I need some answers here plase if anyone can help. As some of you know I just got out of the hospital. I had a tracheostomy done as a precautionary measure because my windpipe keeps narrowing and they were scared I would choke on the mucous and stuff.

Well tonight a home medical lady comes by and leaves several supplies with me including an air compressor for humidity for the trach tube. We get this thing plugged in and it sounds like jet. There is now way whatsoever that I can sleep with this thing on. I am on steroids right now and Im sure you all know that causes insomnia in certain people. I am just going to run my humidifier tonight nad maybe I can get some answers by tomorrow. I just zammed myself with both pain killers and sleep aids so maybe I can get some sleep tonight.

Thanks all,
Billy

Billy, when you wake up, can you explain more about this air compressor? Is it part of the trach aparatus-does it push air directly into your trach tube? John's did, but it sounded like a pump filling up with air and then expelling it. But it had a rhythm that we got used to. It was loud- we just tried to turn the t.v. in his room up louder. Do you have any idea how long you might have to use it? You can tell the home health people that you need something quieter because you can't sleep with that noise- let them figure something out. You can also call your Doc and ask if there is an alternative way to handle this because you are not able to sleep. Be persistant in your needs. Amy in the Ozarks

Well Amy, I am awake as a matter of fact. Might be another steriods wins night. I will fall asleep around 4 or so and sleep most of the day which I hate doing.

Yea, the compressor has a hose that runs to a mask that sits in front of the trach tube and it is supposed to humidify it but that air coming out of that tube is rollin...LOL

I will call them tomorrow and let them know that there is no way I can sleep like that and if they cant find something that I cant sleep with then I will have to go to a competitor.

I have my room humidifier running right now and it does a fairly good job keeping secretions moist. Its just odd to me that when in the hospital I was never told that I needed this thing.I was told that a humudifier would surfice. I guess we will see tomorrow.

Thx Amy,
Billy

Billy


No idea about the machine...But i am right with you on the sleepless nights !


Shar

Billy I had a powered humidifier on my trach in the hospital for about a day after I woke up. They removed it and simply opted for clearing it with suction more frequently after that.

I also had a room humidifier that worked pretty well, so between it and the suction machine I got a lot more sleep.

Good luck. Awake in the middle of the night, trach in place and equipment roaring away, SUCKS, big time
Wayne

I had the same thing Wayne and when I left the hospital they told me that all I needed was a room humidifier unless I misunderstood them. I know that I did a lot of coughing last night and thats a sign of dry sercretions right??

I know that my throat is hurting this morning and Im sure that its due to coughing in the middle of the night. I really dont remember coughing alot but when I finally do fall asleep, around 3 to 5 am I sleep pretty hard. I have let them know that Im not sleeping right and they told me to try 2 sleeping pills and if that didnt work they would call in something else. I took 2 last night, still got to sleep at around 5 and the only difference I see is I woke up with a headache...LOL...go figure.

Anyway, as always, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Billy

Billy, what pain meds are you on besides sleeping pills? Many sleeping pills are known to leave a "hang over effect the next morning. Amy

Right now the only thing Im on is 10mg oxycodone every 5 hours or so. They just gave me Restoril for sleep, 15 mg. Its really weird how it takes so long for me to go to sleep but once Im out, Im out. Like I said, I usually fall asleep around 3 or 4 am and sleep until 1 pm or so. Not really too much of a "hangover" effect either. I hope this doesnt cause that but I did some reading up on it and it is for insomniacs.
I really dont want to get my days and nights mixed up because it shouldnt be too terribly much longer that I can go back to work at least part time.

I also got a new air pump today and I think Im gonna put it in my closet and see if it will still push the air like I need it too. Maybe one day I will be able to sleep again... LOL

Billy, I found that immovane worked the best for me as a sleeping med. It is a relatively short acting medication, so when you take it, it helps you get to sleep quite quickly, and it's effects wear off within about 4 hours.

I found that taking it, I could get to sleep on time, and wake up after 7 or 8 hours without feeling punchy from the medication. I've been told by the Doctor that it's not as habit forming as some sleep meds can be, which makes me feel better about taking them now and again
Wayne

I will check on that Wayne and I appreciate it. What I think that they have done is given me this because they know steroids cause insomnia in me. I just hope I can get some sleep tonight. Lord knows I need it.

Thanks again