Swollen hands

[Sarhj]

Has anyone experienced swollen hands/feet while in ICU on ventilator? Although we can’t go see my dad, the nurses let us FaceTime him every few days. We noticed his hands were quite swollen, we were told it’s due to low protein in the blood. It really worried us.

[Sepsur]

This is a pertinent extract

“ Because of reduced human serum albumin levels, severe protein deficiency leads to lower oncotic pressure. As a result, fluid accumulates in tissues, causing swelling. For the same reason, protein deficiency may lead to fluid buildup inside the abdominal cavity. A bloated belly is a characteristic sign of kwashiorkor.31 Oct 2017”

I certainly had both - it looked like I was pregnant at one stage - which is biologically problematic.

[Sarhj in reply to Sepsur]

So helpful and good to know 🙏 I appreciate your feedback!

[Olivia2902]

We noticed the same thing on face time aswell. Nurse told us it was due to the kidneys failing and their inability to balance fluid in the body as they usually would

[Sarhj in reply to Olivia2902]

Yes! My dad is currently on dialysis for that reason as well 😞

[Woo2]

I was 18:days sedated and also had edoema/edema (swelling).

I was given a diuretic to reduce the swelling.

One month on, my hands still hurt and I have reduced sensation in my finger tips. I'm told this is perfextly normal and will get better with time.

[Sarhj in reply to Woo2]

It’s so amazing to read all the positivity and to know that all these symptoms are normal 🙏 so hopeful!!! I’m glad you’re doing better!

[Sepsur in reply to Woo2]

It will

[VickyC1982]

Yes! I woke up with massive Mickey Mouse hands!! I was horrified but it goes pretty soon after you wake up xx

[stevet11753]

My brother said I looked like the Hulk when I was first taken into the ITU! By the time I came out of coma most of the swelling had gone down.

[Momof420 in reply to stevet11753]

How long did it take you to come out of the coma?

[stevet11753 in reply to Momof420]

It was about 14 days by the time I came round. My hands were bound, but I think the swelling had gone down by then.

[karen1986]

Swollen hands is not usually anything to worry about. It is usually to do with lack of protein. ITU patients usually get fed via NG tube via the nose and dietitians might add some more protein to the feed. However, it is something that goes down after the patient is recovered.

It can also been kidney failure (like mentioned below), but not always. If the nurse is not worried, I don't think you should be. Its not very nice to see, but it can be 'normal' for most ITU patients.

[Sarhj in reply to karen1986]

Yes! I’m reading more and more about how common this is. 🙏

[DrARDS]

Yes we were told of this too. Thankfully with appropriate fluid balance, it appears to have now settled. Don’t panic!

[Bronze]

Its incredibly common due to fluid shifts in the body and just lack of movement from lying still - similar to feet on a long haul flight . Will get better .