awak but not responsive feeling terrified - Headway

Headway

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awak but not responsive feeling terrified

bellabobs profile image
12 Replies

, I feel im having a meltdown hes had the Trachey fitted and is mainly breathing on his own, My huge worry now is hes off all sedation and eyes are open but they are saying hes not responsive and should be showing signs of communication at this point.we are 3 days into no sedation now. Im scared iv lost him xx

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bellabobs profile image
bellabobs
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12 Replies
Elkay_1954 profile image
Elkay_1954

Our son was in an induced coma for two weeks and was still just staring into space one week after the sedation was lifted. He slowly started to follow people around the room with his eyes. He wasn’t classed as ‘conscious’ until a month later.

We all understand that every injury is different - and so is the recovery. Try to stay strong and positive. X

bellabobs profile image
bellabobs in reply to Elkay_1954

This is encouraging thankyou they made me feel so down I was so pleased just to see him come of the sedation and open his eyes. But it scared me that they said he should be trying to respond more by now. so I started asking the question is this it now and they said quite possibly I need hope to stay strong xx

Elkay_1954 profile image
Elkay_1954 in reply to bellabobs

Please don’t give up hope. Those early days are very scary and slow. X

bellabobs profile image
bellabobs in reply to Elkay_1954

Its horrendous but you've helped me feel a bit stronger today. xxx

cat3 profile image
cat3

Bella, the doctors always err on the negative side to avoid giving hope In what's really a 'Wait & see' situation. Your man's brain will be struggling to make sense of the surroundings whilst still in the process of trying to heal.

He might look like a rabbit in the headlamps for a while then start talking nonsense (as I did) but, unlike other organs, the brain's healing is a painfully slow and more complex process.

It's a dreadful time for loved ones, as I learned afterwards. Sending all best wishes for good progress soon. Cat x

anonymous38 profile image
anonymous38

My brother was in induced coma 2 days, and did not come to concesness 18 more days. Drs were telling us every day that he is not awake yet and that it is a problem. And he did wake up eventualy.

Keep strong

Alb64 profile image
Alb64

Bella as the others have said everyone is different.My husband was in a coma for 3 weeks and once sedation was lifted he didn't respond to stimuli.The prognosis wasn't great but eventually he opened his eyes and started to move slightly.It was another 2weeks before he was trying to talk and even longer before he started saying words(nonsense)Don't give up hope and stay strong.x

bellabobs profile image
bellabobs in reply to Alb64

these replies are so helpful and encouraging I felt like they were starting to write him off after 24hrs. He has his eyes open now and is focussing on my face he cant talk because of the trachey . But is starting to squeeze a hand if you ask him he looks very spaced out not really sure whats going on in his head right now. But I do belive hes in there still xxx

Nath75 profile image
Nath75

My husband was in a induced coma for 3 weeks. When he was off the sedation they said that he did not respond well to all the things the Dr and nurses asked him.

Finally after a couple of days he started "talking". He was making no sense at all.

After like another 3 weeks he finally started saying real words again.

He does have TBI and aphasia but he is doing better every day.

Please stay strong and believe he will be okay. It needs a lot of time!

(Sorry if my english is not that good since it's not my first language)

bellabobs profile image
bellabobs in reply to Nath75

Thankyou, I have leant on headway and everyone else that's told e not to be so despondent after 24 hr of sedation he is doing better, I believe 100%. I wish you all the love its truly a horrible time xx

Nath75 profile image
Nath75 in reply to bellabobs

How are you and your husband doing since 5 days ago?

I know it is truly a horrible time. Just hang in there and keep believing. ❤️

Alb64 profile image
Alb64

It's encouraging that he's squeezing your hand.Sure things will improve.Don't give up hope.When my husband hadn't woken up the doctors kept saying it wasn't looking good.I was actually planning his funeral in my head.When I look back at my diary for when he was in I CU I can't believe how much he came on once he was in rehab.The staff nurse admitted to me later that when she first saw him she wondered what help they could give him.After 3months on there he was up and walking.A miracle.Please keep strong.xx

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