Hypoxic brain injury update

[Chrisd88]

Hi all

My brother was admitted to hospital having been found unconscious (potentially for several hours) with 54% bloody oxygen which I understand is extremely low.

He has now been in hospital 12 days. He has been in a coma, and they have started reducing the medication to try and bring him round, they have been doing this for a few days and he gets quite uncomfortable, there are some responses but from what I gather these are more reflexes than conscious acts

-eyes opening but not looking at us ( seems to open sometimes on response to sound but no eye movement towards anything)

-yawning, couching, some arm movement and just yesterday a bit of hand movement (grabbing my dad's hand a couple of times)

He doesn't react to pain or touch.

He has been getting very hot and sweaty which although he did have a chest infection when he came in, seems to be due to damage to the brain from lack of oxygen, the consultant told us they suspect this, and that early scans show "general damage to the brain" rather than in just specific areas.

Has anyone experienced the same temperature issue and know what action can/ is usually taken (short and medium/longer term).

I know it's still very early days, I just want to make sure my brother has the best chance of getting better to the best extent possible. Any other advice much appreciated, thanks 🙏

[AndrewT]

Dear Chrisd88,

I have just found/ stumbled upon, your Post- at 4:03 am! Can I give it 'Some Thought' please?

I Will 'come back, to you in a while', I promise my friend.

AndrewT

[AndrewT]

Dear Chrissd88,

I have given, your Post, some 'thought' now and also re-read it several times.

I have to say that 'Things' Don't 'Sound Too Good' currently..... However, and it's a Big However, it IS Very 'Early Days', but I am Rather Concerned that he is Not Reacting To Pain. That said there ARE, very many, 'Miraculous Recoveries'- by People Far More Apparently Incapacitated, than your Brother.

All these 'things' take TIME, in Shedloads, and he may- very well- need Re-hab. (ilitation), probably at a specialist centre. (The 'Homerton' is often used.)

It is important that YOU Don't Lose Hope..... Do Talk to him. Do Touch him (notwithstanding any 'lasting' Covid restrictions), Do 'Show' him family photos, Do Tell him ALL your family news (Sophie's Engagement, John's New Car, Helen's Graduation and so on), Try to be Positive- difficult. at times, I know. Remember that this IS your Brother- you already have a Strong Connection, use it to 'Bring Him Home'.

What do You 'do' when He seems Unresponsive, or Asleep? You 'Do' exactly the same.... Continuity if Key here (Ok you can't actually 'show' photos but, you Can 'Describe' them- just as you would to someone over the Telephone.)

As I said above TIME is the Key Here, Time, Patience, Time, Understanding, Time, Caring, Time, Dedication, Time, Much Love, Time, Prayers ( to whoever you Believe in- Just to The Cosmos, if you have no Formal Religion) and did I mention TIME?

By all means DO 'Come Back', to any of us, Chriss- either now, or in the future. If you want a more 'Personal' chat, you can P(rivate) M(essage) me- or indeed ANY of us. Please know that Our Prayers Are With You Both

AndrewT

[Chrisd88 in reply to AndrewT]

Thanks for your response Andrew I really appreciate it.

We have been talking to him each day and playing his favourite music. He started to move his legs very slightly yesterday and he seems to moves his eyes a little bit more and also reacts slightly more normally to localised pain/ touch, all very small things so not getting my hopes up too much but just taking each day and each little change as it comes.

[Skulls]

Hi Chris,

I was going to say do talk to him as, though he may appear comatose, he could still hear you and even communicate in some way. The nurses missed their chance with me in ICU. I would hear them talking about me biting down on my tubes so I did it and they noticed but failed to put two and two together. I am told I reacted to noise and my eyes, though blind, moved towards it.

Recovery, however great it may be, will take time and beware - you may not get back the exact person you knew. Be patient and loving.

Skulls

[New_beginning]

Hello, the ICU should have good temperature control, my husbands space was freezing as he was hot (still odd now) as he's always freezing when it's hot. My husband got chest infection too, sadly I think it's quite common with breathing equipment (frightening I know). My husband never responded, with reflexes, eyes, listening to instructions when I asked what it should look like it was explained how a baby responds, gripping fingers, following light, following sound, the words that come out of my husband was of milestone development of 8month old, but words came out better after few days. Told he wouldn't stand, walk, yet he become a prolific obsconder.

Everyone's development or experience is so different, it's very individual none barely the same with response or recovery.

Weirdly, 3years down the line my husband still does not react to pain. I only properly noticed several months later, his stomach, ribs bruised (our then toddler jumping on him)

So sorry x