still think about my induced coma everyday.

[frankie01592]

i was put in an induced coma for 9 days, i had double pneumonia and swine flu or (H1N1) as they call it. after reading lots of posts etc , i can relate to alot of the things that happen when your on the otherside. i think about being in a coma everyday sometimes its in my every thought. its been just over a year and i think i need help trying to come to terms with it. i never received any support from my hospital, it was not mentioned if there was any help. i think that im missing periods in my day to day life, i cant remember lots of things ive done. i started gambling and it was like somebody else was in control, am i going mad? ive just about lost everthing and im totaly embarrassed about the mess that ive caused. any ideas of one to one talking ? thanks for your time

[Carol_Ann]

Hi Frankie

I'm sorry for the state that you find yourself in & as I was not in an induced coma I can't comment on that side of things. However having started gambling as you have stated is not the answer but it seems like that is the way you were trying to take control! It is great that you have been able to tell us on this forum, it's a first step. But my humble advice would be to go and see your GP & tell them what has happened. They should be able to advise you and refer you to the right people for support. Wishing you all the best!

Carol_Ann

[muncii]

Hi Frankie - sorry you are not feeling too good at the moment.

It seems to me there are 2 major issues: the experience of, and recovery from, your illness, and the gambling.

Regards the former, I think people here will say 'be patient' ! it takes time.... unfortunately. 'Trying to come to terms with it' can be a difficult process (one step forward, two back etc etc) and you need to find a balance between being kind to yourself, and pushing yourself. I think that the balance differs from person to person.

As I've said here before, counselling can help, but you need to find someone you can trust, and someone who is well qualified. Unfortunately, there are lots of cheap, short, on-line courses purporting to offer counselling/psychology qualifications, and you don't want someone like this. And you may not yet be 'ready' for counselling. (perhaps wait until you feel more stable in yourself)

Regards the gambling, I agree with Carol Ann - revealing it here is a good first step. I think you would be well advised to try and catch the habit before it really gets a hold - it can be very addictive and destructive, which I'm sure you know, and are worried about. Talk to your GP, though depending on how good s/he is, hopefully you won't have to wait long for some help. I'm told that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is good for offering ideas and actions to challenge negative thoughts and self-destructive behaviour.

Good luck and best wishes - have confidence in yourself

Muncii

[Amslovessparkle]

Hi Frankie,

It's so hard coming to terms with something like this. I to have been in a coma twice and I understand how messed up your head can get. You need to see your GP. They should help you. Gambaling will not help you. As soon as you can get an appointment, with your GP. You should of had some follow up after your admission for this reason. People dont realize how hard it is to be back in reality after such a trauma. I wish you all the best.

[angelrock]

Frankie, we have all been there and I frequently have times when I think about what I went through and find it hard to get my head round it. Please find someone to talk it through with.

All the very best,

Angie

[Hidden]

Hi Frankie

I can fully understand how you feel as I was also put in an induced coma after contracting H1N1 and double pneumonia. I also have an underlying illness called CLL, (chronic lymphocytic leukaemia), which I have been living with for the past 25 years. I just wanted to say that things do get better. You can get there! My coma was 5 years ago now and unless I'm reminded I don't think about it too much or too often. Do speak with your doctor , I'm sure talking therapies can help you to developing coping strategies and move forward. I wish you the best of luck x

[Bronze]

Hi Frankie if you are in the UK a lot of Hospitals now offer "ICU follow up " / Rehabilitation clinics. It might be worth phoning the ICU you were in and asking to speak to the matron (or go through the hospital PALS dept) to see if this is available now as there are strong NICE guidance about Hospital providing this, even if there is no follow up clinic a chat with one of the senior staff might help you make sense of some of the things you went through. ICU psychosis & delirium is a well recognized post ICU syndrome and can affect people for many years after - its related to post traumatic stress syndrome and the gambling might be linked to your way of coping. Please don't think you are going mad, its very real.

If you have no luck with the ICU or can't approach them directly (or get a family member to phone) then please see your GP and ask for a referral for counselling. In some areas you can refer yourself to a "Time to Talk" service with the local mental health community trust.

Really hope you are able to access some support to get you on the road to recovery and making sense of what happened to you.

[mullera]

Frankie,

Unfortunately there is something called ICU syndrome which can last over a year. Try to get in touch with your hospital team and ask for a referral to counseling and social work. They can get your gambling debts mitigated as well. You're not yourself yet. Anne

[jrc99]

Hi,

I spent time in an induced coma suffering from the same illnesses and nearly four years later I still wake up in a panic some nights with flash backs.. I was diagnosed with P.T.S.D. after 5 months and received counselling at MIND . It is well known by those medical staff who specialise in I.T.U. care that patients who are placed in a coma will suffer from P.T.S.D. as a result. If you have not spoken to your G.P. , I would suggest that you do before things get out of control.