Covid ICU coming off sedation

[Terrilynn76]

My boyfriend has been in covid ICU for 50 days now..he is a kidney/ pancreas transplant patient.He had trach placed almost 3 weeks ago..He is not requiring the ventilator setting ..all of his stats are good kidney function is good , but he's still testing positive for the virus.they are weaning him off the sedation medicine but he is very restless and agitated..he opens his eyes and trying to talk but can't cuz of the trach...he has pulled out his tube n his nose for feeding once ..they still have him restrained ..it's been over a week since they started trying to wean him of all sedatives but he's still not completely off of them..in a video chat recently he was putting his legs up in the air and trying to get out of bed..he sometimes answers questions but not often...he's my whole world I am just asking does anyone have any similar experience with covid or coming off of sedation and for any advice please let me know.. and all prayers Thank God he's still with us ...Thank you

[DrARDS]

Yes. If you travel through my posts and those who have commented on mine, you shall find many who have been through what you are going through.

The sedatives and covid patho physiology means it subjects the body to multi system problems (lungs heart kidneys brain and more); which in turn means extensive sedative therapy and proning.

This in turn leads to significant icu delirium and difficulty to wean off the ventilator as the sedative support is reduced.

This will settles with time, but everyone is different and some can take significantly longer etc.

[Terrilynn76 in reply to DrARDS]

Thanks for your help

[Thyroidmeg]

My sister was on a life support machine and in a coma for nearly a month. My dad has a brain infection for months. They both had delirium and it’s scary but they’re both fine now. Stay positive and I hope things work out ok for you.

[Sepsur]

What you have described sounds very like many of us as we drop out of being sedated. There does appear to be a greater portion of Covid patients who suffer ICU delirium - there are a variety of influencers here.

Please follow this link for a great pdf on delirium & its mechanics.

icustepschester.org/informa...

Mine lifted after a few days 😊

[MarthaKos]

Hey, I haven’t been hospitalised for Covid but I was testing positive for nearly two months, even tho I didn’t have symptoms despite the first 3-4 weeks. My boyfriend who is still hospitalised was testing positive for nearly 6 weeks. I wouldn’t worry about it that much it has something to do with the development of antibodies and them being picked up by the virus RNA.

My boyfriend didn’t show signs of delirium, it’s not been 2 weeks since they weaned off the sedation and he’s been opening his eyes since day one. I’m pretty sure he had hallucinations and nightmares at some point tho, but he is so weak that he can’t move anything besides his eyes. So, I can’t really comment on that but every time we FaceTime i make sure I tell him where he is, where I am, that all his family is well, that everything is being taken care off, not to push himself and that it’s only temporary; that he will be able to talk and do all the things he used to and if he has bad dreams to try and remember my voice saying that everything is okay he won and he will be back home soon, and always say that he has lovely people around him looking after him. Well I have no idea if it works, but his facial expression seems to ease and the nurses always tell me that his breathing and heart rate slows as well. Most people go through delirium, but it will pass.

Stay strong and hope everything goes well with your boyfriend.

[Terrilynn76 in reply to MarthaKos]

Thanks so much I appreciate your reply... This is such a hard time for us all..All of the information I can get on covid and what to expect when recovering is always helpful ..my boyfriend was moved to a different facility on Monday finally tested negative for covid after 50 days ..He is still not awake but is opening his eyes ..I got to see him for one hour after almost 2 months. Now the visitors aren't allowed again due to the spike in covid again ..so I am sad but at least he's recovering ..I thank God every day he's alive ...Thank you for your response ...Terri

[varmenta83]

Hi,

How is your boyfriend doing now?

Hopefully better

-Vanessa

[Terrilynn76 in reply to varmenta83]

Yes thank you for asking..Friday he's going to be moving to a rehabilitation hospital ..Thanl God he's alive..Hes still got his trach and he is very very weak..He ihas lost about 30 pounds and he only weighed 130 when he went in .. Please keep him in your prayers ..His name is John..God bless you.

[varmenta83 in reply to Terrilynn76]

I send a lot of hugs to you and will be praying for John hang in there and continue to be positive, my dads is off the sedation but not yet following commands got word today that he might have had a stroke due to the blood clots in his neck and arm his name is Antonio pls keep him in your prayers.

All my love,

Vanessa

[Anuur44]

Hi Terrilynn. How is your boyfriends recovery now. My mum is still on icu and suffering from delirium. I came accross your post and hoping he has made a full recovery

[Terrilynn76 in reply to Anuur44]

Hi.. sorry to hear about your mom..John has made a full recovery ,thank God .. Although I worry about him getting sick again I am thankful that I have every minute that I do with him..When be first got home he had nightmares and it was very hard to get to sleep for him, he was very impatient also .. But now those things are better ..The one thing I can tell you is never give up hope ...hope is some time all we have...It took John almost 2 weeks to fully wake up after coming off sedation, so far everybody it is different..I will pray for your family ...