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Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - Let's talk
Intensive Care (ICU) | Last Active: Sep 16 7:52pm | Replies (609)Comment receiving replies
Good Morning-
My name is Jon . I am a Covid Survivor. I went in the hospital on March 27th and was on a vent for 2 weeks in an induced coma. I was in ICU for another few days after then in a step down room. I was released on April 19th. I realized I experienced very vivid and lasting experiences while in the coma that I can't seem to stop thinking about. Anyone else experience this?
Replies to "Good Morning- My name is Jon . I am a Covid Survivor. I went in the..."
Hi Jon,
I am glad you survived Covid-19. It scares me because once was enough on a ventilator for me!
I was in a coma for a shorter time than you—only about five days, but I was in ICU and a step down unit for about three weeks. Most of that time I was having severe delusions and nightmares. As I came around I had lucid moments that were mixed in with the delusional moments. I have asked those that experienced this time with me if what I remember is correct. My time line was not always right, but generally my memory of the experience is correct.
You are not crazy! That is what I thought at first, and what some doctors thought.
Two and half years later my memories of the nightmares and delusions are still very vivid. I, too, find that they creep up at night when I can’t sleep, when I am in the car by myself for long periods of time, and when I read about covid-19 patients on ventilators.
I was so thankful to be out of the hospital when I first got home that I scarcely thought about what happened while I was hospitalized. I just wanted to get well and regain strength. Later, when I had recovered, the memories came back to me.
Sleeping pills help when I get stuck perseverating on my experience during the night.
Feel free to ask me any questions.
Hope you are recovering well!
Michelle
Connect
@jheitmann - Hi Jon, Welcome to Connect. Your experience and your survival are something that I have not experienced. And I am happy that you have come to Connect to talk about your coma and ICU experience.
I was not in a coma during my ICU experience with liver failure and kidney failure, but I experienced lapses in time where I was not sure what was happening around me and to me. It caused me much concern and was troubling to me for period, and that went away over time as my family was able to fill in the details for me. However, I don't think this is what you are experiencing. I am going to invite some members who have also shared their nightmare/memory experiences after their ICU and coma experiences. Jon, When did you begin to experience these? Are they night time, or anytime?
@howemb, @psd0972, @mjkrr2 - I invite you to share your experiences. How might you lend support to @jheitmann
Jon, Are you experiencing any other post COVID-19 symptoms? Here is a discussion that I want to share and I invite you to post your question in this discussion where other COVID-19 survivors will see it. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-symptoms-lasting-30-days-plus/