Keeping humidified

[cariaad]

Well, I guess it's inevitable that we have problems...Alli's trach is drying out with alarming frequency. I have tried having her sleep with the humidity thru the trach mask, giving saline nebulizers as well as frequent Xopenex nebs, HMEs --you name it. She has learned how to pull off the HMEs and if I attach them with a trach twill tie (for example) she will continue pulling until she pulls her whole trach out. Humidity via trach mask and compressor doesnt keep her from drying out overnight and we cant use it during the day anyway. I am frustrated and worried. We have cut out all drying medication as well. Pulmonology cant see us until JULY so Im ready to try just abouy any suggestions. Help!! Deb

[cariaad]

Melinda, the only thing Alli will drink orally is diet dr pepper--and only if I've been drinking from the same cup already. (Go figure). bUt I have been trying to give her extra water thru her g tube. I havent seen it improve her much, but I'm gradually adding more. We have such a struggle getting enough calories into her via formula that adding water is a sort of tricky thing. She is also now getting 20 cc of apple/prune juice a night to help her bowels. The generlac was pulling ALL the water from her system I think (the movements were all watery and she was getting rashes as well). So...thanks for the suggestion. Deb

[christyw]

Deb-

I'm sorry this has become an issue. Gaithy is a few months from being three and her will gets stronger each day. It's welcomed because it shows me she's smart enough to figure out what she wants - but at the same time it is hard to deal with. Bedtime, the heated mist mask, her trach - they have all become issues. However, once Gaithy is asleep we get the mask on her fine and she does well for ten hours. She wears her passy all day, and gets a little dry once-twice and needs saline/suction. It's scary because we are planning on letting her have two preschool days this fall, but I'm so worried she'll plug (because of getting dry) and the caretakers won't know the signs like I do. I mean, we can hear/see a change in our child almost before it even happens!! Anyway, I don't have any advice - I just wanted to respond! http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I know you are frustrated and worried, and I hope you find something that works soon. (I don't guess there are any meds to help with moisture, instead of take away???)

Christy

[cwpeichel]

One note: the compressor should provide sufficently to keep your little one humidified over night. Does it look like it is pumping out a steady stream of mist. We have found that some of the water bottles that attach to the compressor work better than others. I don't recall the brand...the one that always breaks. http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif