Home nebuliser

[BusNut]

Morning everyone, just back from hospital as other half who has copd and is getting over a chest infection was taken there this morning by ambulance as he couldn’t get his breath after a coughing fit early this morning. The hospital have recommended that he has a home nebuliser so to go to his gp to get one. We’ve been told by the doctors receptionist that we’d have to buy one, the doctor wouldn’t supply it! How do we know which one to buy and what about the masks and medication? Any advice?

[hypercat54]

I believe some doctors can get you one via the NHS but could be wrong on that. My advice is to make an appointment with his doctor and ask her/his advice. x

[sassy59]

Sorry to read of your husbands problems but that wasn’t very helpful telling you to get a nebuliser from the GP.

My husband has a Pari Turboboy SX which he was given by the Royal Brompton. You can buy online together with the tubing, mouthpiece etc. Your GP or hospital will need to prescribe whatever drugs they want your husband to nebulise.

Hope he recovers well. Xxxx

[Bella395]

The drugs are prescribed by the GP but not the machine itself. Does your husband see a respiratory consultant? If so, it would be advisable to speak to her or him about this. Hospitals loan nebulizers short term but if needed long term then the patient usually buys their own. If you don’t have a consultant, ask for a referral. There is no point in buying a nebulizer if it is not needed. Your husband needs follow up by the hospital or practice nurse.

[TuckBox2]

Lidl have a mains operated nebuliser for £19.99, I bought one 6 years ago when I had to have 4x nebs everyday for about 4 years, until I was put on Xolair injections. It is a bit smaller and quieter than the Phillips unit I have from the hospital.

They often sold a portable nebuliser the following week £29.99 which I also bought and use when I go camping with my scouts, when I was commuting, and as it is very quiet (it is like a Vape machine) I have often used it in bed at night so as not to disturb my wife. I still take it with me whenever I go out in case I need it. Luckily I have not used it for 1 year+.

[Hidden]

Yes you should get one but I think it is supplied by the hospital respiratory unit. Check with the chemist’s.

I have a Philipps Pariboy.

[inhaler1]

I have two which I bought myself, after having a collapse in the shopping centre a few years ago which caused severe panic and anxiety so felt when I needed nebulizer it had to be instant hence one up and one down.

My GP was very helpful and prescribes nebulas with no fuss, but only because he explained about all the side effects and also said the medication through the Neb was much more powerful than a standard inhaler so only to be used in extreme circumstances along with a SATs monitor.

I now only use a few times a year as my medication has been changed at Chest clinic and now much more effective, but you must see your GP / consultant before buying as nbs may not be prescribed.

[kathbrad3]

I've had my nebulizer from the nhs had it about ten years think my respiratory nurse got it for me

[Izb1]

Hi Busnut, what a scare for you and then all the running round for a machine that you know nothing about, it all adds to the stress. I hope you get sorted soon and the other half is feeling better. Take care. Irene x

[WheezyAnne]

Does your other half have any dealings with the Community Respiratory Team, Respiratory Physiotherapist? It depends what meds he needs/may needs in the future as to which nebuliser to get. The small quiet ones (Ultrasonic) are excellent for Salbutamol, but no good idea he needs to nebuliser any antibiotics. For that you need a compressor driven (is noisy, like the ones the hospital use) one. I believe the Respiratory Physiotherapist are the people to talk to. When it comes to purchasing one, there is a company who most people deal with called Evergreen Nebulisers. They are very reliable and always have the spares for the Nebulisers they sell, and can get one out to you within 24 to 48 hours.

[Bobfirmin]

Try the dreaded Ebay. I have sourced two from here made by Omron who are a well respected in the medical arena. One is portable and the other mains operated . The latter comes with all necessary equipment.

[lKeith]

BusNut

Hi, I've got a Home nebuliser, it's a Philips Respironics Deluxe. It's in general use at my local hospital in Brighton. Costs about £900, there is a far cheaper one from Boots at around £500 but for the record isn't as powerful. You need to see the GP however because you don't want meds other than at least Salamol Steri-Neb 2.5mg/2.5ml. Only available on prescription.

This helps the mucus to break up, Saline which you can buy over the counter, is useless it has no effect on me whatsoever. The GP may even give a 2nd drug to be merged with the Salamol. That really does help but they tend to only keep on the 2 meds for a shorter period.

IKeith