In June 24, I was admitted to ICU with Influenza A which subsequently progressed to pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, requiring ventilation and proning for 7 days, along with sepsis and multi organ failure. I was in the ICU for three weeks and a further 2 in hospital.
Since discharge in July I have had no medical follow up. I am a bit surprised by this as I was critically ill with a poor prognosis. I am recovering reasonably well. I struggle with fatigue daily and stamina and I have a lot of psychological issues.
I am based in Ireland. Just wondering what other people’s experiences of follow up care have been like. I sort of feel like I’m lost. My time to consider returning to work is fast approaching and I am very apprehensive to the point where anticipatory anxiety is debilitating.
Should I be ok by now? Is this all normal. I feel like no one understands my fears.
thank you.
Written by
AshC78
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi - yes, what you are experiencing is common with ICU survivors. I was in the ICU for a month, three years ago this month, for similar reasons - pneumonia (3 types) and ARDS.
Fatigue, lack of stamina, loss of memory and short term memory problems, and other physical and psychological side effects are common. Some heal within a few months, and others may take years. The fears you experience are common, and a side effect of the trauma of an ICU stay and a week of sedation. Sedation takes a huge toll on us emotionally and psychologically, on top of the fear a critical illness creates. It is common to fear being around crowds, or other people in general. I still avoid being around kids with colds, and large crowds - malls, etc.
I returned to work 2 months after release at a new job requiring a long move, and it was a mistake. It can be difficult to handle stress for many months after the ICU (or years in my case), and work around others' who can pass colds and flus onto us.
It just isn't possible to avoid going back to work for most, but if you can delay a bit longer, it might help. If not, if your employer will allow it, try starting slow - just a few days a week, or a few hours a day.
People who haven't been through an ICU stay can't understand how much it affects us. We often aren't the same as we were, and need a good bit of time to adjust to new norms - less energy, fear of people, ongoing physical or psychological changes, etc.
Be patient with yourself, and give yourself as much time to heal as you can. Ask anything here. There are a lot of ICU survivors to offer advice, or just listen. You aren't alone. Everything you describe is common.
I haven't posted on here but have been a reader for a few months. Your story is the closest to mine I've read in terms of situation and timescales.
I was also in the ICU in June 24, IGAS and pneumonia and Sepsis. I'm in Scotland and also found it hard when I was discharged "am I really OK?" went through my head a million times a day (on top of everything else).
I started back at work on Monday and I'm feeling my way through it because I don't know if my brain will do the job any more. Thankfully I work for a big company and can be supported with a phased return and I hope this will be an option for you too.
Nothing in your post is different from how I feel, to some degree, every day. Some days are worse than others. It's a pain!
2 things I've found useful....advice from my GP when I asked how I can make sure this never happens again...there is no answer but she did tell me to take a zero tolerance attitude to my health going forward. I've always been a trouper...but I've promised myself I won't be anymore and this decision has given me a wee bit of comfort.
Secondly, this page and any other contact with fellow survivors...the experience of others letting me know I'm not alone pulls me through and knowing there are people with years of distance between now and their events gives me hope.
Will we ever be ok again? I don't know, but day by day, slowly slowly is my path of choice.
I was in ICU with IGAS and like you suffered alot with myself requiring a ventalator and alot of medical help. My ICU follow up was after 12 weeks with an ICU Dr. Having daily issues like fatigue is normal.
It would be worth going back to ICU and speaking with the staff, i did that and was told i had post ICU mental health issues.
What you are feeling is normal after being so ill and this does take time to heal both mentally and pysically.
It is worth you also speaking with you GP who can sign you off and give yourself more time to recover, they can also arrange for you to speak with a mental health team.
You are normal and it common to have on going issues after being through something like that but it takes time to heal.
Im 2 years post ICU and im still dealing with the affects of it.
I've no idea what the post critical care outreach is like in Ireland. Even in the mainland UK it is a bit of a postcode lottery.
I'm not sure if you are aware of Critical Care Support Network (CCSN). They do have online ex-patient drop in sessions where you may find useful to chat with others who have gone through similar experiences to yourself. Link below.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Setting up a support group: Part One - Why?
Positive Recovery ;Keep up the good work !
