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Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - Let's talk
Have you heard of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome? Sometimes it's called post ICU syndrome or PICS. PICS is defined as new or worse health problems after critical illness. These problems can affect your mind, body, thoughts, and/or feelings.
On Connect we would like to bring together people who have been affected by critical illness, and hopefully lighten the burden you bear. Patients and family members welcome.
Grab a cup of tea, or beverage of your choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?
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Hello, I’m new here and I joined because I’m looking for help for my husband who has post sepsis syndrome. Doctors here don’t seem to have any answers for the severe muscle and joint pain he is suffering with. His event was Feb-April of this year and had 28 total days in hospital (4 in ICU) He is now in PT to help with his deconditioning since he seems to be at a plateau. PT seems to be making the pain worse. I know there is no magic pill but hoping someone has found something that can help. He is 69 and is recovered from the infection that caused the septic shock, but is now left with this extreme pain. We have an appt for acupuncture and are using red light therapy and massage tools we have at home. Would love input on other possible means of relief, as these aren’t working. Nights are the worst, daytime more bearable. I am so sad he’s been suffering like this for so long with no real solutions. Thanks for any input!
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1 ReactionI was in the ICU for 30 days--this was decades ago--and had to go on a real quest to find relief from the pain you describe. A doctor specializing in rehab put me on prescription pain medication and monitored a course of OTC medication. If there is no reason not to take moderately strong pain medication it is worth asking your doctors. I found that I needed to reduce the inflammation and pain before other therapies could work well, if this makes sense. Rolphing, a great form of (sometimes rough!) bodywork helped me a lot. PT is very useful but you need a good therapist, so if this one is creating more pain try and switch to someone who is more compatible. Once I got the pain under control I continued with rolphing/PT and mild exercise/stretching. I've found talk psychotherapy useful too, as it gave me tools to not clench against the pain or have a full-blown panic response. I'm guessing that acupuncture/red light/etc. might work better in a few months once the pain is controlled. Can your husband get some pain control prescribed? Keep in touch as the situation continues, and thinking of both of you.
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2 Reactions@mir123 thanks so much for your response. I will suggest this to him. I do think he needs pain meds especially at night. I’ll ask him to check with his doctor. Will see how pt goes or if he wants to switch! Thanks much!
You are very welcome. And keep in touch when you feel like it.