Anne Packard

I never knew what sepsis was before this experience. In March 2020 when the Covid19 pandemic had just begun here in the United States, I was treated at home for other reasons, with an IV infusion, After the treatment I began to shiver and shake. My temperature rose to over 100 degrees. We thought it was due to a bacterial infection that entered my blood through the IV drip. (Sepsis and Invasive Devices)

I called my doctor who advised me to stay put and he would come to me, as going to a hospital at that time posed a high risk of contracting the Covid19 virus. He ordered blood tests and started me on antibiotics. They were not effective, so after 2 weeks he changed to another antibiotic. My husband and I were quarantined in our room for 3 months as my symptoms were similar to those of Covid19 virus.

I was weak, and couldn’t eat anything, because when I ate only a few mouthfuls of food I felt full, like we do after eating a Thanksgiving dinner! I got along on water, broth, and slippery elm bark powder. I just took sips frequently throughout the day. I lost a lot of weight. My doctor kept me on antibiotics and ordered periodic blood tests. The bacteria that invaded my body was a common type. The sepsis finally subsided in July 2020. I SURVIVED !

I tried to eat some soft food in July 2020, but I got pain in my upper left abdomen along with my earlier symptoms of feeling full after taking just a few bites of food. More tests revealed I had some inflammation and swelling, but no other problems showed up. The skin temperature on that part of my body was hot (over 99). I continued back on liquids.
My primary care physician was patient and kind, but a gastro specialist doctor ordered a laxative. I didn’t take it as I knew my problem wasn’t constipation.
Now, a year later, x-rays, ultra-sound, and blood work do not detect the reasons for developing shortness of breath, tightness in my chest, anxiety, and fatigue. I thought it was severe asthma, but the inhalers don’t relieve the symptoms. I was reading on my I-pad, under lung conditions, and I saw “pulmonary acidosis” but blood tests ruled that out.

Now I know sepsis doesn’t “just go away.” There are many and varied long lasting effects. It’s a scary situation ! Thanks for providing this platform to allow us victims the opportunity to share our experiences, and our plight.
Anne Packard