Pneumonia O2-CO2

[ForMyPapa]

Hello, Everyone:

I posted here before about my dad who is in the ICU and is treated for a severe pneumonia (aspiration, nosocominal). After being on intubated ventilator for 3 weeks and 2 days, he had a tracheostomy surgery yesterday. We are hoping that this will help him get better.

My dad is now on 45% oxygen and his blood oxygen level is about 95%. This was progress. But the doctors are concerned about his ability to exhale CO2. They said there hasn't been any improvement in his ability to exhale CO2 for a week. They don't know why this is not improving. I am worried if tracheostomy can help with his CO2 as being on the ventilator seems to be practically the same as intubation... Aside from the ventilator, he stared a new medicine as they found a new bacteria and he is getting more nourishment through the norse.

Has anyone here or your loved ones had tracheostomy for severe pneumonia? It would be great to hear your positive stories now....

Thank you.

[Sepsur]

I had a trachy as part of the process to help wean me off ventilator & wake me up - I had had pneumonia but I don’t think the trachy was fitted to treat this condition per se

[ForMyPapa in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you for your reply! I wasn't sure about it also, but we liked that he can wake up and we can communicate. I am glad to hear that you were able to wean off from the ventilator after trachy.

[Lux95]

Hi - I had severe pneumonia - viral and bacterial, and while intubated in the ICU (sedated for about 2 weeks), also developed fungal pneumonia as well. I was given a tracheostomy as they believed it was my best chance for survival. I started improving almost immediately. A trach does make breathing easier and that helps the healing process.

Have hope! There are many of us who have been through similar situations and recovered.

[ForMyPapa]

Thank you! I am so happy to hear that you recovered from the illness. I am wishing you many more years in good health! Your story of recovery gives us the encouragement and hope we really needed now. Thank you!

[holdtheprozac]

I was intubated for severe double pneumonia for two weeks and received a trachy - they said because prolonged intubation via the mouth was not recommended due to throat damage. I finally got the trachy removed after 3 1/2 weeks but remained in ICU for another week as i was so weak I had to relearn to walk and use my muscles again. It's a long process and the doctors try all sorts of things including changing antibiotics and moving from mouth intubation to tracheostomy. The CO2 exchange is important as you don't want too much of that in your bloodstream. Mine was not good at one point but came good after they found the right antibiotics to treat my fungal infection (legionnaires disease). Just as a heads up, once he wakes up, he might be confused and disoriented - this happens to a lot of people, so try not to worry and just try to be there and reassure him. He will also have weak muscles and need lots of physio to be able to use them again - again, quite normal.

Sending my best wishes to your dear dad for a speedy recovery xx

[holdtheprozac in reply to holdtheprozac]

I should add that I also recovered quite quickly and quite weel. I was 63 at the time and otherwise had no medical issues prior. I hope this helps x

[ForMyPapa]

Thank you so much for sharing! This gives me hope! I am so relived to hear that you fully recovered and you remain well. Today was dad's 2nd day since trachy. They lowered his oxygen level to 40%. He hasn't woken up yet, but I will keep in mind that he will be disoriented and weaning off and physical recovery will take a long time. It makes sense and as long as he gets better, I am ready to handle it!