To make a long and boring story short, my vent supplier has been helping me
deal with Shiley company. I have been using Shiley trach since being
trached and in September was switched to a cuffless. The type I have is a
cuffless, size 6, and rather than the twist inner cannulas and cap it has
prongs. The one I had beforehand was great. When capped, the button never
seemed to wear out. The twist red caps seemed to shoot accross the room
while I was talking, etc.
Anyway, the past September I switched to A Shiley cuffless but for some
reason there was air leakage between the inner cannula and the trach tube.
(Not the trach and my stoma). We tried several Shiley 6's and they all did
the same thing. My vent supplier sent them back to Shiley to be tested.
The company has seen the problem I was having, but they don't know why. So
at the momemt I have a Shiley 6 in my throat and the only way I can make a
good seal with the inner cannula and trach is to put a rubber band on the
inner cannula. I am no in any danger..but it is a pain in the butt.
For weeks Shiley wouldn't send new trachs until they narrowed down the
problem. They sent some new ones Monday but they have a rubber flange
rather than the hard plastic..the rubber tends to break down my skin. My
vent supplier did some calling and Shiley now has admitted that the size
6's cuffless are only made with the rubber flange. Rubber in my opinion is
the worst thing to have against your skin. Moisture builds up and there is
a good chance of skin break down. Do these company think? Or do they
think vent individuals don't give a damn? Needless to say I am very
frustrated.
I think we are going to switch to another company..but my vent supplier is
unfamilair with other trach companies. That is where I need your help
guys. Let me know. It would be greatly appreciated. Also again, let me
know what kind you have, size, etc.
Thanks...
Frustrated but breathing...
Annette
nete1(AT)midwest.net