the dreaded tube

[Der Biermeister]

been reading quite a bit about everyone's experiences with waking while still intubated.

Seems that most can't stand it. Some -- luckily remain asleep until the tube is removed. My question is: for those that do wake up -- how long do you have to suffer with the tube until it is removed? Are we talking hours or just minutes?
Der

 

[Mary]

It's like everything else about OHS, it depends on each individual circumstance.
They want you off the ventilator as much as you want to be off it, but if you can't maintain your own breathing, it's not going to happen.
Usually patients with ongoing pulmonary problems have a longer time on it: COPDers, smokers, patients with lung diseases.

 

[geebee]

This is definitely one of those everyone is different scenarios. My last OHS was the longest and the worse for the ventilator. I was aware of it for many hours but I was in and out of sleep. Everytime I would go to sleep, I would stop breathing on my own so the tube was kept in. Once I was able to stay awake for a couple of hours, things got better and the tube was pulled.

Keep in mind that the tube, in and of itself, is not bad (unless, like me, you are somewhat claustrophobic). However, they do have to suction the tube and that made me gag and was uncomfortable. Your lips also get very dry but they have wipes to help with that.

So, that is a worse case scenario, under normal post-surgical circumstances.

 

[Karlynn]

Yup, the tube is no fun if you're awake. As Gina said, it's the suctioning of it that's no fun. If you find that you are awake with the tube still in, breath with the machine. The more you are relaxed, the easier it is. We don't tell you these things to scare you, I think this is one of those cases where it is good to know what to expect because then you can somewhat prepare for how to handle it. The chances are that you won't have much conscious time on the vent if any. I remember some time on it, but apparently I was awake for more than I remember because they had my hands tied down. I must have been trying to rip that sucker out.

In the grand scheme of things, it really is a short time in the process.

 

[Ross]

Yup, the tube is no fun if you're awake. As Gina said, it's the suctioning of it that's no fun. If you find that you are awake with the tube still in, breath with the machine. The more you are relaxed, the easier it is. We don't tell you these things to scare you, I think this is one of those cases where it is good to know what to expect because then you can somewhat prepare for how to handle it. The chances are that you won't have much conscious time on the vent if any. I remember some time on it, but apparently I was awake for more than I remember because they had my hands tied down. I must have been trying to rip that sucker out.

In the grand scheme of things, it really is a short time in the process.

When your choking on your own saliva, suctioning isn't all that bad!!!!

 

[EVELYN]

I remember Tyce had his tube in for about 45 minutes after I saw him in ICU. He was awake and it was the nurse who told him he needed a bit more time before they pulled it. He wasn't a happy camper and was biting on the tube and motioning with his eyes that he wanted it OUT RIGHT NOW.

ev

 

[FredH]

Tube

Tube

Ok I guess I am a lucky one but I don't even remember the tube. When I was fully aware of everything it was gone. Keep asking for more morphine if you are in distress. Morphine is the one good thing about the surgery.

 

[Superbob]

On the Tube

On the Tube

I dreaded it going into surgery. Then, sure enough, I was one of the "unlucky ones" who didn't get it taken out promptly.

Surgery was over by mid-afternoon but my tube did not come out until sometime in the wee hours of the next day. Reason: I was having significant breathing problems. So, much as I dreaded it, I suppose I wouldn't still be around to write this, had it not been for the help of a breathing tube.

The best thing is to NOT fight it: just go with the flow. I was groggy and only semi-aware. Was in no condition to fight anybody anyway anyhow. I remember one nurse telling me while the tube was still in that my oxygen intake was "alarmingly low," and for two nights after the tube came out I had to sleep with an oxygen mask on my face. Even on the fifth day in the hospital, the day of discharge, I had to keep walking the halls all day long with a nurse (she was cute, so that wasn't such a bad chore ) until my oxygen intake readings were high enough to let me go.

I haven't smoked in 40 years and I am reasonably physically active, so I don't know why I had these lung problems. In case I have to have a re-operation to replace my tissue valve/root eventually, I am resolved to be the fittest old codger possible so that I don't have the post-op breathing problem.

Anyway, I guess the moral of all this rambling is that if it's in there a little longer than average, it's for your benefit --- and it WILL be coming out, so just relax. Try not to fret about it beforehand. All will be well.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Rivet]

I actually thought the drainage tubes were worse (in terms of pain anyway). I was happy when they yanked those garden hoses out of my gut. (that's what it felt like)

 

[Mike C]

I agree it varies but just to give you a positive...Mine was removed quickly after I awoke and wasnt all that bad.

 

[sue943]

I don't remember having anything in me other than the pacing wires and the IV thing in my neck, everything else was removed before I was conscious, I suppose. My surgery was in the afternoon and I remember nothing until next day, presumably I was just kept sedated.

