I've been legally dead (but I got better). AMA.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

Don't think I've seen an AMA for this on mumsnet, so have at.

[Spudlet]

What? How?!

[iloveeverykindofcat]

How did I die? Positional asphyxia caused by an accident. I got revived, obviously!

[SweetsAndChocolates]

I'd also like to know how?

[SweetsAndChocolates]

Sorry @iloveeverykindofcat posted same time

[LittleSnakes]

What was the accident? How long were you dead for? Did you see the tunnel and lights? Did you see god, heaven or hell?

[AlternativePerspective]

Actually if you have a cardiac arrest then you are clinically dead which is presumably what happened to the OP.

Been there, done that, and in my case I was still conscious when they started chest compressions, but blacked out pretty soon after then woke up on ICU the next morning and my first thought was “bloody hell my chest hurts,”

[iloveeverykindofcat]

I don't remember the accident but I tripped on a staircase and fell into a narrow stairwell that had immovable furnishings. The way I landed was unfortunate. I was only dead for a few minutes, but then I was in a coma for a few days. I didn't see any tunnel, lights, heaven or hell. So far as I remember I didn't see anything - and I've tried to remember.

[AlternativePerspective]

I didn’t see any lights or heaven or hell either. I just went from consciousness and feeling horrific to oblivion. It does mean that I’m not afraid of dying, having been there.

[DatingAWidower22]

What about the coma? Do you remember any of that? Was it medically induced?

[iloveeverykindofcat]

@AlternativePerspective Yes, I was CPRd - I wasn't conscious for any it though. I didn't know any of this happened until I woke up in hospital a few days later.

[Fuzzy303]

has it changed your outlook on life?

[iloveeverykindofcat]

No not medically induced, I just didnt wake up. I remember coming out of the coma, which is like...a visual/audio blur. But not the coma itself. It also cured me of my fear of death, because I learned I won't experience it. There will be no 'me' to do the experiencing. And I was terrified of death before.

[Twolostsoulsswimminginafishbow]

Under your definition I’ve been there twice with a coma on life support on both occasions afterwards. There was absolutely nothing, no conscious passing of time for me either.

[ichifanny]

Legally dead is when someone certifies your death and death is registered so you may have died from a cardiovascular point of view and been sort of clinically but it’s not legally dead .

[iloveeverykindofcat]

Quite right, clinically is what I should have said.

[Spudlet]

@ichifanny

Legally dead is when someone certifies your death and death is registered so you may have died from a cardiovascular point of view and been sort of clinically but it’s not legally dead .

That’s what confused me too - my understanding was that legally dead meant you’d been declared dead, had a death certificate and all sorts of legal wrangling involved in trying to be not dead, IYSWIM!

Very glad you’re ok op, and look forward to following the ama which I’m sure will be very popular

[iloveeverykindofcat]

@Spudlet That's almost the weirdest thing, is that once I woke up - I basically was okay! Obviously bruised and stuff but my vital signs went back to normal relatively quickly. It was an absolute mind-fuck to learn what happened. It was only the fact I could feel in my throat where I'd been intubated that made it feel slighlty real.

[TankFlyBoss]

How are you sure you're not a ghost?

[iloveeverykindofcat]

@TankFlyBoss I suppose I don't, but if I am the afterlife has been more or less the same as the life-life so far, which seems counterintuitive for some reason.

Seriously though it rather put paid to any thoughts I may have had of an afterlife, for better or worse. I'm now pretty convinced then when your brain goes off, that's it.

[Spudlet]

Wow, you’d think you’d have more after effects from a thing like that! Did you have any sort of counselling - did anyone offer you any?

[girlsyearapart]

Fil had this after a cardiac arrest. Critical illness cover mortgage paid off. Story in the paper

[iloveeverykindofcat]

@Spudlet no, I probably could have done with a bit of counselling to be honest, but I never asked for it and I think I've processed it all now - this was a few years ago. I wasn't immediately back to normal - it took a few weeks for that - but I didn't feel that bad either, and I was allowed to go home from hospital pretty promptly. They said I was very lucky, but also I'm reasonably young, healthy, and they tell me the paramedics did a great job. The most difficult part I think was taking on board that it actually happened. Because my memories skip directly from the day before the accident to waking up in hospital. Its like time skipped.

[themessygarden]

So it it like being under an anaesthetic, oblivion, nothingness ?

[CurlyBurley]

Wow, sounds like you're very lucky to be alive! Do you appreciate things more?

[Looseleaf]

Sorry this happened OP and so glad you were found! Who found you when it happened and did they realise straight away?