Nebulizer

[Chez13]

I have COPD, i asked my doctor about, me buying a Nebulizer to help when my breathing is bad. He said they are no good for copd.

Has anybody else been told this?

Has anybody tried a Nebulizer, and if so does it work?

Thank you

[Toci]

Hi Chez13, I have very severe COPD and have never used a nebuliser but I know many on here do. I don't think you can generalise as some find them extremely useful. I am sure others will be along soon to tell of their experiences.

[Billiejean_2 in reply to Toci]

Would nebulised ventolin or other bronchodilators not help your breathing a little, Toci ? I know you don't have a problem with sputum but I would have thought a nebuliser could be helpful in times of extra sob.

[Toci in reply to Billiejean_2]

I can't use Ventolin as it actually makes my breathing worse, as does Bricanyl, both leave me gasping. I do not seem to have a lot of luck with inhalers. I had to stop using Spiriva (last year?) and am currently trying the Onbrez breezhaler again but with poor results.

[Billiejean_2 in reply to Toci]

What about Fostair ? I know nothing about this one but keep seeing it mentioned here. Bricanil and Atrovent both make me shaky and trembly but Ventolin, Symbicort and Spiriva seem okay. That' s a shame that you can't get an inhaler to suit you.

[Hidden]

I use nebuliser to clear chest so gunk is easy to cough up also helps with my chronic infection rate.

I have obstructive lung disease and restrictive lung disease also copd with element of asthma

If you don't have problems with mucus plugs or high infection rate ad say you don't need one BUT this lots use them to open airways with nebulised meds

All depends on your lung condition and severity MOST gp's as the don't prescribe them leave for hospital lung doctors to sort.

Nothing wrong with asking your doctor to clarify why given my condition would be no good and if you think the not managing your condition tell them and ask to be refereed to lung doctor

[Nottobad]

I bought a nebuliser because I was sick of having to go in to hospital and all they were giving you was ventalin through a nebuliser. My GP is happy with me having one in the house. But I think not all gps are. I also get the stuff you put in the nebuliser from my GP. I have never heard that a nebuliser is not used for COPD before. I also use saline to help bring up the phlegm.

[Hidden]

I i have copd what stage i do not know i have used a nib for about 3 years now and i ues it 4 times a day which was told to do by the hospital if you use ventolin in it it is to open the air ways just like the pump but slower and you can get a nother one which is for the gunk on the chest which have to be given by the hospital then the doc can give it to u after that

[Mandy6513]

It wouldnt help with your breathing unless you were having Ventolin through it or an antibiotic and you would need those on prescription from your gp but if you have a lot of phlegm on your chest and finding it hard to shift it you can use saline in a nebuliser and that helps a lot

[Bevvy]

I have COPD and would be lost without my nebuliser. Bought one on recommendation of gp to avoid lots of visits to A&E! Recent flare up resulted in having to use (on gp advice) 4 times per day.

Is important that gp in agreement to having one because they prescribe the meds. Also I have strict advice on when I shouldn't self nebulise but call an ambulance.

[Chez13 in reply to Bevvy]

i am confused now, if it works so well why did my doctor tell me it would not do me any good. i see him on Thursday i will ask him. thank you Bevvy

[Bevvy in reply to Chez13]

There is a recent NICE concern that people who self nebulise may not seek medical assistance quick enough which might be one of your GPs concern.?

But in my case having nebuliser at home is very helpful and has recently kept me out of hospital. I also keep one in the car. Nebuliser also means I feel have more control of the condition!

Do you have a rescue pack of meds? Ie antibiotics and steroids at home. Again some gps won't give them to patients on the grounds the patient won't know when to use and might over use! Again I feel it gives me control of the condition rather than the other way round.

[Chez13 in reply to Bevvy]

Yes i have a rescue pack at home.

And i can see what you mean about the Neb, i will ask him when i see him next

[Itsmeagain1 in reply to Chez13]

I was told I couldn't have one as I might use it too much how old does he think I am 5 I'm struggling to breathe and no one helping

[Chez13]

Hello Essiet

I am seeing my doctor on Thursday i will ask him why he said not to a Neb. i do tend to get a lot of fluid on my lungs, that is worse in the Morning when i have been laying down all night. i work full time, but the have adapted my work so i do not have to climb stairs. i am lucky there, just need to see as i said what is my Doctors reasoning

Thank you

[Chez13]

Thank you so much everyone that replied to me, i have taken on board everything you have all said and i hope it helps me when i am not well

xx

[Hidden]

I've been using a nebuliser for four years on the recommendation of my Doctor...I have COPD/Asthma...find it's excellent for bring up gunk!

[Jeanjt]

Yes I was by my doctor so haven't tried since.

[James48]

Hi Chez, I have very severe COPD (stage 4) and before my COPD got to this level, the nebuliser worked well for me. I used it several times at my sugery to nebulise Ventolin when I was bad. I now find Salbutamol and Ventolin not effective at all.

You don't say what stage COPD you are so it may work for you.

Nebulisers are also used to nebulise antibiotics such as Gentamycin and Colymycin to treat infections where oral antibiotics have failed.

BW

James

[hullrlfc]

Hi ches13 i have copd and was given a nebuliser to use 4 times a day when i was diagnosed 3 years ago .it help me i have just bought another one to take on holiday with me it was on offer from maplins electronics dave

[junespoon]

When just in hospital I had a neb 4 times a day, saline with salt in to help move the rubbish, they said I could have one on discharge but changed there minds.

[Jecrookes]

Hi my doctor told me this week that if i use a spacer it is as good as a nebuliser

[charlieangus]

I cannot really comment on whether it would benefit your condition but I have severe COPD and I am provided with a nebulizer by NHS. My medications for nebs are as follows, Sodium chloride which helps clear mucus in airways, Ventolin and Ipratropium bromide which do help me but as I say I suffer with severe shortness of breath and have a very weak immune system, hope this is of some help.

[Jeanjt]

Talked to nurse at rehab today she said neb ok for asthma not copd because I also was thinking of buying one

[Nottobad in reply to Jeanjt]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neb... Jeanjt I don't know why they told you it was not for COPD

[AllenUK]

I am a new member - as a result of reading an old post about someone using nebulised Silver Colloid. I wanted to impart some information in respect of it being inhaled, because so many instances are negative about its safety. However, this article is worth reading from the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Admittedly the article refers to its use in an instance of Cistic Fibrosis, but this was the link I started out with (now locked to comment) the thread was by someone using Silver Colloid for COPD: healthunlocked.com/blf/post...