[VENT-L] Still Sucking a Little Air

[Larry Kohout]

Annette,   I am essentially 24/7, however, I can breathe on my own for up to about a half hour.  I use that to disconnect and get into the shower.  I have found recently that I have to do it in the morning when I am fresh, if I wait until later in the day when I am more tired I don’t last through the shower and have to grab and hook up again before I’m out.  I wasn’t on a vent at all until the PPS slowed me down.  I started out on a BiPAP at night and after meals in 2000.  In March of 2001 I woke feeling like I was suffocating and ultimately was switched to a volume vent.  I spent a long time trying to find a comfortable interface but I was essentially 24/7 at that time and I simply could not find a combination of interfaces that allowed me to stay with the non invasive interfaces.  I chose a trach in late July of that year and haven’t looked back.  I have been comfortable and infection free ever since (he says knocking on his wooden head).    Judith Fischer has questioned why I didn’t consider a PortAlung for night time use.  At the time I didn’t even know it existed.  Besides, I still had such fear that was associated with the iron lung (and the two devices are so similar) that I doubt that I would have been able to adapt though who knows.  Today it might be an entirely different story.   The short answer to your question is Yes, a little.   Peace, Larry   This outgoing message has been scanned by Trend Micro Internet Security for your protection.   annette wrote:   Larry, Are you able to breathe any time on your own?  I used to, but as I get older I am 24/7 now. I think that is the PPS, and age.   annette