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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Sleep, dreams and hallucinations >> Sleep, dreams and hallucinations

Sleep, Dreams and Hallucinations

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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She had nightmares when she first came home that drew on things she'd vaguely seen or heard in hospital.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 14 >> She slept very little in intensive care because of the lighting, medications and visits from family and medical staff.

Had a planned caesarean in 2005. Had a complication (placenta accreta) after she'd delivered and had to have a hysterectomy. Following hysterectomy, was in ICU for nearly 2 days, then spent 2 days in her own room in the hospital with her new baby. Discharged herself and has had no problems since.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 06 >> She felt disorientated and lay awake all night because of the medications and her own fears.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> He used to be an insomniac but now gets a full night's sleep.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She stayed awake for four nights because she hallucinated whenever she tried to sleep, and felt isolated.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 02 >> He dreamt he was a washing machine and slept poorly because of the noise of equipment.

Had very severe cold and coughing in 2005, which turned out to be pneumonia. Was in intensive care for nearly a month and in general ward for about 4 days. Has now fully recovered.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> Because of his near-death experience he now wants to help others who've been in intensive care.

In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She recalled how the nurses went out of their way to help her feel cared for and positive.

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> Her hallucinations started wearing off in HDU but she felt bored because she was unable to do anything.

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 71 plus >> Interview 10 >> She was glad to get back home because she found the noise from other patients, their visitors and nursing staff distressing.

Was diagnosed with pancreatitis in 2004. Spent over a week in intensive care and 1 week in a general ward.