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My ARDS was caused by a severe reaction to a chemotherap...

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Guest
Guest

My ARDS was caused by a severe reaction to a chemotherapy drug in the ABVD family (for Hodgkins Lymphoma)- I believe it was bleomycin. The life support machine was almost switched off but my Oncologist insisted on trying really strong Methylprednisolone which saved my life. I couldn't move when I came out of ICU and for about 6-8 weeks after that. Progress was slow but I am anow able to walk with the aid of a stick although I have a wedged spine, osteoporosis and brachial plexopathy to my left arm and hand and lots of stretch marks on my right arm and side.

[i:e71701e491]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:e71701e491]

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi there,

    My brother at the moment is severly ill with pneumonia, his body went into septic shock and he has survived now for 5 days thankfuly. We were told yesterday day 4 that he has ARDS.

    Is there anyone who has experienced this through having pneumonia that can possibly show me that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    When i read the web sites a lot of them are gobbly gook to unmedically trained.

    I know at this stage it is still touch and go but b4 yeaterday i had not heard of ARDS.

    cheers

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    ARDS is the respiratory distress caused by fluid accumulation in and or swelling of the lungs, its not a very good thing to have sad
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi, it is now day 14 and my brother is fighting on...pneumonia bacteria has now cleared and gunge is coming out of his lungs much more than before...

    He is not out of the woods yet but he is fighting it....i know this is a long haul and the condition is very distressing to watch...We have been told now that they are starting to take him off sedation gradually to see how he reacts....his lungs are still very infected and collapsing frequently

    Marj x

  • dk2014
    dk2014 Guest

    Posted

    Hello - my uncle is currently in ICU for Bleomycin induced ARDS - his prognosis is really negative since he went into ICU 2 weeks ago but has been stable in the sense that he hasnt got any worse or better. He finished chemo for Hodgkinds Lymphoma and after a few weeks got ARDS. Are you able to give me more info on your ARDS (any other complications due to it ie sepsis, multi organ failure etc), how long you were in ICU until they decided to switch off ventilator and why / when the Oncologist recommended Methylprednisolone? Thanks
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