Survey: nebulizers and compressor systems speed, etc.

Posted by pacathy @pacathy, Dec 6, 2024

A recent p.m. from another member about my nebulizer compressor recommendation, esp speed. I am very new to nebbing (18 months) compared to others and think a survey might be beneficial to compare our common uses-albuterol and NS.

1. Which compressor and nebulizer brand (mouth piece) do you use?

2. How long does it take you to nebulize albuterol?

3. How long does it take you to nebulize normal saline? Do you use 4ml (CVS or other) or 5ml (Amazon or other).

4. Misc pros or cons of your neb or your compressor?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

mmahlik | @mmahlik | Jan 12 10:59am

1. Which compressor and nebulizer brand (mouth piece) do you use?
Pari Trek S compressor - portable.

2. How long does it take you to nebulize albuterol?
Levalbuterol: 10 minutes or so (Albuterol caused very strong side effects)

3. How long does it take you to nebulize normal saline? Do you use 4ml (CVS or other) or 5ml (Amazon or other).
CVS's saline WITH FLUTTER DEVICE - 20 minutes

4. Misc pros or cons of your neb or your compressor?
I'm new to this, and it is overwhelmingly time consuming, so I appreciate hearing what the rest of you do.
Per doc instructions I attach my flutter device to the nebulizer while the saline is going and kill two birds with one stone. Takes longer to nebulize, but at least it's not two separate steps.

frankie160 | @frankie160 | Jan 13 10:28pm

Hi pakathy,
I think your idea to put out this survey will be very helpful to those of us who are relatively new (approx 2 yrs.) I'm using a compressor and Flutter Device that my Pulmonologist provided when she encouraged me to do AWC as a way to manage the NTM/BE and avoid further damage to my lungs.
Flo@frankie160

Frankie160 Reporting the following
1. Which compressor and nebulizer brand (mouth piece) do you use?
InnoSpire Essence, Manufactured in China for Respironics Respiratory Drug Delivery, LTD, (UK address) This device was given to me by my pulmonologist along with a Aerobika flutter device.

2. How long does it take you to nebulize albuterol?
10 minutes give or take and 3 min using the Aerobika Flutter Device

3. How long does it take you to nebulize normal saline? Do you use 4ml (CVS or other) or 5ml (Amazon or other).
15 min plus 3 minutes with Flutter Device
Use CVS's saline 4mld

4. Misc pros or cons of your neb or your compressor?
Pro works well (1st one lasted 18 months)
Con Hope replacement lasts longer....also too heavy for travel
I find the entire AWC biz a pain and time consuming but have found that if I try any short cuts, I pay the price with excessive coughing within a day or so.
Looking for a good mask set up rather than just the pipe for more comfort.
Hope to hear from others.
Ever Onward,
Flo@frankie160

aleja | @aleja | Jan 17 6:47pm

In reply to @lilianna "Ombra compressor and aeroclipse for 4 ml of sodium chloride 7%. Takes about 20 min. Levalbuterol..." + (show)

I also use the Ombra compressor but with AerobiKA with sodium chloride 3% - 4 ml. It does take about 20 + minutes.

raybo | @raybo | Jan 19 9:22am

Great questions.

Beejenigma | @beejenigma | Mar 29 10:24am

In reply to @pacathy "Medicare covers my saline. Sorry I wasn’t clear. It’s about 25 cents per vial cheaper, but..." + (show)

Medicare has NEVER covered my 7% saline! How in the world can this be?

Beejenigma | @beejenigma | Mar 29 10:27am

In reply to @mmahlik "1. Which compressor and nebulizer brand (mouth piece) do you use? Pari Trek S compressor -..." + (show)

Has anyone used the Pari eRapid Nebulizer for 7% saline and albuterol?

scoop | @scoop | Mar 29 11:19am

In reply to @beejenigma "Has anyone used the Pari eRapid Nebulizer for 7% saline and albuterol?" + (show)

Hi, @beejenigma - Yes, I've been using an eFlow (eRapid) for a couple of years. I like it and travel with it. It's not perfect but I find it's quicker and quieter than the compressor type machines. I've written a bunch about it here in various threads. What specifically would like to know?

Here is one of those threads. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/survey-nebulizers-and-compressor-systems-speed-etc/?pg=2#comment-1187025

Given the vital importance of hypertonic saline in our regimen it bothers me that the "industry" pays so little attention to producing a reasonably priced small quiet user-friendly compressor/nebulizer. I'm thinking of things like the Philips Innospire GO mesh nebulizer.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 29 3:45pm

In reply to @scoop "Hi, @beejenigma - Yes, I've been using an eFlow (eRapid) for a couple of years. I..." + (show)

I'm afraid we saline users drove the handy Phillips Innospire GO nebulizer off the market. Mesh nebulizers aren't intended for the corrosive particles of salt. Mine failed several times within the warranty period and were replaced. Every time I took one apart, I could see the effects of the salt on the fine mesh screen. And if you read the "fine print" in the nebulizer descriptions or manuals online now, most say "not for hypertonic saline."
And, according to the Phillips rep I spoke to when they were being discontinued, "mesh nebulizers are not meant for the multi-solution multi-use daily patient" which seemed silly to me - who would want one more?

scoop | @scoop | Mar 29 4:31pm

In reply to @sueinmn "I'm afraid we saline users drove the handy Phillips Innospire GO nebulizer off the market. Mesh..." + (show)

Knock on wood I've had few issues with mine, which I use as a backup for travel. I do not reply on it for day to day and when I use it I baby it! It's important to clean the gold contacts with an alcohol pad from time to time and not let it sit "attached". I'll need to read its enclosed literature again but I don't recall a no saline precaution. It seems to me Philips could never get its story straight with its discontinuation of its nebulizers. Too bad, they were good machines.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 29 8:38pm

In reply to @scoop "Knock on wood I've had few issues with mine, which I use as a backup for..." + (show)

They didn't have a no saline warning. I'm talking about many of the others I have looked at since my last Innospire died.

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