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InS:PIRE/ICU

Posted By Fee59

"InS:PIRE/ICU"

About: Victoria Hospital / Intensive Care Unit

(as the patient),

I can't remember arriving in A&E at the Victoria hospital Kirkcaldy (August 2017) or being put into an induced coma and put on a ventilator in ICU. I had respiratory failure due to a virus and what I have been told since, there wasn't much hope for me at first.

When I started waking up I was convinced that the nurses and doctors (although I didn't know that's who they were at the time) were trying to gas or poison me and ultimately kill me. I started fighting for my life as I was so adamant that's what was happening. I can go on for hours about all the crazy thoughts I was having and know now it was delirium. I felt so bad after giving the people who were caring for me and saving my life such a hard time.

I eventually got moved to a ward and then home. I didn't realise how ill I would still be both physically and mentally and was at a complete loss.

In February (2018) I went to the InS:PIRE programme for 5 weeks. What a relief to know that other patients had went through, and still going through, similar. I learned what my capabilities are and had my mind set at rest on many worries I have had over the months.

It was so good to have the patients and carers supporting each other and having professionals and volunteers to talk to. The team were brilliant from physio to doctors and the people who came in from Citizens Advice, carers centre, dietitian etc.to talk to us.

The visit back to ICU was pretty upsetting and there were a few tears but I was glad to go back and get some things sorted out in my mind. I'm sure the InS:PIRE programme will benefit many ICU patients especially if it is brought to them as soon as they are well enough to attend.

I can't thank all in ICU and all at InS:PIRE enough, I am now gradually going from limbo to living again,

Thank you.

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Responses

Response from Colette Ross, Charge Nurse, Intensive Care Unit, NHS Fife 5 years ago
Colette Ross
Charge Nurse, Intensive Care Unit,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 08/05/2018 at 14:12
Published on Care Opinion at 15:40

picture of Colette Ross

Dear Fee59,

Thank so much for taking the time to talk about your ICU experience and the InS:PIRE programme. An intensive care stay can be a very stressful time for both the patient and their family. The after effects can physical,emotional and psychological. The delirium you describe can be experienced by up to 80% of ICU patients and it is one of the things that we,at the InS:PIRE programme feel, can be helped enormously by peer support. It seems by having others to talk to about your experience, it has helped you to know you are not alone.

I am so glad you found your return visit to the intensive care unit beneficial.`Often it can be an emotional experience as you indicated but ultimately it can help clarify jumbled memories.

I will convey your thanks back to the ICU staff and the InS:PIRE team and hope your journey back to health continues steadily.

Kindest Regards, Colette

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Fee59 (the patient)

Hi Colette,

InS:PIRE was my saviour, I'm sure I would have continued the downward spiral of depression if I hadn't had that. Going from being so active to inactive is a big shock to the system in itself!

I was wondering, though, why it is not (I'm just assuming it's not) mandatory for anyone entering the medical profession to be taught 'at source' about post intensive care syndrome/intensive care syndrome? One of the problems I have encountered is the amount of people who work in the NHS, outwith ICU, that have no understanding or knowledge of the symptoms.

Another thing (sorry) is if it were possible for more detailed information on what to expect when you get home on leaving ICU. The leaflets you are given on discharge are fine but I feel they don't prepare you for the enormity of it all.

Thank you, Fee59

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