I thought this to be a great way to go when I first heard of it.
There was a gal who was on here a couple of years ago that had it done. Not sure what ever became of her but she had trouble with it and tried a second or third time I think.
I discussed it with my Dr., she advised against it.
We have to decide for ourselves what is the best route to take, it sure seemed inviting to me as I really dislike going around with a rubber hose up my nose.
You know all those little nose hairs?? They are there for a reason other than growing out of our noses as we age. They are like a filter and protect us from bad things in the air as we inhale.
Apparently there is a high risk of infection and no hairy fliter to filter the air taken in through a trach.
Worth talking to your doctor about.
Leenie

i had never heard of it so i looked it up.
http://www.tto2.com/what-is-tto2.html?start=2
for me i don't think i would like it unless i was bedridden or less active than now....i trip over my line & get "snagged" on so many things it's bad enough in my nose but ripping it out of my neck just seems scary.
to me it's more for "cosmetic" reasons than health benefits.
kids stare at me with my 02 up my nose, wonder what kind of stares i'd get with a tube going into my neck; that kind of even takes the "cosmetic" aspect out for me.
my opinion only as i don't know anyone who has had one.

Gary, I don't have one, but I'm very interested in it. From what I've read it would be good for someone who is active and pushes himself/herself exercising. I know Mike McBryde, the guy who ran the Boston Marathon, has a transtracheal catheter.

You may have already seen this article (on copd-international's web site) by someone who has a transtracheal catheter, but I thought I'd post it anyway:

http://www.copd-international.com/Library/transtrache.htm

Susan

First time I saw this article. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons.

One pro I thought of is the possibility that it could be used as a delivery system in the event that I ever had the need for a ventilator.

Gary

Another definite pro for you Gary is that you stay really active, are very positive and pro-active in regards to battling this thing with all your might and determination, and you have that dream of hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. You should if can get in touch with Mike McBride. Can't be that awful hard.

Dear Santa.....we want an edit button!

You should SEE if you can get in touch with him :)