Hi there

[Dolphin628]

Can I get a Nebulizer on Perscription for my Copd as I am getting more Breathless and the Inhalers don't work very well for me.What symptoms did you have so you could have a Nebulizer?

IreneMatthews.😂😅

[Lol1944]

There has always been a reluctance to provide nebulisers and yet they are usually the first action on hospital admision or on nurse visit in an exacerbation.

This was my experience and can only advise to check if you can get one via gp plus an assurance that nebs will be supplied in the future. For me I have two nebulisers purchased privately and purchase my own nebs. Only used maybe 3/4 occasions annually, 5/7 days each occasion., but it keeps me out of hospital and worth every penny. iI am now 79, 20 years severe copd but determined to look after myself as best suits me. I will die with it and not from it.

I wish you luck

[helenlw7 in reply to Lol1944]

I was told by my lung consultant that the hospital doesn’t provide nebulisers and dr’s surgery’s are very reluctant to do so, but they would provide the news.

[Lol1944 in reply to helenlw7]

I find it very difficult to understand. Many years ago my consultant was the driving force behind the formation of a respiratory team. It was brill. If a medical professional rang today a nurse would be on the doorstep tomorrow morning, nebulizer and nebs in hand. After a few days visits I used to say " don't come everyday as I can do it myself"

Consequent to this I bought my own and at that time gp would prescribe nebs. As provision of nebs changed I have for many years purchased my own ventolin. On only one occasion in the last say five years have I ran out of nebs. I simply told my gp to contact the r team, nurse came ,left me nebs,left with her machine. I do whatever is necessary to avoid my local hospital. Unfortunately I caught covid and immediately gave my gp two options.

give me 40 nebs or spoil some r team nurses Xmas by getting them out to me. He prescribed the nebs

[Lol1944 in reply to Lol1944]

should have said that the respiratory team still exists and the same consultant is still one of the two I currently have.

[Bevvy in reply to Lol1944]

The issue about nebulisers is due to concerns that when someone suddenly requires a nebuliser they should be seen in A&E. The medical profession are worried that a person might not call for an ambulance when it is really necessary.

I have had a nebuliser for many years in fact my gp was the one to suggest I purchase one and he would supply the medication.

[Lol1944 in reply to Bevvy]

I think you andI and many others learn over the years what is best action to take according to our body at the time. Cheers

[Chip_y2kuk]

If you need a doctor thr doctor will need to prescribe the medication

As to whether they will prescribe one .... its a "postcode lottery" I know of some who got there nebuliser on the NHS but I was told my trust doesn't provide them and I had to buy my own

[knitter in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

And some health professionals won’t supply the necessary nebules .

Mine were taken off my repeat prescription , I had to email and ring to get one box . Running out so another battle ahead .

[Bevvy]

Just wondering if you had ever attended a pulmonary rehabilitation course? This is a specific course (usually twice a week) where you learn strategies to be as well as possible. You also learn how to exercise safely and when breathlessness is ok but when it needs attention. Your gp can refer you and I strongly recommend it.

[Lol1944 in reply to Bevvy]

yes done it years ago. Enjoyed the course but had to fight my corner because unfortunately the staff did not know my results had to be adjusted for my age (71) and refused to set me homework. Obviously I had to teach them! After which I was set homework

[armstrong2 in reply to Bevvy]

hi bevvy l have attended 2 of the courses the 2nd which was only2 months ago it is over 8 weeks attending twice a week it has help me a great deal ...taught me how to breath when having a exasabation and also help to strenthen my muscles in the gym ..enquire about through you gp or copd nurse ..good luck

[Yendo in reply to Bevvy]

If you are unable to access pulmonary rehabilitation locally there is also the option of YouTube which has many PR programs for viewers to participate in. I take part in a TB Vets exercise program via YouTube which I find very helpful as a long time COPD patient.

[Oshgosh]

you need to contact your GP.

I know it’s hard to get appointments,but you need to seek advice from a Dr.we’re not qualified to give advice .

