Any hope for my dad?

[kelsey666]

My dad is late 70s with a history of sinus problems. We thought he was suffering from a simple ear infection (he saw two GPs, neither of whom gave him antibiotics) Fast forward two weeks and he is in a coma with pneumococcal meningitis and pneumonia. He was started on antibiotics as soon as he got to hospital and diagnosed really quickly, but he they have tried to bring him round and he is not responding. Is there any hope at his age?

[Schmooschmoo]

Hi Kelsy666, I'm so sorry your dad is ill. Phemunicoccal meningitis is extremely serious and is taxing on the elderly and very young. My mum was 72 and passed away two years ago from exactly the same illness your dad has, although she did not have pnemonia. She too initially had an ear infection (EI) however, her EI was in both ears and her GP sent her home the night she became paralysed. Please ensure the hospital gives your Dad regular CT scans. In Australia (not sure where you are) the Hospitals have become stingy and often skip over what they should be doing. I would also recommend you ask the treating Dr's as much as you can as they like to be secretive. I do hope your Dad comes out of his coma. While the outcome for my mum was not good, there are many who have survived and do well afterwards.

Not the best time to dwell or focus on the GP's that saw your Dad but they were definitely negligent and I can't believe that they didn't give your Dad the antibiotics he desperately needed.

All the best, mel

[nuksy]

My gma was 67 gps nor hospital didnt diagnose her in time n i believe also the treatment was negligent. She didnt make it but some ppl do so do not give up! Try to see if they are giving him a broadspectrum of antibiotics incl antiobiotics for bacteria that is resistant to penicillin like vancomycin. Ask about icp, pressure in the brain n making sure that pressure is relieved before any significant brain damage can occur. This can also be relieved by draining the liquid in the brain by putting a drain in and/or testing the liquid to see if antibiotics is working. This is an awful disease by the sound of it they might hv caught on just in time. Prayers.

[LMains]

Hi, I contracted the same at age 55 and I am here to talk about it, 1 year, 3mos later! Mine, too, started from an ear infection that an ENT missed. I believe that I went into a coma during the night on a Tuesday, hospitalized Wed AM and came to on a Friday. It left me deaf (but that can be fixed via a cochlear implant, if done soon). Our thoughts and prayers are with your dad!

[Bridgetmercer]

Hi there my mother in law was admitted last February unresponsive in an ambulance with Suspected sepsis turns out it was PM she was treated straight away and stayed in a induced coma for eight days she too took a while to come round she was gravely ill and it was touch and go.

Go forward a year and she is fighting fit she is 76 in July.

I pray for your dad

[kelsey666]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it seems there might be some hope. They have put him back in the induced coma as it appears he his still having seizures. I realise he is critically ill, but will cling onto some hope as he was fit and well and still working part time - right up until the day before he was taken ill . He is in Kings in London - so in the best possible place for brain conditions. Doctors and nurses in Kings are fantastic. We will decide what to do about the two negligent GPs once this nightmare is over

[ukwilky]

Hi Kelsey666,

I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad. I had both Sepsis and Meningitis the same as your Dad. Which started from a Sinus infection.

It was quite late for me when I was taken in, with my lungs over 90% full of water. Once I was in ICU, my heart gave out and joined the rest of my organs in failure.

I was unresponsive for days and then suddenly started to recover. I was at 0.1% of life.

I am just telling you this, as it's 2 years later and even though I have some issues. I made a remarkable recovery.

One thing the Doctor from the UK who came over to repatriate me. Said washing out my nasal passages and lungs made a significant difference to my recovery.

Never give up hope! Ask if they can do that for your Dad. I'm no spring chicken either and I have been amazed at other people that have made miraculous recoveries at our Dads age.

My prayers are with you and your family.

[kirsty40]

Hi I am sorry to hear about your father. I also had a sinus infection which spread to my ear drum bursting. This created bacterial meningitis along with pneumonia. I was very sick and spent around a month in hospital. This was around two years ago and I still get very tired. I guess take each day as it comes is all I have to say and treasure it to it's full extent! It is still early days so you need to remain positive. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[Claireymags]

How is your dad now??