r/sepsis

Is there some magical elixir? (That would be nice). Idk anymore. I tried seeing the doctor. Nope, don't care to do that again if I can help it. Anything people do on their own to recover? Is it just wait and die now? If this is how I am going to feel forever, I don't think there is any quality to it.

My friend, a 27 yr old male, currently weighs 73 pounds and is 5'10 in height. He had pneumonia, a spider bite on the foot, 2 brain bleeds, multiple organ failure and was in a coma for a week.

He went to rehab for alcoholism and was jaundiced. This all happened after he was released from rehab.

They said he was progressing in the right direction, but he's still on dialysis and failed the swallow test. Now I'm hearing about potential hospice.

Does that mean that's it?? Or can he still come back from this?? He's been in the ICU for over a month and I'm just so confused and I don't want to lose my best friend. But I also want to prepare myself for the worst.

So has anyone gone through something like this and survived? He no longer has pneumonia or sepsis, but his kidneys still aren't functioning. Even before the multiple organ failure, he had jaundice and ascites twice.

My father has significant protien loss in urine around 500+ and his liver function test shows protien has reduced from 5.2 to 4.84 (post sepsis- 6 months now).. his albumin has raised from 2.73 to 2.79.. already he is being treated for urine potassium loss. What is the fix for protien loss?

Potassium is improving now.

Hi guys,

I went into hospital for sepsis 2 weeks ago today. They never found a cause but I believe it was toxic shock syndrome due to my rash, symptoms, severe low BP, peeling skin following infection amongst other things all tied to tampon use and my period.

I had a 5 day admission for 4 different types of IV antibiotics and finished the other 2 days with oral antibiotics. I feel a lot better, I just have no energy. Everything is so much effort. I don’t want to get out of bed. Not in a depressed way, it’s just hard to muster up the strength to do things. I sleep a full nights sleep but I feel like I have concrete blocks tied to my body which make it hard to get up and move. Is this normal after sepsis? Is this something that will get better with time? I know I’m very early in my recovery but I’m a single mum to a toddler and everything is falling behind- cleaning, laundry etc. I need this to get better. What can I do to help this fatigue?

hi! i was reading some posts on here and saw that the general consensus for hair loss is that it typically happens 2-3 months post-recovery. i got out of the hospital a little over three months ago and i'm starting to notice some significant shedding. i have long, thick hair and i will be devastated if i lose it. i'm not seeing any density loss yet, but at the rate my hair is coming out, it may be soon. i really want to stop this before it gets too bad. does anyone have supplement or hair care routine recommendations? i bought some biotin but didn't start taking it yet. i also have thick, curly/wavy hair and i tbh don't want to have to take hair loss stuff yet because i don't want my hair to get any thicker - it's too hard to take care of! but i'd rather have too much hair then not enough though lol. thanks in advance!

I’ve had no organs shutdown! Hospital stay was 4 days partially waiting for a bed at a hospital During the wait I got multiple rounds of antibiotics and iv liquids.

Recently went to my ER follow up with my PCP on day 2 of being released from the hospital. I explained I’ve vomited twice, diarrhea has restarted, shortness of breath still and I’m still exhausted. I used the example of how just getting ready to get here wore me out.

She was basically like finish the antibiotics (hospital sent me home with 5 days worth one a day) she also did bloodwork.

I ask about returning to Work initially she said I can return tomorrow. I again reiterated my symptoms then she gave me a week only.

Is this normal?

In May, I had sepsis and, as a result of the sepsis, open heart surgery to replace a valve. Four times since I returned home, my vision has changed quickly. It is as if what I am looking at is cut up into boxes. When I look in a mirror, I see gold and reddish balls — a flash going off. My hands also start shaking. It only lasts 5 to 10 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi, I survived Septic Shock in April last year. ICU stay but no ventilator or sedatives were needed.

I'm interested in learning about others who have or still have some lingering issues post Sepsis, with memory, speech or other cognitive issues.

I have found thinking of the right word to use a struggle at least two or three times a day. When tired I have a stutter and struggle to formulate my sentences properly. I've had a rise in headaches and also find myself forgetting what I'm doing momentarily, why did I come into the kitchen again? Etc.

Has Sepsis affected you in this way? I'm very curious to know if it has gotten better for you, worse, or stayed the same.

I'm going to try to make this not too long of a story. Short story is: husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer in May. Had a PICC/nephrostomy tube inserted and left in place for a month, which is standard. Tube was removed 2 weeks ago with no issues. Had his first of 6 immunotherapy treatments last Thursday (they cath him, shoot treatment into bladder, remove cath and he has to hold it in his bladder for a couple of hours) and it went great. He was fine Thursday, Friday and through the weekend. No side effects or issues. Then Monday, bam, out of nowhere, he's sick as hell. Temp was only 101.5 but had chills and was weak. Called urologist and he said to go ahead and take him to er. He was lethargic and shaky the whole time we were waiting to be seen. They did a blood draw and determined he had sepsis. I think his WBC was 33.0 and his BP was low. Admitted him and had surgery that night to insert a stent into his kidney because they *think* that's where the infection was coming from (even though he had no kidney infection symptoms at all). Started him on iv antibiotics.

