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

So sorry to hear of your aunt's death. May she Rest in Peace. 😥 Your thread has helped raise awareness and thank you for that. Still thinking of others despite your loss.

• To those who kept telling OP they knew better than the medical experts dealing direct with her auntie, I hope you have learnt something. OP came here for help and support when she was upset and instead some ignored that to challenge her and others.

Oh I’m so sorry for your loss
I will definitely be more aware of this going forward.

I am so sorry for your loss OP. And despite how this thread had turned with some selfish posters I'm very glad you posted as I will take signs of "not sure/can't be bothered" to mean confusion and make sure I actively get a cold drink, cold towel on head instead of just sitting. I hadn't thought about that at all.

RIP Auntie

Thanks all for your lovely words. I'm glad everyone will be staying cool in this coming heat. I'm just in total shock to be honest but I do take comfort in the fact that she wasn't in pain.
I spoke to one of the consultants about heat stroke as I was quite uninformed before this and he has said heat stroke can and will be fatal. It is rare for a 'normal' person (what even is normal?) but nobody is exempt from it and once a person gets to the point of confusion they won't always know what's going on, or to call for help. The consultant was under the impression that the heat stroke and brain damage would have taken her life even if she hadn't contracted pneumonia or the COPD from the incidental finding. He said that week of extreme heat there were multiple people admitted with heat stroke with all different medical background and not. He also told me that people will stop sweating when they get to dangerous levels, which I didn't know.

The posters which challenged me on here did make me want to ask, despite me knowing what the consultants said and not believing randomers on number over her fantastic team. The COPD and smoking absolutely didn't help, but it was the heat that look my lovely auntie. I will be much more aware of the heat moving forwards.

have a good weekend everyone, we are having some family time together x

I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your poor Aunty.

I really had no idea how deadly serious heatstroke could be for relatively healthy people so I’m grateful that you’ve posted and helped to highlight the dangers.

I for one, will be far more cautious and sensible about trying to keep all the family hydrated and cool, going forwards. Especially with DH as he can be a bit gung ho sometimes.

So sorry for your loss OP

Sorry for your loss OP x

A patient of mine shocked me as she lives locally on a park home site & told me that 2 residents have passed away over the last week as a direct result of the heat. One of those residents was quite elderly; but she said the other woman was early 70s at most, seemed fit & healthy, but she still got heatstroke & died. So awful.

I admit I’m concerned about the next heatwave- obviously for myself but also for my indoor cat who is a very fluffy ragdoll. I’ve got her 2 cooling gel mats but she avoids them & will sit on hot windowsills for too long, run round playing & then start open mouth panting all of a sudden. It is quite stressful worrying about her.

So sorry for your loss OP. Thank you for raising our awareness of the risks.

So sorry, OP, and thank you for raising awareness of how dangerous extreme heat can be.

Animals in this heat are worrisome aren't they. Ragdoll cats are absolutely beautiful, I'm very jealous! 🥰

I’m so, so sorry for your loss and o can totally understand you all feeling blindsided.

Thank you for the warning too, that is very thoughtful of you

I am so sorry for your loss, what a terrible shock it must be and my heart goes out to you and all who loved and will continue to love your auntie. Love does not leave even when our loved ones die. I learnt a lot from your thread and while i have always been cautious and careful in the heat, your courageous account of what happened to your auntie has given me more information on how to keep as safe as possible

Sorry for your loss OP. May your auntie rest in peace.

OP because of you, I am sitting here with a damp flannel on my neck, because despite my own experience with heat stroke, I was still a bit blasē. But your thread was a really important reminder to me that if I feel like I'm reaching the intolerable and uncomfortable point with the heat, then I need to act for my own wellbeing. It doesn't matter if everyone else appears to be absolutely fine and dandy. It's about what my toleration point is. I don't care how I look.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your lovely Auntie so young💐 I wish you and your lovely family lots of love and well wishes during this very trying time and thanks so much for your post!

Remember love remains.

I am sorry for your loss OP, I hope your family and yourself are finding comfort in one another

I’m so sorry for your tragic loss x

There needs to be a lot more pubkic and media awareness of the dangers of heatstroke.

Thinking of you in your grief and for raising awareness of this tragedy. God bless your family as you mourn the loss of a cherished family member xx

That's horrible for you all. My friend passed out, and I had it in Thursday and Friday. Nowhere near as bad but you're sticky, wet and dizzy and I had a bit of gastro and cramps as well.

Some people watched me carefully on my way back from the shop earlier, sure they thought I was just hungover.

Water and electrolytes really help. As pp said cold flannels as well. Bucket of water and some ice cubes work on my feet.

Thank you for raising awareness OP. I grew up in Nortth Africa so was a bit blasé about heat, not realising heatstroke could happen here. I’ll be more careful.

This is what I thought . I mean not even offices have a maximum temp that people aren’t expected to work in , cold yes but heat no .

My sister has been visiting me from abroad and she was very careful wearing a hat, she said 2 years ago she has terrible heat stroke even though she wore a hat, sun cream and had water. She has to go to hospital as her hear was doing funny things as well as having sickness and a splitting headache. She is fit and healthy and was under 50 , the doctor said she has to be very careful as she is susceptible to getting it again hence wearing a hat at all times.

That's heat exhaustion, there's a difference. Heat exhaustion can be managed at home but if you don't take care can progress to heat stroke. Heat stroke is a 999 call, every time- its every bit as serious as a heart attack.

@MrSchubertWhiskers oh gosh! It's really unfortunate OP's Aunt progressed

Yes, really terrible :(
Here's the difference between the two - everyone should be aware so they can manage risk and know what to do if either occurs:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/