Have you been more prone to illness/injury after critical illness?

[Dabofoppo]

Just wondering because after I was sick in 2019 iv noticied I seem to injure more easily/suffer more when I'm sick. I'd write it off as getting old but I'm 31!

[Sepsur]

Same - some of it is down to the deconditioning, some of it is because being in ICU can leave you immune compromised

[FamilyHistorian]

I am old😂 twice as you plus a bit but yes more at risk. Cuts and grazes don’t heal as well as they did. Damaged lungs from pneumonia and sepsis. Just another challenge.

[Gooddaysunshine]

Yep, had two chest infections and a two-week-long cold since getting home 6 months ago after nearly dying from covid. Lungs and immune system have definitely taken a hit.

[allotment22-2]

Hi, I have noticed that any cut or knock heals differently to pre sepsis. I have scars from small scratches that look like I have been close to Edward Scissor Hands! Physical health is compromised by a cold! I am so glad for this network, I assumed it was just me and now realise that I am not alone and am a normal post icu survivor! No one prepares you for what life may be like in the new world! 🤪

[FamilyHistorian in reply to allotment22-2]

It’s only patients that really understand and we are all different. The trauma that relatives go through is really only understood by other relatives!

[elsieadams]

In October of 2019 I was taken by ambulance to the hospital with a ruptured appendix . My whole body shut down and I went septic. I was hooked up to life support for a week and is a miracle I am still here. After a month in recovery I was told it would take atleast two years for my body to return to some what normal. Well, that is definitely an understatement as I still have nightmares, keep loosing my balance, broke my wrist then my arm last summer and this past summer a bad fall injured my back then five weeks later fell down a set of stairs and am in severe pain with cuts and hematomas in my stomach. I also have not gotten my singing voice back and is frustrating when you are an organist and choir director. Your body suffers complete trauma and with all the tubes and drugs fed into your body makes for a very long recovery . I doubt that I will never be the same but again it is a miracle I am still here and feel very blessed. Take one day at a time and keep telling yourself to think before you do to prevent accidents. I know this hard especially if you were a hyper person like I was. Take care

[Tedsdad in reply to elsieadams]

I haven’t even dared to try to sing after tracheostomy. 6 months ago and even if I felt up to it am not sure that my voice would take a rehearsal. FortunateY I have other musical interests as well.