Medical Induced Coma after Cardiac Arrest

[tstone915]

Hi Everyone, my name is Tiffany. It's been 1 week since my brother in law- my twins husband, 44 had a heart attack. He is currently in a medically induced coma after suffering from cardiac arrest. Ambulance arrived in 3 minutes to his work, where this happened. In a weeks time frame he has gone through therapeutic hypothermia, and an angiogram which resulted in finding out he needs triple bypass at the minimum. They are currently working to wean him from all the sedation but it is a very slow process and each morning wakes up very confused and then very frustrated which results in putting him back in the coma. In order to remove the tube from his throat he has to remain calm. Today he woke up coughing and with fluid in his lungs therefore had to be sedated again.

My sister, our whole family continues to face an up and down roller coaster. Once he wakes up he is still facing bypass surgery. I am praying for the best every single day, but still so scared in the meantime. #JBStrong

[pinnelli]

Hi, try not to worry he’s alive & in the best place. I had an out of hospital cardiac arrest as others on this site too. He was very lucky to have an ambulance in 3 mins. I was also put in an induced coma for 4 days. I remember being very confused for days, all sorts of odd huliscinations too ! That was 15minths ago now and I’m getting on with life again as will he.

Sounds like he’s lucky to have a supporting family around him. Ps I wasn’t much older, I was 46 at the time.

Take care

[tstone915 in reply to pinnelli]

Thank You for your response. it's refreshing to know Jason isn't in this alone, that others have gone through this and are doing well. It's a day to day struggle to not know how this will turn out but hearing stories such as yours is so helpful. i'm so happy to hear you're doing well.

[Karenpr]

My husband had an out of hospital cardiac arrest and was in a medically induced coma. Like your brother in law they took their time bringing him out as people in ICU comas can get very confused and aggressive when the sedation is reduced. There is nothing odd about his behaviour and it will get stranger once he is awake with strange limb movements. My husband took a few days to be weaned off the drugs and was put back under a few times to aid his recovery. He is in the best place and his reaction is no different to lots of people and as pinneli says the hallucinations are well documented which is which causes the confusion and aggression.

[tstone915 in reply to Karenpr]

My sister has been with him every time they're attempting to bring him out of the coma and reducing the sedation. once the tube is removed and he is completely out of sedation, do you suggest she and his parents staying with him and the rest of us keeping our distance? I just want to hug that man and most of us think he'll be the same man we've known once the tube is out. Reading these similar stories makes me think it's best we give it time. I just want to make sure as he progresses we do what is the absolute best for him. thank you for taking the time to respond.

[Karenpr in reply to tstone915]

I think you need to listen to the experts. My husband held on to me for dear life, with our children taking turns to come in. Your sister will need breaks so set up a rota which is what we did (30mins on and 30mins off between 3 of us which gave each one of us an hour with him before a break). Initially he was spaced out and confused. They put him back under each evening for a couple of days to give him rest then moved him to another part of the ICU when he was totally stable. Then to CCU. These moves were very quick.

[tstone915 in reply to Karenpr]

thank you, that is helpful to know.

Just like that, Today---- he pulled his own ventilator out when they were cleaning him. No damage to his throat, but so shocking for us all. he is now breathing on his own. and just passed the Neuro test! he has pneumonia again that they're treating with an antibiotic but today was huge!! now we wait for his body to heal some before heart surgery.

[Karenpr]

Yep pneumonia is a by product of the ventilator.

Wait till he gives you his version of what happened, I wish I had videoed my husband it was so funny, our children were crying with laughter.

So pleased tho that everything is going well, fingers crossed for you

[tstone915 in reply to Karenpr]

So yesterday he was shaking his head yes and no to everything and smiling to so many things that make him happy. Today, nothing. Just lays there—- no reaction. Doesn’t respond to anything. I keep telling my sister this is apart of the process.... but truthfully I am not sure. How were the days for your husband right after he woke up? I have to believe as medicated as he’s been and being in a coma for 10 days, that he is not himself at all and it’s going to take time. Patience is key.

[Karenpr in reply to tstone915]

Don’t worry this is all perfectly normal, the drugs coming out of his system. Shock. Anxiety. He probably is still unaware of what truly happened. My husband went from unable to control his limbs, to smiling, to laying still, to being extremely happy and convinced he was at an investment seminar!

[tstone915 in reply to Karenpr]

Yes that is everything that has happened. And now today he seems completely aware. Almost back to himself outside of the weight loss. It's been so awesome to see. So exciting. Question-- on the short term memory loss. regardless even if he doesn't gain it back--- we have him, and that's all that matters. But will he? he doesn't remember very significant things from what we can tell, going back about 6 months. it's very spotty. Things here and things, but pretty big things he participated in, he has no idea. Just curious your take on that.

Thanks for always helping.

[Karenpr]

My husband has no memory of the day of his cardiac arrest. His short term memory is pretty good, although he forgets stuff we say to him on the day but have worked out he is just not listening (is this a man thing) His financial brain is fine as is his academic brain. Your brother in law may regain his memory as drugs work out of his system, and his body recovers from the trauma. Has he had a CAT scan and. EEG yet? That will tell you if there is any brain damage, point out his memory loss to the hospital and ask for a Neuro referral.

[tstone915 in reply to Karenpr]

Ha! yes a man thing. They have done everything from a Neurological stand point and confirm he is completely fine in regards to the brain. GREAT NEWS! because that is always the scary piece. I assume like you said it's due to the trauma and the drugs. and again this is the least of our problems. short term memory loss.

i'm glad your husband is doing well with that. it's truly amazing how far my brother in law has come. I can only hope it keeps looking up.

[Karenpr in reply to tstone915]

Keep going, there will be set backs but he is alive, survived and everything is a bonus.

[jackiesj]

This question always stings..how is life now?