Mum with end stage CBD: secretion suctioning issues

[SuzieQ79]

Hi,

We are struggling with performing effective yanker suctioning for our mum. We have a portable suction but it does not seem to be effective. Also any tips for helping to reduce thrush in the mouth?

Thanks

[abirke]

Thrush is a fungus. Good oral hygeine prevents it; an antifungal mouthwash from the dentist kills it. The Yankaur or any other object that has not been cleaned daily may produce Thrush....If you can't brush teeth with brush, they have sponge on a stick drenched ( I think ) in a cleansing solution...I used this for my husband for about last 3 or so months...

How we used the yankaur/wand....

B, my husband , was usually in control of the wand so he knew more where it needed to go. Recently I was more the wand keeper and I found that going down the side of his lower cheek to the back molars; suctioning there where the saliva seemed to collect and then back in the upper gums. This way, I got the whole side of the mouth and even inside of back of mouth where molars back met (His jaws were clenched making it impossible, even for him, to get wand inside of mouth. I suctioned both sides of mouth using this method.

To clean the wand, Every night I cleaned the canister pouring contents in toilet (avoids less infection ie thrush than if put in the sink) then rinse...then I would clean wand by sucking up an ounce or 20mL of mouthwash with same amt. water.I often would scrub the wand by putting a tsp of salt in the mouthwash. This really helped get stuff off sides of wand though most would probably tell you it's time to get a new wand....I did not have new ones always on hand.

Drink plenty of water so that bacteria and fungus cannot thrive in mouth

Anyway B never got thrush though we used the wand for a good year....

Good luck,

[SuzieQ79 in reply to abirke]

Thanks Abirke. Mum is nil by mouth so it is very difficult to put anything too moist in the mouth but we do try a bit of a wet sponge. I think the thrush is better under control but mum has a dry mouth where skin drops down from the roof and very difficult to clear. We try our best but difficult.