Did you ever think you were on the brink of death?

Am going through a craze where I'm reading everything I can on this topic (recommendations welcome)

I had an episode last year where I was certain death was imminent — loud ringing in my ears (loud as a house alarm, but an uninterrupted beep) and I kept fainting, all vision was distorted. It was scary. Thought I was having a stroke. It was just Menieres disease, but I was sure that the curtain was about to be drawn at any moment across the stage of my life.

It was a bizarre experience. Everything was surprisingly calm — the opposite of adrenalin, whatever that is, kicked in. I had two people I needed to ring from the hospital, and told them what was happening, then hung up and waited to pass out. Half the brain was in a panic, the other bit was saying to chill out. Strange experience. Am now surprised that it never dawned on me to pray.

Keen to know whether you ever thought death was imminent, and was it panic-stations, or calmness, or do you remember at all? (I'm reading that the memory often deliberately deletes itself, that's interesting).

Baby01032012

It’s something that’s on my mind too much these days..

How long have I got? What will I die from?

My parents died 5 weeks apart 15 months ago quiet suddenly. My cousin, same age as me, 2 young kids, had recovered from cancer twice but now third time has spread and very little can be done. I need to appreciate more what I have.

gifted

Herself checking my browsing history a few weeks ago...that was close.

corner of hells

I got sepsis a few years ago , dont remember much about my stay in hospital but had to have regular check ups with the GP for about 8 months afterwards checking blood pressure, heart , lungs , liver .
During one of the early check ups ,,my GP asked me if i knew how lucky i was to survive.
Im still not 100 % and struggle a bit with aches and pains but im alive.

Sharpyshoot

gifted wrote: »

Herself checking my browsing history a few weeks ago...that was close.

Will you just stop googling the nudey stuff.

Pauliedragon

I'm actually not scared of death. I'm early 40's and I think mid sixties or seventies will do me. We live too long these days. I've seen too many people live out their last years in decrepit situations. I don't want to to die with someone wiping my arse every day and I can't recognise them.

Speedline

As a younger, wilder man, I found myself in quite a few situations involving cars and bikes where certain and immediate death were avoided by mere inches.

Wibbs

A couple of times in my life. And I hear you regarding the total calm with full on WTF panic at the same time. Never had the life flashing before my eyes bit, but I did have the out of body experience thing. Very bloody weird that is. Being disembodied. You realise or at least I did how so much of your personal experience and senses and interaction with the world is body based.

L.Jenkins

gifted wrote: »

Herself checking my browsing history a few weeks ago...that was close.

That's why you leave a few choice websites in there that makes her regret that decision, like meatspin.

threetrees

I had a traumatic birth on my first child and lost a lot of blood. Hg level under 5 and many blood transfusions. The emergency team worked hard, slapped my face to keep me awake, brought me to surgery without signing any forms, I remember pleading with them to save me as I had a baby to look after.

I survived, went on to have more children fwiw but I will never ever forget the fear of death. 100 years ago I wouldn't have survived.

Sharpyshoot

Pauliedragon wrote: »

I'm actually not scared of death. I'm early 40's and I think mid sixties or seventies will do me. We live too long these days. I've seen too many people live out their last years in decrepit situations. I don't want to to die with someone wiping my arse every day and I can't recognise them.

Install a bidet.

threetrees

threetrees wrote: »

I had a traumatic birth on my first child and lost a lot of blood. Hg level under 5 and many blood transfusions. The emergency team worked hard, slapped my face to keep me awake, brought me to surgery without signing any forms, I remember pleading with them to save me as I had a baby to look after.

I survived, went on to have more children fwiw but I will never ever forget the fear of death. 100 years ago I wouldn't have survived.

the amazing thing to me about this is that you went on to have two more kids. The balls of that.

Is it instinct? Like the way you see antelopes going back to the river where the crocs are, immediately after their cousin has been snapped. They have to be pragmatic and go back to the water, or go extinct. I reckon humans have a bit of that in us.

corner of hells

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

the amazing thing to me about this is that you went on to have two more kids. The balls of that.