My daughter said there were tubes everywhere when she saw me in ICU.

One thing which I liked was being shown the ICU the day before, it was empty of patients at the time. A nurse explained what would happen to me, I remember her saying that I would have to be warmed up after the surgery.

 

[tobagotwo]

I woke up with the tube in, and had some difficulty staying awake. I'd be fine, write left-handed, upside-down notes to people, nod my head, then roll my eyes up and pass out. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting to breathe when I passed out. I might have died or suffered effects of anoxia, had they not left it in.

The tube keeps you alive for those hours before you're functioning again. It's not your enemy, and it's not going to let you down. Your blood oxygen level is monitored - with an alarm - and everyone will know if you aren't getting enough oxygen, including you. The Tube Is Your Friend.

When you wake up, you will know what it is, so there is no reason to panic. In fact, it's the surest sign of great news. I knew I was done, and I was alive. I wasn't cursing the tube. It was a harbinger of good tidings.

I even played with its capabilities. When else can you take a vacation and be so lazy you don't even have to breathe?

You can't breathe against it. If you can hear the machine, you can time yourself to breathe along with it, if you like. You don't have to, though. Often, the machine is too quiet to time yourself to it anyway.

I am claustrophobic and have an intense gag reflex, and as far as I am concerned, the tube is blown all out of proportion. Why should anyone panic about it being there when they know full well beforehand that they wouldn't be alive if it hadn't been there? It doesn't hurt. It doesn't gag you.

Have someone bring a pad and writing implement, so you can communicate. You may wake up with one or both hands restrained, depending on what thrashing you may have done before awakening. Be calm, and they'll remove the restraints. Be frantic, and they won't. Discretion wins here.

Remember, the tube's a good omen. Have patience, revel in the fact that you're through the tunnel and awake.

Best wishes,

 

[RandyL]

I honestly can't remember when I was on the tube and I was on it 3 different times in a period of 2 weeks. I either don't remember any of it or I was asleep everytime when they removed it.

 

[Der Biermeister]

I'm going to see if they can't get me back on my CPAP machine instead of maintaining me too long with the tube. CPAP keeps the airway open and "breaths" for you. I use 2 L of O2 at night time, but that is only as a safety valve now. 6 months ago, before they got all the fluid removed from behind my lungs, I only had about half of my lung capacity and suffered hypoventilation at night.

 

[Georgia]

They have certain criteria for taking you off the tube. Period. And you won't be in any position to argue about it or bargain with them. While you're post op and on the tube you simply have to go with the flow and trust in the staff to do their jobs.

I can't remember having the tube in - just vague, very unpleasant memories of having it removed. You're so immobilized and drugged (thank the Lord) that the first 12 hours post op you're more a slab of meat than a functioning human!

 

[Nancy]

Georgia's right. It won't be up to you at all. There are very strict criteria for staying on the vent and coming off the vent. Your surgeon will make the call in this case.

 

[hensylee]

I don't recall the tubes at all. It was harder on family members who were allowed in to 'see' us just after the surgery. I recall opening my eyes, staring into two other eyes - my son's and his were filled with tears. It ain't a pretty sight for them. I think that even if we do remember it, the drugs make it a faint memory -

 

[Praline]

Ventilator

Ventilator

My surgery was finished in the afternoon, after 2:30 my husband says. I woke up and could see the big clock reading 6:00. Then I kept waking up and dozing off. I remember seeing 10:00. My problem was that I went in with post-nasal drip.So I fel tlike I was choking. They kept asking "you hurt??" and I would shake my head no. They finally brought me a marker and a board and untied my hands and I wrote "choke". Then they suctioned it seemed to help.
They asked me if I wanted my hands to stay untied but I shook my head no. I was afraid that if I dozed off I would pull on it.I was on it until early morning. I think I kept falling asleep.
But it was not at all painful. It did not hurt or anything to have it removed. And what amazed me the most is that my throat was not the least bit sore when they took that tube out nor they next day.
I was kind of worried about it before surgery but now if I had to have surgery again it probably be the least of my worries.

 

[Mary]

You will probably go back on your CPAP after surgery, but it won't be used instead of the ventilator. The CPAP unit maintains an open airway, but the ventilator tube does too. In addition, a home CPAP unit can't be used in conjunction with the ventilator. Hospitals have a weaning protocol in place for getting patient's off the vent; they don't include situations such as what you're suggesting.

 

[MadMac]

My experience with the tube wasn't all that bad. I knew going in that there was a possibility that I would awake with restraints and the tube still in place. I found that acceptance of the situation made it easier to deal with. I think the tube was there for about 10 or 15 minutes before they decided that I was doing well enough breathing on my own that they took it out. However, this is just my opinion of the tube.