In hospital for the third time in a row with sepsis

[miniwh]

I'm 23.

Sepsis first time from a UTI. Sepsis again from gallbladder surgery

Now in hospital again! My H and DC had a virus of vomiting and diarrhoea. I had the mildest case. Then I was sitting there and started to get chills. Within the hour, under the covers unable to move from the pain of being so cold. 111 said A&E

Within 30 mins, on hospital bed. Confirmed sepsis

Ffs! What on earth is this? Why do I keep getting it? The second time I had it, they kept saying it was normal as the anaesthetic wore off. But I insisted they check infection markers. Low and behold, septic.

That's weird. Do you think you have some kind of underlying problem that's causing you to end up with sepsis every time there's any chance of it?

I did ask the consultant I just saw @ClumpingBambooIsALie but he brushed me off and said 'luck'

It's awful. Sounds odd but I am completely coherent throughout, I just feel so cold. And my heat rate is very very high. Blood pressure low. Last time I had sepsis they said it took longer to diagnosis as I didn't 'present' as that unwell

Hmmm luck?? I’m not sure. I would want someone to think a bit harder and deeper about it.
Hope you feel better soon.

I've made a study of sepsis because my Mum had it. I learned that if you get a repeat episode you may look and feel less unwell than the first time. This can be a danger for you. Ask to have your history of sepsis writ large in your medical notes. I hope you recover soon x

Three times does sound to me like it might be more than luck, but since I'm not medical and have no personal experience, I don't think my opinion is likely to be worth very much! But I don't think it's unreasonable for you to be concerned. I'm sorry you feel so awful and hope you're better soon. If you don't get an explanation you're happy with while you're in hospital, maybe once you've recovered you could ask your GP for a second opinion on these repeated sepsis attacks?

I've been in exactly the same situation op. I get a uti and I'll end up in hospital with early stage sepsis and infection levels through the ceiling. Has happened 4 times in the past 6 years. Nightmare

@CandyLeBonBon sorry how awful

I just think it's so negligent how doctors brush you off. Even today on admission, the nurse doing my obs in A&E was shocked and called a doctor over. He tried belittling him and saying 'oh you're okay! What brings you in today?' The nurse then whispered to look at my stats and his demeanour completely changed

Once you are better, I would ask your GP for a referral to check your immune system and whether there are any underlying issues.

When I had sepsis I was in hospital for weeks, bed for 6 months, recovery for 18 months and still have immune system effects years later. I was told 80% of people die of it. Is it right that you've got sepsis? How are you not in intensive care? Have they changed the definition recently?

Sepsis, leading to septic shock can vary in severity and if caught early is treatable. The first time I had it I was in the high dependency unit and it was touch and go as to whether I would go into icu. Second and subsequent times was less severe but
I come down with symptoms very quickly and know what it looks like so wasted no time in getting to hospital as advised by consultant after the first episode.

Get a laminated card to keep with you showing all of the dates / times you've been admitted with sepsis. And on it state that each time you appeared alert and oriented but your obs showed you had sepsis and for some inexplicable reason you are prone to sepsis.

This way if they refuse to give you antibiotics they at least can look up previous sepsis events quickly, if they can be bothered, and help prevent another one.

Ask your GP to add prone to sepsis, as it's been 3 times now, on your notes.

If you were geriatric you'd be prescribed prophylactic ABX to take daily to help prevent UTI which can cause sepsis if that's what the underlying cause possibly is.

I used to be prone to cellulitis in my right leg - first severe bout has definitely created drainage issues as right leg always fatter.
GP has arranged on my notes that I can call for a repeat prescription of antibiotics anytime. Thankfully situation has improved in recent years and not needed this.
Suggest you try and arrange something similar

My sister had sepsis several times and ultimately it was found to be caused by necrotic tissue left behind after surgery (she'd had a double mastectomy and tram flap after breast cancer). No idea if this is likely to be the case for you and I'm not a doctor but I know once they'd found this out (not sure how), and removed the tissue the issue totally resolved thankfully. Sympathy in buckets though it's so horrible and scary.

Oh right I guess I must have had septic shock.

To be fair to the consultant he won't know the answer as to why. There is still lots that science doesn't know about out bodies, perhaps we expect answers- I also think Dr's don't like to say "I don't know" because some patients may react very negatively.

I would ask your GP for advice, maybe blood tests will determine your white blood cells. Has there been much time between incidents?

I would imagine so. There are 3 stages of sepsis. I've been lucky to have only experienced 1st and 2nd stages. It's still incredibly frightening though and I think people are unaware of what sepsis is and what it looks like, so possibly ignore symptoms until it progresses?

Have you been on here sepsistrust.org lots on info and you can speak to a sepsis nurse who can talk through your questions.
As sepsis can turn to septic shock which can kill you/end up with you in icu I am surprised they aren't onto the symptoms much quicker. I also think (having been there myself) if you've not had an op or an underlying major infection they don't think sepsis could be an issue.
Vomiting is also a symptom of septic shock so with other symptoms should not be ignored.

I’m really sorry to hear you’ve been unwell. My mother had sepsis and was in the ICU & was a dreadful experience.

Have you ever suffered from covid? It can run your immune system down and there’s even a link between covid and sepsis.

When/why did the terminology change from septicaemia to sepsis?

My DF had sepsis and was hospitalised and on IV drip. This was how we discovered he had pancreatic cancer. How long can you have sepsis without being diagnosed?

I think septicemia is more linked to blood poisoning causing sepsis. More like when you get a cut and it turns nasty causing sepsis.
Sepsis is when your body goes into overdrive from any infection. Mine was most likely caused by a virus. Think it's to widen its definition and raise more awareness.