-> I have some questions to ask the group. First, some background on
-> me. I am 50 years old, and I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy type III.
-> Last April, I caught a cold, which turned into pneumonia. My CO2 was
-> around 135 units. The normal range is around 45. I was admitted to
-> the hospital and 3 or 4 days later, I had a tracheostomy. It has
-> been about 10 months since the operation.
->
-> My question is this, how many users out there have eliminated the
-> humidifier from their system. We have found that removing the
-> humidifier, results in much lower secretions, and therefore much
-> lower suctioning.
Your story sounds very similar to mine. I got my trach in 1982,
after the exact same circumstances as you. After my trach surgery,
I was in the hospital six months. BTW, I also have SMA
(Werdnig-Hoffmann) and I'm 41. I have adapted to my trach and
ventilator very well.
I really don't think going without some sort of humidification
is such a good idea. Your windpipe will get too dried out. However, I
also don't think the temperature of the water in your humidifier needs
to be as warm as the doctors say, either. If you keep it as warm as
they say, your lungs will be like sloppy, wet sponges. Through trial
and error, I have learned keeping the humidifier water about 1/3 as warm
as they say is suficient to not only keep your windpipe properly moist,
but eliminate excess suctioning. Also, another factor to consider is,
you are a "new" trach person. Your body hasn't had enough time to
adjust to the new "foreign object" (trach) implanted in one of its
mucous membranes (trachea). A mucous membrane also generates excess
mucous in an attempt to expel any foreign object. Eventually, your
system will adapt to the trach and stop trying to reject it. This may
take a year and a half or two years. That's about how long it took me.
Having a trach can be a real test in patience at times, but you will
win.
I hope this helps!
Peace, brother!
Blane
:)