my best friend had a severe asthma attack and she's on a ventilator now since 2 days and nothing had changed as I can see
I'm very upset and don't know if she'll get through this?and if so then when?
or she's going to die??
please say anything
2007-11-30 02:53:23 · 10 answers · asked by Pinka 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Sometimes it takes awhile to overcome these things. My daughter was on a ventilator for 8 weeks. The reason for being on a ventilator is to not only help the person to breathe, but to give the lungs a rest and allow them to heal. I'll bet your friend's lungs just need time to heal.
Go visit her and talk to her, she'll hear you! Talk about the good times that you've shared. Also give her family a call, and ask them if they'll kindly keep you informed.
2007-11-30 02:58:51 · answer #1 · answered by thebattwoman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, she is not going to die. I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist and I have seen and taken care many asthmatics who go on life support. What they will do is give her a lot of corticosteroids to try and get her hyperactive airways under control. They will give her a lot of bronchodialtors to help keep her airways open. She may be on the ventilator for a few days or a couple of weeks. It all depends on how her body responds to treatment. She will get through this. You will help her.
It is very frightening to see someone that you love with all the tubes going in and out and all the noises and buzzers that go on in an intensive care unit. Your job is to just be there for her. People will want to come in and give lectures about how she waited too long to get help...yadda yadda yadda. Now is not the time to lecture. Now is the time for healing. She is probably nicely sedated while she is on the ventilator and that is a good thing.
Things to tell her once she gets home.
1. No smoking or being around people who smoke
2. Find an excellent Pulmonologist to manage her asthma.
3. You are here for her all the way (even if it means that you quit smoking too....if you smoke)
4. Asthma education. It is the most important thing to avoid these horrible asthma attacks.
I wish you both good breathing.
2007-11-30 13:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow! I am sorry to hear this. I am a severe asthmatic myself, and have been on various medications most of my life-I am 53. There are so many wonderful medications out there to take on a daily basis that prevent severe asthmatic episodes, that it is difficult to believe this is only asthma related. Advair is an incredible medication. Before I was prescribed this med, I was only taking prednisone for about 12 years. Eventually my body developed some immunity to it, and it ceased to be effective. As a result, I ended up in the hospital for 10 days close to respiratory arrest. My nails were very blue, my lips were blue, I was seconds from going into full respiratory arrest and dying. This was about 10 years ago. Happily, with daily doses of Advair, my asthma is totally under control, as long as I do not over-exert myself. There is always hope. Technology is so much more advanced with all the new medications. I am sure with the knowledge the doctors have and some time that your friend will be well again. I will say a healing prayer for your friend. Sometimes it takes the body a little time to recover from oxygen deprivation, so be patient. Visit her as often as you can to encourage her and keep her spirits up and talk to her so she can hear your voice. If allowed, bring an mp3 player with her favorite music on it and play it for her. Just be there for her. Bless her and you.
2007-11-30 11:06:55 · answer #3 · answered by porkchop 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
many things affect this.
1. reason for asthma attack--infection, allergic reaction, spontaneous bronchospasm.
2. AGE---the older the greater the chance of having a problem weaning off a ventilator.
3. time---longer on the ventilator, the worse---but, only day 2....this is still early.
4. SHE may be on medications to keep her in a medication induced coma---so she WONT fight the ventilator, and will allow the medications to reduce the bronchospasm, and any inflammation she has.
5. Dont give up on her....i have seen ones very bad come out great, and ones with mild come out bad.....it can be funny that way.
Good luck to you.
(EMS since 1989, also asthmatic for 18 years---a few years THREATENED with intubation/ventilation, now---completely controlled--need my inhaler maybe 3 times a year)
2007-11-30 11:02:22 · answer #4 · answered by miss medic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life is Measured by your Family and Friends.
Friends are Measured by the Hard Times...
This is a Hard Time for your Friend...
You must be his / her Friend ..
Thus said....
My Question ...
Has your Friends Gasoline Hose been Turned OFF !?
Pls find following for You and your Friends Review.
60% of ALL Asthma = Allergic ASTHMA
ALLERGIES are the Main Driver for Allergic Asthma ATTACKs
To NOT Neutralize ALLERGIES with ImmunoTherapy in cases of Allergic Asthma…
Is Like…
Trying to put a Gasoline Fire Out ..
But the Gas Hose is STILL Pumping Gas !