Now, 4 days later and it appears he's progressing well and responding to the antibiotics. He's in a regular room, not icu or anything and hopefully coming home tomorrow.

But here's where I'm confused and concerned. We've seen about 3 doctors daily-his urologist, an infectious disease doctor and whatever doctor is on call for the day, and every single one of them kind of rolls their eyes when I question the seriousness of his condition and shouldn't we be more worried? They all claim the word "sepsis" has been blown out of proportion and that it just means a bad infection and there's no need to panic. Funny enough, there's a HUGE stanchion sign at the main entrance of the hospital that says "Know the signs of sepsis"!!

My husband is a pretty healthy 68 year old, aside from the cancer which is under control and I'm just worried we're going to get home and end up back in the hospital again in a few days! Why does it seem like the medical professionals don't take sepsis as seriously as the rest of the world thinks it should be?? Are we overthinking it? (if you made it this far, thanks for being patient!)

Did any of you experience unacceptable or negligent service by nurses or doctors while you were so very ill with sepsis in the hospital? When admitted through the ER, I had been running fever of 104 for days, had a rash all over and my hand, feet and knee joints were severely swollen. That high fever alone is enough to alter your mental state. Then you add in the pain. The first room I was assigned had something going on with their nurses. All were short, rude and acted like they were mad at the world. After three days they collectively decided amongst them selves that I couldn’t possibly be so serious as to need constant assistance from them.

I’m an elderly widow with no family in town so I was alone. The pain and joint swelling required me to call for a nurse whenever I needed to go to the bathroom. Being that I was on iv fluids, this happened often. When I would ask for my pain meds, they about snapped my head off. I have had long lasting effects because of their treatment of me.

Today, months later, I finally got the strength to go through my medical records. On a specific day that one nurse was even more hateful. I was told by her that she gave me my Oxy pill at 2:30 pm. An hour later I was very sleepy but no pain relief. A couple more hours and I was in such agony it was affecting me mentally and emotionally. This nurse then waited until the end of her shift and filed a report against me citing that I said I was in so much pain I was going to harm myself. Others were in the room as witnesses said it wasn’t true. This never happened but it didn’t matter. It triggered a hospital mandate that I be moved to a secured room for observation. They gave me a shot of Dilauded as I was being moved out of their hair and to another floor.

So today as I reviewed the med list. I looked at that date. This nurse had given me an anti-itch pill that was the same size and color as the generic Oxy. Being a senior without my glasses on, it looked the same and she verbally told me that it was Oxy. Finding out what she did is infuriating . We all know how much pain and mental stress sepsis causes us even after we get home. For this nurse to inflict all of this on me because she was having a bad day or whatever is totally inexcusable and may even be criminal. Have any of you been mistreated while in the hospital? what should I do about what this nurse did (there were other things, this is just the worst).

I need some ideas on how to turn my life around. This truly scared me. What are some lifestyle changes and other things I should need doing?? I am a mom for 2y/o Delete if not aloud.

I'm sure this is old hat for most, and many will roll their eyes at the sight of the subject, but my GP just mentioned the name of the effects I'm living with. She talked about it a while back, but didn't say there was a recognised condition.

I had sepsis in February, and am wondering what symptoms you experienced, how long it lasted, and if anybody found they had permanent, or long term lasting effects?

Also, does anything help you?

Thanks for any replies

Hi everyone

I'm looking for some hope/shared experiences. Do share if you or someone you know have gone through something similar

My father (61, was very fit, diabetic) went into septic shock 2.5 weeks ago, had a bad crash with pH 7.01- he had gone into septic shock following an infection( doctors initially suspected pneumonia but the actual infection could never be diagnosed) - he was put on ventilator and dialysis and was on heavy vasso pressants to maintain his BP .He was removed from sedation nearly 7 days ago and hasn't fully woken up since except in the last 2 days he's started following commands (opening eyes, sticking tongue out, tracking us with his eyes) but still can't talk, move his arms or legs at all. Kidneys ( they were initially impacted )and lungs have mostly recovered now. Doctors are split on whether there's brain damage — MRI shows only tiny "maybe embolic" spots but a neurologist called it irreversible hypoxic injury, while the ICU head and a second neurologist disagreed(they suspect imbalances due to his condition like elevated urea and BUN) . Looking for anyone who's been through something similar — what helped, what to ask for, what your timeline looked like.

