Antoinette Stoltenkamp
I developed a UTI (bladder infection) and tried to treat it with over-the-counter medication and home remedies, which nearly cost me my life. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) On 21st July 2018, I woke up as normal and attended my morning bootcamp class. A few hours later I started experiencing what felt like heart palpitations (my heart beating really fast) and pains down both my right and left sides. I put it down to the exercise I did earlier and carried on with my day. By lunchtime I was so exhausted and fell into a deep sleep. By 8pm that night I was feeling cold and had the WORST migraine I could ever explain. I took two painkillers and went to bed leaving my husband to sort out the kids. I thought it would be gone in the morning.
Saturday morning however it was so bad I could not lift my head up. I told my husband I need to get an ER as I knew something was drastically wrong. On arrival at the ER, my heart rate was very high over 160 bpm, my blood pressure EXTREMELY low and I had a fever. The doctor immediately put up an IV. They ran blood tests and the results came back quickly showing my CRP (infection indicator) was over 100 (normal is below 3).
They called a specialist out and I was admitted to a general ward. After the nurses consistently took my blood pressure in confusion as to the correct readings, my BP was 71/37 (normal is 120/80). They wheeled me immediately to the critical ICU. I was very confused but they informed me I was in septic shock and was then attached to all sorts of equipment (BP monitor, heart rate monitor and oxygen). On day two in ICU my CRP had increased to 405. A CT scan revealed my bladder infection had spread to my kidneys and there was fluid in my abdomen. The first course of intravenous antibiotics did not help so my amazing physician increased the dose. By day 3 my CRP was slowly coming down (299) but by day four I felt so sick and was convinced I was dying. I had started projectile vomiting and had the WORST constant migraines I could not eat or lift my head. I was in so much pain. I ended up spending 6 nights in the ICU. When they were certain my blood pressure could regulate itself, I was moved to a general ward for a further 3 nights.
I am so lucky to have had the physician and nurses I did. They identified septic shock immediately and were hence able to treat me and save my life. I was sent home with a further four courses of oral antibiotics which I am still taking. But my body was so weak and exhausted I couldn’t get out of bed the first week. I am now getting stronger everyday but it was a very traumatic experience and I realise how lucky I am to be alive. I will never again ignore the slightest infection knowing now that it can end up in sepsis. I got away lightly considering I could have had organ failure had I left it any longer. I think sepsis is something that should get more exposure so people can identify it sooner and lives can be saved. Today I cooked a meal for the first time in 5 weeks so I am on the road to recovery, thanks to God, prayer and my wonderful physician.
