My husband was taken to hospital on the 22nd December 2020 with pancreatitis. This is the 2nd episode last episode was over 3 years ago but this time is very different. His been on a ward up until the 11th January, they put him in ICU due to a collapsed lung and an aneurysm to his liver and also toxins producing from the pancreas to his stomach. His had his stomach drained nothing more has been said about it although the drainage is still there, his lung is back to normal and they fixed the aneurysm on the liver. His on a ventilator and at the moment between 35-40% they said it isn’t that much which is a good sign but every 24hours they try and get him off sedation but he gets agitated so have to put him back on it. I am going mad and crazy as I can’t see him or phone him has anyone else been through this?
Weaning off sedation: My husband was taken to... - ICUsteps
Weaning off sedation
Welcome @Jess0186
I can only imagine how hard it is for you and your family. If it’s any comfort - the process of weaning can be very ‘one step forward, two back’. It certainly was with me. The process of me being weaned and coming to properly took about 11 days.
Thank you for your reply everyday I ask the doctors or nurses and they say it’s normal it’s up to the patients body when it’s ready to come out of sedation but it just feels like forever
There are so many contributing factors, patient reliance on ventilation, depth of sedation, sedation used, functionality of organs like liver & kidneys, level of unwellness - atleast it would appear your husband is heading in the same direction. 😊
Doctor said no kidney failure his bloods look ok they just don’t understand why his getting agitated whilst trying to come out of sedation. It’s so nice to actually talk to someone as no one seems to understand
Is he usually a smoker? My great aunt keeps getting agitated when they reduce her sedation and they are now putting nicotine patches on her to see if this helps as she is usually a heavy smoker.
Hi yes his been a smoker for 38 years but he hasn’t had a cigarette since his been in hospital which was the 22/12/2020
What you are describing is not uncommon - if you are interested there is a friends and relatives zoom meeting tomorrow night - it’s a very safe place to talk about any concerns & questions. They have been there. icustepschester.org/
I phoned the hospital tonight and his oxygen intake is going lower today he said 35% which I know is good but is there a connection between the oxygen ventilator and sedation for the patient as just don’t understand and with Covid going on doctors haven’t got the time to explain which is understandable
Yes in as much as a lesser reliance on oxygen means he might be able to breath on his own. The less need he has for mechanical ventilation ( which would be very uncomfortable if awake) the less he will need sedating. The sedation is used to help a patient synchronise with the ventilator.
I hope this answers your question. Please come back to me if it doesn’t
Ok because they said to me that his breathing on his own but the ventilator is there just to give him a little bit of extra support. They put the phone to his ear and me and his children talk to him and sometimes he moves his head or arms. It’s just as soon as they try and wean him off the sedation he gets agitated. I’m 34 and never been through this before they said his stable and has been since his been in icu. I know there are many patients that are probably worse off than us but I overthink everything and I have to stay strong because of the children 😢
Of course you do and try not to compare - your husband is so ill hence he is in ICU. Take comfort that he is stable and they are in the process of weaning - this can take many attempts - so don’t despair. The staff are trying to remove his life support because they believe he is strong enough and well enough to not need the support anymore.
Hello Jess
I'm so sorry you and your children are going through this. My Husband was in ITU last year with Covid, He had so many sedation hold fails, each time they attempted the sedation hold, he became agitated , unstable and his BP would shoot up . It was a fine balance of skill , experience and science, we got there in the end . When I say I lost count of the times they tried I'm not exaggerating. I was warned it doesn't always happen the first couple of attempts .
Please take comfort he is stable , please let me know If I can help any more x
Thank you so much I just think the worst then for the whole day I’m up and down crying all the time, his breathing on his own which I should take comfort on but I’ve never felt like this in my life. My heart goes out to everyone’s families who have and are dealing with ICU 💖
It's such a hard time for the family, you feel so isolated , I know exactly how you are feeling . You constantly fear the worse .This site is full of positive outcomes . x
I have to remind myself that he isn’t in a coma which he was three years ago I think it’s because we are not allowed to see him so I can’t see his facial expressions little restrictions like that is so hard his been in there for 1 week and hasn’t deteriorated so I suppose I have got to count my lucky starts on that news xx
Just spoken to the consultant need to know what people think??? He said his lungs and kidneys are fine his oxygen level is going down slightly his between 34-40% now (on a ventilator), sedation he gets agitated so I said really no news since last week all stable no deteriorating oxygen level going down but is still very what does this mean after one week???? I’m going to explode I want my husband back with me and his 2 children x
How is your husband doing now Jess x
Hi all I’m so sorry I haven’t replied I am one of the lucky ones as my husband is coming out of ICU today, his done really well. He had a tracheostomy and it was the beat thing they done for him thank you to everyone who helped me go through this horrible time you are all unique and very kind much love to everyone xxx
Hi Jess, I’m in a very similar situation though it’s my son who is in ICU with pancreatitis. He went in on 26th December. They’re trying to wean him off the sedation but he gets very agitated, trying to pull at his lines and tracheotomy. All the nurses and doctors have said it’s a fine balancing act and it will just take time. We’re lucky that the nurses let us have Skype calls with him which is lovely to see him but heartbreaking at the same time. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, one day he’ll seem quite awake and aware and the next he’s completely out of it. I know we just need to be patient but it is very hard.
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