‘I have never felt so ill in my life – I can’t even describe it.’   

Diagnosed with a seasonal virus in the autumn of 2022, 24 year old construction worker Devan H from Morecambe could never have expected the terrifying and dramatic decline in his health that was to follow. He takes up his story here.  

Normally I’m really fit and healthy. I was working in construction in a manual job which involved long hours and heavy lifting. I am a regular at the local gym and try to keep fit and take care of myself, but around October 2022 I became ill with a flu-like virus. I don’t often get ill but this time I was just so tired and couldn’t seem to shake it off.  My parents persuaded me to go the GP and to ask for a blood test as it was just so unusual for me to feel like this. The GP said it was probably a winter virus but did take the blood test which came back showing elevated CRP levels of around 48 [C-reactive protein levels in the blood are an indicator of infection, with anything over 50 considered high] along with other infection markers.  I was gradually getting worse and more and more tired.  

I continued to go to work as I didn’t want to let anyone down but was feeling really bad and coming home and just sleeping. My appetite was going (which is very unusual for me) and I started to lose weight. A second GP appointment was booked to take place over the phone to discuss my infection markers which they said were probably elevated due to the residue of an infection and that they would keep an eye on things. On my third appointment, which was also over the phone, the GP asked if I might be depressed. I explained that I didn’t feel depressed, just ill. They prescribed some tablets for migraines as I was having bad headaches.  But things just continued to get worse over the next week – I was so cold all the time; whatever I did I just couldn’t get warm. My skin was clammy, the headaches got worse, my vision became blurred and the weight was dropping off me. I have never felt so ill in my life – I can’t even describe it.  My parents were frantic at this point as I looked so unwell and was so lifeless. I had three blood tests over that time and each time the infection markers were doubling – from 48 to over 90, then over 180. It was on the last appointment that the GP also heard a loud heart murmur and I was told to get myself to the same-day emergency care department at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary immediately, which I did. 

I was quickly diagnosed with infective endocarditis as well as a strep infection and sepsis. The next morning I was transferred by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital (BVH) where I had an echocardiogram which showed that I had a bicuspid heart valve which was showing vegetation on it caused by the strep virus. I was put on large doses of antibiotics to try to reduce the infection. My CRP markers at this point were over 400 and my surgeon wanted to get the infection down before they operated as they felt it was otherwise too risky. Unfortunately they had no choice but to go ahead as things were progressing so quickly.  I had never been in hospital before so the thought of having a heart operation was scary to say the least.  The operation should have been six hours but turned into a long and agonising thirteen hour ordeal for my parents. Sepsis had wreaked havoc on my heart and lungs and the surgery was complicated. When I came out I was placed in an induced coma, critically ill and fighting for my life.  It was at that point that the surgeon told my parents that I had had sepsis. 

My family were devasted. They were all in complete shock, not only at the severity of my illness but also the speed at which it had all happened. They couldn’t make sense of it and are actually still really struggling to comprehend how a ‘winter virus’ could have taken such a dramatic turn.  

I am so grateful to all the staff at BVH though, I owe my life to them as without their skill and expertise I wouldn’t be here now. After four weeks of things being really touch-and-go and of intensive care in hospital, I was able to return home, where I spent a further 4 weeks on an IV drip .  I am one of the lucky ones. It really is a miracle that I’m still here and now doing so well. Myself and my family are beyond grateful.  

I wish there that there had been more support post-sepsis via the GP; it does seem like once you’re home you are slightly left to your own devices. I know I can always contact my cardiologist or BVH if I am worried about anything heart-related, but there have been some after-effects of sepsis such as brain fog and finding it difficult to concentrate that we wouldn’t have even know about unless we had done our own research and found organisations like Sepsis Research FEAT.   

 I hadn’t heard about the charity before – my mum found it on Instagram. In all honesty we didn’t really know much about sepsis until I got it – we didn’t know the signs or what to look out for. My parents have been desperately searching for answers regarding my late diagnosis and whether it being picked up earlier could have changed what happened to me. It’s been a lot to process so organisations like Sepsis Research FEAT have really helped us try to put the pieces together and make sense of things. My mum took part in the sepsis priority setting partnership survey on the charity’s website. It’s good to read other people’s stories too – you feel less alone and you learn about their experiences. As a family we are so grateful for organisations like Sepsis Research FEAT who are helping to make the changes so desperately needed – your work is so important. I want to share my story because if I can help someone else then at least that will be something good to come out of all this.  

My outlook now is positive. I have got used to taking the medication and going for regular blood tests etc. I’ve had to adapt mentally to this ‘new me’ but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I am working very hard on my fitness and push myself a little bit more every day. I’ve started running and am taking on some harder challenges such as hill-walking, I think it’s important to push yourself a bit as it gives you confidence. I am just so grateful – I know I am one of the lucky ones and I intend to make every minute count. It’s been a long journey, but it’s possible to get your life back – just take it slowly and look after yourself. As a family we talk about things a lot and I think that helps. Just be honest and open and take one day at a time.  

And I would say be persistent if you don’t feel right – make a list of symptoms and questions to ask your GP when you go. It’s so easy to forget to say things when you don’t feel well, and for things to be overlooked. If your symptoms aren’t going away, go back and get it checked out. I know we are all so conscious of not wasting appointments but I think you know yourself if things aren’t right; just don’t be afraid to keep asking questions. We need so much more research and clearer guidelines on sepsis for GPs. Its so often overlooked, dismissed or diagnosed too late and that’s why organisations like Sepsis Research FEAT are vital.  

Two key messages jump out of Devan’s story – which we are so grateful to him and his family for sharing.  

The first is that sepsis can affect anyone – even a fit and healthy young man – and it can do so rapidly and out of the blue. 

Secondly, that a sepsis patient is likely to feel worse than they have ever felt before and that it is vital that they or those advocating for them trust their instincts and get medical attention as soon as possible. 

Devan’s is not the only story of a congenital heart disease playing a role in sepsis – you can read Dee’s story on our website here. Sepsis and strep infections are also not uncommon – in patients ranging in age from 2-62. Find out more by typing ‘strep’ into the search bar of the stories page of the charity’s website.