Vent weaning help

[darlalunsford]

Hello
We are currently in Lifecare Main Campus in Pittsburgh, PA. My husband has been on the vent since 2/28/08 and cannot get off. He has come close with cpap and trac mask but something always goes wrong. And another set back. We have been to Kindred :( (contact me if you want some information about this nightmare) and Lifecare North Campus (which was good at first but seemed to lose interest in Bob or gave up hope which I will never do). At Prespy the Lifecare Main Campus, 225 Penn Avenue was the best one they told us. We are running out of choices so we came here. They are good and having a little success on weaning that he has been on cpap for 2 days and nights now. We would be willing to take him anywhere in the USA to the "BEST" if we could find one.
Anyone can reply or email me direct with anything helpful. Thanks

[Steven Edwards]

Hi Darla,

Does your husband have a spinal cord injury? Knowing that, along with his injury level, would help.

Without knowing anything specific, I can't offer suggestions.

Steven

[SCI-Nurse]

No, she said he does not. He had cardiac surgery nearly a year ago and failed to wean from the vent.

At this point, weaning will be very difficult as being on a vent that long as allowed his respiratory muscles to atrophy. Using a SCI type weaning protocol might be appropriate vs. the usual protocol. Check out the "sticky" topic on this on the New SCI forum and discuss this with his physician.

If he cannot wean, then you may want to look into taking him home on the ventilator. It can be done.

(KLD)