Is it okay to microwave nebulizer or in baby bottle sterilizer?

Posted by terryb1 @128128terry11t, May 17, 2017

Was calling some number today to order a few more nebulizers so that if I go away, I won't have to keep cleaning/sterilizing (great suggestion obtained from the forum). I happened to ask the question: "Is it all right to microwave nebulizer in steam bags or in baby bottle sterilizer equipment?" The gal replied an emphatic "no". I was not clever enough to ask why ... suppose plastic might melt or give off something toxic?? Person went on to say that they only recommend boiling (for 5 minutes) or soaking in 1part white vinegar to 3 parts water for at least 30 minutes. I wish that I could find the number that I called but anyone may verify by going on internet and calling a number or live chatting with someone from a reputable nebulizer company. Please advise if you get a different response. Hope that this is helpful.
Terry

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

@pacathy

One other issue with inhalers is that the user’s technique is very important in getting dose into lungs.
People have to remember exhale completely, time their breath to pressing inhaler, hold it and not exhale too quickly. Spacers have helped a lot, but getting the med in with inhaler is a little trickier than with nebulizer..

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Yes my respiratory therapists were adamant that a spacer should always be used with an inhaler. I find the spacers very easy to use and of course much quicker than nebulizing. Though my latest PFT showed no bronchodilator response, I notice no effect from using albuterol with AC versus not using and am considering stopping the albuterol altogether.

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@bayarea58

Sorry for the late response, I have been out of pocket the last few weeks. Yes, I asked both a respiratory therapist and a pharmacist that was speaking to our group and both had the same answer: the effective dosage is based on the form, and is determined by studies, so the dosage for one form is based on what the studies show is the effective dose for that form. You can’t compare dosages of different forms as it is apples to oranges given the difference in form.

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Ah, that makes sense! Who knows why a pharmacist and a doctor were unable to explain that to me?!! Thank you for your reply!

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I do not trust just using the baby bottle sterilizer on its own. I think Dr Falkinham suggested always boiling for 10 minutes minimum and then 1 minute for each 1000 feet of elevation. I have been doing this and THEN using the Grownsy baby bottle sterilizer with NO water in it and it turns on and dries for 70 minutes with a 15 minute UV treatment after that. Dr F also says UV alone does not do it so I do all this every single time I use any neb cups, including for Cayston.

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@beejenigma

I do not trust just using the baby bottle sterilizer on its own. I think Dr Falkinham suggested always boiling for 10 minutes minimum and then 1 minute for each 1000 feet of elevation. I have been doing this and THEN using the Grownsy baby bottle sterilizer with NO water in it and it turns on and dries for 70 minutes with a 15 minute UV treatment after that. Dr F also says UV alone does not do it so I do all this every single time I use any neb cups, including for Cayston.

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I was wary at first until I did my own time and temperature testing.

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@scoop

I was wary at first until I did my own time and temperature testing.

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explain what temp and time would be acceptable and what your source of info is k? Thanks!

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Thermapen at 212F+ for 13 minutes. Falkinham. Since bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease, what one decides to do for sterilization et. al., ought to be based on comfort level and disease state.

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@scoop

I was wary at first until I did my own time and temperature testing.

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Which baby bottle sterilizer did you test and what were your results?

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@cwal

Which baby bottle sterilizer did you test and what were your results?

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Bololo, which I learned about here. It reached 212F for 13 minutes.

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@scoop

Thermapen at 212F+ for 13 minutes. Falkinham. Since bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease, what one decides to do for sterilization et. al., ought to be based on comfort level and disease state.

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Did you find anything that met this criteria - 212+ F for 13 minutes?
I have been boiling my equipment for years and the idea of a sterilizer that also dries and stores equipment is really appealing.

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@kathyhg

Did you find anything that met this criteria - 212+ F for 13 minutes?
I have been boiling my equipment for years and the idea of a sterilizer that also dries and stores equipment is really appealing.

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Bololo baby bottle sterilizer, which I leaned about here on this site.

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