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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 41-50 >> Interview 26 >> In his near-death experiences a sedate scene was always followed by a fight.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of severe pneumonia. Spent 30 days in intensive care and 8 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 20 >> He had one nightmare but this was no worse than any other he might have had outside the hospital.

Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 25 >> He dreamt that he had to prove himself through games if he really wanted to survive.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of severe pneumonia, septicaemia, liver abcess and kidney failure. Spent about 4 weeks in intensive care and 2 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 26 >> He recommended discussing dreams with family rather than nurses, and appreciated family members who were willing to listen.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of severe pneumonia. Spent 30 days in intensive care and 8 days in a general ward.