nebuliser confusion

[Daisy2408]

I have a flare of COPD and am on second lots of antibiotics and prednisolone. I have been greatly relieved in two hospital stays to be given nebuliser treatment but my doctor says I cannot have one at home because it cannot be kept up to hospital hygiene standard at home. My husband says he is perfectly capable of doing anything required in that department and I am sure that is so. Why are some patients prescribed and some left to breathe the best way they can? Thoughts appreciated please. Daisy

[sassy59]

All I can say is that Pete has used a nebuliser for years. It was first prescribed by the Royal Brompton Hospital which helped but he hasn’t been there for around 8 years. He has a home nebuliser which is used twice daily. I’m sure you could manage at home and have meds prescribed. Don’t give up. Xx

[Daisy2408 in reply to sassy59]

thank you Sassy. I will start hassling tomorrow. I live on the Isle of Wight but last time I had a flare up was in London and admitted to St Thomas’s. I was told if I lived there a respiratory team would take care of the nebuliser and meds required. Maybe you are more advanced on the north island!

[sassy59 in reply to Daisy2408]

I wish you luck. Thinking of you. Xxxx

[cofdrop-UK]

That’sbollocks.Youcankeepcupsandmasksormouthpiecesscrupulouslycleaninawaywhichisnighimpossibleinhospital.Ialwaystak3hometheonesI’veusedinhospitalandcleanthemastheyonlygointhebinotherwise.Dothesamewithunusedsickbowls.Greattousefortheoldiespootestandforthereproperusetoo.Toomuchinfo4mation-nomatternoonecanbearsedreadingitanyway💕💕💕

[Tia4209 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

i can read it fine just takes a few seconds longer. 😊

[sassy59 in reply to Tia4209]

Sane here Tia. Xxx👍

[Spacecat1]

I bought a good one off ebay

[Serendipity68]

Feel for you I've had copd since 2016 and Dr issued nebules in 2020 but I had to buy the machine itself.

Just a simple wipe over and it's fine so not sure why your Dr won't support you.

It's rescued me a few times preventing a hospital visit/ ambulance.

[Mozzer1953 in reply to Serendipity68]

Same here I purchased my own Nebuliser and all the meds are free.

[ghousrider]

hi good morning try this one take on a cleaner your doctor can give you a telephone number for home help ask them what the y think of your cleanerness in the home they can then give you a letter the take to cab to take there advise ghoust rider

[gingermusic]

I have never heard of anything so silly in all my life. I have had the loan of a nebuliser for some years now and it is so easy to make sure the mask is kept clean. In fact I would say my mask is cleaned far more often than I have seen in hospital. Don't give up on trying for one if you feel far better for using it.

[Hidden]

what an absolute fool! Does this mean that all of his other patients who need a nebuliser are being denied proper treatment because he is too lazy to sort one out. If you have a consultant get them to arrange a nebuliser for you and tell your GP to prescribe the meds that you need for it.

The most laughable thing about his comments lies in the fact that anyone who has used a nebuliser in hospital knows that they don’t clean them as well as we do but leave them on the side from one dose to the next.

[Daisy2408 in reply to Hidden]

thank you Littlepom and other caring members. It has come as rather a surprise so many people had no issues with being prescribed the meds. Nebulisers themselves are readily available over the counter of course so I will certainly have another conversation. Thankfully feeling better this morning so maybe will feel like taking up cudgels. Thank you again. Daisy

[Bevvy]

I think gp is being disingenuous to you. He has come up with a totally nonsensical reason for not prescribing medication for a nebuliser. Unfortunately many GPs will not prescribe for a nebuliser and give a variety of reasons for this. The main one being that if nebuliser required a person should be going to A&E because they could be in need of additional medical support.

Personally I think most people who have a good understanding of condition could be ok with a nebuliser. Especially in this day and age when getting to hospital isn’t easy, plus having to wait for treatment and the risk of hospital acquired infections.

I am fortunate in having had a nebuliser for many years. Indeed a gp suggested I purchase one and he would prescribe meds for it, in order to reduce my need for A&E. We discussed when I should call for medical support and I feel very comfortable using nebuliser. When I moved surgeries again they were happy for me to have meds for it. Indeed when I have been seriously unwell they have worked hard to keep me out of hospital. Seeing me every 2-3 days and use of nebuliser 4X a day.

Suggest you go back to gp and find out REAL reason won’t prescribe medications. Or speak to a different gp at practice!! Just be warned as mentioned that often gps are unwilling to support this treatment.

[Daisy2408 in reply to Bevvy]

yes Bevvy. I am thinking nowadays I might have better luck with getting non hospital treatment. On New Year’s Day, following an abstemious NYE and early night I had an almighty fall on my head by tripping over in my bedroom. I was raised with no broken bones by husband and family but later called 111 ?911 to check in. They wanted me to come in for x rays etc. but were not surprised when I demurred. They sent paramedic who checked everything and advised starting on rescue meds as well. She said no one wants to go anywhere near hospital nowadays if at all possible. On with the fight. Thank you. Face beginning to look slightly less scary!

[knitter]

I know one of the doctors in my practice didn’t recommend nebulisers for home use , but another said he trusted me to understand when to use it and when I needed professional assessment …my A and E is only 10 minutes away .

I only use mine in an emergency now .

Have you been given a plan …how to recognise the start of an exacerbation….how many puffs of reliever in an emergency etc .

Maybe give the ALUK helpline a ring ….open for UK residents during the working week on

0300 222 5800

[Mooka]

I would think it’s a money thing. I was originally lent a nebuliser by the hospital. It was supposed to go in every year for a service and another would be issued. I didn’t want to go to hospital during lockdown so I bought my own. The meds are prescribed by my GP as instructed by my consultant. The chamber and tube are supposed to be changed every so often according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I sterilise mine every week and wash it after use. They also have filters to change. If you buy one make sure you don’t pay the VAT. BTW when I was last a guest at my local hospital I had to take my own nebuliser in to use! Good luck.

[lovejoyliz]

What absolute nonsense, l purchased my nebuliser myself and it works just fine with what my doctor prescribes for me. I hope you can get something that will help you. ❤️

[Roysieboy]

Hello Daisy. Sorry to hear of ur plight. I was in a similar situation to u and I decided to buy one off Amazon. Best thing I ever did. I phone the doctors and get prescribed the medication to put in it and use it myself. I found it very beneficial. I have got emphysema and have flare ups, it’s not very nice at all. I feel for u. Just a thought. 👍🤓

[Bevvy in reply to Roysieboy]

It’s REALLY important that people check that gp will prescribe medications for nebuliser before purchasing a nebuliser. If gp won’t prescribe (and many don’t) medications then is a waste of money.

[clematis5932]

I was given a Nebuliser by my Consultant some 9 years ago, on moving house I had to hand it back in as I was moving to another Authority within a matter of days Worcestershire gave me a new one. I am now under a Consultant and a nurse led respiratory teem. I rang the hospital about three months ago as my machine had gone on a slow down. They asked how soon we could get to the hospital as they would meet us outside the main entrance with a new machine . We left straight away, phoned them as we entered the hospital car park, there was a lady standing outside I wound the window down she passed the new one through the window. It was all so quick we did not even pay for the car park.

I only ever use my machine when i really need it as feel I have nowhere to go if I use it on a regular basis. The last twice I have been ill I have opted for home nursing. My GP has supplied me with enough Ventolin for two months. Plus about six weeks of antibiotics.

Try ringing the respiratory department of the Hospital you were in and asking for there advice if your Consultant says yes your Gp has to take his advice. Best of luck.