Infections

[Mrdeek]

Hi guys, is it common for someone with a brain injury to take infection after infection?

Mainly UTI and chest infections...

[RogerCMerriman]

I’ve been far more prone to having colds and they tended to knock me for six, Best they can work out, is it’s not good to be permanently tired! No real surprise there!

[Mrdeek in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Thanks roger, hope it gets knocked on the head. With a brain injury everything seems to get magnified 🤔

[cat3]

I presume your dad is still bedridden most of the time ? This often causes chest infection as fluid can gather in the lungs and isn't expelled as it would normally be when mobile.

And if he has a catheter then that can invite infection. I had a UTI after being immobile for several weeks ; I think it's fairly common.

I hope these problems can be sorted soon to relieve your dad's discomfort.

Best wishes.............. x

[Mrdeek in reply to cat3]

Thanks, yes he is bedridden most of the time apart from when he’s doing Physio or in his wheelchair. He becomes very mute and just stares through you when he has an infection, which sets him back. Would just love to know what’s going on in his mind. Is he happy etc.

Total respect to anyone who has been through this and come out the other end. I don’t like seeing him so vulnerable and incapable, he used to be such an independent person. Even when he had knee operations he would still do all his shopping etc on his own.

[cat3 in reply to Mrdeek]

It's hard not to project our own feelings onto loved ones. But whereas my family went through hell during my critical phase, and were SO disturbed and saddened by my demeanour and things I said, I had no recollection of any of it and assumed I'd been unconscious throughout !

It sounds like your dad's a fighter at heart which gives him an extra edge in finding his way back to you. I really hope so............ x

[cat3 in reply to cat3]

PS, I've seen first hand (with my mum-in-law) how an infection can cause havoc with someone's cognitive & emotional state. She was always right as rain once the antibiotics kicked in, but it was scary in the meantime.

[Mrdeek in reply to cat3]

Thanks cat you have given me a new sense of belief he can pull through this.

I really admire you for coming through what must have been a really tough time for you and your family. It is someone like you that I would love to put a lot of questions to, to get an understanding of what he may be feeling etc at the moment. You have answered the question I would ask first, do you remember the whole process?

Thanks again though you have made my day. Derek

[Mrdeek in reply to cat3]

Ps, my dad is as stubborn as they come lol

[cat3 in reply to Mrdeek]

No Derek, I've no memory of anything after collapsing late one night (vague recollection of female paramedic saying 'Tell them yourself ' after fighting to get the words out to tell my son & daughter I love them.

I presumed I was dying, but my only concern was getting that message across................... then nothing at all 'til I'd been transferred from ICU to the recovery ward, one month later.

I apparently held conversations with family and staff : swore a great deal as I was withdrawing from tobacco (haven't touched one since), had my hands bandaged to resemble white footballs to stop me haemorrhaging from pulling out my lines, and was endlessly vowing (in a pristine, state of the art ward) to clean the 'filthy ceilings'. I remember none of it, probably because my brain was incapable at that time of recording what happened seconds earlier.

I was stubborn too ; even insisted on buying a new yellow bicycle the week I was discharged despite really poor balance ! It's been a steep re-learning process, but I CAN ride my bike now (just took a while longer than expected).

Message me anytime if you have any more questions Derek. x

[steve55]

increase your vitamin c intake, drink plenty of water to keep the kidneys flushed.

[steve55]

oh and make sure have the flu injection youre entitled to every year.

[DandD2]

Hi,

My husband has had UTI after UTI after leaving rehab and a few whilst in hospital. It's taken 18 months but it now seems sorted. 10 weeks no UTI - yay!

There's likely to be a reason for recurring infections so its worth asking the team in the rehab unit why he keeps getting them. Prophylactic antibiotics or antibacterials should help reduce the number of infections and a referral to a urologist might help determine the cause (& action) and ensure he's on the best medication.

Infections do massively impact brain recovery in my experience and sap strength & energy. Good luck in getting them sorted!

[sue-66]

As steve said, make sure he drinks plenty of water. My partner is just about to leave hospital, after 11 months and I found, especially the first few months, he kept having uti's. I always keep reminding him to drink regular and keep topping up his jug when I'm there and so far, this last few months, he's been clear. But I do notice

a difference in the colour of his pee (sorry, I know it's not the best subject lol) when I haven't been able to get to hospital, due to work. As for his chest, he has had the flu injection and I know he gets a little sniffly but hasn't had a chest infection in a long while.