emcclary
01-25-2009, 04:51 PM
Hello
I was just retrached Jan 20th due to vocal cord problems caused by extended intubation during Sept 08 after a motorcycle accident. The reason for the second trach is because I have vocal cord fixation from scar tissue caused by the intubation which lasted three weeks. I am learning to adjust to living with the trach and had some questions. I was able to speak perfectly fine after one day because my vocal cords are in a midline position and they close perfectly they just wont open. I had to get the trach because they wanted me to have a viable airway before they started exploring my vocal cords because if they swelled I could lose my airway. I have a portex size 8 fenestrated cuffless trach. The fenestrations arent really doing anything since I never remove the inner cannula. While in the hospital I was rarely suctioned since my lungs are very strong and my cough reflex clears the mucous easily. I run a humidifier while I sleep at night but thats it they gave me a humidifier with a trach mask but I dont feel I need it am I wrong? How long did most of you wait to return to daily activities? I tried the speaking valve but have in issue with controlling my breathhs. I breath to deeply and end up stacking my breaths due to the vocal cords restriction not allowing to exhale as fast as I inhale. I also have to learn to slwo doen my speech rate and volume which before the accident ws fast and on the loud side. Any adive you guys could give me would be appreciated. Hopefully I will only have to keep the trach for 4-6 months but I need to return to my company as soon as possible.
I was just retrached Jan 20th due to vocal cord problems caused by extended intubation during Sept 08 after a motorcycle accident. The reason for the second trach is because I have vocal cord fixation from scar tissue caused by the intubation which lasted three weeks. I am learning to adjust to living with the trach and had some questions. I was able to speak perfectly fine after one day because my vocal cords are in a midline position and they close perfectly they just wont open. I had to get the trach because they wanted me to have a viable airway before they started exploring my vocal cords because if they swelled I could lose my airway. I have a portex size 8 fenestrated cuffless trach. The fenestrations arent really doing anything since I never remove the inner cannula. While in the hospital I was rarely suctioned since my lungs are very strong and my cough reflex clears the mucous easily. I run a humidifier while I sleep at night but thats it they gave me a humidifier with a trach mask but I dont feel I need it am I wrong? How long did most of you wait to return to daily activities? I tried the speaking valve but have in issue with controlling my breathhs. I breath to deeply and end up stacking my breaths due to the vocal cords restriction not allowing to exhale as fast as I inhale. I also have to learn to slwo doen my speech rate and volume which before the accident ws fast and on the loud side. Any adive you guys could give me would be appreciated. Hopefully I will only have to keep the trach for 4-6 months but I need to return to my company as soon as possible.