Alycia Kradas
At 27 years old in October of 2017, I felt like I had a cold in my head, and it just hadn’t fallen into my chest yet. I went to my primary doctor, and she diagnosed my symptoms as a sinus infection and prescribed antibiotics. After 11 days of taking the medication, nothing had changed, and my symptoms just seemed to be getting worse. My boss advised me to go back to the doctor because she was concerned it might turn into something worse which it did.
I went back and was seen by a second doctor. I must have looked like death sitting in the waiting room. I could barely hold myself up. This doctor believed that I was misdiagnosed; that it wasn’t a sinus infection at all and tested me for mono. I couldn’t return to work and was blowing through my limited sick days, vacation days, and sick days my coworkers donated to me. I didn’t see the point of returning to my primary doctor, so we tried an “Urgent Care”.
My dad drove and I could barely even get out of the car when we arrived. I had developed a splitting headache. The doctor came in and spoke to both of us since I could barely get a sentence out. She decided I should get a chest x-ray. I had pneumonia.
As odd as it may seem, we were thrilled! There was a diagnosis, there was a clear way to treat it, and there was no more confusion. Seeing how weak I was sprawled across the examination table where I was waiting, the doctor decided I should be given IV fluids. After several bags of fluid there was no improvement.
The doctor said the fluids sometimes take 48 hours to take full effect and if the fluids didn’t then the emergency room would be next. She advised if we went straight to the emergency room they would just replicate everything we had just done. We took her advice and gave it 48 hours.
Sadly, I kept slipping further and further away. My headache was getting worse. I could barely move, or even speak. My Dad ended up calling a nurse from our insurance company. She had asked to speak to me directly. After 2 minutes she said to hang up and call 911.
Once in the hospital I was told it was not pneumonia. The hospital performed so many tests it went from trying to find what I had to ruling out what I didn’t have. We tested for Lyme, mono, the flu, strep, my thyroid, my heart, and the list went on and on. They weren’t getting anywhere. She looked right at me and told me I was not going anywhere. My heartbeat was 140 BPM, sometimes reaching even higher, and they thought I had both a viral and bacterial infection. I was in the hospital for 5 days and went through at least 14 bags of fluid. We were given the diagnosis, sepsis of unknown origin.
Now I am wrestling with post sepsis syndrome. I have been to several types of doctors to cure my symptoms. I saw a primary care physician, a cardiologist, a nephrologist, a psychiatrist, a holistic doctor, a rheumatologist, physical therapists, and a specialist on sepsis. Besides traditional medicine I have explored alternative therapies like reiki, reflexology, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. Even after meeting with all these complimentary medical professionals, I have no definitive answers, just theories and experiments. I am no longer able to work, live on my own, or have personal relationships outside of the medical field.
Sadly, sepsis and post sepsis syndrome are poorly understood, and very little research is done. I just wish there was more awareness of this very serious, dangerous illness and its aftermath.
I have dedicated the little energy I do have into spreading awareness, becoming an advocate for other Post Sepsis Syndrome patients as well as a support system for them as well. A local newspaper has helped me in my quest by writing about my experiences and struggles. Also, a local television news station interviewed me for a feature on sepsis that I brought to their attention. I am excited to continue my journey with the Begin Again Foundation. Hopefully this will help educate the community.