Flu A/scarred lungs/coughing

[Dolphinsandwales]

I was taken in an ambulance to hospital from the GP surgery on 14th February as my oxygen was so low. By 15th February at 2am I was put to sleep. I had flu A, a chest infection, sepsis and pneumonia. I had to have 3 blood transfusions and dialysis while I was asleep for 3 weeks. I was given a tracheostomy.It took me longer than the medics were happy with to wake up, an extra week I believe. While in hospital I was given a CT SCAN and I was informed that my lungs were scarred. I came out of hospital on 4th April since then I have had a cough.

Has anyone else experienced that?

If so does the cough ease?

Did you get given any treatment for it eg. steroids?

Some advice would really be appreciated so much!!! Thanks in advance.

[Sepsur]

Hi Dolphinsandwales

HealthUnlocked has been playing up today - so I’ve not been able to answer your post.

I STILL have a post ICU cough.

At first, it was almost all the time. Gradually it was mostly in the morning, now, it is random.

I seemed to have a nasal drip for ages, this caused the cough - I also would get stuff caught in my trachy scar. Raucous laughter also results in a coughing fit.

I’ve had no treatment - steroids flip me into type 2 diabetes so ….

[Dolphinsandwales in reply to Sepsur]

Thankyou.

[BigH63]

Hi Dolphins and wales

Yes I had similar and more but the cough is still with me 1 1/2 years later. I have chest had a chest infection and it’s got worse again even after antibiotics.

But fingers crossed it will go eventually.

BigH 🤞

[Dolphinsandwales in reply to BigH63]

Thankyou, I hope you recover soon.

[Lux95]

Similar experience for me 2 years ago - multiple types of pneumonia, ARDS, ventilator for 2 weeks, track, etc. My cough lasted for about a year, though it did decrease. When I was first released, I think I did have some lung scarring. I had a chest xray about a month or so after my release and the radiologist thought I still had pneumonia (I didn't).

I still have a more sensitive gag reflex, and cough more easily from throat irritation, which seems to happen daily. I went back to my pulmonologist and took a breathing test earlier this year because of the cough, but they didn't find anything abnormal. I think ventilation may have scarred my throat a bit, or perhaps it is from the trach.

But, the cough has improved significantly over the past 2 years. It just takes a while to heal from that much trauma.

[Dolphinsandwales in reply to Lux95]

Thankyou

[Theivy]

Hi Dolphinsandwales It will settle with time, days that coughing is barely there and others more so, inclusive of nasal drip which I've had one set of antibiotics for and made quite the differnce. Last couple of days I'm coughing more as feel like I'm run down but I'm listening to my body taking it easy ....which I never use to also learnt breathing technique that help clear your lungs etc so helpful and really cut down my coughing it's called ACBT " active cycle of breathing techinques" I learnt alot through having the opportunity of going to pulmonary rehabilitation ..ask your GP.

I was in an induced 27 day coma severe pneumonia with cavitation amd strep A. Nov/Dec 23. With Consultant last week cavitation is smaller but not closed yet having to do another CAT scan end of June for more details. I may well have scaring etc.

I do have lung pain when yawning, deep breaths consultants say may be due to the cuts in my side where they went in to drain my lungs. Healing is a slow process .... Keep exercising and doing as much as you can that they ask of you. You'll get there.!!

Consultants can't believe how far I've come considering how I'll I was and tell me wait and see how amazing I shall feel in a years time ....and I feel pretty great now thank God.

Best wishes

[Dolphinsandwales in reply to Theivy]

Thankyou. I recently went to an ICU Support group they were amazed I was there after only being out of the hospital for less than two months. I found the group very helpful especially when I was told it was normal for my hair to keep coming out.

[Theivy in reply to Dolphinsandwales]

Well done you !! ... great to here you've a group you can attened, we do not have one in London, unbelievable. Hair falling out I'm not surprised such a a huge trauma.

[Dolphinsandwales in reply to Theivy]

Thankyou.

[Base_Man]

I was in ICU 9 years ago with Legionnaire's, intubated for 10 days, the doc said I had ARDS as a result. they tried inhalers , Salbutamol or steroid ones, still wake myself coughing in the night. also get breathless when doing a job at ground level, eg gardening. however it is just an annoyance. I cycle, swim chase grand children, and live.

[Dolphinsandwales in reply to Base_Man]

Thanks