Weaning off the ventilator questions

[Letspray]

Good morning all,

My relative has had about 4 days of weaning. They have managed about 3 hours one day, 2 hours the next, and 2hours yesterday. I saw them after a session on the weaning and they looked absolutely exhausted. I was so upset. All the other health parameters look within the nurse said. The are doing slow weaning. What does this mean? How long does it take ? They said their heart was beating a little faster but said that’s normal. The family are desperate for him to come off the ventilator. If anyone has had this experience or knows more about weaning it would be very useful for me to know more. Once again your replies as most appreciated and wish anyone in a similar situation all the best to get well soon.

[FamilyHistorian]

Weaning off can take quite some and it will be exhausting. Even once off the sedatives he could remain sedated. In my case it was weeks.

[LeopardGecko]

It took my husband just over 2 months from first getting his tracheostomy to having it removed. It was a long slow process and exhausting for him. It sounds like your relative has made a good start on the weaning process.

[Babycrazy]

I think our family members are at the same stage. They tried aggressive weaning here but it didn’t work out so now slow weaning 2 hours at at time. We’ve been told it could take weeks. Slow but steady.

[Nicholanick]

My Dad is in a similar situation. His tracheostomy was fitted 15 days ago and he is on slow weaning. He does a couple of hours per day, yesterday he managed 5 hours in 2 sessions but that has taken over 2 weeks to achieve. It is very slow.

[Letspray]

It’s a great sign I would say to recovery