Is it instinct? Like the way you see antelopes going back to the river where the crocs are, immediately after their cousin has been snapped. They have to be pragmatic and go back to the water, or go extinct. I reckon humans have a bit of that in us.

With all due respect to to threetrees , maybe she just likes ridin'.

Wallet Inspector

Lost control of the car going down a hill (which I assumed was gritted/salted - but it wasn't) during one of the snowfalls in 2009/10. Thought my number was absolutely up. Went from extreme panic to just "oh well, can't be helped".

The car veered into the grass verge though, and stopped.

Your Face

In Paris years ago. I had some sort of fever that got progressively worse. I was with herself and didn't want to worry her so I didn't let on. One night, I was in bed and I felt myself drifting away.
I got up, got dressed, told herself it was too warm and I was going for a walk around outside to cool down. I dont want anyone around when I die.
I was wandering around Montmartre thinking its not to worst place to go. Finally, I could actually feel myself shutting down. I sat down at the top of one of the staircases and started to fade.
Suddenly, I broke out of it with a jolt and the dawn was beginning to break as was the fever. I felt like I had shed old skin.
I meandered back to the hotel, slept for a hour, had a nice breakfast and was grand after.

bb1234567

Pauliedragon wrote: »

I'm actually not scared of death. I'm early 40's and I think mid sixties or seventies will do me. We live too long these days. I've seen too many people live out their last years in decrepit situations. I don't want to to die with someone wiping my arse every day and I can't recognise them.

Interesting outlook! I think it depends on your circumstances during your younger years of life. If you had a job that provided a lot of sparetime, good holidays, and gave you a lot of time to enjoy the best things about life, then yeh that makes sense, you've enjoyed a great life and probably in good physical health during that time too. But a lot of people kind of struggle through their work life, just working to live, and retirement can be a big thing to look forward to and appreciate even if your health will probably start acting up from late sixties onward.

Your Face

Your Face wrote: »

In Paris years ago. I had some sort of fever that got progressively worse. I was with herself and didn't want to worry her so I didn't let on. One night, I was in bed and I felt myself drifting away.
I got up, got dressed, told herself it was too warm and I was going for a walk around outside to cool down. I dont want anyone around when I die.
I was wandering around Montmartre thinking its not to worst place to go. Finally, I could actually feel myself shutting down. I sat down at the top of one of the staircases and started to fade.
Suddenly, I broke out of it with a jolt and the dawn was beginning to break as was the fever. I felt like I had shed old skin.
I meandered back to the hotel, slept for a hour, had a nice breakfast and was grand after.

Did you ever get to the bottom of it? Was it some kind of exhaustive collapse, being on holiday? I had a similar instinct: even in the hospital, the most overwhelming instinct was to try and get out of there.

When dogs die, they seem to feel it coming on, so they go off someplace quiet.

Hope you figured out what that was, and are doing better.

squarecircles

"Did you ever think you were on the brink of death" ?

Sounds like a Ryan Tubridy chat up line.

appledrop

Had meningitis as a teenager.

Started off like a really bad flu for a few days and then was on bus home one evening and thought I was going to pass out.

Don't know how I managed to walk up road home took about an hour to walk 10 minutes had to keep stopping, felt like I was going to pass out.

Straight to bed, doctor called said it was viral infection all grand.

Next day rash appeared, my father rang on call doctor he came out did the tumbler test, rash didn't disappear so ambulance called.

Of course I was freaking out saying is it meningitis, in fairness doctor and paramedics very good kept me calm saying ah no probably not we will just get you to hospital to check you out but they knew well. I thought I was a goner because I'd had it for a few days and always say with meningitis you have to catch it quick.

Had a lumbar puncture done, horrific but thankfully I was kinda out of it and yep it was meningitis.

I was very lucky in that yes I was in hospitial for 2 weeks but I was never very seriously ill considering how bad someone could be with it.

