Watch out, now it's getting complicated. 😊
I inhale four times a day.
Each round consists of two cycles, except for the third round, which consists of only one cycle.
The first of two cycles consists of a practical combination inhalation solution that you can buy ready-made from the pharmacy. And before anyone says I don't have COPD... I know that myself. But I'm not a doctor. What do I know? I only know what helps. And that is this at least three times a day: Ipratropium bromide and salbutamol (0.5 mg / 2.5 mg) inhaled. (by inhalation), PZN 11715311
After the first cycle, suction is performed: intertracheally (in the inner core of the cannula) and orally (mouth and throat, up to the cuff; the balloon that prevents anything from entering the trachea from the mouth), if necessary paratracheally (outside under the cannula plate).
If there is only one cycle, otherwise as the second of two cycles, I inhale with 5ml profane NaCl. This is the 5ml 0.91TP3 saline solution available everywhere. I also have "stronger" ones here, which we have permanently borrowed from the hospital. 3.0% in any case and there were also 6.0% and 9.0%. Or something like that. Complete bollocks. Irritates the airways. Can never ever be healthy according to everything I've learnt about osmotic processes and semi-permeable membranes. But what do I know? I'm not an expert. Carers are totally into it. They swear by the miraculous mucolytic effect. I don't believe in miracles. I haven't experienced one yet.
Alternating between lying on your left side and your right side to inhale works wonders. Wink smiley. If I'm in pain, I pop Dipi (a very, very strong opioid-based painkiller) before I turn. The main thing is to mobilise. That's the be-all and end-all. Without it, you can forget about any medication. That's amazing. Coming from me. I'm so fond of pills.
The cycle with NaCl 0.9% is now complete. Aspirate again as described above.
Wait 10-15 minutes. Then use a cough aid. I usually cough one round, occasionally two or three. Depending on the need, desire and mood. Each round consists of several cycles. I usually cough around ten to twenty times. If necessary, I cough again for ten minutes. I've managed to get all the phlegm out this way so far. Even in hospital and even if it took several days.
My usual saturation without O2 admixture is regularly 98 to 99. My values are so good that my carers are seriously worried if my blood oxygen saturation falls below 96. So I'm obviously not doing something completely wrong. Although I have no idea.
And that's how the daily schedule is planned:
