Indie is sick

indiemum · #1 01-25-2004, 01:14 PM

Hi all you experts!

Indie has a little cold right now (which is so unusual for us, she never has one on a small scale). My question, Do you think I should give her a break from the valve? We have just started for the first time to make head way with vocals and bam a cold! I don't want to stress her system so I am afraid to use the valve right now! Flood me with advice.

Kellyxo

cariaad · #2 01-25-2004, 06:50 PM

Alli doesnt tolerate it when she's sick, soI dont even try now unless she's all hesalthy...BUT she makes tons of sound around her trach without it so it's not such a big deal for us. What does you ENT/ORL suggest? Deb

indiemum · #3 01-25-2004, 08:27 PM

Thanks Deb and Tracy,

I haven't checked with ENT but a good idea.

Kelly

christyw · #4 01-25-2004, 10:45 PM

Seems like when Gaithy is really sick, I just leave the PMV off. Like you said, she is rarely sick on a SMALL SCALE! Gaithy is really sick right now, and I wouldn't even think of putting the PMV on. However, when she is just sniffly and stuff, I probably put it on her for a little while at a time. It's hard to say anything concrete. When she isn't feeling well, she sleeps more, and I never let her wear it when she is sleeping. Also, I usually want her to be very adequately humidified when she is sick at all, so the PMV needs to be limited in those times.

I hope Indie is feeling better soon!

christy

arielsmom · #5 01-26-2004, 04:22 PM

Ariel is experiencing the same thing right now. A small cold. I'm lost! She was unable to tolerate the PMV for a few days but she wore it all morning today. She seemed to get stressed out that she couldn't expire the air through her nose and she was holding her breath and making sad moaning sounds with each breath. I didn't realize how dependent I had become on the PMV (so little suctioning when it's on) Suddenly I'm back to carrying the suction to every room of the house and suctioning every 5 minutes, pulling over in the car etc. GRRR. Thats why I've been trying to get it back on her everyday! I hope Indie is better soon!
Karen

Jacob's Mom · #6 01-26-2004, 09:20 PM

When Jacob is sick I usually leave his off. Of course, now he is on the vent until we can wean him back down to just nights, so he hasn't worn his for over a week. I agree that leaving it off also helps keep the secretions flowing, and possibly prevent a bacterial infection.