Is this normal

[Buddy1987]

Hi last year I spent several months in intensive care and still to this day don't fully understand why or what caused this since then I dint think I am coping very well I struggle to sleep constantly having flash backs and thinking it is going to happen again as I dint remember hardly anything about it so fear that when I go to sleep I will wake up in there again I feel I have let my children down by not being there for them as we have never been apart and being separated from them was the worst and most scary feeling I have ever experienced I went from being a young happy mum doing a job I loved to relying on my children for care and support which once again makes me feel as though I am letting them down I am always in so much pain every day I just dread waking up I try to keep smiling as I dint want the kids to worry but deep down I'm falling apart is this normal to feel like this

[Sepsur]

many people struggle after critical care, patients & loved ones alike. It isn’t normal or right to struggle like you are - please seek some professional help - maybe start with contacting the ICU you were in and see if someone could at least speak to you and explain your admission. Good luck Buddy1987 - you are not on your own

[Buddy1987 in reply to Sepsur]

Thankyou so much for your reply I will definitely do that your advice is very much appreciated

[Sepsur in reply to Buddy1987]

Have a look at what this charity can offer too cc-sn.org

[Lux95]

You certainly aren't alone. I think it is common to fear this happening again. Sleep can be difficult too. Flashbacks aren't always problematic, so talking to someone would certainly help you manage what has happened. It is especially difficult for us as parents.

[downthemoor]

It's very normal ...I had to chase for an ICU follow up appointment and after 7 months saw an ICU doctor , physio and OT for an hour. They referred me for psychotherapy and physiotherapy and I also eventually found the charity cc-sn.org. that Sepsur mentions. It's a long haul and I'm nowhere near back to the old me ...but there is help out there ...make sure you get it! Oh ...and I also chased for my hospital notes and got all 250 pages of them! Contact the medical records dept or the PALS of the hospital . GOOD LUCK!

[Buddy1987]

Thankyou all for your comments I will definitely do that I just didn't know where to start

[BigH63]

Hi Buddy1987

As everyone has said it’s normal to feel this way, you will most probably find that family and friends will not understand how or why you feel this way! Most friends and relatives think you’re out of hospital and you should be getting better.

I’m not even a year out of ICU just yet and still have flashbacks occasionally Anxiety and the fear of ending back in ICU. I still ware a mask to protect myself from catching even a cold that might lead to hospitalisation again.

Definitely get help from the ICU rehabilitation team or like and join the link Sepsur left for you

Things will get better but as I’ve said before this us a slow marathon that will win the race, baby step is the order of the day.

Good luck

Post again if you need some advice

[Ohgollyitsmolly]

You have been through so much, everything you are feeling is completely valid. What has your support been like from the hospital since your discharge?

My Mum was in ICU for 6 weeks last September, and she’s had so many appointments. There’s the ICU psychiatrist phones regularly for appointments, there’s an ICU coffee morning where she can meet up with staff and other patients, then there’s lots of physio and occupational health appointments.

Do make sure you’re getting the correct after care, you’ve been through so much.

Take care xx

[FamilyHistorian]

this is not uncommon. I had a lot of problems with not wanting to go to sleep because of not waking up. I had CBT 9other therapies available) which helped me