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Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - Let's talk

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Jan 13, 2017

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Intensive Care (ICU) Support Group.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 27, 2017

@milindohope83 Yes, empathy makes a difference, always!

REPLY
Liz1 | @elizabethbryant | Jan 27, 2017
In reply to @elizabethbryant "Sending you a big hug. My surgery was in April and I cried for no reason,..." + (show)
@elizabethbryant

Sending you a big hug. My surgery was in April and I cried for no reason, the drama of it all and more surgery the doc said to come.
Then two weeks before Christmas my husband abandoned He wasn't up for the situation
as he became confused and we think he had a stroke during my surgery days he won't eat or drink. I turned to my faith in desperation. By the grace of God I was able not be moved emotionally when I had lunch with him and my grandchildren during Christmas. When you walk through this with the
ones you love, we are blessed. Sharing on this site. "We light each others candle" with hope and helpful medical information.

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Thanks Teresa for responding. Lichen planus condition and Severe dysplasia are the issue and John
Hopkins surgeon stated speech therapy would only worsen the condition and I agree. I have limited
amount of speech because the inflammation......raw tissue gets so bad under my tongue.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 27, 2017
In reply to @elizabethbryant "Sending you a big hug. My surgery was in April and I cried for no reason,..." + (show)
@elizabethbryant

Sending you a big hug. My surgery was in April and I cried for no reason, the drama of it all and more surgery the doc said to come.
Then two weeks before Christmas my husband abandoned He wasn't up for the situation
as he became confused and we think he had a stroke during my surgery days he won't eat or drink. I turned to my faith in desperation. By the grace of God I was able not be moved emotionally when I had lunch with him and my grandchildren during Christmas. When you walk through this with the
ones you love, we are blessed. Sharing on this site. "We light each others candle" with hope and helpful medical information.

Jump to this post

@elizabethbryant I'm so sorry that there aren't some better answers for you. Keep up your faith! Teresa

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jan 27, 2017

Hello,

I was reading this discussion, and couldn't help but notice the strength in all the messages, despite your difficult times, struggles and experiences.

I've never been in the ICU, but many years ago, I learned that life's turbulent phases do serve a purpose: they make us stronger, more determined and definitely more patient.
There's a saying: "A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner..." and I just wanted to say that I see that reflected so often, here on Connect.
Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
allisonsnow | @allisonsnow | Feb 1, 2017
In reply to @elizabethbryant "Sending you a big hug. My surgery was in April and I cried for no reason,..." + (show)
@elizabethbryant

Sending you a big hug. My surgery was in April and I cried for no reason, the drama of it all and more surgery the doc said to come.
Then two weeks before Christmas my husband abandoned He wasn't up for the situation
as he became confused and we think he had a stroke during my surgery days he won't eat or drink. I turned to my faith in desperation. By the grace of God I was able not be moved emotionally when I had lunch with him and my grandchildren during Christmas. When you walk through this with the
ones you love, we are blessed. Sharing on this site. "We light each others candle" with hope and helpful medical information.

Jump to this post

Elizabeth I get where you are coming from "I am the same on the inside"
Sometimes I forget (or don't want to admit) the toll this cancer has taken. I make plans to work in the garden ...but my oxygen cord doesn't reach far...I take off the oxygen (yes I cheat 🙂 and I can't work very long...but in my head I am still able to do everything I could before. I am still surprised when I look in the mirror and see the oxygen tubing, it is all I see. The point is sometimes we put the burden of what we can or can not do on our selves. We see ourselves as still being 100% and refuse to work with the limitations we have. If we take an honest look at our own lives it is easier for others to see us as we are now. Don't know if this makes any sense but it is my perspective.

REPLY
milindohope83 | @milindohope83 | Feb 2, 2017
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@milindohope83 I also appreciate your kind and compassionate attitude, Anita. There is no doubt in my..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@milindohope83 I also appreciate your kind and compassionate attitude, Anita. There is no doubt in my mind that you bless your patients and their families! Teresa

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Thank you so much, Anita

REPLY
milindohope83 | @milindohope83 | Feb 2, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello, I was reading this discussion, and couldn't help but notice the strength in all the..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello,

I was reading this discussion, and couldn't help but notice the strength in all the messages, despite your difficult times, struggles and experiences.

I've never been in the ICU, but many years ago, I learned that life's turbulent phases do serve a purpose: they make us stronger, more determined and definitely more patient.
There's a saying: "A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner..." and I just wanted to say that I see that reflected so often, here on Connect.
Thank you.

Jump to this post

I loved your response and well taken!! Anita

REPLY
Heidi Schaffer | @heids8390 | Mar 22, 2017

I'm a ICU nurse and this morning as I was looking over protocols for convergence I had a flash back to a code situation that related to the protocol I had been reviewing. Definitely took my breath away for a moment and reminded me PICS affects everyone involved with the patient. Thanks for starting the conversations!

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 22, 2017
In reply to @heids8390 "I'm a ICU nurse and this morning as I was looking over protocols for convergence I..." + (show)
@heids8390

I'm a ICU nurse and this morning as I was looking over protocols for convergence I had a flash back to a code situation that related to the protocol I had been reviewing. Definitely took my breath away for a moment and reminded me PICS affects everyone involved with the patient. Thanks for starting the conversations!

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@heids8390, Welcome to Connect. And thank you for sharing with us about your flashback incident. In addition to PICS, this demonstrates to me how powerful is the connection between caregiver and patient in the midst of our most critical situations.
Please come back anytime.
For what you do everyday in the ICU, I'm sending you a thank-you and a hug,
Rosemary

REPLY
Annie Johnson | @andreab | Mar 23, 2017
In reply to @heids8390 "I'm a ICU nurse and this morning as I was looking over protocols for convergence I..." + (show)
@heids8390

I'm a ICU nurse and this morning as I was looking over protocols for convergence I had a flash back to a code situation that related to the protocol I had been reviewing. Definitely took my breath away for a moment and reminded me PICS affects everyone involved with the patient. Thanks for starting the conversations!

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing your experience @heids8390. It is a powerful experience in the ICU. And as caregivers in this setting we have somewhat of an immunity to it, yet we are still vulnerable to the effects. It really makes you realize how intensely it can effect our patients and family members who are not at all accustomed to that environment!

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