Relative in ICU with heat stroke and is not going to make it

[SmokeyMountainRain]

Posting for traffic. Has anybody been through this? Close relative, relatively young 50s), was found incoherent last Wednesday. Rushed to hospital straight to ICU as she'd fallen into a coma. They've kept her asleep, tried to wake her twice and she cannot breath on her own whatsoever. They've ran repeated scans which show due to the heat stroke damage the part of her brain that tells her to breath is severely damaged. They've pretty much said she's incompatible with life now and we will have to turn the machines off this week unless by some miracle she wakes up. Her core temp was 41 degrees for 4 days, she's now at 40. Not responded to any medication, antibiotics etc.

She wasn't even doing anything strenuous. Just in her flat watching telly. Has anyone been through this? Does anyone have any advice? I don't even know what to think and feel it just seems so so cruel. No brain bleeds or blockages on the scan. Substantial brain swelling and damage.

posting for traffic as can't see any similar threads

Any advice or miracle stories please send them my way. Thank you x

This.

My DD is an ICU doctor. Her team and her consultants are amazing. I’m in awe of her and them tbh. When she was qualifying, during Covid, she would sit and cry in her car after a twelve hour shift. She was talking to relatives who couldn’t visit because of restrictions on the phone and video. What I want to say @SmokeyMountainRain is that the ICU team will do all that they can for your relative at this heartbreaking time x

Hi OP I’m so sorry you’re going through this, apologies I haven’t read the full thread but someone I know was very poorly in ICU a few years back, not heat stroke but some kind of catastrophic pneumonia, and she was in a coma. Things looked very bleak but she was able to be put on an ECMO treatment (sp?! Sorry if not correct spelling but I think that’s what it was called) machine - it ultimately saved her life and she recovered, against the odds. I don’t know what the criteria are for that but could be worth researching it at least?

I think some people think heatstroke is just feeling a bit sick and miserable due to high temperatures, but what it actually means is that the body is no longer able to regulate its temperature, even as with OP's relative, with support, it no longer responds to heat in the same way yours and mine would. Once it passes this point, it causes significant damage to the brain.
Yes having an underlying condition and taking certain types of medication, makes people more susceptible, but that doesn't mean that perfectly healthy people are not at risk, because confusion is one of the key symptoms and that can obviously effects peoples ability to self-care or seek help.

I agree

I'm sorry but this is incorrect. 2 consultants have told us this is due to her brain injury due to her core temp of 4- degrees. He also said she would probably die still without the lung problems. As the part of her brain that's damaged is the part that controls breathing.

A couple of posters have said this now; and from the consultants opinions, she is in a negative state due to catastrophic heat stroke with a hypoxia brain injury and organ failure due to her core temperature.

Yes her lungs don't help her of course, but that's not the initial cause of this. I and my family have asked these same questions.

((((Hugs op))))

Huh? What are you on about? I haven't said it's cruel to switch off the machines. I want them to switch them off as she is suffering and this is traumatic as fuck for all of us witnessing it.
Please don't make things up on my thread, it's not fair at all I don't need posters like you licking me while I'm down.

I posted upthread re my DH being in ITU after collapsing in similar circumstances to OP’s relative. Unfortunately he didn’t survive but I echo the sentiment about the care provided. The staff in ITU were so highly skilled, dedicated, kind and supportive. The care he received was second to none and the support our whole family received was on another level - especially when it became clear he wouldn’t survive.

OP, sending you and your family lots of love. My brother was admitted to ICU 18 months ago following a catastrophic brain stem stoke. It was awful but the care he received was incredible and showed the NHS at its best. We were prepared by medics for the worst however he did miraculously improve due to the amazing care he received. It took many months and his after care is a different story. I used to be a nurse in a cardiac care unit (over 20 years ago now) and also as a social worker have worked in paediatric oncology. It is my understanding that medical professionals will give you an honest assessment of any outcome at the time you speak to them. Many people's expectations are informed via film and TV, but no medic will ever give any false promise. This does not mean things do not change.

Im really sorry to hear this OP And im sorry if my posts have upset you in any way. I really do think housing in this country has to be built and fitted for the climate we have now not the one we had in 1963. No one should be at risk of heat stroke just by sitting in their flat watching TV which is what she was doing as you pointed out in your OP

I agree. OP and their family are going through an extremely difficult time and some posters would do well to remember this before commenting.

Op I’m sorry you’ve encountered posts like the ones from , @Cailin66 and @riversofjoy @LoudTealHare etc

please just report and ignore, some people lack social skills as you can see. No one should be telling you what’s caused your relatives condition or arguing. I’m appalled by it.

😢

edited to correct names

Only discovered the thread an hour ago, however reading the OP’s last posts is heartbreaking.

i am not one to have a go at anyone- even when i have expert knowledge of a subject matter- however, I feel compelled to join the few posters before me who were shocked at the bickering going on on this thread when honestly, all is needed is to be kind to the OP.

i for one would be posting confusing things (confusing and confused to both myself and others) and won’t know if I was coming or going, if dealing with such a situation. Op is handling this very well.

And yet OP has already explained several times that the consultants are saying the underlying condition is irrelevant because the heatstroke and subsequent swelling of her brain has caused irreparable damage to the area controlling breathing. The state of her lungs is not the cause of this.

This is so tragic and I just wanted to say I’m praying for your relative in my own agnostic way as well as you and the wider family x

We cross-posted! Just heartbreaking to read/ see!

What is ridiculous is claiming you know better than experts in respiratory medicine actually treating the patient in question.

I've saved this useful info for the next heatwave and shared it with a friend. I'll keep drinking next time. Not only when thirsty.

I think op is suggesting that she is dealing with an incredibly tragic case of a loved one dying in very unfortunate circumstances and she could do with some support and comfort.

Op wishing you and your family strength and all the very best. 🍀

Agreed.

Well this thread shows MN at its best and worst. The best is the support for the OP who is living a nightmare, from those with compassion and empathy. The worst shows a level of pettiness, bickering and lack of understanding and respect that is contemptible. Ignore those posts @SmokeyMountainRain .

This is really sad and scary, i’m so sorry @SmokeyMountainRain

We should all be paranoid we will enter a coma once it gets hot? How do you suggest we process that info without unnecessary anxiety?

No but we should be aware that extreme heat/humidity can cause people to become unwell and when they are unwell they might not be able to follow basic health advice.
Those mentioning community cool spaces, how many of those are welcoming to those who smoke ? I would guess none due to laws put in place to protect the public from second hand smoke. So anyone who smokes is unlikely to take advantage of the offer despite being one of the groups most in need ?

@SmokeyMountainRain You are doing the best you can for the person you love by just being there for them. I am sorry you are going through this

Hugs OP and I’m sorry people are blaming this on smoking . Plenty of healthy people get ill in very hot weather. Non smokers are vulnerable too and this would have happened even if she wasn’t a smoker. I’m so sorry and I’m sending best wishes to you.