MY AUNTY IS IN INTENSIVE CARE ON ECMO FOR ARDS, WE’RE VERY WORRIED SHE MAY DIE! HELP! (PART1)

Published: Mon, 05/25/15

Hi, it’s Patrik Hutzel from INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM , where we INSTANTLY improve the lives of Families of critically ill Patients in Intensive Care, so that you can have PEACE OF MIND, real power, real control and so that you can influence decision making FAST, even if you’re not a doctor or a nurse in Intensive Care!

This is another episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” and in last week’s episode I answered another question from our readers and the question last week was

“I WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE VENTILATED FOR A WEEK AND I DON’T REMEMBER A SINGLE THING, IS THIS NORMAL?”

You can check out the answer to last week’s question by clicking on the link here.

In this week’s episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” I want to answer another question from one of our readers and the question this week is

MY AUNTY IS IN INTENSIVE CARE ON ECMO FOR ARDS, WE’RE VERY WORRIED SHE MAY DIE! HELP! (PART1)

Lee from the UK writes

Hi Patrik,

My auntie is 47 years of age and in Intensive Care.

She came to Intensive Care with pneumonia in both of her lungs.

She got ARDS(lung failure) and now she has c-diff.

My aunty had ECMO for 6 days and she came off ECMO 2 days ago.

She then continued in Intensive Care for another two days and took a turn for the worse.

She now has a tracheostomy and is on dialysis for kidney failure.

Both lungs are struggling to expand and have become very stiff.

There is no real sign of improvement with antibiotics, even though she has sepsis.

My auntie’s oxygen level support is coming down slowly and her sedation levels as well.

My auntie is also mentally ill and on medication for schizophrenia do we have any hope for her because we are worried that she may die?

Thanks

Lee

Hi Lee,

thank you for making contact and thank you for your question!

I also want to thank you for signing up for your FREE "INSTANT IMPACT" report!

You'll discover tons of useful information, tips, tricks and strategies there if you have a loved one critically ill in Intensive Care!

I am very sorry to hear what you, your family and your aunty are currently going through!

It sounds like your aunty is very ill, however being on ECMO for 6 days is not a particularly long time and some Patients with ARDS(lung failure) stay on ECMO for up to 3 weeks.

Also, lungs can be "stiff" after ARDS and after coming off ECMO and your aunty's lungs may now need the time to recover further, being off ECMO.

It's also nothing uncommon that Patients after ARDS end up with a Tracheostomy to aid the process coming off the ventilator.

You have given essential information and just by knowing that your aunty has "only" been on ECMO for 6 days is encouraging.

Yes, your aunty is certainly sick by having the Tracheostomy and by being on the Dialysis machine for kidney failure, however it sounds to me like

a) progress has been made by getting off the ECMO

b) she still has some issues to deal with issues like stiff lungs, the mechanical ventilation, the tracheostomy and the kidney issues

Keep in mind your aunty is very young, 47 is not old at all, compared to other Patients being admitted to Intensive Care.

Also, with oxygen levels coming down as well as sedation being reduced is encouraging as well.

I would say that just from what you are describing, there is hope.

And yes, ARDS often leads to Sepsis.

Be patient. Lets give your aunty more time for the Antibiotics to work.

Here are also some related articles about Tracheostomy and ventilation as well as a link to a question from a reader who has had their mother on ECMO last year in an almost identical situation from what you are describing!

Tracheostomy and weaning off the ventilator in Intensive Care, how long can it take?

My Mum has been in ICU for three weeks now and she is on ECMO for ARDS! Will she SURVIVE?(PART 1)

My Mum has been in ICU for three weeks now and she is on ECMO for ARDS! Will she SURVIVE? (PART 2)

Other parts of the question you can access here

http://intensivecarehotline.com/category/questions/page/3/

Here are also some links to some interviews with Ellie, who's Mum was in ICU on ECMO

Podcast with Ellie, who’s MUM has been in Intensive Care for more than 3 months on ECMO for ARDS! Listen to Ellie’s story and how she overcame most of the challenges! (PART2)

Podcast with Ellie who’s MUM has been in Intensive Care for 6 weeks on ECMO for ARDS! Listen to Ellie’s story and how she overcame most of the challenges! (PART1)

I hope that helps.

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

I can also be available for a FREE 15 minute Skype chat and answer your questions.

My Skype ID is patrik.hutzel

Wishing you and your family all the best!

Your friend

Patrik Hutzel

If you have a question you need answered, just hit reply to this email or send it to me at support@intensivecarehotline.com

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