Questions about the ventilator? It’s very hard to get to speak to the doctors so if anyone has any thoughts

[Letspray]

So my relative is now on 30% oxygen has a peep of 5 and the pressure is 15 and saturating between 87 and 91 on the ventilator. So far so good however I just want to know what these figures mean? The hospital did say they are initiating the breathes and they are on a low setting on the ventilator but I just want to know are they close to the end of the ventilator? I’m fearing they will be very weak and how they will cope after the ventilator? Any thoughts from similar experiences will be very much appreciated.

[LeopardGecko]

I'm not completely sure about all the figures. My husband had got rid of his tracheostomy and then caught covid and was on CPAP as he was too weak to be ventilated again. I don't have the figures for coming off the tracheostomy but coming off CPAP and going to nasal oxygen, they wanted him at around 25% (21% is normal) and they wanted his SATs at 88-92 but ideally higher.

When he was coming off the ventilator they gradually increased the time he spent off of it with the cuff down on his tracheostomy and speech valve fitted. They said they were aiming for 12 hours continually off then 24 hours before being able to come off the ventilator completely. This was really hard work for my husband - I've just asked him how he was after the ventilator but he can't remember if he was particularly tired but his whole body was weak due to spending 3 months in critical care up to that point.

I hope this helps. Happy to try to answer anything else if I've not been clear enough. It does sound like they are moving in the right direction though 🙂

[Letspray in reply to LeopardGecko]

How long was he on the ventilator?

[LeopardGecko in reply to Letspray]

He was on the ventilator for almost 3 months.

[Letspray in reply to LeopardGecko]

I’m very happy he made it off it. I’m just so worried all the time. Do you have any questions I should have for the doctors? About when or anything from your experience that can help with mine?? ( thanks so much )

[LeopardGecko in reply to Letspray]

When my husband was weaning off the ventilator I just asked how long he had managed off it each day just to see how he was progressing. I was unaware of all the different figures for everything at the time so I didn't ask about SATs etc. I would suggest not getting too fixated on the figures as they can fluctuate and it could make you feel worse if there is a little set back. Are you in the UK? There is a relatives group on a Tuesday which might be helpful.

[Letspray in reply to LeopardGecko]

I am in the UK. What’s this relative group on Tuesday night how do I join is it a phone in ?

[LeopardGecko in reply to Letspray]

It is run by ICU Steps Chester. If you email them they can send you the information. It is on Zoom from 8-10pm every Tuesday. I found them really helpful and supportive.

[Sepsur in reply to Letspray]

I’ll message you with email 😀

[Hidden in reply to LeopardGecko]

Hi there, nurses have begun weaning my dad he's on 35% ox has delerium my question is when did they really push it as in the vent trials with your husband🙂

[Letspray in reply to Hidden]

Yes my relative has been stable on 30% oxygen and they aimed for 1 hour to trachy mask wean but they did so well he achieved 2 hours today and they hoping that they complete 3 hours tomorrow. I know they switch off the ventilator but when will they be able to fully come off of the ventilator and what will happen next ?

[Sepsur]

The weaning process can be painfully slow, sometimes people only tolerate a short time unsupported at first. I moved through the various phases intubated, trachy, CPAP, peep, nasal prongs & nebulisers - the last two followed me all the way to discharge - periodically.

Try not to get too hung up on all the figures - we all tolerate different sat levels etc - even when we are well.

[Mimi407]

Dont worry about the numbers. Ask questions like is this moving in the right direction? If this positive pattern continues what would be the next step? What goals does he need to meet? This will help you understand the process more ❤️ best of luck hope we all get our miracle