[sassy59]

Pete had a nebuliser provided to him by the Royal Brompton Hospital some years ago and has used it twice daily ever since. He uses Mucoclear, Salbutamol, Ipatropium and Budesonide. He wouldn’t be without it but if you bought one you’d need the nebules to be prescribed.

Pete has Sarcoidosis, asthma and COPD. Xxx

[Spacecat1]

Speak to your respiratory nurse. I got my at mylocal hospital

[PaulineHM]

Hello Irene,

Sorry you are not feeling so good. Yes, nebulisers locally here are restricted to those require them in medical grounds and they are being issued for a limited time.

Before you head to a nebuliser would it be a thought to have a review of your condition ( if that hasn’t been done recently ?) It could be your inhaler needs changing or that for other reasons your condition is changing ? How is your current level of fitness ?

I would speak about it to your GP or Resp Team first. Let us know how you get on.

Go well

Pauline

[PAP48]

I have a nebuliser supplied on the NHS via my respiratory nurse. I have to use it for nebulised antibiotics on a daily basis. I have bought my own in the past from Evergreen, excellent company. Speak to your respiratory team if you have one as they’re more accommodative than GPs.

[Egpa]

Hi, I have bronceactsis and asthma, the physio at the hospital gave my a nebuliser, and an AerobiKA they are changed every three years unless something goes wrong. I used to purchase my nebuliser befor and I asked at an appointment if I could get it serviced in the hospital cheaper. That's when they gave me one. I've had 2 now, and the new one due in July. My doctors supplies the sabutamal and saline Neblets. Good luck take care and stay safe.

[Shirleyj]

I have been given a nebuliser from NHS and prescribed saline, to help clear my lungs, I also purchased one for using on holidays from Evergreen, lovely company and reasonable prices.I was told they don't like prescribing salbutomol med to neb, because people would over use them. Your consultant or doctor would advise you, if they think you need one, but you can purchase one as long as you gets meds prescribed.

[Tykelady]

Although I had a nebuliser three times when in hospital I was told on discharge that I did not need one permanently.

[Mooka]

its a postcode lottery if you can get a nebuliser in the nhs. My first one was lent by the hospital but I purchased one during covid as I didn’t want to take the nebuliser to hospital to have its annual service. Your first port of call should be to find out if you can get the meds prescribed. You should also check your local community to see if there’s a fund that will pay for your nebuliser. Do take advice on which one to get though. Hopefully the nhs will lend you one and then you’ll be sorted.

[Ergendl]

My previous husband brought home a nebuliser after being hospitalised several times for chest problems, in Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee in the mid 1990s. There was never a problem getting the nebules from our GP. He used the nebuliser at home for the next eight years until his death from heart failure, and it did help a lot. I also bought him a portable nebuliser which he could use in the car, powered through the cigarette lighter socket. That enabled us to go away on holidays in the UK, renting a cottage, and also have longer days out from home.

[Dolphin628]

Thank-you for your infoAmazingblazing628

[Nula2]

Hi, I think it depends on your hospital/surgery. My hospital lent me one for a few weeks to see if I got on ok then I had to buy my own. But I know some hospitals will provide one for you to keep. Postcode lottery I think🙄. I get the Nebs that go inside on prescription xxx

[jackwok]

I have read all the comments and can only conclude that I am lucky to live in NE Derbyshire. I have a nebuliser and oxygen which have been supplied by my local hospital. i also have a stair lift provided by the local council. Today I have had a assessment for pulmonary rehab and the physio told me about when he worked in Rotherham, they did not supply nebulisers and the only oxygen they supplied were in tanks weighing 10 kg which are a bit heavy for most people. Do not want to be political but I live in a Tory run constituency.

[garshe]

I was prescribed my nebuliser first by Hospital on admission and since my Respiritory team have replaced when faulty. Have to have it prescribed as need the meds on prescription from your GP. Good luck xx.Sheila 👍