COPD & Emphysema Support Group

what is it? i have NO idea.
margaret

Hi Margaret,
Here is definition of a TTO:


The Transtracheal Oxygen is a method for delivering oxygen directly to your lungs through a small, flexible tube (catheter) inserted into your windpipe (trachea). The plastic catheter enables delivery of a continuous supply of oxygen more efficiently and effectively than the nasal cannula, the tubes worn over your ears and in your nose. Transtracheal oxygen therapy (TTO), gives you more air, energy, freedom, and confidence so you can breathe easy again.

If it makes a person breathe alot better it sounds pretty good. but I would have to talk to someone thats had it done first.
How are you doing Sweetie? I noticed you seem to be getting back to your old self. God bless you.
Love,
Nellie

I did a lot of reading on this and I thought it would be very convenient, but when I went into the daily maintenance and cleaning, I know that it is not for me. I'm sure a lot of people find it very helpful, but living alone without any help would frighten me a little. Good Luck, if you decide to get it.

Wow sounds interesting....but like florcia, I do not think this is one for me either....I do have a question though....Maybe a silly one...but I am interested....would this allow one to speak?.....I read on our site a bit ago about eyeglasses that accommodate the tubing....instead of being across ones face the tube comes up thru the ear pieces and down the nose piece to the nostrils....Pretty cool if you wear glasses....Maybe not as concentrated as a direct tube though....Anyways this is very interesting to me...Thank you for sharing it....
Love and Blessings, Serenity

I asked my daughter who is a 25 yr respiratory therapist on the pulmonary unit of a large metropolitan hospital. The only patients she has treated with TTO's are those who need it for medical necessity. They can no longer get enough oxygen through a nasal cannula. They require more than the 6 litres you can get through your concentrator. Although she has heard of having it done for cosmetic reasons, her hospital has not had any purely cosmetic procedures yet. There is daily maintenance and cleaning and there is a beaded necklace worn that hooks on both sides of the catheter to assure it stays in place. She felt it would be up to your pulmonologist whether he/she felt one would be a candidate for cosmetic reasons. I would wonder about any problems if one later decides to have it removed. Perhaps your dr could put you in touch with someone who has had it done.

FYI Hugs to everyone and Happy Fourth.

Gosh Ellen I would be so worried over infections forming with having to clean it etc...I am a germ nut these days...The lysol and bleach queen....I cannot imagine voluntarily choosing this option...However, goodness to know there is this option out there just in case....seems hopeful and I am sure for anyone who needs it....its probably a great blessing....Gosh so very interesting....

Love and Many Blessings, Serenity

I feel the same Serenity. I don't visit hospitalized friends or family because of the germs. I am a germaphobe these days. I wouldn't voluntarily want to add more possibilities. I hate the lines on my face , so I just don't wear my glasses when I look in the mirror. lol.

The more I think about it maybe Its better to stay with the cannula. Like Serenity said you might have to deal with infections. No thanks to that. But there is another group called
Efforts and they took a survey on people with TTO's. Most of them said they would never go back to the Cannulas.
Here is the survey if you can bring it up.

Transtracheal Oxygen Survey