what reason I don't know.

Basically a few days ago a close family member was taken into hospital.. she was virtually unconscious when the paramedics took her but after giving her some glucose she did start responding. At the hospital she was put into heavy sedation so tests etc could be carried out.. she has been under sedation in intensive care for a few days now.

The ICU doctors have not found what the problem is yet but have been treating her as they would for meningitis (this is what they suspect) but so far tests have been inconclusive. She has had 2 CT (brain) scans, the initial one didn't show any abnormalities but the second showed some slight pressure on the brain.. so they are now keeping her sedated to control this.. Her blood acid levels have also been up and down so they are trying to control this.

She is also on Anti biotics to fight any infection she might have, i was told need to be taken for 7 days to give effect.

The next stage is we are awaiting results on a MRI scan on the brain, and the doctors will decide on the course of action defendant on the results.

The doctors have said she is stable (not sure what this means), her vital organs seem to be fine, BP is fine, Heart rate etc all fine, Blood sugar is ok aswell now..

I know it can take time in these situations to see progress and confirm diagnosis.. I also know sometimes the patient recovers without the Dr's finding out what was wrong.. Its just that while she is unconscious under sedation, Myself and my family cannot find peace.

I dont know why I wrote this post.. im not seeking sympathy.. All i want is for her to get better soon... sorry for the long post and thanks for listening

Hoofy

79,983 posts

311 months

Monday 23rd January 2012
quotequote all
Rs4guy said:
im not seeking sympathy
Make up your mind!

Hope she makes a full and swift recovery, and that they find out what caused this problem. I should imagine it's a worrying time. The unknown makes it worse.

PS Welcome to PH.

King Herald

23,501 posts

245 months

Monday 23rd January 2012
quotequote all
Have a little sympathy from me if you want mate. No problemo. It can't be easy having any close friend or family member sick, when nobody really knows what the problem is.

Posting on here; a problem shared is a problem halved, all that sort of stuff, if it makes you feel better, makes you rest a little easier, then all is good.

I know others on here know exactly how you feel too, have been through the same thing.

stackmonkey

5,084 posts

278 months

Tuesday 24th January 2012
quotequote all
I hope your relative makes a full reovery soon.
If it helps, a friend of mine has recently (last month) made a full recovery from a nasty bout of meningitis with no permanent after effects.

Rs4guy

Original Poster:

14 posts

220 months

Tuesday 24th January 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the responses all... I guess it's a waiting game to see what the MRI scan shows... And we go from there

I know she is sedated for her own good but it is so scary seeing her like that for the last 4 days... At the end of the day though it's about getting her better and not making the rest of us feel better.

Rs4guy

Original Poster:

14 posts

220 months

Wednesday 25th January 2012
quotequote all
The MRI results came back showing something at the stem of the brain, they don't think it's meningitis, cancer or a tumour.. Infact they don't know what it is still..

They have got a number of specialists involved, and are now looking at other possible causes I.e some sort of rare metabolic issue..

The consultant did say they are puzzled with this and he can't say to us yes she will survive or that she wont. That was the scariest thing I've ever heard... I just hope they find something

zetec

5,180 posts

280 months

Wednesday 25th January 2012
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Feel for you, I lost my Dad a few weeks ago, search for my thread 'Atrial Fibrilation', circumstances seem very familiar frown

Rs4guy

Original Poster:

14 posts

220 months

Thursday 26th January 2012
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The intensive care unit have been trying to take her off sedation now but have had no luck. When she's under a certain level of sedation she is ok with regards to calm movements, breathing by herself etc

Once they totally remove sedation she makes sudden jerk movements, and doesn't respond to tests. She also Is irritated by the ventilation tube.

I think they will be trying this daily whilst other tests are ongoing. Im Not sure If anything will change on day by day but this is my hope.

King Herald

23,501 posts

245 months

Thursday 26th January 2012
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Rs4guy said:
The consultant did say they are puzzled with this and he can't say to us yes she will survive or that she wont.
He could have left the last bit off, sometimes you don't want to hear that sort of thing put into words. Maybe they think being brutally honest is the best way.

Hope all works out for the best though, whatever they find.

Rs4guy

Original Poster:

14 posts

220 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
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She has finally woken up. The dr's say she is doing remarkably well and even be transferred to a normal ward within days.

She is very groggy, paranoid and dellusional at the moment but apparently this is common for Icu patients after all the heavy pain killers and sedation (it is a recognised condition apparently). It will take time but dr's are very happy and saying they are much more confident that she will make a full recovery.

Does anyone with experience have any tips on how to help her with the paranoia / delusions? It is worrying to think she is scared in hospital.


chilistrucker

4,543 posts

180 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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glad to hear things going in the right direction.
i feel for you, my mum in law has stomache cancer, and my dad has bowel cancer, and been given 6 months. my dad is the greatest influence on my life, and it really hurts right now, i havn't worked for a month, spent most days in hospital with him, sometimes life stinks.