Life support machine.

[Lindsey11]

Hello my name is Lindsey. I'm 40 years old and 4 years ago I was on life support and put in a induced coma for 8 weeks. I had terrible dreams but lately I find I keep forgetting little things does this happen to anyone else. Thank you. Ps. Woundering if there is any support groups in Knowsley Liverpool.

[Luckyone]

Hi Lindsey 11

I was also in an induced coma for almost 8 weeks 6 years ago and like a lot of us in the community I to suffered some of the most terrifying nightmares that can only be described as in ultra HD and I can still remember them as if it was yesterday.

My wife noticed I was forgetting things and mentioned it to the psychologist we were both seeing and I was referred to a specialist psychologist for a series of tests that showed problems with my short term memory & processing speed which I found difficult to accept at the time but have now learned to live with it.

The ICUsteps Cheshire & Mersey support group is held at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Weaver Avenue, Rainhill L35 4LU and they have a meeting on Monday 27th March 6-8pm. I don't know how close that would be to you but hopefully not to far.

Bill

[Lindsey11 in reply to Luckyone]

Thank you Bill.

I will attend the group .. the place we're it is at is very close. It's comforting to hear other people no what I went through. Your message has been very helpful I carnt thank you enough x

[irenepickering]

i was in a coma in intensive care four years ago and i still forget things, this makes me anxious and irritable at times but friends have told me it is usual after what i have been through i had streptococcus pneumonia and a trachiotomy and an operation on my throat though i can remember nothing of it only bad hallucinations, i am coming to terms with what i have suffered now but with no counselling it has been very touch and i still have nervous exhaustion i am not the same person as when i went in it seems a different person came out so don't let it worry you about forgetting things it's normal good luck to you and God Bless you.

[Lindsey11 in reply to irenepickering]

I had double pneumonia and cardiac arrest x3 my heart stopped and I past away but luckily the adrenaline brought my back. I think we are all wonderful , strong & very special people to have all experienced similar experiences and still be here. I found exercise helps me & I got myself a personal trainer and took up boxing for the cardio. 2 years later I find I carnt function without exercise it takes me to a happy place. I really hope you all find your little happy place & I'm always here if anyone wants too chat. Hugs Lindsey xxxx

[ICUsteps-Peter Partner ICUsteps]

Hello Lindsey,

as Bill has said what you're experiencing isn't uncommon. It really does help knowing it's not just you and being able to meet others who've been where you are as well, so I'd recommend getting in touch with your closest support group. My own critical care admission was a result of trauma that included a brain injury.

I too have suffered memory issues, but as the brain injury nurse I saw after I left hospital pointed out, there would've been times before my injury that I'd have forgotten things too, but being aware and worried about the issue makes it seem worse than it would've done before. It's an interesting thought - it doesn't change anything, but just realising it's normal means perhaps you can not worry about it quite so much, which makes it feel a little bit less of a problem. A phrase which became very common in my recovery comes to mind - "Don't beat yourself up about it." As true now as it was then.

Peter

[angelrock]

My memory is awful too, I completely understand this but I am interested to know why this happens to us who have been sedated (medically induced coma) and in ICU.

[anniseg70]

Hey. It was 2 months ago when I was in a coma. I'm suffering with serious nightmares and memory loss. I was on life support machine. I had 4 quadrant Petronius and sepsis. Did anyone else get this?

I hope you're okay. Can I ask why you were in a coma?

[Lindsey11 in reply to anniseg70]

Hello. I had double pneumonia both lungs filled with fluid then I started finding breathing difficult so I went the doctors .. they told me to rest it was a viral. This happened over 2 weeks one evening I couldn't put my head down ...I kept coughing . I remember dialing a ambulance then soon as I got to hospital my heart stopped x3. I was in coma in Liverpool for 4 weeks then transferred to Manchester wythemshaw still in coma and I was fitted with a heart pump through my leg which allowed my heart to rest and it took over xxx

[stevet11753]

I also have memory problems, I completely forgot about the hour going on this morning despite the numerous reminders the day before. I only realised when I turned on the TV news and was puzzled momentarily about the time on the newsbar!

I put some of it down to age (I'm 63), but it's definitely worse than before I was in a coma two years ago.

[jasonwatford]

i was worried at first , but in time it does come back slowly , just dont push yourself or be hard on yourself , give it time and it comes back without you knowing xx

[Lindsey11 in reply to jasonwatford]

Thank you x

[Hutch1972]

Hi everyone. I do not know if you guys have to worry to much about the induced coma causing memory loss. I am 45 and have not been induced but every year my memory gets worse and worse. I always say my brain must look like a piece of Swiss cheese. I think a lot of our memory loss can be Chaulked up to aging.

Marc

[paulbe]

Hi Lindsey,

I'm a regular (since 2011) at the Cheshire and Mersey support group. Its only a small group but we have all been through similar things. We meet every 6 weeks or so and just have a chat about things over a tea or coffee. The dates for the rest of the year are here icusteps.org/support/cheshi...

By all means send me a message if you have any questions about the group, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

Thanks

Paul

[irenepickering]

four years ago i was at the same point in icu with streptococcus pneumonia in induced coma i still forget things and sometimes when i see certain things have a flash back but not so bad now except i feel low all the time, but no counselling does not help i hope you can get some God bless you

[Mama-Ellen]

Hi Lindsey,

It is not just you! I was in an induced coma for six weeks, eight years ago. A surgery went badly; I was on life support because I developed sepsis. Please try to be patient with yourself. Healing takes time.

As a 66 year old, I often hear," I forget things all the time." This memory loss is different. I still have difficulty retrieving from my brain. I process more slowly. Sometimes I have a problem making connections. It can be frustrating. Very frustrating. I have my pity parties and then move on. I'm here, I'm alive, and there is still a lot I can do. I'm a lot better than I was.

I hope your memory gets better along with other healing. You might be taking baby steps. That's ok. Even baby steps are real steps.

Wishing you all the best,

Ellen

[Lindsey11 in reply to Mama-Ellen]

Thank you xxx