Nebuliser advice welcomed

[Pippers]

My husband was treated with a nebuliser on several occasions during a recent hospital stay, but when checking out buying one for home use I see conflicting opinions on whether or not they're suitable for COPD ... Any thoughts/recommendations appreciated before we commit...

[sassy59]

Hi Pippers, my husband uses a nebuliser twice a day but it was given to him by the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. Does your husbands doctor recommend he uses a nebuliser? It would be a good idea to check it out I think.

Wishing you and your husband all the best. Take care xxxxx

[Bevvy]

I have a nebuliser. But got at suggestion and support of my gp. Yes I purchased myself which means I got exactly what I wanted/was useful for me. However it is VITAL that either consultant or gp support nebuliser and will prescribe nebules for it. Many doctors won’t and it would be a waste of money!

[hypercat54]

I understand that if your doctor recommends the use of a nebuliser it will be provided free of charge on the NHS.

It's not suitable for everyone so ask his doctor about it.

[Bevvy in reply to hypercat54]

Not necessarily provided. I had to purchase mine and this was several years ago. Possibly because was gp who advised use originally as opposed to hospital. I also suspect I benefited from being able to choose one for my needs. Ie small and portable rather than reliant on NHS. Of course if I hadn’t been able to afford then that would have been different.As an aside I have now had to purchase my own blood pressure machine. This at request of gp to monitor my blood pressure. Guess we have to buy so many different pieces of equipment these days where previously would have been supported by NHS!

[knitter]

Hi , it’s just that the medication for a nebuliser has to be prescribed by your health professional .So a professional assessment is needed first.

For people who live in the UK, the BLF have a website and a helpline on 03000 030 555.

They may advise on the pros and cons of nebuliser use.

Best wishes.

[Nugent69]

I have a nebuliser & use it four times a day...I couldn’t manage without it

[Angelgoth]

I use a nebulizer was prescribed to me by my consultant at Royal Brompton.

[Hacienda]

I use a NHS Nebuliser 3 times every Day. Just had a Video Consultation yesterday afternoon with Amy, she approves to carry on using it as she can see the Benefits. I have also bought a travel Neb, for when I need it, if being lucky to be out.. Best wishes. Xxx

[Terrel_ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation]

Hello Pippers

We have a team of Clinical Nurses who will be happy to have a chat over the phone regarding the management of your husbands condition

If you would like to discuss this with one our team please give us a call on 03000030555.

Hope this helps

Take Care

Terrel

[Andyhaler]

Hi, i have a nebuliser after my consultant and my GP advised that I get one as i never had enough oomph to cough up any mucus build up or enough lung function to properly inhale my ventolin inhaler. If you can still do both of these then its better for your continued lung health that you try to do so without the nebuliser. You where probably given a nebuliser in hospital due to having a chest infection or other problem that meant you had trouble getting the medication into your body and may find that you no longer need it. I hope you find the relief your looking for and feel better soon.

[Pippers in reply to Andyhaler]

Cheers all; my husband has exactly those problems, Andy. I've discussed it with our doctor who is happy to prescribe nebules and will act on your suggestion, Terrel

[Andyhaler in reply to Pippers]

Im so glad you have sorted it out, i really hope that it helps.

[Denae011]

Hi the asthma relief charity gives free nebulisers for people with asthma and copd. They give you a simple form to fill in and your Drs surgery signs it. You can choose if you want portable or mains nebuliser.

[Pippers in reply to Denae011]

Thank you, I shall certainly check that out.

[Park-side-view]

They are good but need to be prescribed by your consultant , l feel personally , you should only use it when needed as you can be come dependant on them xx

[Pippers in reply to Park-side-view]

What consultant? We've yet to get past the respiratry nurse... However yes, the G P advised use only when really necessary.

[ninelives]

Lots of great advice in earlier replies.I would agree with others ,see what the lung specialist says with regards home nebulising.

I have one which is a god send

Best of luck

[Straddie]

I would check with the respiratory nurse. They are often more clued up on COPD than some GPs. I use mine twice a day and wouldn’t be without it. But I have bronchiactasis as well as COPD and chest clearance is THE important thing. My sister who has COPD only was told by her consultant she didn’t need a nebuliser.

[hallentine47]

I used one every day while in Hospital and was provided with one at home by NHS. When trying a saline solution instead of salbutumol my breathing was dramatically reduced so be ware. I find that using a spacer with an inhaler just as good as the nebuliser and I have agreed this with my nurses. I have an infection at present and I do feel relief while actualy using it but afterwards just a bit shaky and no benefit.

[Didgeydo]

My nebuliser is a life saver and would be dead without it, have used this for many many years and it came on loan from the hospital, that was over 20 years ago, it has changed in size, it used to be the size of a small case to take with me as it also worked in the car, but the newer model that was changed was a very small size and not working in the car, although now do not use it when travelling. I think they are a godsend and hope your husband finds that it helps as well, I use the atrovane and ventolin at the same time. Good luck and good health to you.x

[Gjkas]

Hi Pippers, I have Valvular Heart Disease, COPD, Angina and Asthma. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis along with a few other medical conditions. My Son bought me a Nebuliser several years ago because of my COPD. I don't use it very often, but if my throat feels dry and my chest feels tight I do use the nebuliser. My GP prescribes the Salbutamol solution to use in it. I also use my Ventolin 3 or 4 times a day, as and when needed..

When my COPD starts to make my chest and throat feel dry I use my nebuliser.

I find it helps me a little bit, but don't stop it. But it does help with the dryness. . If it helped your Hubby while he was in hospital, then it should help him at home.

I suppose it depends on the individual. We are not all the same, so I think that the best thing your Hubby can do is try it.

But if you're not sure about it, have a word with your GP.

Hope it helps him. I know COPD is horrible.

Best wishes to you and yours

[Pippers in reply to Gjkas]

Thank you Gjkas; with a succession of other conditions now diagnosed I haven't purchased yet, but it's still very much in my mind.

[Gjkas in reply to Pippers]

You're welcome Pippers.Another thing that I sometimes use is my Revitive Aerosure breathing relief device. .It's drug free and it's to help people with COPD, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis etc. I only use it when my chest feels really clogged up. It loosens all the Yuk off your chest. But it's quite strong and when I have the mouthpiece in my mouth OMG my cheeks wobble.

It's rather expensive. We bought it about a year ago and it was £199.99p.

I'm not sure if it's still in the Argos Safe. It was last week for £149.99p.

But if you do think about buying it, make sure that you read everything on the side of the box beforehand..

Good Luck and Stay Safe.