Waking up: hi, I’m new here but I feel like I’m... - ICUsteps

ICUsteps

7,846 members2,474 posts

Waking up

LittleFish79 profile image
3 Replies

hi, I’m new here but I feel like I’m going out of my mind.

My Mum (79) ended up in ITU last Thursday following a chest infection, diabetic ketoacidosis and pneumonia. Her sedation has now been reduced but she’s not waking up. She has days when she will spontaneously open her eyes, and when I speak to her she will also open her eyes. However, she’s ‘vacant’. She’s still on the vent and is also having dialysis. I guess my question is, is it normal to take a long time to wake? She’s also not responding to any commands. I talk to her every time I see her.

she’s had a CT head scan which hasn’t shown anything concerning from a neurological perspective.

I feel like im going out of my mind with worry for her and I can’t even think straight.

Written by
LittleFish79 profile image
LittleFish79
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
3 Replies
Sepsur profile image
Sepsur

the sedatives maybe taking time to leave her system hence her taking longer to wake probably as a result of dialysis and lack of kidney function

Lycrawarrior profile image
Lycrawarrior

Almost exactly a year ago I ended up in ICU and in an induced coma for five days following a bad accident. I had incredible dream experiences and apparently I took quite a while to 'wake up'. My wife was in turmoil. No one knew, or could know, what was going on in my head. Physically I am now well and back to cycling over 100 km a week. However, even now I have difficulty seperating what was reality and what was imaginary over that period. Even when I got home I was looking for things that my sedated mind had dreamed up. Over Christmas my eldest son showed us all a video of me after my release. The lights were on but no one was at home.My point is that it takes a long time to recover your mental capacities after such an experience. It is all a blur for me, and probably will be for your Mum. Time is the healer. I suspect that if she is still on a ventilator it is early days. Look after yourself and your Mum. Accept that when she does properly wake it will still take a while for her to fully recover mentally.

Ladysurvivor1 profile image
Ladysurvivor1 in reply toLycrawarrior

I was exactly the same but was sedated for nearly two months after getting covid. I still find it difficult to understand what was real at the time from what was just apart of the sedation as at the time it seemed so real. To me I don’t want to dismiss everything as a part of what I went through was what pulled me through eventually 🥰🥰

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Waking up from sedation

Hello, I have been told a few times that when sedation is turned off for my mom she opens her...

partner trouble waking up

my partner 5 weeks ago had a massive bleed on the brain stroke in which she had to have part of her...

Mum Not waking up

So yesterday my mum spoke to us and would move her legs all day she was talking but not opening her...
Olivia12345 profile image

My sister isn’t waking up.

My sister has been a quadriplegic for 3.5 years. She is dependent on a ventilator but she is always...
Mj29 profile image

A Miracle For MyMom

Hi my name is Maggie, I Was googling how long a person stays sedated and came across something that...
Mguzman1 profile image

Moderation team

Rhyl1 profile image
Rhyl1Moderator
Rhyl1 profile image
Rhyl1Partner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.