My new friend, The Nebuliser.

[Weewheezer1]

I know it helps me but it just feels like a bad new chapter in my life having a nebuliser to use daily. I feel like a patient, not my home self in my own home. It was my specialist’s idea to have it as a preventer of those bad bugs that want to grow in my lungs. But I thought he meant to use it only when I have a flare up. I feel like crying, sitting there puffing away in the tube, inhaling saline solution. It’s a piece of hospital every day. I feel quite defeated. I am already depressed because of family issues. How can I make it a positive experience?

[knitter]

I have used saline solution in the past to help clear up discoloured mucus lurking in my lungs …..did the job . I still get a chesty cough from time to but nothing like it used to be .

Together with courses of antibiotics, mucus is clear most of the time.

I still use my nebuliser sometimes with Combivent as can’t get that in an inhaler any more .

I must admit I have had a few down weeks recently ….so I can’t help you with that . Just hope ‘ This Too Will Pass ‘ my hopeful mantra.

Take care .

[Ern007 in reply to knitter]

I used Combivent and liked that duel inhale, and Duovent before that. Get sick of meds being messed with.

[sassy59]

Try not to feel too down about using a nebuliser as they are really helpful. Pete uses his twice daily to help keep his chest clear and wouldn’t be without it. He nebulises salbutamol, Mucoclear (saline), ipatrooium and budesonide.

I hope things improve for you soon and you begin to feel better. We’re here for you if you need to chat. Sending good wishes to you. Xxxx

[Chip_y2kuk]

I use one twice a day (for saline solution) and have done for a year and probably will for the foreseeable

For me, my airways collapse and I make lots of mucus ... all meaning the mucus gets really stuck and I used to get recurring chest infections .... im better with the saline than without as it helps to make the mucus really thin and less sticky (any cleaning it does along the way is just a bonus)

I don't let it bother me and do it of a morning when I'm getting ready (actually doing it right now) and of an evening when I'm setling down .... that way the 20 or so minutes tethered to the nebuliser aren't so bad ... I can watch telly or play online.

[teddyd]

I have used a nebuliser at home for over 12 years. I felt a bit like yourself at the beginning. Everyone will have a different feeling about it. I am glad I have been provided with one by the nhs. This helps with my day to day management of my lung conditions.

I have made a couple of rules for myself . I keep mine in a box out of sight and generally I never use it in front of anyone

( except my husband ) .

It is essential to allow me to have a fairly normal life.

[Hidden]

I have used a nebuliser nearly every day since the early 2000s. Sometimes for antibiotics and mostly, as now, for saline, ipotropium and salbutamol.During those years I have had so many ups and downs in my personal life but my nebuliser is my little friend. The time that I spend on it is my private, relaxing time, away from my troubles. Also, by helping to loosen mucus so that I can get rid of it, the nebuliser keeps me well.

Many people keep pieces of gym equipment, steppers, walkers, vibrating pads etc in their house to improve their well being. Try to look on using the nebuliser in a similar way to that instead of linking its use to your other troubles. Use the time to put your feet up, read a book or listen to the radio. Or even to do a little meditation.

We all have our down periods with lung conditions and I do hope that you will be able to feel better soon.

I hope that may help you to adjust your feelings about using the nebuliser to a more positive experience.

[Patk1]

It is positive,if it makes life easier.mucous should b easier to expel.thats a bonus.i need it to manage asthma& airway collapses to.whn nothing else helps I can rely on my neb.i think of it as part of my toolkit,to keep me going.u will get used to it & whether or not u use it,it give it time,plan whn Yr going to use it+ where.its just a few minutes,put tv on,relax,readxxxxx

[leo60]

I came out of hospital at the beginning of the year to a bedroom with oxygen paraphernalia and a ventilator, so I understand exactly what you mean about "a piece of hospital everyday". It can seem like an endless life of being sick even though it is there to help stop you being so. What Littlepom and the others have said about considering your nebuliser a friend (my ventilator is called Victor !) and the time you spend on it as downtime is excellent advice.

Pop by again soon and let us know how you're getting on? We'd all love to hear, take care xx

[Lol1944]

have had one for years. Only use it for serious exacerbation so maybe twice yearly but but but it keeps me out of hospital. It is one of my little self medicating secrets and would not be without it. Hope you can become good friends with yours

[Ern007]

It's worth it to have open airways - I don't care for them but they work. Please don't be on a downer for that, comes with COPD to us all at some stage.

[Cloudancer]

I have a portable nebuliser that has been invaluable.It's tough being dependent on a piece of machinery however I am so very grateful to Nellie the nebuliser who has made severe asthma more manageable at home.

I don't have the stress of cold germy GP surguries or the hustle and bustle of noise in A/E.

I do hope that you feel better soon.

[suef]

Hi. I bought my nebuliser & doctor gives me salbutemol to put in it. Dont use it as often now but it's a godsend when im struggling. I used it before work & after work. Got chest infection at mo so back on the Darth Vader as i call it lol. I lie on my bed & watch telly. You will get used to it. Good luck. X

[Greenthorn]

Hi Weewheezer 1 - that's a great name by the way! You say "its a piece of hospital every day." I'm gonna tip that around and say 'its a piece of life". All of us are adjusting to changes in our lives and yes, some changes hit us hard, as if it's personal, but let's be thankful that doctors and hospitals are trying to help us. Why not give your new equipment a nickname and make friends?

[Celt1cbhoy]

Hi wheezer 1,I have used a nebuliser for the past 6 years and believe me it is a godsend,I keep getting chest infections and keep growing nasty mucus infections,I’ve recently been put on colymicin to take twice a day along with my 4 salbutamol nebulisers I take daily,I’m hoping it keeps me out of hospital as I end up there at least 5-6 times a year,take care.

[Tinker26]

Please don't feel down, just think of it as a medicine, something that will get you through your life, at first I was like you but now I've kept the bugs at bay I only use it when needed, it may be something that you'll only use now and again, keep smiling life is good x

[Mooka]

I use my time on my nebuliser to read the posts on HU! I also have bird feeding stations outside the window so I can watch the birds. I got very down before starting mine plus self injecting but you soon get used to it. Just need a bit of room to store all the meds.

[Germantara]

I can understand how you must be feeling and I hope you feel better in your self in time there is alot off good advise from peaple that will hopefully put you're stresses at ease

[blackbird65]

Hi I'm in the UK. Sorry.to hear.the disappointment.yet another med to takeB

[Alberta56]

Sorry you're feeling so down. I hope this feeling will go away soon and that the advice from our nebulising friends will help. I felt pretty fed up when I started needing more and more meds to keep me healthyish. I've got used to them now, and I hope you will get used to the nebuliser. xxx

[Sozo]

I use a neb at times. I use at times colloidal silver or saline. I put on a youtube and breathe in and out while watching a video at the same time counting my blessings and realizing that I could be so much worse off. 🤗🙏🏻

[Anna1025]

I feel the same way you do. I am supposed to do it 4 times a day, no closer than 4 hours and no more than 6 hours apart. I do not have that many hours in my day! Really. I actually do it at least 2 but usually 3 times a day. I could avoid it if I could afford $550 monthly for Trelegy, but I can't. I'm in the US and we have what is called the "donut hole", which means for 6 months of the year, I have to pay 100% of the cost of my drugs. Eliquis is over 400 and then there are the lesser ones. I don't know how NHS works, but I hope it's a better system than ours. Anyway Wee, I empathize with you and wish you the best.

[Patk1 in reply to Anna1025]

Were fortunate in UK.over 60s get prescriptions free as do some people on benefits.those who pay,its just approx £9 an item eg per month,or if have multiple items can get a prepayment certificate which I imagine will be £10-12 month,regardless of how many items are prescribedWe r very fortunate x

[PAP48]

Hi Weewhwwzer1 - I have a nebuliser at home too to administer antibiotics. Have you thought about a hand held nebuliser for saline? I find it's not quite so intrusive as it can be used anywhere. I actually do my morning saline neb in bed before I get up! I can sit and watch tv or read a book or look at my laptop, anywhere in the house. Hope this helps and you feel better very soon.

[Weewheezer1]

Thank you for the encouragement and sharing of experience. I have named my nebuliser ‘Norris’. I am starting to get into a routine and having trouble sit still for 15 minutes twice a day is not too bad. I watch You tube and the time flies! 😁