Hand neuropathy from critical illness

[Dbilingual79]

Anyone survive critical illness (Covid in my dads case) and come home with severe hand neuropathy to where hands dont have any strength? Any hope for recovery? Desperate to see my dad get stronger but I know its a miracle he even survived his battle with Covid.

[Sepsur]

Yes - I had several problems with my hands - in normal life, I am a decorative artist. There was a moment in ICU where I was facing being blinded by a CMV infection and never being able to use my hands and fingers ( let alone walk). That was a bit of a grim few days. The specialist hand physiotherapist then came and started to help me use my hands. She built me ‘Edward scissorhand like contraptions that stretched the muscles and ligaments. I left hospital unable to properly bend all fingers but I could almost hold a pen. I then had extensive outpatient treatment on them for about 3 months. My hands and fingers don’t have the strength or grip they used to have, I can’t form a clenched fist on my right side - which was my stronger side. But I have full use of my hands beyond that. The neuropathy I suffered on my feet - couldn’t feel tops of feet, had peripheral neuropathy- pins z& needles - that has all gone. Nerve damage repairs very slowly - 1mm a day.

[FamilyHistorian]

Like Sepsur I too had neuropathy

In the case of my legs and feet it has nearly cleared (9 months since coming out) the issue is that I still lack an element feeling so can easily stub my toe and not know until I see the blood.

As far as my hands are concerned it’s slightly more complicated as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. My grip on my right hand was already restricted and that isn’t helped by my reverse shoulder. When I first came round I had no strength what so ever. I didn’t see any real change until 3 months after coming out and I joined the exercise group with ICUStepsChester. I started with small tins of peas as weights, progressing through larger tins, then baked beans or 500 ml bottle of water.

My biggest achievement was being able to safely boil a kettle and make a pot of tea. Now I have weights and alternate between 1 and 1.5 kg

It takes time and don’t rush into it or overdo it.

[LeeB73]

Like others I came home from a Covid spell in ICU with severe hand/arm weakness. Mine was due to brachial-plexus injury from being prone etc so may be slightly different. Recovery was slow but I found keeping a diary really helped to remember the exercises the physios gave me, and to see the often very small progress. It takes time and I needed lots of support with the exercises each day.

I couldn’t hardly move my dominant arm at first and worried that it wouldn’t recover. It is recovering but a slow and steady pace. 10 months on and it’s still very much weaker than my other side but the improvement and I can do pretty much most things. As Sepsur says, nerves recover very slowly and you need to keep doing the exercises, regardless of how hard they are.

Focus on and recognise the tiny improvements because it’s those which lead to bigger things. If you see only a tiny improvement, tell him because that might in itself be a massive part of his recovery.

Really hope your Dad gets stronger!

[Dbilingual79]

My dads neurologist told us yesterday that he may never recover I am devastated as is he. He has almost no use of his hands and the thought of living like this is beyond words. My next goal is to look into IVIG praying something can help him. He has ICU acquired neuropathy where the nerves are badly damaged. Please keep him in your prayers.

[TaIaV]

So sorry to hear of the tough prognosis that the neurologist has given your father.

I offer two thing s to consider.

I recently suffered from some neuropathy in my foot and hand. I my case it has gone away with taking Vitamin b-12, shies my doctor prescribed even though my labs showed B-12 in the normal range. I understand that your father's neuropathy is of a particular origin.

I have read that physical therapy that drives the creation of new neurological pathways should be intense in the early stages -- the months after the injury. Something to consider if you will be doing PT regardless of the nerve damage.

Wishing you the best.