Not talking or moving body after sedation/induced coma

[Taciab2020]

My BIL had complications after a cancer removal surgery on his kidney and had to be sedated for a few days. It took 8 days for him to wake up from it. It’s been 1 week that he woke up, but he can’t still close his mouth. I believe it’s because of the intubation. He also can’t really move his body. He can understand well and seems alert, but can’t talk and can’t move his body. Anyone familiar with this situation? All brain screenings EGG,CT scan, MRI shows no damage to brain. Can you please tell me if you have similar experience?

[Sepsur]

It took me 11 days to properly wake up after a medically induced coma.

Muscle waste, delirium, cognitive dysfunction, hair loss, neuropathy were my new bedfellows.

[Taciab2020 in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you so much for your reply. Praise God for everything you went through and that you are here to share with others. Did you have a hard time being able to close your mouth all the way shut after the respiration was removed? My BIL has his mouth wide open. He can’t do any different.

[Sepsur in reply to Taciab2020]

No I didn’t have that but I had a trachy immediately

[Taciab2020 in reply to Sepsur]

Just wanted to share the amazing news. My brother in law is finally talking perfectly normal. It took him exact 10 days from the day he got out of the coma. On the 10th day he was able to talk not very clearly but he talked about different things, different subjects, long conversations. Today, 14 days after the woke up, he is 100% clear. He is the same one. Talking so clearly. He still can’t move his body but I think it’s just a matter of time since there no damage (no brain damage, sign of stroke or anything). Praise the Lord. Now he has pneumonia but they are treating it. They are considering amputation of all toes(both feet) and right hand thumb. Since the medicine they used to bring him back when he collapsed (blood pressure went down to 4/1) it affected the toes and one finger. Praying for that not to happen. He is a pianist.

[Sepsur in reply to Taciab2020]

So pleased this has happened. I was warned I might never get proper use of my hands & fingers after chronic muscle waste meant my hands & fingers fused like claws. I’m not as dexterous but I am able - I’m a decorative artist.

[Copse77]

Yes my brother was placed in an induced coma after having sepsis from flu. It took him a month to come round and he had to relearn how to swallow, how to speak and how to walk.prior to this he was a healthy fit young man with a young family. As Sepsur says being in bed in ICU causes muscle wastage to occur and loss of muscle mass. There are useful ICU steps guides on ICU for patients and families. I will send you a link. Wishing him a good recovery.

[Taciab2020 in reply to Copse77]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post. I’m sorry about what happened to your brother but I’m glad to hear he recovered.

It’s been a roller coaster of emotions as we are going through this without knowing how it will take to see him be able to speak or move. It gives us hope reading other people’s experiences.

Thank you.

[Copse77]

icusteps.org/guide

[Copse77]

It’s hard waiting and not knowing. That’s why I share my experience as others were kind enough to share theirs to encourage our family. Rollercoaster is exactly what it is. Do have read of the ICU steps guide at the link I sent. We found this really helpful in the absence of other information.

[Taciab2020 in reply to Copse77]

Thank you! Yes I have! I’m sorry I forgot to mention. I found it so helpful!! Thank you so much.

I trust in our Almighty God that one day I will helping others with this testimony just like you are doing it to me right now. Blessings to you.

[Taciab2020 in reply to Copse77]

Just wanted to share the amazing news. My brother in law is finally talking perfectly normal. It took him exact 10 days from the day he got out of the coma. On the 10th day he was able to talk not very clearly but he talked about different things, different subjects, long conversations. Today, 14 days after the woke up, he is 100% clear. He is the same one. Talking so clearly. He still can’t move his body but I think it’s just a matter of time since there no damage (no brain damage, sign of stroke or anything). Praise the Lord. Now he has pneumonia but they are treating it. They are considering amputation of all toes (both feet) and right hand thumb. Since the medicine they used to bring him back when he collapsed (blood pressure went down to 4/1) it affected the toes and one finger. Praying for that not to happen. He is a pianist.

[Twoblu]

Sadly my brother was like this when he came round. Unfortunately there was no coming back from it for him. He remained that way from Oct 2019 to march 2024 when he passed away.