ICU and sedation problem

[MamaFern]

Did I put my question about - how to get staff to "hear" my son's irritability as they reduce sedation not as pain (thus a need for more pain meds and let's not forget the restraints), but rather communicating to stop the sedation - in the wrong community?

I asked him if he has pain, he clearly shook his head no with his eyes open while squeezing my hand.

I have arranged to be there almost all the time so I can insert myself as needed to be sure he is "heard." Please help me do that effectively. Don't let me make the rookie mistakes, please? Thank you.

[Sepsur]

hi MamaFern

Are they sedating him because he is in a state of anxiety or showing signs of delirium?

[MamaFern in reply to Sepsur]

They were sedating him because he would become agitated when they reduced the dosage. No one used the d-word with me and he'd only been there a few days at that point. They reduced the dose during a particularly restless night to see if that would help him relax and he became so agitated trying to get free of everything, he self-extubated! We were *incredibly* lucky and it turned out well. He's okay, maintaining healthy oxygenation with O2 support through a nasal cannula. Today, the foley came out and he sailed his maiden voyage on a bedpan. We're battling sepsis and I think he's going to hate me tomorrow when I push him to use his spirometer, but it sure beats the alternative.

Be well, everyone.

[Sepsur in reply to MamaFern]

that all sounds very positive although sepsis is no fun that’s for sure.

I’d forgotten about the spirometer, doing everything in ICU was exhausting, so I resented anyone trying to get me to do anything. I was particularly waspish with a physio who was helping me regain use of my hands and fingers. ‘suctioning the lungs’ remains one of the worst things in ICU for me.