I’m currently right around the two month mark since being told I was septic. I’ve been doing well since, aside from what I feel like has just been run of the mill tiredness. Within the last week, however, I’ve suddenly completely lost control over my bladder. I can’t hold anything anymore. I’m a college student and incredibly busy and active, so this is kind of the worst thing ever. I don’t know if it’s relevant to the sepsis, and I don’t have insurance so I’m not entirely sure how to go about getting it treated. If anyone’s gone through something similar post-sepsis, please tell me your experience.

So, my friend and I flew into a different city for a concert yesterday. Walked around all day (8 miles). He did tell me he didn’t feel good earlier in the week but was feeling better so that’s why we still came. As soon as we got back to the hotel, he started having the rigors and went pale. I called 911. He’s now admitted for severe sepsis. He is 49 years old and I’m so worried. He is alert. His labs are improving but I’m wondering realistically how long he’s going to be in for? I have to go back home tomorrow as my son starts kindergarten and it’s breaking my heart that he’ll be here all alone. They don’t know the underlying cause. I’m just looking for any insight. Please no horror stories as I can’t handle that right now.

My wife got sepsis from a UTI about 2 weeks ago. She spent about 4 days in the hospital with iv antibiotics. They got her vitals to stabilize and sent her home. The last 10 days she has been home with oral antibiotics.

We have a follow up Monday with her primary care doctor. There is still a little uncomfortable feeling and redness in the “female area”. Is this possibly just everything healing from the infection trauma?

Overall she is doing much better. Just tired from the antibiotics as well. Thankfully today is the last dose.

I appreciate any advice to bring up to our doctors. Test to run or questions to ask. Have a great day

Edit: she is 51yo and pretty healthy overall.

I had sepsis almost two years ago now.
I was healthy, although I was 7 months postpartum from my second child and sleep deprived + breast feeding at the time so not sure if that contributed.

They assumed it was toxic shock syndrome. Liver and kidney failure. I was ‘the sickest person in the hospital’ and if I had waited longer could easily have died.

I was in the ICU for a few days then a week in hospital. At the time I felt like I was never going to get better, I didn’t want my catheter out because I didn’t think I could walk a metre to the toilet. This could have been the come down from ketamine they gave me.

But then I was out and about a week later doing almost everything normally. Peeling skin and shedding hair but fairly normal.

Last year I felt like I almost had a mental/emotional snap with my husband during a disagreement. It went on for a couple of weeks. Close to divorce. And we’ve had a hard year since.

I wonder how much emotional dysregulation, poor sleep (although I’ve always had bad sleep), fatigue and brain fog can be attributed to post sepsis.

My mom had a kidney stone that caused her to go into septic shock. She also had DKA which they are blaming on metformin.
Tomorrow she gets the stent out, but her CT scan still shows the 3mm stone in the kidney.
I’m worried that the same thing will happen, the stone will get stuck and cause an infection.
And also I read that pulling the stent can cause sepsis to reoccur 😭 I’m so scared.
Has anyone gone through something similar?

44 f 224 lbs diabetic t2 high BP high cholesterol 100% blockage in femoral artery recently 3 stents put in left side of heart due to 100% blockage 60% and 70% in all the main areas. I recently spent 5 days in the hospital, gastritis, SIRS, and NSTEMI. 4th time in less than 2.5 years I have become septic in my intestines with no known cause. So they believe I have some kind of systemic issue that gets triggered and I become septic. (FML).

This time I was taken by helicopter which would've been frightening except for the fact when I'm septic I lose my mind and have no idea what's going on. I've become septic 12 times in 7 years and heart attack the last 5 times. The sepsis seems to love to attack my heart and brain. They told me I wouldn't survive a bypass or heart cath and I needed a transplant. My cardiologist did 2 heart caths and 3 stents. He also said that yeah if I have these issues any.ore I may need a transplant but not anytime soon.

So now I'm being harassed by everyone in my life trying to "make" me do things I don't want to do bc they all think I'm gonna drop dead. I'm literally wearing a defibrillator vest for the next 30 days. Friday is my 2 week post hospital visit. I need to know how to get ahead of these bouts of sepsis before I die. I'm not sure how much more my body can handle. I have a GI appointment at the end of this month. I haven't really had chest pains or anything. Once in a while some pressure when I walk upstairs less now that it's been a few weeks.

Idk what's causing these infections. I would believe it was the Ozembic but they happened years before that. I'm neurotic about hygiene. I bleach and Lysol everything in my house daily. I don't even shower without bleaching the tub first just to avoid possible infections. I had to stop eating lettuce bc it seems to cause me to get sicker more often which I find stupid. Is there a way to find out what type of systemic issue there is? Ways to find triggers? I did have a contrast MRI a few hours before hospitalized but felt ok aside from some nausea. Would pro and pre biotics be beneficial? I need to know what to ask my doctor aside from the basics.