My husband still on sedation after 30 days going in for a peritonitis

[CarlMc116]

Hello my husband went in the ER for stomach pains and could not really breath .He was admitted immediately with the diagnosis peritonitis which leaked in his stomach so he got surgery soon after surgery he started septic shock and next thing we knew he wasn't able to get off the ventilator and in the midst of all that his hands were very cold then the next day they turned black so now they are telling us they will have to amputate his hands.and that with the surgery to repair his stomach it started leaking again so they put a drainage in his stomach mind you he is still never really able to be up longer than 2 mins .Everytime he do get up he be real agitated which cause him not to get off the ventilator so the doctor told us he has been on the ventilator to long we think it's best to do a trach he will be much comfortable so I'm really torn on the decision but I did see him trying to bite the breathing tube so I agreed to the trach now they are telling us he follow commands sometime but he can't do the breathing trail .so I'm like why they said every time we try his heart rate goes up and his blood pressure as well.at this point they said we are trying to wean him off but it's a harrowing task he jumps up when they stop the sedation so when he becomes agitated they sedate him again now they are saying we think he is addicted to the meds which are propofol and fentanylHe still haven't gotten his limbs taken off they say they waiting for it to demark itself.I can't help but think are they doing the right thing by him do you lose limbs from septic shock

[Sepsur]

That sounds like a terrible ordeal that you are both going through. From what you describe it sounds like your husband is experiencing terrible icu delirium. The trouble is that we get agitated because of everything we think we are seeing ( and it’s rarely pleasant), so the docs sedate us again which in turn prolongs the delirium. Delirium is caused by a combination of effects of sedatives, chemical imbalances, sleep deprivation and being that ill - there are additional factors.

Sepsis can lead to amputation in a number of ways. One is by causing blood clots to form in the blood vessels. These blood clots can block the blood supply to the limbs, leading to tissue death and gangrene. Sepsis can also lead to amputation by causing damage to the nerves that control the limbs. I mentioned to my physio that my toes had turned black / she was immediately concerned only to discover it was serious bruising not tissue death.

sepsis.org/sepsisand/amputa...

[BigH63]

Hi CarlMc116

As Sepsur has mention it’s a horrible ordeal having seri illness and the Delirium, the Delirium is awful always scary and you just don’t know what’s really or not, I would see things that were scary I like others thought the medical staff were trying to kill me and lots if others that can still send a shiver down my spine a year later.

Having limbs amputated when you’re unaware this this is going to happen then having to deal with the realisation at some point in the future is unfathomable, but unfortunately there is no alternative for him. You can only do the best for him with the information you are presented with at the time. I had septic shock but was so luck I only ended up with some nerve damage and my life.

Hang on in there they will do all the can for him you can be sure. If you ever think I need help in deciding something with a decision to be made ask for a second opinion don’t be scared to ask it you’re right.m

Good luck.

[CarlMc116 in reply to BigH63]

So now my husband was able be lowed on the sedation and was able to stay woke and talk to me and the kids he first smiled at us then we was assuring him that he was ok and he was in ICU cause he was still ill and he here to get help.so our daughter ask him was he tired of the sedation he blinked his eyes then we ask him was he sure and he blinked again so we got the nurse to see she said no we do it for his safety and my daughter he don't be trying to get out the bed he be trying to turn so then my daughter ask the nurse do y'all be trying to talked calmly to him then my husband lifted his head shook no he kept talking to us with his eyes not once did he get agitated.i truly think that yes sometimes maybe sedation is best but when i had my experience in the hospital they sedate so they dont want to do their jobs it be thenight time nurses .

Well today the amputated his right hand and wrist.they didn't have to do the left hand thank god.but we didn't get a chance to tell him I pray that he don't trip out.

And they told me no more leaking from his stomach but he still have a whole and he needs it repaired.i just don't want him to go through this all over again has this happened to any one else.i just don't think he can do another surgery