Elizabeth R.

It was status epilepticus (a series of epileptic seizures) that put me in the ICU. But it was acute sepsis/septic shock that nearly killed me. (Sepsis and Septic Shock) I’d aspirated my stomach contents when I seized. This caused aspiration pneumonia, which caused sepsis. (Sepsis and Pneumonia) Not that I knew any of this. I was unconscious and on a ventilator for days.

Ultimately I was released from the hospital. Nothing in my discharge paperwork said I’d had sepsis, and my my short-term memory was so impaired I had no idea what I’d been told.

Months later, curious about why I was still so weak, forgetful and confused, curious about why I was losing so much weight and my hair was falling out, I finally requested my hospital records. And there it was: a diagnosis of severe sepsis/septic shock. Searching sites like this one helped me understand what my body had been through. (Thank you!)

My advice to anyone who’s been hospitalized: get your hospital records. you have a right to them. I’m still suffering after-effects of sepsis. But at least now I know the cause. (Sepsis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome)