Trache Infections :(

[SophiaGrace]

I feel like I need some advice on this subject, because I keep getting trache infections and have been getting them since I was 16. I'm 22 and this is getting really old. I don't like getting sick so much.

I've been put on Cipro a few times, which is the antibiotic that they used for the anthrax victims a few years back. I don't know what strength that is but when I asked the doctor about my infections and whether or not i'd run out of antibiotics he didnt seem too worried.

Well, I am worried. -.- I feel like I've had the same infection over and over again and I feel like this is my fault.

First my throat under my trache tube (sorry if this is a bit graphic) starts to hurt and looks dark purple, then i get a clear runny nose, and if I let it progress (mean take no preventitve measures) I'll get a cough...and then my mucas will turn dark green...and eventually I'll get a fever...blah blah...otherwise known as an infection.

I feel like I change my trache a lot but it's not helping and I also change my mist-machine tubing fairly often too. I just tend to not be as fastidious about it when I'm not sick, which is probably part of the reason why I'm sick in the first place.

I also have saline drops that my parents used to give me a lot when I was little (and as far as I know I never had an infection). I should probably use those more I guess. -.-

I feel like a diabetic that has to prick her finger every few hours. I probably should be applying the saline every few hours as well. -.- though I don't know what it is for other than to thin my mucas. (anyone want to enlighten me on why I need thin mucas?) Why should I care if my mucas is thick vs. thin? o.o higher bacteria concentrations?

-.- I just want to not be sick anymore. I hate having a Tracheotomy, it sucks. I wish I could breathe without it, but tough **** eh? I have to deal. -.-

Anywho, anyone have advice for me on this? Someone that knows about medical matters. All the doctors ever tell me is to change my trache more often, which obviously isn't working. o.o

 

[Brian]

How are the saline drops administered? Are they just squirted in the tube? In EMS, we sometimes use saline to humidify oxygen. The respiratory system, especially the lower respiratory tract below the larynx, needs to stay moist for removal of debris which get filtered out by cilia, tiny hairs that line the mainstem bronchi and larger airway passages; normally, air is warmed and moistened by the nose and most of the debris is filtered out by the cilia up there before getting to the larynx.

Additionally, the lungs need to stay moist in order for the single-cell-thick alveoli to properly allow diffusion of oxygen in to the blood.

I don't really know enough about tracheostomies to guess what the problem could be, or what specifically saline drops would do for you...mucous needs to be thin in order to be easily coughed up, though.

Changing of sterile disposable medical equipment is preventive; it doesn't do any good once cross contamination or an infection has occurred. It sounds to me like you need to better adhere to regular equipment changes in day-to-day life as opposed to reactionary measures.

Hope you're having an otherwise-decent holiday, Soph

 

[SophiaGrace]

How are the saline drops administered? Are they just squirted in the tube? In EMS, we sometimes use saline to humidify oxygen. The respiratory system, especially the lower respiratory tract below the larynx, needs to stay moist for removal of debris which get filtered out by cilia, tiny hairs that line the mainstem bronchi and larger airway passages; normally, air is warmed and moistened by the nose and most of the debris is filtered out by the cilia up there before getting to the larynx.

Hmm this might be the reasoning right here why I get sick often. -.-

Thanks for the well-wishes for the holiday season Brian . I hope your christmas is going well so far as well.

 

[kaede]

I'm not a medical professional, but I wonder if you could investigate vitamin C and D supplements? They are supposed to help the immune system....maybe ask your doc about it?

 

[Danielle]

((((((((SOPH)))))))) I'm sorry you are not feeling well. I don't have any advice, as I 'm not a medical professional... but I can't imagine how awful that must feel. I hope you feel better!

 

[Brian]

A vitamin C and D regimen would definitely be helpful; D especially if you don't get much sun, which allows the body to synthesize vitamin D (believe it or not, the sun actually is healthy, and parts of the medical community are starting to change their stance on the matter).

Any vitamin supplement is an investment. Avoid the cheap products as they are basically bits of clay with poor absorbency. Of course, since you have a tracheotomy, you'd probably need a liquid supplement anyways; these provide the best absorbency.

 

[Sean]

((((((((SOPH)))))))) I'm sorry you are not feeling well. I don't have any advice, as I 'm not a medical professional... but I can't imagine how awful that must feel. I hope you feel better!

I couldn't have said it better myself,

I hope you can overcome this medical issue. (hug)

 

[Callie]

((((((((SOPH)))))))) I'm sorry you are not feeling well. I don't have any advice, as I 'm not a medical professional... but I can't imagine how awful that must feel. I hope you feel better!

I couldn't have said it better myself,

I hope you can overcome this medical issue. (hug)

What these two said.

(((SOPH))) I hope you feel better soon

 

[SophiaGrace]

A vitamin C and D regimen would definitely be helpful; D especially if you don't get much sun, which allows the body to synthesize vitamin D (believe it or not, the sun actually is healthy, and parts of the medical community are starting to change their stance on the matter).

Any vitamin supplement is an investment. Avoid the cheap products as they are basically bits of clay with poor absorbency. Of course, since you have a tracheotomy, you'd probably need a liquid supplement anyways; these provide the best absorbency.

Someone gave me a liquid multi-vitamin, that should work right? I spend so much time indoors nowadays it's not funny. o.o

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes. I'm trying to make it a habit to use hand sanitzer more throughout the day and I think I'll have to go to the doctor soon to get some anti-biotics because, while I am somewhat suppressing it, it needs to go away in it's entireity. -.-

 

[evanescencefan91]

Yesh! hand sanitizer ftw

being sick sucks,

when I was younger I would get colds all the time so now I am crazy about washing my hands all the time

I hope you feel better

*hugs*

 

[stuff4096]

I hope some of the new things you try work out Get well soon, eh!

 

[Bluey]

Hi sophia.

I simpervice with you.
Its not nice when your getting ill all of the time.
I am on antibiotics ATM as well. Well I feel better now and I only have to day to go then I well have finished the course.
I have to take them sometimes cos I get chest infections a lot. This time I only had a cold that lasted no longer then 3 days really but cos my spin is twisted it makes it my spin pressers onto one of my lungs meaning am unable to cough the crap up left by the cold and not able to fight the infection of with out antibiotics.
I have to go for some blood tests in the new year to see if anything else is coursing this.

With you its cos you have a tube that runs into your throat.

I had a fixator on my leg to lengthen it many years ago.
There where 6 pins that run into my bone at the top of my leg. (unable to spell themer properly that bone it was)
Anyway I had this on my leg for 9 months and nearly all of that time I had to take antibiotics to stop it from getting infection.
See you have a foreign body that runs into you and your body tries to fight that which is why I think you keep having this.
I had an infection in my leg with the fixator being there. It wasn't that I did anything wrong. I was cleaning it every day and looking after myself.
Its just with things like this it makes you moor sub septerbol to infections.


I don't think there is anything you can do but to keep going back to your doctor.
I don't think your body well ever become immune to the antibiotics.
So I guss that's why your doctor is not to worried.

Ive not had too good a christmas. Christmas day was OK at my sisters but Ive seen nobody since then.
I have even brok my car so am with out a car ATM as well tell I can get someone to fix it after the holler days.
But you know about 2 weeks ago when I was feeling poorly I really had enough of everything. Am feeling better now so am not feeling as down.
Your health is a very important thing in how you feel mentally.
You well start to feel better about things once the antibiotic start to work.

I don't like that fact that I have to take them every time I get even a little bit ill but hay. At lest there there and as you say ppl now days have things like diabetes so if we only have to take things like antibiotic sometimes I guss that makes us OK.
Its just not much fun getting ill and having to go to the doctors to keep getting the same thing I know.

*Hugs* I wish there was some groundbreaking advice I could give you but all I can do in my attempt to try and help you feel better is ramble on in my own little way
Your a fighter so I know you well get back up again