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What did you find most surprising once you were out of the ICU?
Intensive Care (ICU) | Last Active: Dec 16, 2021 | Replies (107)Comment receiving replies
Hi 🙋🏻♀️, my name is Jane.
I had a full blown panic attack the other day after picking up a hospital pharmacy medication refill.
I heard the Mayo One helicopter 🚁 landing on the roof. Before I even saw it, I froze. I forced myself to exit the building and stared up watching as they finished landing and taking the patient out on a stretcher.
I started to shake, got sick to my stomach and couldn’t move.
That had been me, 2 years ago, in a coma, not remembering four days of my life. How did my body know what my conscience brain could not.
I awoke four days later in Rochester, MN ICU with multi organ failure, an Addison’s Crisis, double pneumonia, a cast from my fingertips to my armpit being held up by a rod, a concussion and I didn’t know where I was or what had happened. They had someone assigned to my room 24 hours a day as I was alone.
I had very vivid dreams about a man in my room, speaking with a foreign accent and he was denying me the help I needed to urinate. Of course, I had a catheter in and didn’t need to use the restroom. I was delirious. I thought no one would listen to me. I was alone in my brain fog.
After reading some of your stories and doing some research, I knew that I was only one of many that have been experiencing PTSD ICU.
Does anyone out there know where I’ve been? Or continues to be haunted by days that I don’t remember or puzzles that I can’t put back together. There are so many missing pieces.
Replies to "Hi 🙋🏻♀️, my name is Jane. I had a full blown panic attack the other day..."
@snetterpie, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I can identify with your flashback and your emotional/physical response to the arrival of the helicopter landing on the roof. I am glad that you found this discussion, and that you found comfort in knowing that you are among friends who have had similar experiences, and who 'get it'.
12 years ago, I was transported by ambulance from ER to a regional ICU at a major hospital in KY where I spent 5 days in critical condition. Then I was flown to Mayo MN. I was half aware of what was happening, and i knew that my only options were a brief stay in hospice care, or a chance at life at Mayo. My most difficult days were the first 5 days in the ICU with acute kidney failure and liver failure while waiting for a liver transplant. I did not know what or when things happened, but I did have a family member at my bedside 24/7and that did help me to get answers and fill in some of the gaps in my memory.
For the first couple years after this occurred, I used to get shivers and chills and tears when events sparked a memory. I used to cry when I passed an ambulance along the highway or heard the siren.
I found that if I looked at my medical records that I could fill in the gaps in memory, or most of the events like strange rooms and lights where procedures and tests occurred.
I did not, however have the nightmares that you describe. Are these still occurring?
How did you find us at this particular moment of need? How are you today?
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@snetterpie Welcome to connect We are a group of caring people we can't diagnose but help when we can .That had to be terrifying experience you had but to have it all played back it will probably take time to feel better and put it in the back of your mind.Have you told all this to your Dr? He can give you some advice or recommendations that will help maybe just a professional to talk to who can help you I wish you the best