Lung Matters Protocol

May I ask why you boil for 10 minutes and then also place in the bottle sterilizer? Wouldn't the 10 minutes of boiling sterilize it? I know that the bottle sterilizer also dries and is a good place to keep the equipment until it is used again. That is a real plus. I have found that, as soon as I remove the nebulizer equipment and the Aerobika from the boiling water, it almost immediately dries. I shake what little water remains on it off, and then I place it on clean paper towels and loosely cover it. When I used the microwave Avent steam sterilizer, there was always so much water on the equipment when I took it out. That is when I began boiling. I am leaning towards also having an electric bottle sterilizer because I think it is easier on the Aerobika when it is done twice a day than when boiling.

Oh no I boil water for 10 minutes and then use it warm to rinse all pieces. It looks from Sue’ s post that I don’t need to do it and it’s enough to sterilize only. I agree with you that boiling aerobika even once a day could destroy it. Somehow a bottle sterilizer is not that harsh on it. I bought a two part sterilizer where top and bottom can be used independently and I use only the top portion of the bottle sterilizer- it’s enough for the small pieces of aerobika, pari nebulizer, aeroclipse and a silicone mask. I do it twice a day. When the sterilizing time is over the machine automatically goes to drying mode. I save a lot of paper towel rolls that way.

@lilianna, thank you for your clarification. I have been rinsing under very hot water, soaking in dawn and hot water, and then rinsing that in a bowl of distilled water because our water is so hard. All this before boiling for 10 minutes in spring water, again because of the water hardness. I use a lot of water, and it adds up. Also many paper towels!!!
Is your two part sterilizer the Philips Avent? Do you like it, and is it reliable? Do you find that it dries well, or do you have to put it through 2 drying cycles? I also found that my Vortex holding chamber for my Levalbuterol canister can be placed in a steam sterilizer (electric, not microwave, since it has metal). I had been soaking it in Dawn and then placing it in alcohol for a time and rinsing it. Just trying to finally streamline everything to where it is effective but also practical and not cost-prohibitive. Thank you again so much.

Oh dear, it wasn't clear, I didn't say no cleaning - just that you don't need to use sterile water for it, any germs introduced by tap water will be killed by sterilizing. No soaking is needed either. You also do not need to use sterile water in the sterilizer, but they may recommend distilled water to limit residues from minerals in regular water. Dr Joe Falkinham recommends Dawn detergent as they have demonstrated that it breaks up biofilm when used 1:10 with tap water.
So the steps with the baby bottle sterilizer - 1) wash in soap and water, 2) rinse in clear [tap] water, 3) drop in the sterilizer.

This article was cited by Dr. Jennifer Honda who used to have a research lab at National Jewish Health and is now at UT Tyler. She mentioned this research during a patient conference. Please note that in addition to gram positive and negative bacteria, mycobacteria was tested. The sterilizer killed all 80 pathogens. Like Sue, I’m a strong believer in listening to Dr. Falkinham. However, I do choose to soak my devices in warm soapy water that I repeatedly agitate. I like knowing that before I pop everything into my baby bottle sterilizer most of the bacteria and medication have been removed. It might not be necessary, but it makes me feel more secure. Like double knotting my sneakers 🙂
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32729958/
Enjoy the day,
Linda Esposito

Sue, very clear explanation. Now I have another question. You mentioned a 1:10 ratio of Dawn to water for soaking. If I were to use an ounce of Dawn (2 Tbsp), I would then use 10 Oz of water, but I have been using more water in order to cover the nebulizing cup equipment and the Aerobika at the same time. Does that mean that, for example, I would need 2 ounces of Dawn? It seems like so much, and it already suds a lot. By the way, I came across a Free and Clear Dawn that does not have the color or scent. Websites advertised it at grocery stores and Walmart, Target, but it seems like with some of them that you would need to order online. After physically going to stores, I finally found some on the very top shelf of our local Target. I bought two bottles. I like it because I am sensitive to scents and dyes, and since I am soaking breathing items in it, it might be good to switch.
When the Arikayce trainer came to my house, the kit she gave me included a small bottle of mild dish detergent for soaking. Her instructions, as per the manufacturer of the handset for nebulizing the Arikayce, were to boil for 5 minutes in distilled water after first soaking in mild detergent for 5 minutes. She actually had me go through an entire treatment session while closely observing me.
I am boiling my PARI and Aerobika for 10 min now, but should I also be doing the 10 minutes with the Arikayce nebulizer? So confusing sometimes. Thank you for any clarification from those who nebulize Arikayce.

When I wash my pieces, if I am going to boil them immediately, I don't worry about covering them with solution. In fact, I often put them in a small storage container and shake them vigorously. I use original Dawn, purchased in giant bottles at WalMart or sometimes Costco, because that is what Dr Joe and his team tested. I doubt any color or scent survive 10 minutes of boiling. I am old-school, using a saucepan and timer as my kitchen has no room for more "stuff" and they are available no matter where I go - home, tiny winter home or camper.

I would think that if the Arikayce mouthpiece can survive 5 minutes of boiling, it should handle 10 minutes, but you might want to ask them as I have no experience with their equipment. I do understand the distilled water - I use it or filtered water to eliminate residue on my equipment - I'm always putting multiple gallons in my cart. That way I find no need for periodic vinegar soaks some mention.

My philosophy is to do what is the easiest and still safe, so my routine is very minimalist, but I haven't had an infection needing long-term treatment in nearly 5 years, nor exacerbation in almost 2 years.

Everyone is different in their condition and risk tolerance/outlook on life.

My understanding is that vinegar doesn’t sterilize NTM. I used to use vinegar to demineralize from hard water but since switching to using distilled water that hasn’t been necessary.

Sue, Dr. Joe's accepted method of sterilizing seems to too good to be true. Our fellow nebulizers seem to be trained and or guided through so many steps to squish every bug (bacteria) into oblivion. Now we're told, just wash and rinse it off and stick it in a sterilizer. Those "old" habits might be hard to break but I'm willing to try. Any others planning on stepping away from their gold standard methods of sterilizing? Would love to hear.

Is there a certain brand of sterilizer that people are using?