Home Nebulisers - any advice please ... - Lung Conditions C...

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Home Nebulisers - any advice please ...

vittorio profile image
27 Replies

My District Matron visited me the other day , and the upshot was , she suggested I purchased a Nebuliser - cor - bit pricey " £ 95.00 ! , the problem was , my local GP isn't very keen on them , Lord, knows why, and yet he knows that every time I am admitted to Hospital,( now 25 times in 6 years ), - yes, I know its a lot ! , - I am immediately put on a Nebuliser machine, , so he , the GP must realise their efficacy in using them for this rotten illness , any way she apparently wrote to my GP - heaven knows how a Matron can tell a Doctor what to do ! - since he will now have to supply me with the Salbutamol " Thingies " ! to put into the machine ...to make any sense of this purchase and its use ! .....

Now , when do I use it - ONLY when things get really tough trying to breath, to avoid getting that " Green Taxi - Ambulance, ! or do I start the day with one to , hopefully see me through it ? , AND HOW MANY " THINGIES " DO I NEED TO PUT IN IT FOR A SESSION ? ....look forward to other fellow " NEBULISERS " for their experiences in using them ! .. fanks folks ! .

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vittorio
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27 Replies

You shouldn't have to buy your own as the NHS supply them.

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss

Maybe it's time to think about changing your doctor?

vittorio profile image
vittorio in reply to Magpuss

...It had occurred to me ! - he is an older man of " fixed ideas ! ....

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Firstly vittorio you should get a nebuliser via the NHS as Pete did and secondly it depends on how often you can use the Salbutamol nebules per day via your prescription.

Pete has a Pari Turbo boy SX nebuliser provided by the Royal Brompton and he wouldn't be without it. He uses four different nebuliser drugs twice daily but could do more often if necessary.

I think your doctor needs shaking if he won't help you because he had something against nebulisers. Xxxxx

Watfordgirl profile image
Watfordgirl

Ummm! I think your GP may not be keen on them because their use isn't as popular as it used to be. On admission to hospital with an exacerbation and probably while you're in but not for continued use at home.

The number of 'thingies' you use and how often and when will have to be prescribed, as with any other drug. We can't tell you because some of us may be amazing but we're not qualified! And Coughalot is right - you shouldn't have to buy your own.

Good luck with it. Sue x

Watfordgirl profile image
Watfordgirl in reply to Watfordgirl

Perhaps what I should have said is that they're more commonly prescribed by respiratory consultants now than by GPs. Here anyway S x

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

Three reasons I was given for not prescribing nebs, is one you can achieve the same effect using an inhaler and spacer. Two you can get to use to them. And three it's the last resort as used in hospital.

If required they would have given one, but they would sooner try alternative

If the Matron was quick for to you use one, why has she not told you dosages and usages.

I would seek a second opinion from a respitory nurse, who will show how and when to use.

In hospital you nebulise two or three times a day for the duration of you stay, using one capsule.

My experience, on release day no nebs where given

You can get a NHS .neb but are subject to supply and demand. And usually big and noisy.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to stone-UK

I agree that nebulisers should be saved for extremes Stone but it may depend on how well you are when you get discharged. When I had 2xpneumonia in hospital I used the nebuliser while an inpatient but also for a couple of weeks after coming home, before switching back to inhalers as usual.

Like many Im always wanting to use as little meds as possible but I wouldn't have got by without using the nebuliser when I got home. One of the things that need avoiding as far as possible is a readmission which all too often occurs in the month following discharge, so whatever avoiding that takes is ok by me.

My sister in law has life long bronchiectasis and uses a nebuliser for colomycin at home. If your airways are blocked with mucus and colonised as well maybe nebulising works better for that. Another thing is that while there are less and less NHS beds and more of us are being treated at home, it may be that nebulisers will be used more out of hospital. I don't know a lot about this and would be interested in others' opinions.

Bronagh2015 profile image
Bronagh2015

I purchased one of these from Boots Chemist for £70 but was told only to use it after been seen by Dr and only on their instructions. It really should be the last resort for me and if I really need it I should probably be in hospital, it also raises my heart rate.

Nottobad profile image
Nottobad

I bought one because I was sick of being admitted to hospital just to be given a nebuliser. And for no other reason. My GP is happy for me to use it and he will supply the nebs for it. But I only use it when they tell me to use it. Most of the GP I have seen only give them out on loan for a short time. So if you have your own and use it responsibly. I don't see any harm In people buying them.

Pantani profile image
Pantani

I was in hospital last year and was on a nebulizer 3 times a day with saline solution followed by salbutamol . On discharge I had one at home for 2 weeks to gradually wean myself of its use. My early release nurse said that you got a better dosage using an inhaler and spacer. Though there may be some patients who do require a nebulizer at home.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy

Hi I bought a nebuliser some years ago on the advice of my GP. No suggestion that NHS would provide.

I use it when my breathing is REALLY rough and find it helps significantly. When I had my bad flare up earlier this year I was ill for a number of months and was told by GP to use it 4x a day. I was seen by GP very regularly and had strict instructions that should I worsen I should call 999. I think this was all done to prevent being admitted to hospital which was successful.

I like having the nebuliser because it means I feel more in control of my COPD. The bad flare up was the first bad one in 4 years and I did attend A&E once. Normally I cope with flare ups with my emergency meds and nebuliser.

knitter profile image
knitter

I was prescribed a NHS nebuliser, but it was mains operated only.....so I bought a portable battery one and gave the NHS one back.