It is Important to Remember …
ALLERGY is Nothing to SNEEZE AT !
ALLERGY is a Cumulative, Progressive, Chronic Disease.
Allergy / Asthma Med’s Only address Symptoms…
They Do No Treat / Neutralize the Allergy Disease Source…
i.e. Allergy Disease remains Intact / Continues…
Please Note…
UnTreated Mild to Severe Allergy Continues / Exacerbates…
Leading to Unabated Disease Progression and a
LifeTime, Slippery Slope of further
Recalcitrant Diseases and Health Complications
( To numerous to State ).
Today’s ALLERGY = Tomorrow’s Allergic ASTHMA !
Allergy Environmental ImmunoTherapy is the Only Clinically Proven
Methodology which Reverses the Disease Process and Neutralizes the
Allergy Disease Source.
ALLERGY is Tough to Beat…But NOT Impossible….
Take a First Journey STEP to a Life Free of Allergy Symptoms and Complications:
ACTION Steps:
>>>>> Visit your Primary CARE Physician TODAY for:
Targeted ALLERGY Therapeutics: Ready / AIM / FIRE !
>> READY:
Patient Data Gathering: Patient Clinical / Personal & Family History Assessment
>> AIM:
Know Your ALLERGY Profile / Identify Offending Environmental Allergens.
Get the WHOLE Allergy Picture…
IgE Blood Test for the Most common Seasonal & Year-round Allergens ( Approx. 50 )
specific to YOUR Geo-Region.
LEARN…
WHAT You Are Allergic TO and To What Degree for EACH Offending Allergen.
Know Your ALLERGY Profile…
Give your ALLERGY Therapy Plan a CLEAR Treatment BullsEye.
>> FIRE:
Based on a Clear Allergy BullsEye / Blood Test…
BEGIN….
Patient Friendly
Drug Free
Natural
Daily…
Under-the-Tongue DROPs
Allergen Specific ImmunoTherapy DROPs
are Not a “One Size Fits ALL” Therapy.
But rather, are CUSTOM Formulated / TARGETED ImmunoAllergy DROPs
based on YOUR specific Allergy Profile / Test Result.
Following Clinical Principals used Successfully for Decades by Medical Allergy Professionals,
Your Allergy DROPs contain small traces of What you Are Actually Allergic TO !
Slowly over Time, Concentrations of these FDA Approved Extracts for EACH Offending Allergen is Increased…
Allowing YOUR Bodies Immune System to ReCaliberate Itself..
No Longer Triggering Allergy Symptoms…
Neutralizing the Allergy Disease Source…
Reducing / If Not Eliminating Complications and
Producing Lasting. If Not Lifetime Relief Benefits.
Allergy SHOTs ..
Have been Replaced by Patient Friendly / Custom Formulated
Under-the-Tongue DROPs !
2007-11-30 16:52:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lungs take time to heal. My friend was on a ventilator for 2 weeks and now shes doing fine. The first week seemed like she wasn't getting better but it took time.
Hope she gets wells soon!
2007-11-30 10:58:21 · answer #6 · answered by lita00 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it is important that you are VERY calm when you are with her. If you upset her it will be hard for her to breath. Talk normally, I know this is so hard to do. I am so sorry this is happening to you. My Aunt went through this and the nurses said to remain calm in front of her and to not upset her. She is okay now. What are the doctors saying?
2007-11-30 10:58:28 · answer #7 · answered by Mrs. Mad Maddy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is highly unlikely that she will die! She just needs to be strong and stay calm and most of all breathe easy. Keep her from getting excited and just be there for her, assure her and most of all just be the best friend you can be right now. If you look or act scared then she will be scared and that helps nothing. Give her other things to think about....................... I started praying as soon as I read this. Peace, Peace, Peace, remember time is your friend right now.
2007-11-30 11:02:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well,,I'll pray she is going to be alright. Keep in contact with her physician or her parents. Keep things 'upbeat' when you visit her,,so not to upset her. As for your own mental health,,,you need to calm yourself a little,,or you'll be the next in the hospital with an anxiety attack.
2007-11-30 11:08:43 · answer #9 · answered by E S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never gone thru this situation but I hope evertyhing gets better. keep a smile on ur face and give her good vibes =)
2007-11-30 11:01:43 · answer #10 · answered by ♥ mocha-baby 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