Questions about the Passy Muir Valve

[Jimmysmom]

Hi everyone

Since the beginning of the year Jimmy has made a lot of progress as far as the PMV goes. This week he has started wearing it all day long except for his nap and at night. He's making more vocalizations and it has really helped with his swallowing and for some reason it has cut down on his secreations. The question is.... when Jimmy has the PMV on he has to be on a rate of 20. All other times when he is awake he is on pressure support of 10. I've tried turning down the sensitivity but that just causes the vent to self cycle. When has the PMV in and on a rate he doesn't breath over the rate at all. Even though I love the fact that he can wear it all day, I don't want him to be on rate all day either.

Does anybody else have this problem or something similar?? Or does anyone know of someway that I can make it easier for him to trigger the vent when the PMV is in place.

Thanks for your help

Anne, mom to Jimmy (3) Infantile Axonal Neuropathy, trach, vent dependent, g-tube

[Shari]

Anne-
What kind of vent do you use? You use the LTV 950 don't you? Would you mind if I forwarded your question to my contact (the head of clinical resp services) at Pulmonetics? She has helped me through a tough problem before. I wouldn't do that without your permission.
-Shari

[Jimmysmom]

Hi Shari

That would be great. He's on the LTV 900. I'm anxious to here what she has to say.

Thanks

Anne