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

Exactly my point.

And an elecfan can only do so much.in our house it’s no way enough on it’s own when it gets really hot

So sorry to hear about your poor relative OP.

I can really see how it may have happened to her as I nearly got quite ill myself last week. Luckily I realised that I was not feeling right and got some help.

I think people will need more education regarding the high humidity levels & temperatures going forward.

It’s easy to get to the stage of Heat Exhaustion without realising you have it; you can feel so drowsy that you just need to lie down but that’s when you need to be taking urgent action to cool down instead or it will progress to Heat Stroke which is probably what happened to your relative.

Certain medications can make people much more prone to Heat Exhaustion such as anti depressants & anti psychotics for example.

Also many people will get too warm but not know the steps to take to cool down quickly such as holding your wrists under a cold tap for 10 minutes and putting a damp tea towel on your head & neck.

As well as children and the elderly who we know are vulnerable; there will be a lot of younger adults with MH conditions and / or Neurodiversity / physical disabilities / chronic illnesses out there who may also need extra help / support/ advice during heatwaves.

Thanks for that. Will keep it in mind in future

I'm so very sorry, OP, that is awful. My best wishes to your family.

For those posters talking about personal responsibility, or whether the landlord had liability, or how it should 'just' be the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions who can die from heatstroke, it's really important to understand that this is going to get worse and we will all have to work on mitigating its impact. Architects, landlords, town planners, schools, the NHS and individuals. Personal responsibility won't cut it.

Sorry for what you are going thru. It sounds like there has been massive brain damage but I’m not a medic. Hope you find the strength to do the right thing.

As difficult as that is for you…..there’s a time and a place. Using someone else’s thread about their own tragic circumstances is not the place for you to use as a platform. Start your own thread!

much love @SmokeyMountainRain at this very difficult time.xx

Washing your hair and leaving it to dry naturally is a good way to cool head and neck. Sitting with your feet in a bowl of water can also cool you. You can buy neck fans and I expect they will become rather popular. Some people buy dog cooling mats to sleep on.

If by some miracle the poor lady survives another heatwave is being forecast already.

OP hearing is said to be the last sense to go. If you can take it turns to talk calmly, stroke a hand and if she had any religious faith read something comforting.

I’m so sorry op. This is just so sad, and so worrying at the same time. At 41 this would be severe heat stroke, which will have this impact. Have they said it was definitely environmental, there are some conditions that can lead to this, like a stroke, haemorrhaging, thyroid storm etc, which can cause the body to over heat like this,

So very sorry.

You mentioned she has insomnia - has she been on medication for that? Some drugs can cause a dangerously high temperature.

You’ve been told that sadly the extent of the brain damage is incompatible with life, yet you think it’s cruel to end life support! Sorry it’s worse to keep her mechanically alive when she’s unlikely to recover! Even if she did start to breath in her own, she will in all likelihood have severe brain damage, ask yourself what she would want in that scenario!

OP, my sympathies are with you and your family.

I hope all the posters on other threads with comments along the lines of "we managed in 1976 without all this hand-wringing and hysteria" are reading this thread. Climate change is a real danger to civilisation; and it literally starts right here in situations like this.

Everyone, think about this lady in ICU next time you drive a two tonne SUV 250 metres to the corner shop to buy cigarettes and crisps.

💐

While the OPs relative did have an underlying condition, that wasn't known until they were already in a coma though, seemingly.

So logically, as no-one here knew about the underlying condition and so a need to take extra precautions, there's just as much reason for concern in others. Lots of people have unknown medical conditions - things are often unknown until they go wrong.

I don't personally think anyone should worry anymore than they did before. Just like I don't think people shouldn't go for a fast run in case they have an undiagnosed heart condition... I just think your point is entirely illogical in the case of someone with undiagnosed, hidden underlying conditions. There is obviously always a risk that unknown ill health could affect someone, but that's equally obviously unknowable until after the event. So it has no real bearing on whether people should worry or not, because it's a random event. And what people are worrying about with random one off tragic cases affecting loved ones, like unexpected death by heat stroke, remains the same - a random, unexpected, catastrophic health event that couldn't be predicted in advance.

Anyway.

Wishing you love and grace however your relative's health goes, OP.

I've not been in your situation, but I've been in ICU watching over my partner in a coma and I lost my dad to an unexpected and unknown health event. I know your pain, even if I don't know what's happening for you right now and I wish I could help. Look after yourself and make sure other people are looking after you too 💐.

Wow i’m really sorry to read this 💐

really!!! What does this have to do with the situation?

Always good to be able to blame a landlord.

What a dreadful shock OP, and in someone relatively young too.

Look after yourself

Really sorry to read this OP, what a distressing situation. You and your family are in my thoughts. I'm so sorry you're all going through this. 💐

So sorry Op. This is so scary, I hope you look after yourself and I pray for a miracle for you xx

God almighty !! Not only is this not helpful to OP (or the least bit tactful) but it’s also not true - it’s just your experience, not a universal truth. While my DH was in ITU we witnessed several patients being taken off ventilators because they had recovered sufficiently to support themselves, and they were soon transferred to other wards to continue their recovery.

Wow, this is tactful 🙄

Yeah, like everyone - socially housed or not.

Thought I has swapped threads.....