Sepsis Pain

I was diagnosed and survived a recent bout with sepsis. Seventeen days in the hospital and 10 weeks with a pic line and antibiotics. It eventually manifested itself into a bone infection. Fought through all of it and feeling pretty good.

I have a lot of aches and pains now that I did not have before. It's dull aches like I worked in the yard all day and sore all over. I didn't have this before my infection.

Given the misfortunes others have had with sepsis, I feel I'm paying a small sacrifice. My blood tests are excellent and my results fall within acceptable ranges.

Anyone have any insight or experience with this? I'm still under the care of my infectious disease doctor and plan to talk to him about this.

I experienced a bout of systemic sepsis due to a perforated intestine. It was uncertain if I would survive.

I am here. I did survive.

But not without long-standing secondary effects. I, too, experienced generalized muscle and joint pain. The pain is due to the presence of bacteria that invades the body spaces.

I will not lie . . . it took a solid year of recovery. Now recognize that I also had a gaping abdominal wound.

But you can expect that your recovery will span several months. Progress will be incremental.

Be watchful of any recurrent infection. There is always risk that you have a sub-clinical level of bacteria remaining in your body and body cavities that can grow/multiply if given the right circumstances.

I had two subsequent abscesses post-sepsis. Each was treatable with drainage and additional antibiotics.

But do be watchful of any bacterial infection recurrence and report to your MD for monitoring.

You must be one tough cookie. Glad that you made it through.
- Karen -