Took me about 3 mths to fully recovery in terms of tiredness etc.

bb1234567

appledrop wrote: »

Had meningitis as a teenager.

Started off like a really bad flu for a few days and then was on bus home one evening and thought I was going to pass out.

Don't know how I managed to walk up road home took about an hour to walk 10 minutes had to keep stopping, felt like I was going to pass out.

Straight to bed, doctor called said it was viral infection all grand.

Next day rash appeared, my father rang on call doctor he came out did the tumbler test, rash didn't disappear so ambulance called.

Of course I was freaking out saying is it meningitis, in fairness doctor and paramedics very good kept me calm saying ah no probably not we will just get you to hospital to check you out but they knew well. I thought I was a goner because I'd had it for a few days and always say with meningitis you have to catch it quick.

Had a lumbar puncture done, horrific but thankfully I was kinda out of it and yep it was meningitis.

I was very lucky in that yes I was in hospitial for 2 weeks but I was never very seriously ill considering how bad someone could be with it.

Took me about 3 mths to fully recovery in terms of tiredness etc.

Strange aul disease, seems to pop up out of nowhere really with no risk factors or cause.

Vestiapx

Lost it at a serious rate of knots off a bend a long time ago, before airbags and all that good stuff. As you tumble along regretting your recent life choices the main feeling is a sense of "is that it " and " I'm very disappointed that I'm about to die".
I didn't but I was 100% sure I was on the old stairway.

PTH2009

Know of a man who was litterly on deaths door, his family had the coffin ordered etc but he made a full recovery

Purple Mountain

threetrees wrote: »

I had a traumatic birth on my first child and lost a lot of blood. Hg level under 5 and many blood transfusions. The emergency team worked hard, slapped my face to keep me awake, brought me to surgery without signing any forms, I remember pleading with them to save me as I had a baby to look after.

I survived, went on to have more children fwiw but I will never ever forget the fear of death. 100 years ago I wouldn't have survived.

Would you not have been tempted to adopt?

Junkyard Tom

Few years back I had a terrible asthma attack and began to grey out from hypoxia, really thought it was all over, very freaky, but my body released a huge blast of adrenaline it somehow relieved it. Horrible experience, since then I'm never without an inhaler and use a preventer regularly.

threetrees

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Would you not have been tempted to adopt?

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

the amazing thing to me about this is that you went on to have two more kids. The balls of that.

The reason behind my haemorrhage was rare there was no logic that it would happen again. I was unlucky. It did take some time to be brave enough to go again though. Childbirth is natural but also risky, just look at the mortality rates over the years, dying in childbirth was commonplace 100 years ago, thankfully it's much safer now, the same traumas happen but we are saved now rather than die.

appledrop

threetrees wrote: »

The reason behind my haemorrhage was rare there was no logic that it would happen again. I was unlucky. It did take some time to be brave enough to go again though. Childbirth is natural but also risky, just look at the mortality rates over the years, dying in childbirth was commonplace 100 years ago, thankfully it's much safer now, the same traumas happen but we are saved now rather than die.

I've always had a fear of childbirth since I was young. I actually used to say I'd adopt the children so wouldn't have to give birth! I always imagined it would be like what happened to you. Thankfully I had a normal birth in the end despite my fears!

I take my hat off to you that you actually had more children you are a very brave women!

Tigerbaby

drowning.

years ago, when my daughter was 9, we were on hols in France.

long story short, she jumped into the deep end of the open-air pool. We didnt realise how deep it was. I was there.

no lifeguard on duty.

next thing I knew, she was thrashing and screaming. total panic. out of her depth. about 2-3 metres from the side.

I looked around for help. a pole. a lifebelt. anything.

Nothing there. She was drowning right in front of me.

I just..jumped. pure animal brain/ protect the child stuff. I couldnt swim and was terrified, but you do what you must.

Managed to push her to safety. Then got into trouble myself. Literally hand waving above the water as I went down.

a Lady jumped in and got me to the side.

we decided to learn how to swim properly after that !!

