At Home Nebulizer

[SFExpat]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering how many people have, and use, an at home nebulizer? While it has certainly reduced my A&E visits, I feel like they may not realise how bad my asthma is.

Any thoughts?

Thank you!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

I have. For me it’s for ‘emergencies’ only, and capped at 2x2.5 salb a day before more help has to be sought. I have found that having it makes people a lot happier to send me home at points they usually wouldn’t just cause I have a neb at home. And I have to put my foot down in a&e when they try to change my rules so that they don’t have to admit me...

Not sure what rules yours came with but mine involves spreading gun awareness of when I’m using it. 1 neb a day I’m meant to inform GP, regular 1 nebs contact hosp team to keep them in the loop. And when that goes up to 2/day again I have to contact my team. This way it’s recorded I’m struggling, and for how long etc. Just an idea if you don’t have any official record of when you’re struggling, until you hit a&e level. The masking if symptoms and unrecorded building of issues is one of the reasons most docs dislike home nebs!

[angievere]

Me and my son have nebulisers. Saved many a trip to A&E over the years. But I know doctors are very reluctant to prescribe the nebules.

[Jandm]

I have a neb for my hypertonic saline and prn nebs. I balance my needs and my consultants are happy with that as I manage my conditions in a way that satisfies them and they know that I know what I need and when I need it

[martin_1972]

I Also have Home Nebs and use 2x5ml a day but if asthma gets worse i change from Spiriva Respimat to Ipratropium Bromide nebs and increase salbutamol nebs which i have been on for over a year but if that does not work then i need to be admitted into hospital so that does not effect my treatment being reviewed as if it is bad i still end up in hospital (every 3 to 7 weeks) and had my first biological treatment 3 weeks ago. so i think what with hospital visits, regular 6 monthly appointments with GP or Hospital and flare ups requiring antibiotics the doctors have a good idea of how bad peoples asthma is in general.

I don't think they issue home nebs lightly and as such are aware how bad most people are but again based on your usage the doctor would have a good idea of how many nebs and frequency you are getting through medication and should do a medicine review every 6 months. but if you notice your asthma getting worse then just make an appointment and tell your doctor.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I have a home nebuliser and it has proven to be a real life saver for me at times. Literally.

Our GP is very good and there has never been a problem with getting the ipatropium nor salamol as he knows I only use the nebuliser when my reliever inhaler is no longer helping me & I have tried multiple times with the 10 puffs of Salbutamol reliever inhaler - to find that the nebuliser helps. We assume it must be the combination of Salamol & Ipatropium as the latter works for longer whilst the former gives you immediate relief.

I guess it’s a case of whatever works for you and gets you through a respiratory crisis.

Good luck!

[Eibhlinn]

After having pneumonia in March and breathing difficulties in April where I had to have 4 days in hospital, I bought my own nebuliser and the doctor has no problem giving me the nebuliser solutions for it. I only use it when I feel very congested. It doesn’t stop me from contacting my doctor to say I don’t feel so good. It’s awful when you can’t see a doctor with Covid, I’ve had a telephone asthma review..... How that works is beyond me.

I should have had a respitory appointment To see a consultant but apparently the local hospital aren’t doing those at present.

This forum is a wonderful place for advice.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I have one for salbutamol nebs (2.5mg) as prescribed by my consultant. I never expected him to go for it given the first thing he said to me when I first saw him was 'I'm Dr X and you're never getting a home neb as I don't approve of them!'

I don't have specific limits like Emma and others, but given I know my consultant was reluctant at first, I am careful to be sensible and let my team know if I'm using it (one off for a trigger no, but if I need it for a day or two or more I will tell them; if that keeps on I will let them know I'm still using and things haven't improved). As a general rule I use a neb if I have had 4-6 puffs of blue through a spacer over a bit of time and it's not helping and/or wearing off, or if I encounter a trigger like scent/spray where I need to hit things fast and the inhaler isn't enough or doesn't get in.

If the nebs aren't helping or not lasting I will head in. As Emma said this is so there's an official record and they're aware, and so they can see I am being responsible. They make a big difference to me to be able to have one when I need, especially for certain triggers, and I think I am sometimes able to head off issues before they get worse (not always) so I don't want to lose them because my cons thinks I can't be trusted.

I should add I do spend time in 'limbo' ie not great but not quite bad enough for hospital, with my team aware but unable to do much. I do always make sure to let A&E know I have already been nebbing and I am coming to them having tried this, so they need to do more than just give me more salbutamol nebs! If I were more normal as an asthmatic and better in between, I think nebs wouldn't be appropriate, but I'm poorly controlled enough and flare up enough that it helps my quality of life - I can't be forever going to someone every time just a neb would help, whereas for most asthmatics they *should* be seeing someone if the neb is needed (just adding that here to reinforce Emma's point about why home nebs are mostly not popular among drs).

There is an argument that nebs are no better than 10 puffs through a spacer, but I have found the nebs help when inhaler through a spacer doesn't. My thought, and I have had healthcare professionals including my consultant agree, is that when you're struggling the passive inhalation really is easier -even tidal breathing via a spacer can be tricky at times.

[Hamscoul]

I was given a nebuliser to use if required. If I have to use it I have to get medical advice. They made me promise.