Hello!
There have been a couple of posts here from people stating that they have used another person's medication such as a nebuliser when their asthma has not responded to their reliever inhaler.
Can I reiterate what people have said in reply to this and add to it.
If you have not been prescribed a nebuliser and the medication for home us, you must not use anyone else's, however desperate you are not to attend A&E.
People who have home nebs are given them under strict medical supervision. A nebuliser is up to 20 times as strong as your reliever and will have more side effects. Yes, It may work wonders but that wonder will wear off after a few hours.
Using someone else's neb may delay you getting medical help if you deteriorate further and you may end up in a worse state than if you went straight to A&E. It can give you a false sense of security.
(I know to my cost of overusing my home nebuliser and not getting help soon enough and I am prescribed one! I stick to my protocol now)
No body likes going to A&E but no one would like ending up in hospital for a lot longer than if they got medical help straight away. I understand that some of you have had bad experiences either yourself personally or a child. Staff change so it may have been a one off bad experience.
By calling an ambulance or in A&E, they can give you a nebuliser in a safe environment, monitor your vital signs such as pulse and oxygen levels. Yes, one neb may be all that you need but better to be safe than sorry.
At university, a fellow student asked if she could use my neb, I said no and told her to go to A&E. It is hard to see someone else struggling but you must not give them or take medication that is stronger than you are prescribed.
So, Please don't use another persons neb if you are not prescribed nebs, please!
Kate