Delirium in the ICU

[FightingAngel13]

My dad has been in the hospital for 51days after cardiac arrest and he is lately experiencing ICU delirium. So far he had 3 pneumonias, 3 bacterias (left with CRE), 3 intubations, ribs/chest surgery (ribs 2-7 were broken from CPR), urinary tract infection and now most likely ascites. Next week we should know if CRE is still present and if/why fluid is building up in the abdomen. Despite all the problems he is conscious, talking, moving his arms, legs, sitting and working on standing up. His memory is good-he can recognize people, remembers birthday dates, places where he lived from an early age, knows where he is, what happened, so things seem very good if I compare this to where he started.

However, I noticed that from time to time (sometimes daily, sometimes every second day) he gets a little lost and he will for example ask why all these people (referring to 3 other people in his ICU room or their visitors) are in our apartment. He will also see a person that reminds him of someone and he will think this is that same person. On a daily basis he tells us to take him home but then gets upset because this is not yet possible.

Things I noticed so far: occasionally he curses with no reason, sees things that are not there, gets agitated if we do not agree with something or when we say we cannot take him home yet and he is acting differently (mood swings, some aggression). Doctor talked about delirium and this being normal after traumatic experience but I would like to know how long this lasted for others and what helped your loved ones to get past this stage. I try to speak calmly to him, hold his hand, and talk about family, friends and sports. Is there anything else I could do to help him?

[Sepsur]

Here is a link to a great supplement

icusteps.org/assets/files/b...

Delirium feels like an alternative reality once you are the other side of it. Your father may need some more help to overcome it if it persists - CBT or EDMR treatment for instance.

In my case it just ceased over a couple of weeks.

The mechanism for delirium is a combination of factors, the aftermath of being that ill, the body still might not be flushing out toxins etc, side effects of sedatives & medication, sleep deprivation & being in an alien environment where you have been prodded & poked for God knows how long. So the brain, under duress, tries to make sense of all this.....my family just kept on talking to me and reassuring me I was ok. I remember it was very difficult to control my emotions - angry sad etc etc - it comes right in time

[Copse77]

I would advise the same as Sepsur in terms of a couple of weeks. Watching my brother go through this stage was very hard. Please be reassured that it will pass. Did you listen to the Radio 4 podcast by a Trustee of ICU steps. Bill experienced ICU delerium and talks about it. A clinical psychologist also explains what happens to the brain in these trauma situations where the brain and all other organs are affected. Best wishes a sister