Another Nebuliser question

[Kismet23]

Hi - I've been watching tthe discussions about nebulisers. For some time I have thought one might be helpful (COPD severe). My COPD team were fairly unhelpful but the respiritory nurse at my GP surgery as just prescribed some Salbutamol nebules. She is now away on holiday.

I have bought myself a portable mesh nebuliser, but I am unclear and a bit nervous about a few things.

If I use a salbutamol neb, should I use it all up in one session, or perhaps take a few inhalations to see how it goes? If I do that, should I then throw away the remaining liquid, or can I continue with that nebule a few hours later, until it is all gone?

I have also found discinfecting advice confusing. My instructions are complicated. I read on the Evergreen site that you can use Steradent! My instruction also say never use distilled water, where as many of them do.

I have also bought some saline nebules(if they help, then presumably better than taking los of salbutamol, but again, I am a bit nervous about having that first go.

Any tips and advice would be rreally helpful...thanks.

[jillygirl]

I have a nebuliser and use the full salbutamol nebule once a day in the morning, Then in the afternoon / evening I use the Saline vial .

I wash the mouth piece which attaches to the tube , when I have finished. and rinse it thoroughly and let it air dry overnight on kitchen towel.

I do not wash the tube , but i use wipes to clean that. I wipe the main compressor on the casing with wipes and then store it in the case with the tube for next day.

I hope this helps you. 😉

[Kismet23 in reply to jillygirl]

Thanks...I will set about charging up the nebuliser and have a go 👍

[Bevvy]

You should use the vial all in one go. Has the nurse explained when they think you should use nebuliser? I have a nebuliser at home but only use it if I have a chest infection. Otherwise I use my regular inhalers and ventolin. I have also been instructed and discussed with gp when I need to call for an ambulance because I need increased support.

It’s important that you have clear instructions and from what you have written that doesn’t appear to be the case. I would be asking for an appointment with gp to make the situation clearer.

[BelShaza]

Morning Kismet23,

I've had COPD for many years and last year diagnosed with lung cancer.

I now use the same as you, Salbutamol and Saline Isotonic nebs.

Once you open a nebuliser you must use all the solution, you should NEVER keep any for another time. Your GP should have given you specific instructions on how many doses you should use. I take at least 3 doses a day, when necessary, with the fixed gap of 4hrs between each dose. Read the instruction leaflet.

My Saline Iso. Is merely to loosen and soften the phelm & lung area. So I inhale that first, then I inhale the medicine which is the Salbutamol solution.

Your entire mask set, including tube should be changed every 3 months, or before if you have any leakage or other problems. These are provided by the nurses or your GP.

Please speak to your GP again AND your Pharmacist as to your dosage etc and you should get all the proper advice regarding your particular case.

Good luck and God bless

[Sweetchilli543 in reply to BelShaza]

Hi BelShaza, I was reading your reply the bit where you use saline to loosen the phelm, I have 6 carbocisteine a day to do that but the amount of side effects is incredible when I read the leaflet . I was thinking maybe to use saline in conjunction with my salbutamol and cut the use of carbocisteine . I think I may ask the respiratory nurse next time I go . I presume you can get saline in same sort of little nebs as the salbutamol. Got to be better than all these tablets . Kind regards.

[Patk1 in reply to Sweetchilli543]

Yr nurse/gp should explain & give u a trial in the surgery, before u use it .All medications come with risk of potential side effects,but its just advisory - most people dont have huge side effects.

[kathbrad3]

If your nebulizer is one of the small handheld ones they aren't very efficient better off looking on Amazon for a mains one they arent that expensive

[y_not]

I use a handheld nebuliser with Salbutamol nebules. I take it that you are aware of heart palpitations, not everyone will have the but, I understand that most do.

Nebules are supplied in sealed packs of 4, once the foil is broken they have quite a short 'shelf life' - I wouldn't save any, use one complete vial then wait, if it works, great, if not try a second one.

I was advised by an A&E doctor to buy one BUT he also said, very clearly, not to purchase Salbutamol via the Internet. I told my GP and they added nebules to my repeat prescription.

Good luck.

[Kismet23]

Thank you all for your kind and very useful comments and advice. My respiratory nurse is back from holiday this week, so I will follow this all up with her. I will get the nebulizer charged up ready and take the whole kit and caboodle in with me.

I just wanted to add that the reaon I wanted to try one is that I pulled a muscle the other week, huffing to get my chest clear...that is depite 4 puffs of vetolin, my aerobika, 6 carbosytine a day and all the right breathing techniques. I do not have an exacerbation, just thick mucus, and think that there must be an easier way. I am hopeful that at the end of theday saline might really help....the less ventolin, the better.

Thanks again!