Hi my mom is in S.I.C.U. from a operation today which she developed?

sepsis. Today after a month they told us she had ARDS I don't want medical advice I want other people's thoughts. Well the sepsis has gotten better the pulmonary has not fever of 99, respirations of 40-50, low blood pressure, heaving at the mouth, on a trach vent of 50 percent, EEG machine on her head. She has had the same pulmonary doctor the whole time do you think I should get a 2nd opinion? has anyone out there had any eperience with this ICU NURSES out there

Your mom developed ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome) from being on the ventilator too long. I would get a second opinion, what could it hurt. It sounds like her vent. settings aren't adequate for her if she is heaving at the mouth and breathing 40-50bpm. Ask her doctor to try and put her on Assist Control mode on the ventilator. That change should slow her breathing down some. The doctors unfortunately must think she have suffered some brain damage that they have an EEG machine attached to her. Good luck to you and her and let us know of her outcome.

Hi Im a respiratory therapist.... Do you know what other vent settings she is on? Besides the 50% which I am assuming that you mean 50% oxygen.

No on the second opinion.

Your thoughts should be as to specialists in treatment of her condition and not a second diagnosis.

I dont know the answers to your questions, BUT...Im so sorry your Mom is going thru this. It must be very hard on you , your Mom, and the rest of the family. I sure hope she recovers from the surgery. Pray for her and stay with her as much as possible. My heart goes out to you.

A few of my best friends are ICU nurses, EMTs, Paramedics, and doctors.

It never hurts to get a second opinion. Read up on your mom's condition as much as possible. However, unless you have a real reason not to trust your ICU staff, I would try not to get in their way. But a good medical staff will give you every chance to be with your mom, and to keep you in the know, being sensitive and respectful to the extent that their busy stressful job allows.

I hope your mother gets well very soon. How is she, from your own observation? Are you able to talk to her? Does she respond to touch, voice?

I work in SICU; u dont want med advice but asks ? for 2nd opinion!!! spec from ICU nurse, its an irony.
yes u may go for 2nd opinion;
whatever u have said shows ur mother has complications of sepsis - cardiac and respiratory and not just ARDS but MODS
her resp rate (40-50) is very high while using a vent, why not increase oxy from 50 towards 90%. check other parameters such as tidal volume, pressure support
what operation did they perform?

Glad to hear your Mom's sepsis has cleared up - last night she wasn't sounding very good. If she is now conscious (you originally said she was on pain meds and sedated) and on .50% Oxygen, I would think that she is improving and that the trach tube will be removed soon. A fever of 99 degrees isn't anything compared to the last time you wrote - she had 104 I believe. If her blood pressure is low, she should be on pressors prescribed by her pulmonologist, unless she has congestive heart failure or kidney failure. You have a right to have as many opinions as you want...but she seems to be improving tremendously from your last post. Talk to another doctor and have him give you a second opinion - I think YOU need to know that things are getting better and would feel better hearing it from an additional doctor. God bless.

your mom still could be septic with a slight temp and high resp and low b/p. they are still the same symptoms as sepsis. she should have her urine checked, also they should have the head of the bed up at least 45%, she should have intense mouth care every 2 hours especially if she is intubated. poor mouth care can lead to pneumonia which would complicate things even more. she should be on pressors to increase her blood pressure. unfortunately ARDS is something that is difficult to treat and can have a negative impact on your mom.