Sepsis: What's your experience recovering from sepsis?

About 10 years ago, I had an onset of fever due to an infection in my foot (I was 50 y/o). Within a few hours, I was in full septic shock. Spent about a week in ICU then a week in regular room before going home. Had "cardiac event" due to low blood profusion, kidneys stopped working, etc. Had several dialysis sessions. Wife was being told to prepare for the worse for several days. I stayed home a week after release from the hospital, then went back to work. I can tell you that I am not the same person today. I tire so easily it is nuts -- and so frustrating. I have talked to doctors about this and have been "blown off" 100% of the time. I do not think they believe me when I tell them how badly I am feeling. I continue to drag myself in to work every day. I used to get to the office about 6:00 AM and work until 6:30 or 7:00 PM. Now, it is all I can do to get in by 8:00 AM and I am out as soon as possible -- totally wiped out -- at the end of the day. I have no stamina at all. The reduction of activity has contributed to weight gain, which I hate. I do not mean to be discouraging. Your sister will feel better, but I suspect she will never feel as good as before. Remember, I have not found one single member of the medical community who will talk about this. I continually get "lose weight and exercise" as the answer. I know I need to do both those things, but they do not seem to understand that I am totally wiped out when I am not at work. Perhaps your sister's journey will be brighter. I would love to know if others have had similar experiences, or if I am an exception.

@suzmay

How wonderful. I live in SE Michigan and go to U of M for certain matters as well. Thank you also for recommending the Sepsis Alliance website. That is good information for our members.

I hope your appointment at the Pulse Clinic goes well and gives you some more information regarding your recovery and return to work.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

@suzmay

How wonderful. I live in SE Michigan and go to U of M for certain matters as well. Thank you also for recommending the Sepsis Alliance website. That is good information for our members.

I hope your appointment at the Pulse Clinic goes well and gives you some more information regarding your recovery and return to work.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

@suzmay

How wonderful. I live in SE Michigan and go to U of M for certain matters as well. Thank you also for recommending the Sepsis Alliance website. That is good information for our members.

I hope your appointment at the Pulse Clinic goes well and gives you some more information regarding your recovery and return to work.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

My husband suffered from Sepsis after surgery of the heart. Our heart doctor took one look at my husband and was furious. He could not believe the surgeon sent him home. It took several months. The problem with Sepsis is there was only one strong antibiotic. We prayed each time that the antibiotic was still working. That was a few years back. Maybe by now there is a better treatment. He passed away but not from the infection. It went away and cleared out of his body. They had taken him into surgery to clean him out again. The doctor called me and thought Oh no, he died. I got up there to the waiting room and the doctor said, they could not find anything and closed him up. A Miracle. Believe me I have seen a few. Trust God in ALL things.

Wow, another thing for me to do research on. I suffered from septic shock/sepsis in early April 2016. I was on the floor of my apartment going in and out of hallucinations. After a welfare check conducted by the fire department at the request of my Mother and Brother I was strechered out and brought to the hospital. I was so bad that I was told if I had not been found when I was that I would be dead. Multiple organs shutting down, the works. all stemming from a wound on the bottom of my foot that I did not care for properly. One third of my left leg was amputated and the result of all the damage from the sepsis had me in ICU and the main hospital for 3 months, then a SNIF and a health/physical rehab facility until November. So all in all 8 months in the hospital. Long story short, I was attributing my being easily exhausted to having to maneuver my way through a house that is in no way ADA compliant. It is just the only place I can live for now. I can become exhausted easily. As for cognitive effects, I do not believe I have been slowed but I do find myself contemplating life and what has become of mine. I spend time thinking quietly, usually trying to figure out ways to make it easier for me to get around and do everyday tasks. After doing a little of the research leading up to this point, I realize that for how badly I was infected and overcome with sepsis, I should be dead. I am lucky to be alive and intend on making the most of the second chance. Finding groups like this where actual experience can be deseminated and compared is very helpful.

@suzmay

How wonderful. I live in SE Michigan and go to U of M for certain matters as well. Thank you also for recommending the Sepsis Alliance website. That is good information for our members.

I hope your appointment at the Pulse Clinic goes well and gives you some more information regarding your recovery and return to work.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

Wow, another thing for me to do research on. I suffered from septic shock/sepsis in early April 2016. I was on the floor of my apartment going in and out of hallucinations. After a welfare check conducted by the fire department at the request of my Mother and Brother I was strechered out and brought to the hospital. I was so bad that I was told if I had not been found when I was that I would be dead. Multiple organs shutting down, the works. all stemming from a wound on the bottom of my foot that I did not care for properly. One third of my left leg was amputated and the result of all the damage from the sepsis had me in ICU and the main hospital for 3 months, then a SNIF and a health/physical rehab facility until November. So all in all 8 months in the hospital. Long story short, I was attributing my being easily exhausted to having to maneuver my way through a house that is in no way ADA compliant. It is just the only place I can live for now. I can become exhausted easily. As for cognitive effects, I do not believe I have been slowed but I do find myself contemplating life and what has become of mine. I spend time thinking quietly, usually trying to figure out ways to make it easier for me to get around and do everyday tasks. After doing a little of the research leading up to this point, I realize that for how badly I was infected and overcome with sepsis, I should be dead. I am lucky to be alive and intend on making the most of the second chance. Finding groups like this where actual experience can be deseminated and compared is very helpful.

Hi, I know you posted about 6 months ago but I’m just now finding this site. My story is very similar. I fought an infected knee replacement for 7 years. On November 11,2017 the infection won. I was taken to my local hospital ER that day having no idea I would not see my house again until July 10,2018! I was told if I was not Life Flighted to another hospital I would die. I ended up having 15 surgeries in a short time span. My left leg was amputated including the hip. I was in a coma type state for about 2 weeks during the process. I ended up with chest tubes and a trach. I was in various hospitals for 5 months then SNF’s for 3. I couldn’t sit up on my own or move my right leg hardly at all in April when I got to the 1st rehab. I was afraid my life would never be the same or even be worth living. I was sent home in June but was not ready so had to go back to rehab after a 4 day stay at home. My home was built in 1900 so hardly ADA ready. When I went to the hospital I was 115 lbs. I am now about 125 missing a leg. I know it doesn’t sound like an issue but it really is. Early on I was so blown up with fluids I looked like the Pillsbury Doughboy! My face and neck look nothing like the old me. The weight gain and my appearance are one of the hardest things I’m dealing with right now. Along with being somewhat dependent on others. I am extremely lucky to be alive and honestly should not have survived. However I did survive and am going to make the most out of the second chance I’ve been given. I got a prosthetic leg yesterday and I’m selling my car and getting a van. I’ve even stared working some from home again. I know this is long but I hope it can help others to realize they can overcome obstacles after surviving sepsis.