Neuropathy after ICU (Covid)

[Dbilingual79]

Has anyone who was in ICU suffered peripheral nerve damage aka neuropathy? My dad was on vent 26 days followed by another month and a half of being bedridden and not moving due to covid and sepsis. He is now in acute rehab and walking more but hands are lagging behind. he has lots of tingling and shooting pains. Anyone else going thru this? Im praying it gets better!! Thank you !!

[Marcita]

My mom had a stroke.

[Dbilingual79 in reply to Marcita]

that was the cause? my dad doesnt seem to have had a stroke..

[Sepsur in reply to Dbilingual79]

It’s muscle waste & a legacy of sepsis. Not only do the muscles waste away, they also shorten.

[Sepsur]

Yes - some of my neuropathy has lessened over time. I did a lot of work on my hands beyond physio & OT. I bought a set of three physio eggs & bands to strengthened my hands & fingers - these eggs fitted in the palm and came in different strengths, yellow, red & blue.

I also had terrible cramps - high dose of magnesium stopped this - it is possible to test for mineral/vitamin deficiency through blood test.

[Dbilingual79 in reply to Sepsur]

But now you are able to use your hands for at least basic tasks?

[Sepsur in reply to Dbilingual79]

Occasionally I drop things because I sort of forget I am holding them. I have full use & dexterity. When I woke from coma - my fingers & hands had fused - completely atrophied. The OH nurse created an extraordinary ‘Edward Scissorhand’ like contraption to help stretch muscles in fingers ( not everyone is so lucky to get full use - sepsis has all sorts of hidden presents, I’m afraid). Six months later I had good use.

[Dbilingual79 in reply to Sepsur]

thank you for the hope and encouragement. would you be willing to share some links to the itens i could get my dad to help him? these eggs you mention? thank you🙏🙏

[Sepsur in reply to Dbilingual79]

Of course - it will take me a little time. The physios would also be able to advise you on aids.

[Sepsur in reply to Dbilingual79]

I lied - they came up straight away 🤣

physiosupplies.co.uk/allcar...

[Dbilingual79 in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you! I just ordered them from amazon. Im in New York Thx again!!

[Sepsur in reply to Dbilingual79]

networldsports.co.uk/resist...

[Ferham]

Hello, my husband has peripheral nerve damage in his feet. He has been home 5 weeks after being ventilated for 36 days, then 3 weeks on a ward, 3 week in a rehab centre. He is still in pain with his feet and legs, his feet had "fused together ". He is on Pregablin and his pain in one foot has almost gone, not so much in the other foot .

He has Physio twice a week and I can see the difference in the movement in his feet now . One foot is rigid, but has improved, he still cannot wiggle his toes though .The shooting pains still appear , he has had a nerve conductor test which we are waiting for the results on .

[Malletus in reply to Ferham]

Glad to hear there’s been some improvement with your husband xx

[Ferham in reply to Malletus]

How is your husband now ? x

[Rotherham66]

I was in a coma for two weeks, and could not walk. The nerve damage effected my feet. The awful shooting pains go on for a long time , but do lessen. I have to take pain killers and gabapentin to cope with this.

So perhaps you should ask if he can take these.

Nerves take a long time to recover. One millimetre per day. So it’s a slow process.

Hope he recovers well.

[Dbilingual79]

Im going to mention the medications. Thank you. I was told the tingling he feels is a good sign of nerve regeneration 🙏

[Ling180]

Hello there, I'm really sorry to hear your dad has experienced this. I suffered from neuropathy caused by a type of chemotherapy I had to have. I'm happy to say it went away after a period of time (unfortunately I don't recall how long it took, but it was months at least). I really hope your dad recovers fully. Sending him and you best wishes.

[Dbilingual79 in reply to Ling180]

Thank you. I am praying that with time and therapy he can regain dexterity too

[Woo2]

Good luck to your dad!

I'm 3 months out of hospital and neuralgia is still a big issue for me, but it is getting better. Very, very slowly, but it is improving.

Never hive up hope!

[Dbilingual79 in reply to Woo2]

Thank you. My dad has no use of his hands. Did you have that as well?

[Woo2]

Some use of my hands, but very little and the tips of my fingers were numb.

Fingers are about 90% recovered and it still hurts when I stretch my hands flat, but much better than it was before. I dan now use cutlery!

[Beagledog]

I was in a coma for 5 weeks 5 years ago. When I came out of the coma I had lost my lower peripheral vision. I don't recall what prompted the need for a peripheral vision test. I could no longer perform my dream job of city bus driver/social worker. I could not even drive my own luxury 2003 Kia Spectra. I was left having to take a bus to get around. Karma.

I have worn spectacles since third grade, however, my current corrected vision after my coma is phenominal. I can read coach signage on the front of a city omnibus ( Letters being about 10 inches tall) at 550 feet, or 2 long city blocks, as measured on Google maps, and see that the stupid bus is indeed leaving 3 minutes early. Karma.

Dawg