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Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎05-08-2010

Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?


@chessylady wrote:

When he was in his late 60s, my Dad had a heart attack and while in the hospital, developed an infection and then ARDs. He was put on a ventilater. I remember when they took him off of it, he was sitting in a chair in his room, breathing so hard, like a race horse. I was afraid he would have another heart attack. The nurse said that it looked terrible but was normal. When my Dad left the hospital, he went to a nursing home for several weeks to rehab. He was still weak when he got home.


Thank you for sharing, @chessylady .  I wondered if this wouldn't be the case....breathing hard, labored.  I am praying for strength for my sister so that she can be there for him.  Witnessing your child go through this is a heavy burden. 

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!
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Registered: ‎10-03-2014

Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?

[ Edited ]

Just to clarify, you are talking about forcing air through a tube into the mouth, not through a mask over the mouth.  Sometimes, there's confusion between the type where they put a tube into the mouth vs the one that only uses a mask.  Both force air into the lungs.

 

My mother was on a ventilator, tube in the lungs for 10 days; however being a senior, I was told by the pneumonologist it would take longer for her to wake up.  She was given one dose of propofol so she wouldn't pull the tubing out.  

 

He told me she would wake up soon when I saw her twitching.  She did following two days of twitching.  

 

She doesn't remember a thing about being on it except the time she woke up.  Of course, she said she wanted it taken out pronto and signaled the nurse.  It was taken off, nurses aspirated saliva from her mouth a few times and she was discharged the next day.  She did not have problems breathing.  She was able to eat soft whole foods, then normal eating after a day or two.  

 

She did not need oxygen after that.  

 

She had septicemia and flatlined in the ER.  Fortunately, I was standing next to her, immediately called the nurse and code blue was administered. 

 

Different than heart surgery, but equally as life threatening. 

 

At 49, probably, he will wake up much sooner unless doctors want to keep him on it longer.  

 

My father had been on the other type, forced air through a mask.  No tubing.  He was awake and said it was very uncomfortable, but better than not being able to breathe.   I was with him most of the time during and afterwards.  Didn't see gasping for breath afterwards.  He did need additional oxygen after that, but eventually got off of it.  

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Registered: ‎05-08-2010

Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?

I just received a text from my sister.  They had to slow things down because he has fluid in his lungs.  They will address that and try again tomorrow.

 

@Stormygirl What will they do, give him lasix?

are 

Thank you to all that reaching out with prayer.  

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!
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Registered: ‎04-02-2015

Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?


@Foxxee wrote:

Just to clarify, you are talking about forcing air through a tube into the mouth, not through a mask over the mouth.  Sometimes, there's confusion between the type where they put a tube into the mouth vs the one that only uses a mask.  Both force air into the lungs.

 

My mother was on a ventilator, tube in the mouth, for 10 days; however being a senior, I was told by the pneumonologist it would take longer for her to wake up.  She was given one dose of propofol so she wouldn't pull the tubing out.  

 

He told me she would wake up soon when I saw her twitching.  She did following two days of twitching.  

 

She doesn't remember a thing about being on it except the time she woke up.  Of course, she said she wanted it taken out pronto and signaled the nurse.  It was taken off, nurses aspirated saliva from her mouth a few times and she was discharged the next day.  She was able to eat soft whole foods, then normal eating after a day or two.  

 

At 49, probably, he will wake up much sooner unless doctors want to keep him on it longer.  

 

My father had been on the other type, forced air through a mask.  No tubing.  He was awake and said it was very uncomfortable, but better than not being able to breathe. 


I'm retired from Respiretory, the tube goes into the lungs . probably he has an arterial line, and they will take blood gas's periodically, to see how he is doing, also visually observe if he has labored breathing. I too had open heart surgery, and was on a respirator for 3 days, and came off it fine. There is a period where you rest the heart and lung proceedure, until the patient can breathe on his own without struggling, the gas's are the best tests.  I wish him and you all well, his best asset is his age. Bless him and you all.

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Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?

Not sure, but it seems like the differences between a Respirator and a Ventilator are noted here.The original purpose of a Respirator was to protect the patient wearing it from droplets or particulates in the air. The Ventilator primary use is help the patient breathe. 

 

My only personal experience was from the Aspiration Pneumonia that accompanied my 1st heart attack. My lungs were previously damaged by 2 different bouts with pneumonia.  With both a damaged heart muscle and lungs, my Oxygen Saturation numbers were way to low when sleeping. That was determined via a Sleep Study.

 

For about 16 months I had an Oxygen Concentrator I used when sleeping. I used the nasal cannula as opposed to wearing a mask, much more comfortable. It took over 18 months of 4 a day nebulizer treatments along with working with my Spirometer every hour to remove most of the fluid from my lungs.

 

Someone mentioned Lasix. I was given lasix pills for my feet swelling in between Colonoscopies. Even though I was walking the halls 5-8 miles every day, with the 24 hour IV drip my feet were still swelling. I was never given Lasix for my Pneumonia.

 

@tends2dogs , I hope you vet more information along the way. While I have never had a stroke, heart attacks and Pulmonary issues I have dealt with since 2002. While both are still compromised, they still function well enough for me to keep my vigorous exercise routines. Your nephew at 49 has his young age going for him. I was 62 when mine started. My very best to him.

 

 

hckynut 

 

 

hckynut(john)
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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?

