Brain Fog

[Andy86tay]

Hi folks, anyone and comments on how long the brain fog stays after coma. Still feel abit slow, struggle understand some simple things, misplace words or spell incorrect in texts or letters. Cheers

[Sepsur]

Look at cognitive dysfunction 😊.

Again a pleasant legacy of ICU.

There is another factor - some of the sedatives cause both retrograde amnesia - you struggle to remember what you already know ( words, names, episodes) & anterograde amnesia - I will struggle to remember things in future & struggle to learn new things, methods etc etc

Most people notice an improvement over time, I’m pretty certain mine is getting worse but I’ve been treated for leukaemia ever since leaving ICU 6 yrs ago

[Andy86tay in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you again, I will do, that's exactly how I feel at the moment. Jumble up words have to delete n start again. Frustrating but least I'm still here.

Aw am so sorry to hear that. Hope ur doing OK. 💙

[Sepsur in reply to Andy86tay]

Doing ok thank you 😊

[ComaResearcher]

Hi, did anyone actually tell you at the hospital that you have "brain fog"? Did anyone give you any diagnosis after the coma concerning your mental faculties or physical after-effects?

[Andy86tay in reply to ComaResearcher]

Hi. Not at the hospital no. To much going don't think I noticed as much, it was at the critical care after care clinic. I explained what I was going threw and the consultant said its brain fog. I'm not sure it's diagnosed. As with the nerve damage, they just gave me a name, and to up my gapapentin. That was a great appt. Really helpful

[ComaResearcher in reply to Andy86tay]

'Brain fog' isn't a real medical term. They use it a lot with Covid. You might ask if the sedative drugs used during your coma have caused this effect. Ask if you were sleep-deprived as a result and if this is the cause.

[Andy86tay in reply to ComaResearcher]

Thank you I have an appointment Friday so will question this thank you

[ComaResearcher in reply to Andy86tay]

They give the general diagnosis of 'ICU Delirium' for such cases, or Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). As terms, they are meaningless as they tell you nothing. More rightly, the sedatives, lack of mobility and lack of sleep have caused the problems you suffer. They are very well documented. These are hospital-acquired conditions so they like to play them down. People do get better but it takes a long time. Be cautious of yet more medication, following continuous medication. Keep active, especially the mind. Take care. Look after yourself and be patient. I hope all goes well.

[ComaResearcher in reply to Andy86tay]

I wonder why they prescribed Gabapentin. This is an anticonvulsant medication primarily used to treat partial seizures and neuropathic pain. It is a first-line medication for the treatment of neuropathic pain caused by diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, and central pain. Do you have these issues?

[HorseMum]

My cognitive capacity was terrible after my 4 week coma. Now 6 months since discharge and it's better. Still not back where it was but definitely feel sharper. I downloaded some games on my phone and noticed a big difference after playing them for a couple of weeks. Now doing hard sudoku and word games.

[Andy86tay in reply to HorseMum]

Aw really helpful to no. Good to no it does gradually get better. Yeah that's a great idea. I'll look into that. Cheers

[elsieadams]

It has been 2 years since I was hooked up to life support . My appendix ruptured and went septic with all my organs shutting down. I still can not believe this happened but after a month in the hospital I came home. I was told it could take up to atleast two years to recover but I still have nightmares and my perky spirit and energy has not returned. After the body suffers such trauma and over 30 different meds and tubes hooked up to every organ it is just a miracle as the doctor told me that I am here. It is frustrating for sure but having people being very understanding has been a great help. I just accept the fact that this is the new me and I am limited as to what I can do. Everyone has different experiences so pending on age and preexisting conditions will also determine how well your recovery will be. I find my crafts, sewing and playing the piano have helped out alot. Keep challenging yourself cognitively and hope you feel abit better everyday.

[Naomita in reply to elsieadams]

Sounds like we were in hospital with septic shock and multi organ failure about the same time, although mine was caused by a kidney which has since been removed. I am still recovering and waiting for more tests - everything delayed by covid. I was discharged home just before the first covid lock down after nearly 7 weeks in hospital and nearly 3 weeks in a coma. My husband has been brilliant, but initially had no other help due to covid. Like you I try to keep busy with crafts and playing flute, but get very tired, so try to pace myself. It's great to find an online community who have gone through similar problems.

[Tedsdad]

I am a year on from weeks in icu. Still having rib ache from sternotomy and Tracy still not properly healed but I am nowhere near as sharp mentally As I was. I was fairly heavily involved as a music conductor before. I simply cannot think quickly enough, have the will to sort thjngs out or the patience with defensive incompetence. I am lucky to be alive though and gave to accept a new reality and new targets. All possible but definitely forced on me rather than chosen. Sometimes gracefull acceptance is a better route than trying to fight.

[Andy86tay in reply to Tedsdad]

Yeah I totally get what your saying. As the list of ailments grow, it gets more difficult to be positive but yes the goal is to accept these and adjust and move on.

[slimsimmons1984]

I was intubated for 10 days in December 2020, struggled with foggyness and memory issues since, there was slow improvement through out the year but then a slump around the anniversary of my admission, finally now feel like I'm getting somewhere and remembering things a little easier, my counsilor mentioned there are some people suffering from fogyness after covid boosters,

I always feel worse after a bad night sleep aswell.

[Andy86tay]

Yeah 2 years seems to be ruthly the time frame. Is that ryt not heard that before. Yeah sleep is a big factor