AboutHillarie Speziale Expertise I can answer general questions about ICU care, the frequently used medications, procedures, and life supports. I can also explain many of the diagnoses and supportive measures used for patients with that particular illness. I am familiar with the infectious, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and gastric problems that can land you in the ICU. I can not tell you exactly how long the patient stay will be, diagnosis your symptoms, or tell you with any certainty that the care you (or your loved one) received was wrong. I can also answer career questions regarding RRT and RN fields. Please note: neurology is not a field I have dealt a great deal of familiarity with.
Experience I have 17 yrs experience as a Respiratory Therapist, and 9 yrs as a critical care nurse. I am familiar with infectious, cardiac, respiratory, renal and gastric diagnoses that can land you in the ICU.
Education/Credentials Assoc. Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of science in psychiatric nurse practitioning.
Expert: Hillarie Speziale Date: 1/12/2008 Subject: Severe Hypothermia Recovery
Question A 57 year old male friend of mine was sick with flue and collapsed unclothed in his home from diabetic shock. He was discovered 5 days later. The temp of the house was 42F and his body temp was around 80F. He was in a coma for nearly a week and is now experiencing slight short term memory loss. The doctors have been very vague as to what long term effects this might have on him. He was found and hospitalized 10 days ago and still cannot urinate on his own, is in constant pain and has swelling in his feet. Prior to this "accident" he is a binge drinker, didn't know about his diabetes but had been throwing clots in his legs and feet, had prostrate troubles or erectile disfunction (undiagnosed) and was found with alcohol, cold medicine and prescription drugs in his system. Can you give me an idea of what long term effects we will be facing as he moves into recovery?
Answer Hi Joanne, I'm afraid I don't have a lot of answers for you. I'm amazed he is as intact neurologically as he is. It would not have been surprising for him to have thrown emboli to his head as well. I have seen people with his issues recover completely, while others have never cleared neurologically.
I am unclear as to the nature of his pain. Is it secondary to neuropathy (nerve damage) of his legs from untreated diabetes? This is a very difficult pain to treat. Is it related to ischemia, poor circulation, in his legs? If that's the case they may elect to do surgery once he is more stable. Did he end up with pressure ulcers from his long stay on the floor and poor circulation? These can gradually improve with the proper hydration, position changes, and good skin care.
Separate from all of these, is the question of whether he will be able to remain sober if he does get home.
Often the reason physicians are vague is because there simply are no clear cut answers. There are so many individual factors for each and everyone of us, that it's very difficult to predict with any certainty how each of us would fare even if we were all struck with the exact same illness.
I realize this was a long time in coming. I apologize for that. I'm currently working 6 days out of 7 so it becomes difficult to find enough time.
Good luck to you. I hope your friend continues to make steady progress. Take care, Hillarie