@tends2dogs - I can't help either, but I will pray for your nephew, you, and the rest of your family. I'm glad you were able to talk to other posters who could give you more information.  Smiley Happy

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Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?

@hckynut   He is on a ventilator.  Part of his heart issues are the result of pneumonia he had a couple years ago.  It caused heart damage.  He has an implanted defibulator.  He has many health issues such as diabetes.  He went to a walk in clinic a little over a week ago because he was having chest pressure.  They took him by ambulance to the heart center he is associated with.  The next day they tried to do stents, but they concluded he wasn't a candidate for that and scheduled him for bypass.  

 

I spoke with my sister and she said that they had taken him off the diuretics for the brain swelling and the result was fluid in his lungs. They have since put him back on the diuretics.  He is responsive to my sister's questions by pointing, thumbs up or down, squeezing and or patting her hand.  He wants the catheter out, but I am afraid that is way down the road for him.

 

Thank you for your well wishes.  

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!
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Posts: 2,319
Registered: ‎04-02-2015

Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?


@hckynut wrote:

Not sure, but it seems like the differences between a Respirator and a Ventilator are noted here.The original purpose of a Respirator was to protect the patient wearing it from droplets or particulates in the air. The Ventilator primary use is help the patient breathe. 

 

My only personal experience was from the Aspiration Pneumonia that accompanied my 1st heart attack. My lungs were previously damaged by 2 different bouts with pneumonia.  With both a damaged heart muscle and lungs, my Oxygen Saturation numbers were way to low when sleeping. That was determined via a Sleep Study.

 

For about 16 months I had an Oxygen Concentrator I used when sleeping. I used the nasal cannula as opposed to wearing a mask, much more comfortable. It took over 18 months of 4 a day nebulizer treatments along with working with my Spirometer every hour to remove most of the fluid from my lungs.

 

Someone mentioned Lasix. I was given lasix pills for my feet swelling in between Colonoscopies. Even though I was walking the halls 5-8 miles every day, with the 24 hour IV drip my feet were still swelling. I was never given Lasix for my Pneumonia.

 

@tends2dogs , I hope you vet more information along the way. While I have never had a stroke, heart attacks and Pulmonary issues I have dealt with since 2002. While both are still compromised, they still function well enough for me to keep my vigorous exercise routines. Your nephew at 49 has his young age going for him. I was 62 when mine started. My very best to him.

 

 

hckynut 

 

 


Ventilator and respirator same thing. We called them both.I worked with both and they are indeed the same thing. If some one is working in a dangerous field they will put on a contraption called a respirator, but if your in the hospital with the big machine ,they like to call it a ventilator. I alway called both the same. they are to move air in the lungs, or to keep particles out of the lungs. My husband worked in the Blast Furnace of the Steel Mill and they had respirators to put over the face to keep you safe. It's just what people prefer to call them. Glad your doing well now.hckynut. What hockey team are you  for? I'm a Penguin Fan

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Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?

 

@HLP 

 

I have been a New York Ranger fan since the mid 1960's when they had a CHL Farm Team here. Best hockey below the NHL back in those years. The AHL was made up of mostly older players and/or NHL players recovering from injuries.

 

The CHL was where the young and potential NHL players were sent and groomed to see if they were NHL material. Many of put team's players went up and down, from our Knights team to the Rangers.

 

Saw a lot of the greats come up through the Real Old USHL back in the 1940's, and many through the CHL during the '60's and '70's. 

 

As for the Pens? Not my least favorite, but Coach Mike Sullivan was an assistant coach for the Rangers for several years. While not a big Crosby fan, I do recognize him as one of hockey's Greats.

 

Ryan Guentzel was born here and his dad coached our USHL Team for several years. It now is a High School Level League, unlike back in the 1940's when Gordie Howe started his career here.

 

The Rangers 1st game, I believe is Thursday, against the NY Islanders. I hope my Center Ice Package picks it up. Not sure Dish Network has got that worked out with the NHL yet. Gotta see my new Rangers team!

 

Might consider going over to the Sports Forum, Donna @dmod puts up a new thread for every season for the NHL games. Several hockey fans post there regularly during hockey season, whenever they are playing in this virus era.

 

Had a lot of health issues from 2002-2017, but after 14 years of not skating, am back skating again at least twice a week, 3 if the rink has public skating that extra day.

 

Good talking with you 

 

 

hckynut  🥅🏒

hckynut(john)
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Registered: ‎08-01-2015

Re: WEANING OFF A VENTILATOR - ANYONE KNOW SOMEONE OR YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?

[ Edited ]

@tends2dogs Sorry I didnt get back with you sooner as I had to go to pharmacy and doctors. Yes probably lasix as you stated as sometimes with all the fluids ie IVs the patient can experience fluid overload. I dont know his full history with heart but they will oftentimes give meds to optimize cardiac output in certain patients.. 

Yea the term ventilator and respirator are oftentimes used interchangably although they are different as I used to tell my respiratory therapy students.  The machine mechanically aiding the breathing via endotracheal tube is properly called a ventilator. The only true "respirator" (meaning a device that actually exchanges Carbon dioxide and oxygen on a cellular level) is called extracorporeal oxygenator (Heart lung bypass machine) used in heart/lung bypass operations. Ventilation occurs in lungs and respiration technically occurs on a cellular level.  Hope that clarifies the difference although technical is not important really. 

I will keep your nephew in my thoughts and I pray for his speedy recovery. My best wishes for him, you and your entire family xxxxxx Stormy

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