Trach or stoma suction. Have any of you had to do this on a regular basis?

GregP_WN

I am having to run a suction tube a few inches down into my stoma, however far it takes to reach a chunk of mucus that is giving me a problem, and suck it out. It was a little unnerving to start with, but I'm getting used to doing it. I am hoping that whatever is causing this overload of mucus will stop with a little time.

LiveWithCancer

I hope so, too, Greg. I'm so sorry that you're having so many challenges right now.

JaneA

I am so sorry - it seems like when we hit one bump in our medical journey, that it's like dominoes. One thing triggers a cascade of adverse events. Hopefully, you are back on the track again and over this week, things will get better for you.

welderdan

Two answers... take off the HME and tube, unless your shape is still healing, and pour part of the 3ml saline solution (bullets) down your trache, enough to hear it gurgle.. You will automatically cough out the mucous, catching it in the Bounty napkins, not fiberous tissue. The other method I use daily is swabbing inside with 6" long Sterile Cotton Tip Applicators sold at Medical Supply Pharmacy across from the hospital. The 0.9% Sodium Chloride is by prescription I think, and I have read where you can make your own with sterile water. I have plenty I can share with you..

GregP_WN

Thanks Dan! I have a fair amount of the sodium chloride solution and was going to make some. I've been squirting some in the tube, then doing the suction. It's starting to slow down now.