Survey: nebulizers and compressor systems speed, etc.

Medicare covers my saline. Sorry I wasn’t clear. It’s about 25 cents per vial cheaper, but it’s easier since meds are at CVS, too . I’d been paying out of pocket for saline but doc gave me Rx. I gave up on Medicare covering a nebulizer after a call or two.

How did you get saline covered? I have not found any pharmacy that can get saline covered by Medicare. They state it must be mixed with another medication in order for it to be covered. Do you know what paperwork or codes CVS used to get it covered so I can try it at my local CVS.

How did you get saline covered? I have not found any pharmacy that can get saline covered by Medicare. They state it must be mixed with another medication in order for it to be covered. Do you know what paperwork or codes CVS used to get it covered so I can try it at my local CVS.

and I checked- crazy expensive!

No doubt it is an expensive upfront purchase. Knowing that I must use a nebulizer twice a day for the rest of my life puts it in perspective. I purchased on a black Friday/cyber sale which further reduced the price by 25%. Since I'm still working I decided to make the investment. Have not looked back.

Honestly, I would pay more to get my nebulizing time down to 5 mts!

These are my questions appreciating there may not be any studies on point:
1) Do we know if it is the same “equivalency” to neb 7% saline for 5 minutes versus what seems to be the average of 20-25 mts?
2) Is nebbing saline faster better because it is more concentrated, or is it better to neb saline longer because more time may improve reach of saline, or does it not matter?
3) is it more difficult to tolerate the 5 minute neb time because saline is more concentrated?

I fully understand @scoop need to do it quickly since she does twice a day and is still working. I don’t have the same need, but I sure would like to shorten my neb time. It would be so helpful in so many ways.

I will do my best in answering your questions but you might want to do more research.

From what I remember the particle sizes produced by the eFlow (mesh nebulizer) vs. Monaghan Ombra /AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC (jet nebulizers) are similar, 1-5 micron range, and 2-4 micron range respectively. The difference is that the eFlow delivers a high aerosol output. The eFlow leaves behind 1mL of saline, whereas the Ombra/AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC leaves behind a smaller amount. The eFlow is frequently used in the CF world. eFlow has been around for quite sometime, introduced around 2006. The eFlow is also used to deliver other inhaled medications with an adapted handset (I think it's arkyiace (sp?) and others).

I guess there's a chance that the Ombra/AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC gets deeper in the lungs but personally I have not noticed any difference with clearance. I would rather spend the time clearing than nebulizing. The quicker I can get to the clearance part the better in my book.

As to if it seems more concentrated? Well yes maybe, I have to cough within a few seconds of starting with the eFlow . I also seem to stop once or twice during to take a sip of water, catch my breath, blow my nose, etc. I do not think it is harder to tolerate than the jet nebulizer set up. Finally, pulmonary (my bronchiectasis specialist) gave it the seal of approval. I hope this is helpful!

I will do my best in answering your questions but you might want to do more research.

From what I remember the particle sizes produced by the eFlow (mesh nebulizer) vs. Monaghan Ombra /AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC (jet nebulizers) are similar, 1-5 micron range, and 2-4 micron range respectively. The difference is that the eFlow delivers a high aerosol output. The eFlow leaves behind 1mL of saline, whereas the Ombra/AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC leaves behind a smaller amount. The eFlow is frequently used in the CF world. eFlow has been around for quite sometime, introduced around 2006. The eFlow is also used to deliver other inhaled medications with an adapted handset (I think it's arkyiace (sp?) and others).

I guess there's a chance that the Ombra/AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC gets deeper in the lungs but personally I have not noticed any difference with clearance. I would rather spend the time clearing than nebulizing. The quicker I can get to the clearance part the better in my book.

As to if it seems more concentrated? Well yes maybe, I have to cough within a few seconds of starting with the eFlow . I also seem to stop once or twice during to take a sip of water, catch my breath, blow my nose, etc. I do not think it is harder to tolerate than the jet nebulizer set up. Finally, pulmonary (my bronchiectasis specialist) gave it the seal of approval. I hope this is helpful!

I will do my best in answering your questions but you might want to do more research.

From what I remember the particle sizes produced by the eFlow (mesh nebulizer) vs. Monaghan Ombra /AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC (jet nebulizers) are similar, 1-5 micron range, and 2-4 micron range respectively. The difference is that the eFlow delivers a high aerosol output. The eFlow leaves behind 1mL of saline, whereas the Ombra/AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC leaves behind a smaller amount. The eFlow is frequently used in the CF world. eFlow has been around for quite sometime, introduced around 2006. The eFlow is also used to deliver other inhaled medications with an adapted handset (I think it's arkyiace (sp?) and others).

I guess there's a chance that the Ombra/AeroEclipseXL or Sprint LC gets deeper in the lungs but personally I have not noticed any difference with clearance. I would rather spend the time clearing than nebulizing. The quicker I can get to the clearance part the better in my book.

As to if it seems more concentrated? Well yes maybe, I have to cough within a few seconds of starting with the eFlow . I also seem to stop once or twice during to take a sip of water, catch my breath, blow my nose, etc. I do not think it is harder to tolerate than the jet nebulizer set up. Finally, pulmonary (my bronchiectasis specialist) gave it the seal of approval. I hope this is helpful!