Tracheostomy

[Jess0186]

Ok my husband has been in ICU for 11 days kidneys and lungs ok pancreas and liver a bit damaged since in ICU hasn’t deteriorated or improved. Been sedated and been on a ventilator ever since. Tried weaning off sedation every 24 hours but gets agitated and reaches for the tube down his throat. So today the doctor said the next step would be to do a tracheostomy he said it’s the safest plan next to do. His oxygen and bloods are ok does this sound promising?? Xx

[Anuur44]

Tracheostomy helps with weaning stage. Specially if he gets agitated as they can slowly reduce the settings. I’d see it as a positive if they’re recommending a tracheostomy

[Jess0186 in reply to Anuur44]

So you would see this as a positive rather than a ventilator xx

[Anuur44 in reply to Jess0186]

It all depends on the person but my mum was delirious and they tried to take her out the ventilator twice and failed both times. So they had to put her back on ventilator. Since she got the tracheostomy they can reduce settings and if she get agitated they can either up it. You can breath on your own whilst having a tracheostomy and slowly get weaned of. You’d avoid the failed extubation stage

[LeopardGecko]

Tracheostomy procedures are fairly standard in ICU and are often done in the ICU rather than needing to go to surgery etc. As Anuur44 said, it does help the weaning process and I would say that it is a positive step 🙂

[FamilyHistorian]

Jess

I will try to explain from my perspective. I’m not a medical person and only can relate what I have been told as obviously I was sedated, suffering from delirium and agitated trying to pull the tube out because it irritated me.

It’s fitted through the front of the neck and so that it is tight in the air way there is an inflatable ring which can be adjusted externally. Once the trachy is fitted you can’t speak. You can breath unaided through it but initially and may be for some time his breathing will be supported. Once I came round they fitted an artificial voice to it which I could use for short periods. Once I started to learn to swallow and talk again they deflated the ring on the trachy whilst I was supervised.

I should have said in my hospital the trachy was fitted whilst I was in bed BUT they said they only do it like that if a theatre is available just in case.

So it is positive but it doesn’t necessarily mean that his stay in hospital will be shorter.

In one of my early posts I put a photo on of me all wired up with the trachy

[123Bereft]

Trach far less distressing to patient than ventilator, my partner was on trach for 4 months. If your husband's oxygen levels are ok, it will only be a short term thing anyway.

My best to you both, I hope he manages to come off the sedation soon.

[Sepsur]

Indeed it does. It is a way to move towards him becoming independent of all life support & a way to move towards waking him.

Much as @FamilyHistorian said, I am not medically trained, so my understanding of the events is very subjective. I am also not the most reliable witness because I was in a coma. So I am relating what I understand happened.

People are put into a coma to rest the body, organs & brain to allow it all its energy to fight the infection. The fitting of all the drains, catheters, intubation tubes, feeding tubes would be very uncomfortable if you were awake. The drains have to be moved every few days to reduce the chance of infection. It easier for both parties if we are fairly inert.

I understand that intubation is particularly uncomfortable.

The trache isn’t a walk in the park by any means but it is tolerable when you are conscious. If the team are struggling to wean ( which is commonplace) a patient off ventilation, this is the next step. In short - it’s very positive!!!

[Jess0186]

Thank you all you all lovely people the doctor said it will be done either today tomorrow or Monday just really anxious but you are all so nice thank you xx

[Sepsur in reply to Jess0186]

You’re welcome

[LeopardGecko in reply to Jess0186]

Try not to worry - they are so used to doing them. I tried to think of it as a positive in being able to have my husband fully awake and being able to talk to him and get responses.

[Jess0186]

Yes your right thank you so much xx

[Therehastobehope]

Hi, I was just wondering how your husband is doing and how his fitting of his tracheostomy went? My mum is due one this afternoon and I am feeling terrified but after reading your post I feel a little better with the positive responses.x

[Psp007 in reply to Therehastobehope]

Hello my dad had the trach 2 weeks ago and is fairly static. How is your mum doing with it fitted?x

[Therehastobehope in reply to Psp007]

That’s really good to hear! Sadly my mum has had to have another one fitted has the first one was failing due to cartilage rings in her necks obstructing the pipe! She had it done yesterday and they have said it is leaking a l little and she has a temperature, I’m really hoping she doesn’t have an infection!

How’s your dad doing overall? Such a worrying time x

[Psp007 in reply to Therehastobehope]

Totally i can't do anything else but sit and try read all the positive stories out there! Dad is static so still on 50 % and 18 pressure which is high. He has just been moved to another hospital and so praying hes ok there and he can move forward. Will be praying your mum does ok with the new trach fitted. Such a crazy time with so much worry and anxiety. Stay in touch! Lots of healing prayers to you all xx

[Psp007]

Hi Jess just following your post and wanted to see how your husband is?