How many have had intubation or trachetomy as part of their treatment?

[drz]

How did it turn out for you if you did?

Would you do it again?

[pberggren1]

I am honestly not sure what either one is but I think a trach is where they cut a hole in your trach so you can breathe through a tube sticking out your neck.

[JanW]

If you end up having to get a trach, you basically have no choice. It should be considered a last resort because it's hard to get to rid of (for weggies who have scarring, etc.), once you get it.

I was intubated for the surgery on my windpipe.

[drz]

If you end up having to get a trach, you basically have no choice. It should be considered a last resort because it's hard to get to rid of (for weggies who have scarring, etc.), once you get it.

I was intubated for the surgery on my windpipe.

Was that just for surgery procedure or for several days of recovery too?

[gwenllian111]

i was intubated for 3 weeks in intensive care

[elephant]

I had many intubations secondary to surgery!

[JanW]

My surgical intubation probably lasted only 10 minutes or so. It was pulled out right as they were bringing me out of anesthesia.

[LisaMarie]

They used a jet type vent when my subglotic stenosis was repaired...My trach specialist would prefer me not to be intubated under any circumstances or placed on a vent...It is harder to deal with when you have a tracheostomy....and decreases life expecetency since they are a great source of infection.....My personal choice is no trach...it would not give me the quality of life I want with my kids...but that is just my personal choice.

[Psyborg]

What Lisa Marie said is what my ENT told me as well...they preferred me to not be intubated. A bit frustrating because I have an abdominal hernia (From all my coughing) that needs repaired. I'm probably going to have to have it done with local, which ironically means a more invasive surgery.

[jtausan]

I have been intubated for surgery serveral times but they always use a LMA tube, this tube is much smaller and doesn't go as deep. As far as the trach goes I have come really close to having one done by EMT's in an ambulance but they were able to open my airway. I am so thankful they did not have to do it because I have heard horror stories about emergency trachs. They really can go wrong and do a lot of damage. My ENT feels like this should be the last resort and I agree. I carry an inhaler to open my airway and use a nebulizer anytime I have the slightest respiratory problem. I also flush my sinuses daily to clear mucos and phlegm. I go to Mayo-Rochester in March and see the Subglottic Stenosis Specialist and I can't wait. I am hoping we can do someting surgically to open airway more permanently.
Jodi