Drug resistance post ICU Delerium

[Gatefever]

Since ICU and delerium my brain chemistry changed significantly. After years of treatment for anxiety I no longer needed anything on discharge.I also found alcohol and pain relief now has little effect on me - Oromorph, Tramadol, Fentanyl - nothing.

I cant find any research or information on this, and doctors are generally dismissive, but it worries me.

I'm suffering from unrelieved reactive arthritis now, but fear the future should I experience intolerable pain.

Any help or advice?

[BigH63]

Hello. Yes that’s strange isn’t it. I have the same thing. I had Tramadol and other pain killers no affect. Plus I’ve had different amounts of alcohol be that wine or beer / cider scrumpy or Pernod not affect

I’ve not been to anyone to have it looked at. Also I can’t eat anything with sugar as it tastes disgusting

Let me know if you find anything

[Gatefever in reply to BigH63]

😊

[Sepsur]

I don’t know about drug tolerances - what I did notice is my pain threshold had increased and has remained so.

Have you thought about acupuncture for pain relief?

[Gatefever in reply to Sepsur]

😊

[Gooddaysunshine]

That is very interesting, I thought it was just me. But since ICU beer has absolutely no effect on me now, it might as well be water.

I wonder if our brains experienced the ultimate "high" (terrifying as it was) in ICU, and have rearranged things whereby analgesics have little effect now.

I have pleural lining pain, plus neuropathy, post-hospital, but the tablets I have been given have little effect either.

[Gatefever in reply to Gooddaysunshine]

I still get the physical effects after drinking - mild hangover type - but don't get tipsy anymore, and I was always a real lightweight!

[Ellipirellis]

Thank you for sharing this experiences, its very interesting. I was in induces coma for 3 weeks and have changed so much, physically, psychologically and mentally. It is so fascinating to read all the different stories in here- we have so much in common - both for which there is research and expertise, and for which there is no knowledge, expertise or understanding about. Keep sharing and posting, I'm rooting for you all! Remember time is our best friend, along with others in the same situation ❤️