At first I was told to use it four times a day.......then weaning off .

Now I only use it in an emergency, and I know if I need it that's it's time to get medical help. My A and E is only 5 minutes away.

Every one is different, some people have to use it regularly......but I have a problem with that.....typical of me. I was given salbutamol through oxygen last time I was in hospital, and my SATS went down......set the alarm bells ringing on their oximeter

There is a worry that some patients may not identify that their symptoms are worsening and need professional help. Sadly one of my daughters childhood friends was sent home from A and E with just the nebuliser and suffered a fatal asthma attack, poor child.

mmzetor profile image
mmzetor

my consultant wanted me to trial one original 2 to 3 times aday they would lend me one but if it worked I would have to buy my own , I used it for a couple of weeks then decided I didn't want to get too use to it so only used it when I really needed it told consultant which he was fine with , now I only use it if im really bad or if I have a chest infection a maximum of 4 times a day , Christmas morning I was really bad wife wanted to get an ambulance but had the nebuliser there used that and managed to stay out of hospital by the afternoon after I had had two lots of nebuliser breathing was a lot better , good thing to have at home but don't over use it and don't get reliant on it , I bought mine from lidil for £20.00 lot quicker and quieter than the one hospital lent me , you will find you can get lot cheaper ones than the £95.00 you been quoted , this is a good site evergreen-nebulizers.co.uk/...

Justdoit2015 profile image
Justdoit2015 in reply to mmzetor

I thought I saw one in Lidil last week. :)

mmzetor profile image
mmzetor in reply to Justdoit2015

I got mine last year but they did have some in a couple of weeks ago very good machine for the money .

Justdoit2015 profile image
Justdoit2015 in reply to mmzetor

Yes, I think they were 20 GBP in my local store. I was worried that priced so low they might not be good, but since yours was ok , it might be worth purchasing. That said, with Lidils you never know what is going to be on the shelves. I was there last week, and next to the cartons of orange juice was a 1ft masonry drill :).

joyce74 profile image
joyce74 in reply to Justdoit2015

I have a sanitas oxy meter I bought off E Bay. Saw same ones in Lidl for £20 recently. I have no problems with it.

clematis5932 profile image
clematis5932

I came out of hospital into the care of the home respiratory nurses. I had a nebuliser on loan for a number of months . After that I was supplied with one by the nhs the nebs being supplied by my gp. At the first sign of infection I am to use it starting at 4 a day together with my rescue meds. On the first day of an infection I phone my respiratory nurses who then further advise me . The idea behind this is to reduce the number of hospital admissions. I am lucky in that I have a good gp who has the same mind set as nurses and consultant.

Yes,like Stone,I was told the same affect is reached with the inhalers,4 puffs of ventolin,in quick succession.Apparently the new research shows that nebulisers don't give any better input,when helping with breathlessness,not sure about if needing to expectorate! I haven't used the nebuliser in quite a while now,& certainly find I don't miss it! xx

Nottobad profile image
Nottobad in reply to

I was told the same thing but is it not 10 puffs in a spacer is the same as using a nebuliser. I think it all comes down to personal preference

I use a nib 4 times a day and i do not think i will be her if i did not use it or i will be in hospitail most of the time as i have to put two thinks in it moning and night and 1 diner and 1 tea time

in reply to

Hi David,the main thing is what suits you!

Keep well,cheers Wendells xx

Shaurene profile image
Shaurene

Hi Vittorio

Have my own Nebuliser I use it every day, very helpful as it loosens the mucous and I can breath better after a good caugh. I take Ventolin. I have a Omeron nebuliser. I will have at least 4 per day. In the morning have one and wait 15 minutes then another one. Take the same in the evening.

It is well worth the cost.

joyce741 profile image
joyce741

dont buy a nebuliser if your doctor doesn't like them as it is he who will have to supply the prescription for the Drugs, I have had 2 respiratory nurses tell me that 10 puffs on the Salbutamol through a spacer works just as well as a nebuliser. they dont like giving out nebulisers as people tend to rely on them too much

doublecee profile image
doublecee

Anyone needing to buy a Nebuliser should visit their local LIDL.I bought one there for £19.99 only a week ago. They are made by SANITAS so if not available at the store try online. Cheers.

vittorio profile image
vittorio

...Endless thanklies for your comments folks on the virtues and vices concerning the use of Home Nebulisers ! , - certainly out of all these appreciated inputs on this subject, the efficacy of them seems to be as varied as the PRICES ! ... I do feel , that as the Salbutamol is being forced into the lungs, using a Nebuliser , at a greater FORCE via a compressor, than that I could breath IN - when having breathing difficulties , they certainly help me, as in Hospital , so it is a balancing act on this one, since asking for advice, my Respiratory Consultant ( who presumably out - ranks a GP ), !! has advised using one at home " AS A FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE , BEFORE calling an Ambulance , so, based on his advice and a letter from him to my GP " Requesting his supplying the " thingies " as I call them to put in this , lets call a spade a spade = COMPRESSOR ! - I'll have a bash , and see what happens ! , THANKS ONCE AGAIN FOLKS - and good luck to my fellow " NEBULISERS, " !! ...at the end of the day folks we're all aiming for the same thing - making life a bit more bearable with this wretched illness - ! ...the INTENSITY OF WHICH , COMES AND GOES LIKE THE TIDES !! ...

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