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Original poster

Sepsis -How bad is it?

23 replies

CloudyVanilla · 27/08/2019 23:45

Mum just rang to say my dad is in hospital, she said they think he had sepsis and he has bad liver and kidney function. He has COPD and has been feeling poorly for a while.

Is this something people can come back from? I’m scared to google so googled the general condition and it just says it’s a problem for older people especially, but I can’t relax. Knew immediately it would be something like this as mum would never phone late at night for anything else :(

Don’t really know precisely why I’m posting just feeling very restless. Was only told 15 mins ago and am waiting anxiously for more news

OP posts:

OneHanded · 27/08/2019 23:51

I had sepsis in January and whilst being bloody exhausted and fighting to breathe after a few steps was actually okay in myself. Sounds like he’s in the right place and they’ll soon get the antibiotics and nebulisers that help massively. Huge hugs to you and try not to worry too much although I appreciate it’s easy to say!

Beamur · 27/08/2019 23:52

Didn't want to read and not reply.
It can be serious, but good news at least that he is in hospital and receiving care.
Fingers crossed he improves

KronksSpinachPuffs · 27/08/2019 23:53

Hi OP, so sorry to hear this.

It is very different for everyone and people can be better again within the week so please dont read online too much as you'll see stories that are weighted towards the worse side.

I really hope your dad is ok x

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 27/08/2019 23:56

Thank you 😊

That really has made me feel better. I’m trying to hold it together and be rational, my dad is old and has a chronic health condition but I’m hoping all will be okay. It’s just the way my mum phrased it when she phoned - mentioned if the antibiotics don’t work they said there is nothing more they can do.

I’m 19 weeks pregnant so a bit hormonal anyway and am trying not to blow things out of proportion and get overly worked up. Thank you so much for the positive stories they really do help

OP posts:

justasking111 · 28/08/2019 00:07

It can be serious but he is in the right place and they will treat it aggressively. Good call that hospital.

LittleGinBigGin · 28/08/2019 07:22

Sepsis can be really bad. However it sounds like he’s in the right place, hospitals are amazingly quick to react and treat it, the earlier treatment starts the better the prognosis.

vampirethriller · 28/08/2019 07:37

I had it six years ago and was very ill but antibiotics worked really quickly. It took me about a year to recover fully. I had it again last year but was already in hospital when I got it and they gave me antibiotics as soon as they realised and I'm fine now.
I hope your dad is feeling better this morning

kaytee87 · 28/08/2019 07:43

My dad has terminal lung cancer and has had sepsis 3 times.
It is serious but he's in the best place.

BrokenWing · 28/08/2019 07:55

As others have said sepsis can be very serious but can also respond to antibiotics and he is the right place. Is the bad liver and kidney function related to the sepsis, did they say?

Whenever my elderly dad/mum was/is in hospital we asked the nursing staff when we could come in to be there when the Dr's were available to discuss so we could ask questions to understand exactly how serious it was/wasn't as mum/dad were terrible at understanding and passing on information. Are you close enough to go to the hospital to get clarification/put your mind at rest?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 28/08/2019 08:10

My DM contracted sepsis after a hysterectomy and made a full recovery.

It's not nice but your dad is in the right place. ]

Talcott2007 · 28/08/2019 08:10

Yes Sepis can be very serious - I developed it about this time last year after a primary kidney infection but they caught it very quickly and only needed IV antibiotics for about a week in hospital before I was deemed well enough to be discharged with further antibiotics and to recoup at home. Hospital is definitely the best place to be and the fact that it has been identified means that they generally have a good chance of treating it. I believe part of the 'issue's when it comes to sepsis is the symptoms not being correctly identified in the first place

lotusbell · 28/08/2019 08:14

Hope you find out a bit more today, OP and that he's stable and comfortable. He's in the best place.

hittheroadjack1 · 28/08/2019 08:14

Sepsis can be serious but your dads in the right place.

I had it a few years ago, I was really poorly but I was hammered with antibiotics and recovered fairly quickly.

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 28/08/2019 08:27

Thanks all so much for your support.