Never forget it though. burned into my memory.

I wouldn't be afraid of death exactly, but the fear is there for surviving with some injuries.

Where to start?

While flying in Cambodia, the small plane I was in, lost parts of its tail assembly, making both the remainder of the flight and the landing rather.. nerve-wracking. Not a fun experience.

I was in a glass elevator (horrible things) that while going up, somehow lost it's bearings, dropping 7 floors before the emergency breaks kicked in. Oh, yes, having a glass floor where you can see the ground rushing towards you is just wonderful.

Food poisoning in Oz. Ugh. Severe food poisoning when out camping/bush walking. Thought I was going to die a few times, during the walk to the jeeps, and then the actual journey back to civilsation. I suspect my friends wished I'd die considering how much 'fluid' was leaving my body. Not nice.

In Thailand, a cobra got into my room, and I woke up to have the bloody thing looking into my face. I have a shaking disorder, staying still isn't an option for me.. and I was sure I was dead. Thankfully, my partner was a native and knew what to do. That one still gives me nightmares.

There's been a few others. None of my life flashing before my eyes. Funnily enough, it's always some minor regret, like not thanking someone recently, or not saying goodbye. Or that I left the light on in the bathroom when leaving.

Ger Roe

threetrees wrote: »

I had a traumatic birth on my first child and lost a lot of blood. Hg level under 5 and many blood transfusions. The emergency team worked hard, slapped my face to keep me awake, brought me to surgery without signing any forms, I remember pleading with them to save me as I had a baby to look after.

I survived, went on to have more children fwiw but I will never ever forget the fear of death. 100 years ago I wouldn't have survived.

I often think of that aspect, I have had a heart attack and kidney issues that have required urgent surgery. At the time I was quite calm and confident in the medical treatment process, so I didn't dwell too long on the death aspects.

But in retrospect, I am conscious of the fact that I am living on additional time that I would have not have received had I been born earlier, or maybe just in a different country.

Thelonious Monk

Your Face wrote: »

In Paris years ago. I had some sort of fever that got progressively worse. I was with herself and didn't want to worry her so I didn't let on. One night, I was in bed and I felt myself drifting away.
I got up, got dressed, told herself it was too warm and I was going for a walk around outside to cool down. I dont want anyone around when I die.
I was wandering around Montmartre thinking its not to worst place to go. Finally, I could actually feel myself shutting down. I sat down at the top of one of the staircases and started to fade.
Suddenly, I broke out of it with a jolt and the dawn was beginning to break as was the fever. I felt like I had shed old skin.
I meandered back to the hotel, slept for a hour, had a nice breakfast and was grand after.

I am reminded of Nausea by Jean Paul Sartre.

corner of hells

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I wouldn't be afraid of death exactly, but the fear is there for surviving with some injuries.

Where to start?

While flying in Cambodia, the small plane I was in, lost parts of its tail assembly, making both the remainder of the flight and the landing rather.. nerve-wracking. Not a fun experience.

I was in a glass elevator (horrible things) that while going up, somehow lost it's bearings, dropping 7 floors before the emergency breaks kicked in. Oh, yes, having a glass floor where you can see the ground rushing towards you is just wonderful.

Food poisoning in Oz. Ugh. Severe food poisoning when out camping/bush walking. Thought I was going to die a few times, during the walk to the jeeps, and then the actual journey back to civilsation. I suspect my friends wished I'd die considering how much 'fluid' was leaving my body. Not nice.

In Thailand, a cobra got into my room, and I woke up to have the bloody thing looking into my face. I have a shaking disorder, staying still isn't an option for me.. and I was sure I was dead. Thankfully, my partner was a native and knew what to do. That one still gives me nightmares.

There's been a few others. None of my life flashing before my eyes. Funnily enough, it's always some minor regret, like not thanking someone recently, or not saying goodbye. Or that I left the light on in the bathroom when leaving.

Fcukin' hell , all that wouldn't happen in a James Bond film.