ICU psychosis

[nutribeat]

All you ICU nurses out there, I could use some help. Have you ever heard of a prolonged ICU psychosis? A friend's daughter had an organ transplant and she is now experiencing physical and emotional problems, several weeks out, which the doctors don't seem to be able to explain. If this is possible, what treatments are usually recommended? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!

[Hoozdo, ADN]

All you ICU nurses out there, I could use some help. Have you ever heard of a prolonged ICU psychosis? A friend's daughter had an organ transplant and she is now experiencing physical and emotional problems, several weeks out, which the doctors don't seem to be able to explain. If this is possible, what treatments are usually recommended? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!

As a liver recipient, an MICU new grad, and having my mother experience ICU psychosis on a GRAND scale twice...........I can answer your question!

Medical people tend to underestimate the psychotic side effects of massive amounts of corticosteroids. Is the daughter in rejection - when I was I got a whopping gram of IV solumedrol every other day. That alone will put you over the edge with hallucinations even.

Transplant patients are immune suppressed in layers......a front line immune suppressant (usually Prograf or Cyclosporine. Second layer of protection is corticosteroids - Prednisone in one of the various guisues such as Solumedrol, Decadron. For a third line of defense they throw in some Cellcept, Imuran, or any number of drugs.

I am 99% sure there is not an ICU psychosis issue here. It is a corticosteroid issue. Inquire what her dosing is and when they can start weaning the drug.