I’m trying to be optimistic and also sensitive to my mum who said she is going to see him in the morning and tbh I’m surprised she hasn’t rung me yet. I’ll give it another half an hour or so and I’ll go down at around lunch time. I do hope he’s okay, when my mom says “liver and kidneys not good” I don’t know if she means that’s what is infected or if that means those organs are failing?

The waiting to hear news is very stressful, have started a new job and have also already had to tell them I’m pregnant so I’m also stressed about taking time off, as frivolous as that seems in the circumstances :(

OP posts:

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 28/08/2019 08:27

Mum*

OP posts:

GenuineKlatchianPottery · 28/08/2019 08:38

My DD had sepsis while she was in hospital being treated for leukaemia OP.
It was horrific and really scary but the antibiotics worked really quickly and she recovered well.
If you do go to see your dad be prepared, my DD was hallucinating there were cats jumping on her bed and that she was shopping in the city. She was also convinced that she no longer had leukaemia and that the doctor had told her she didn’t need any more treatment.
For you and your family. I hope your dad feels better soon.

SinkGirl · 28/08/2019 08:41

for you, it’s a horrible situation to be in.

One of my twins had sepsis when he was born. It’s a serious issue and even more so in those who are physically vulnerable - the important thing is to diagnose and treat quickly. I’m sure the hospital are doing everything they can for your dad and I hope he responds well to the treatment. Sending lots of hugs

amusedbush · 28/08/2019 09:08

My mum had sepsis last year, she was delirious and babbling so was blue lighted to the hospital. She was really unwell but the hospital staff were brilliant and she made a full recovery.

LarkDescending · 28/08/2019 09:44

Hope things start improving for your Dad soon, OP. My colleague’s husband has recently had sepsis after a UTI - it hasn’t been easy, but he is home and recovering now.

Hermanhessescat · 28/08/2019 09:45

Icu nurse here. Kidney function can deteriorate with sepsis due to low blood pressure. In my experience it's quite common. Usual treatment is loads of IV fluids and if necessary IV drugs to improve the bp and hopefully the blood supply to the kidneys. Obviously also antibiotics hopefully sensitive to the bug causing the sepsis. Usually once sepsis is suspected there's a set plan of care that we follow to ensure everything necessary is done promptly ie bloods, medication. Depending on how bad he is, he may well be transferred to High dependency or even Intensive care for more specialist care and observation. Sadly sepsis is quite common but just remember staff are there to support you and don't feel anxious about asking questions because you won't remember everything !

whyamidoingthis · 28/08/2019 09:47

My father has had it several times and has always recovered. He also has additional, complicating, health issues. As pp's have said, it is serious but many, many people make a full recovery

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 28/08/2019 14:37

Thank you all so much the information and experiences are really helpful!

We feel very in the dark, left work early and am at home now but he is still on “ward 1” which is apparently an assessment ward? I haven’t been to see him yet as my mum and brother went shortly before I came round but we are going when my sister finishes work in an hour or so.

I’m feeling more optimistic, I’m of the mind that if it was going to kill him it would have already? It’s really good to hear that impaired kidney function is normal.

I’m not sure of the exact time but he is going to have a CT scan (does this sound normal) so see what’s going on. He is on oxygen but that’s not surprising as he has COPD anyway. I’m hoping all will turn out okay, I wish I could make my mum relax but we just don’t have much information apart from “he has sepsis, we are doing what we can to treat it but If the antibiotics don’t work there’s not much else we can do”. So apart from that hopefully he will be fine!

OP posts:

Frith2013 · 28/08/2019 16:06

My son had it aged 13 and it wasn’t great.

He was off colour for a day then deteriorated over the course of an hour. I was talking to 111 (or 101 or whatever it is) and the phone call had to turn into a 999 halfway through!

2 ambulance crews, 6 hours in resus. At one point it was affecting his heart and lungs.

He was in hospital for 5 days having IV antibiotics and fluids.

He had no appetite for a few weeks but was back at school within a week. He didn’t have any serious health conditions beforehand, which must have helped. I thought he was a goner before the paramedics arrived. I presume they thought so too, as they visited him on the ward the next day and looked very relieved to see him.

I hope your dad is soon on the mend.

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