post induced coma

[Worryforsis]

my sister had a heart attack and died for three minutes. They put her in a medically and she is now conscious but has speech difficulty and balance issues as well as the confusion and remembering names. She’s in a very good rehab center, but is refusing to cooperate or eat. Is there any advice on getting her to cooperate with the speech therapist, occupational therapist, and physical therapist. All she wants to do is go home. Any advice welcome.

[Lux95]

I can only speak from personal experience, not expertise, and her situation may be completely different. But, if she can be somewhat self-sufficient at home, or would have someone there to help her around the clock, I would ask her doctors about transitioning to at-home therapy or daily/weekly appointments, if you have that available. See if they can move her home sooner than later.

I was in the ICU for a month, and after waking up, wanted to go home more than anything. I couldn't take another day and night just lying around watching the seconds tick by, one after another, waiting for the next visit from anyone, just to break up the boredom and wanting to do something other than just lie there and try not to lose my mind.

I was supposed to go to a rehab center for two weeks after being released, but talked the doctors into letting me go home and come back for physical therapy a few times a week. That made a huge difference for me psychologically and emotionally. But they wouldn't allow that until I could stand and walk far enough to make it from the bed to the bathroom, etc.

It is very difficult to go through the physical, mental and emotional changes of a critical illness and ICU stay, and most everyone who does feels very much alone, no matter how many nurses, physicians and family are in and out of the room. Most of the day and night, we are completely alone with nothing but strange and/or bad memories to occupy our thoughts, and that is very, very hard.

It is important to be at a certain level physically before going home. If she can't go home yet, work with the physicians and nurses to set a tangible goal for going home to keep her encouraged. Having that hope can help tremendously. There has to be an end to the daily monotony and struggle or it is easy to lose hope and give up. Also keep her engaged in life outside of rehab as much as makes sense to you, but keep it positive - supportive notes from friends, family, etc can help keep one's spirits up.

I don't know if any of this applies to her situation. If not, then anything to encourage her that there is light at the end of the tunnel can help.

[Worryforsis in reply to Lux95]

Thank you so much! She doesn’t have her balance yet but if she can get that then the at home therapy could be the answer 🙂 I’m sorry you had to go through that, I can’t imagine.

[Lassie2011]

I was in ICU for 6 weeks, main hospital wards for 3 months after, rehab for further 6 weeks. Total stay of six months. I never forgot how frightened, confused and dealing with hallucinations of the medication and the shock of what had happened to me. It frightened me beyond belief and all I wanted was the security and comfort of my own home even though I wasn't physically able for it. I am really so glad today that I preserved with everything, can walk, talk, cook and look after my own house by myself. I think it's important to realise the trauma of where she is in her head space and how scared she is and how home represents safety and security for her. It's a totally natural and normal reaction. If staff could possibly keep reassuring her they they are working for her and need her to eat to be strong for her rehab programme. I found my taste was way off kilter for months and hated most foods! Time, compassion and understanding will help her get through this.

[Worryforsis in reply to Lassie2011]

so it turns out that they should have sent her to PCU and not now she’s in and doing much better. She looks eating and they took her off the so I think part of it was the and part of it was exactly what you’re talking about. I appreciate your reply. It really me understand what she’s dealing with. It’s so difficult to try to help someone when you know nothing of where they’re coming from or how they’re feeling again thank you so much and I’m glad that you are all back together again.

[CarbonDioxideExhaler]

Hello there. In my case I am recovering from a sepsis coma after dying twice. I woke up tied to a bed in ICU. No idea how I got there or what happened. The mind is wiped and takes a while to get it back. I thought I had been shot or blown up because nobody would say what happened. All you can see is the eyes of the nurses and everyone is from another country. Best to take a lot of photos. Once the meds are reduced the mind and memory comes back. Takes time. I didn’t think I was even sick so it’s normal to want to go home… I was planning an escape lol but I was on the 8th floor. Have faith and I went thru 5000 exhausting coma dreams. You are never asleep. So keep that in mind. I had to sleep with lights on for two months after I got home…. Photos help to show the missing time. Good luck… Dano