Cognitive dysfunction after critical care

[AKAICUsurvivor]

If you search “cognitive dysfunction”, this is what it says :

About 50-70% of all ICU survivors suffer from long-term cognitive, psychological or functional impairment after their ICU hospitalization. About 30-80% of ICU patients develop cognitive deficits, making it a serious but under recognized problem.

My memory is shot to pieces - I really struggle to remember people, places and names of things on occasion - it affects my capacity to remember appointments, anniversaries ( of any sort), my ability to concentrate - reading dense bureaucratic text is a nightmare, my ability to make a decision and , early after my discharge from hospital, all social filters had evaporated and/or my capacity to judge whether something was a good idea ( or sensible action to take). I found I was incredibly impulsive (even more than normal) and yes, it has improved overtime.

Do not assume you will be getting back the same person that entered ICU, we are all changed for ever. We all have to adapt to the new normal.

To truly rehabilitate, what was important was for me to remain mentally stimulated, challenge myself to do thing that took effort & concentration. Remain engaged with the world and step out of my comfort zone. I found HealthUnlocked soon after leaving hospital and found it immensely helpful - @Deb_77 especially, she made me laugh out loud when there wasn’t much to laugh about.

I know the founding members of ICUsteps Chester would agree that the process of setting up a group helped them rehabilitate - it wasn’t just the attendance of drop-in meetings that made us all feel ‘normal’ but having to figure out how to set up a meeting and all the other stuff that goes with it, tea & coffee, paying the rent etc etc. If you don’t know what we do - have a look

icustepschester.org

If there is no group near you - Zoom meetings make geography a nonissue. But groups of you can set up networks too - we were only 3 months out of hospital when we held our first meeting with 8 of us 🤣.

This community here could build a very supportative network - we have the power to help ourselves.

Best wishes to all of you struggling along - hear this - you are not alone.

[Sepsur]

@DrARDS