Being Intubated

[Rae1889]

So, I was just wondering how many of you have been intubated, and what your experiences were with it?

I was intubated last July and put into a coma (or fell into a coma, dont really know) and luckily I have "no" memory of it.

I say "no" memory because I had dreams about waking up with it for a very long time. I had another last night and it was so vivid I woke up in a cold sweat and scared witless. couldnt go back to sleep and was so sluggish I couldnt even get to my first bus on time.

I dreamt that I was trying to open my eyes but they just wouldnt work and I could only get them open enough to see a slit of white light. I dreamt I was in a tonne of pain, had no idea where I was and couldnt breathe. I was panicing but at the same time I couldnt hyperventilate. then there was the feeling I was choking and I started to gag and reached up, my arm felt like a lead weight and felt this plastic thing in my mouth. My first thought was to rip it out, but in my dream, i pulled and pulled and it wouldnt budge. Then I woke up

Im not sure why Im still thinking about it, but it freaked me out really bad, even though I have dreamed it before.

What are all your thoughts, and experience with this. its been 9 months!

[Bernard]

My wife was intubated once after going to the ER. In all the years we have been together, she has never complained more vociferously about anything as much as she complained about that experience.

[Dutch mom]

My son was intubated in PICU when he was 3 days old. He also had an infuse with antibiotics in his head and a glucosis infuse. Those were the 2 most horrifying weeks of my whole life. The bad start made him a frustrated baby in his first few months, I can imagine why.

[Rae1889]

Bernard: did she ever have dreams about it? Does she remember it at all?

DutchMom: poor little guy! 3 days old! Anyone would be grumpy after that.

I dreamed about it again last night. I have a psychiatrist appointment I am booking today. They called me at 4pm yesterday on my cell phone and I missed it while at work. By the time I was off the office was closed.

The psych reviews of this guy make me wary. He is supposedly a person who throws pills at things and also judges his patients and comes to quick conclusions without hearing the patient out. So we'll see how this goes.

[Nakamova]

Let us know how it goes Rae. Here's hoping the reviews of the psychiatrist are wrong.

[gigi]

In 2003 i went status for the first time - 45 years old. Prior to that, I had only 8 seizures in my life.
It was the most terrifying experience. I was in an induced coma for 3 days, and coming out of it was not fun.
I began having panic attacks after coming home, literally waking up and running down the hall. Also nightmares similar to yours Rae. After some time went by and some research, I ascertained that my body was reacting to the strong pharmaceuticals, which no one bothered to mention might be a problem. Would have been nice to know, instead I thought I was going insane. By the way, this went on for months, so of course I went to my G.P., and he gave me more of the hair of the dog that bit me. The terror of that ordeal still haunts me. Beware of the Psych. docs, they do love their prescription pads.

[Rae1889]

Gigi: thanks for warning me about the meds. Im nervous about this meeting (its on May 12) because he didnt have good ratings, and pretty much seems to be the type of guy to hand out pills like candy and then stop them cold turkey by refusing to refill the Rx.

I also have to meet with him that day to even see if he wants me to be his patient. Sounds dumb that they can pick and choose.

[Endless]

Rae,

I've stayed away from psychiatrists for the very same reason. I don't know about england, but in the U.S. psychiatrists ask a few questions, diagnose you, and dispense pills. They don't take into account what physical ailments you may be suffering from. Someone who has psychotic episodes from their anti-seizure meds, for example, would be given anti-psychotic meds. Most psychiatrists wouldn't even think of saying, let's change the siezure med.

I have IIH, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which I'm pretty sure now gives me some severe anxiety attacks. when the CSF pressure pushing on my brain gets really bad. I don't want a med that's taken every day dropped on me, just one for when I need it. I want someone who is willing to understand my disease and it's effects to help me come up with a reasonable medication plan that helps me live a nornal life, but doesn't mask the effectiveness or non-effectiveness of my IIH drugs. In other words, if it's causing anxiety, I need to know this! It's one of the indicators that my CSF Pressure meds aren't working.

Anyway, I think there are some really good psychiatrists out there. I just haven't heard of any from around here where I live.

[epileric]

Personally I would suggest a psychologist because they don't use pills or medications, just psychology.

The problem is that in Canada psychiatrists are covered by medical & psychologists aren't (at least in Ontario).

[Endless]

OH, that's right! Rae is in CANADA!!!!

[stilldancing_98]

I went into status 7 years ago for 45 min. and was induced for 5 days. I still remember it like it was yesterday. Night mares forever. I had to ask family what happened. That's when I had the infection in my brain. Anyway, I hear what you are saying. Don't take any more meds for it. My thing was to talk about it like you are now.God bless you. Teresa

[Bernard]

Bernard: did she ever have dreams about it? Does she remember it at all?

Dreams? I don't know. She hasn't mentioned it to me. I'm quite sure she has a vivid memory of it.