After ventilation

[Gsh100]

I feel a bit silly posting this but need some help/advice

I had to be ventilated for my asthma for the very first time about 10 days ago. I am back home now but emotionally I am all over the place with my temper, the smallest thing annoys me and als , how I feel and this is not what I am like normally.

I have read your emotions go walkabout for a while after you have been on a ventilator.

Can anyone advise on this please

[WheezyAnne]

I can't advise about the ventilation, but the way your emotions are sounds like steroid side effects. Also, don't forget, your body has gone through a lot, and you are bound to be emotionally effected by it all. Give yourself a pat on the back for coming through the traumatic experience. You are not silly. I have never needed ventilation, yet have Severe Asthma with a peak flow around 120. Big hugs coming your way.

[JoBooth]

Hello there, firstly well done you!!👍🏻, it’s one of the most terrifying experiences, especially “the first time”!

I’ve been vented 5 times the first being aged 20, that’s some 27yrs ago, the longest being for 6wks whilst pregnant @ 27, I know only too well how your feeling, I think there’s a few contributing factors, I’ve been told the array of drugs used not only to treat your attack(high dose steroids etc) but to induce the coma & keep you sedated have an effect on your state of mind, for the short term @ least, however after a wee bit of experience I feel there’s a few things going on once you leave the safe environment of ICU,

You now realise just how serious your Asthma can be & that merely taking your meds & doing your best to avoid the triggers just doesn’t cut it all of the time, that in itself is a very scary feeling, that you no longer have “control” I’m by no means a control freak, but I am a strong minded, independent woman who hates the thought of not being in control of my life/body, it’s a hard one to come to terms with & I feel it’s that strength & stubourness that got me through some very desperately low times, on my suggestion my hospital started a ICU therapy group, made up of other patients, a Doctor & a Therapist a long time ago now, but it did highlight a few things, there’s a thing actually called ICU Syndrome, where even a short stay in ICU can leave you feeling very vulnerable, you’ve suddenly gone from being self sufficient to being totally helpless, laying paralysed in a strange & scary place totally in the hands of people you’ve never met, going through some rather unpleasant & painful procedures, we very quickly become dependent on these Angels!, to then going very quickly (Thank God🙏)back to “normality”, I personally think this is a huge part of how your feeling right now, you no longer have the feeling of being in “safe hands”, it’s something that time can help with, however if you don’t feel these feelings improving in a few weeks my advise would be to speak to your GP about an anti-depressant, I used to get so down & depressed after leaving ICU, that they started me on them whilst I was still in hospital on the last 3 occasions & believe me they helped enormously, there’s no shame in asking for help or taking something to help get you through what has been a very traumatic time in your life, you need to try & look @ the positives, you survived a life threatening episode & are here to talk about it!, learn that we can only do so much & that sometimes we need intervention, don’t delay in going to hospital if you feel your symptoms aren’t improving, denial is one of an Asthmatics biggest faults, even if you just think you need a few Nebs go to A&E, just be in the safest place in case things do take a turn for the worst, they will totally understand & support you, best to be overly cautious every time believe me, Asthma is a very unpredictable illness but don’t let it define you, take your meds, avoid your triggers & be aware, but live your life to the fullest, I’m a grateful Mother to a healthy 6ft 21yr old, I’m a wife, I’ve had my own business’s, I ride horses & breed dogs, oh yes I’m Asthmatic too!

Stay strong, take care of yourself & be well, Love Jo x

[ChrissieMons]

You just have to give it time. Let yourself rest and recover. Lay back & imagine you are on holiday. Might be a struggle in this weather, but you could try!

[emmasue]

I agree with Wheezy Anne. It could be the steroids. I know I get more jittery when I have to increase my dose. You have come through a traumatic time as well. You need a chance to process what has happened to you. Find someone who is good at listening so that you can get things off your chest. Sometimes that helps. Take care. x