What is your experience with nebulizers?

Posted by lesleys56 @lesleys56, Apr 20 11:10am

Can anyone explain how you are using your nebulizer? I have been prescribed levalbuterol administered through my nebulizer. I no longer have my Pulmonary Dr. and plan to discuss this with my new Dr. on Thursday. How often do you use yours? I understand it's used to loosen phlegm but when I do use it? I cough so hard and the phlegm is very difficult to cough up and I feel like I'm drowning. I quit using it until I am clear as to when to use it. My last Dr. said "as needed". When do I "need" to use it? I am so confused.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

Retep51 | @peter51f | Aug 13 12:30am

I use symbidcort and Spiriva Resp.

jeffsmock | @jeffsmock | Aug 14 7:35am

In reply to @tcarson52 "I don’t have mucus never had but I feel for you, not breathing is bad enough...." + (show)

When they did a scope on my lungs before my surgery and they took out several small blood clots. I could breathe really good after that for a while. I wish they could do it again.

kllevinson | @kllevinson | Aug 14 8:50am

In reply to @kllevinson "The nebulizer helps me to breathe. i’m in stage four COPD/emphysema. Medication open up my bronchioles..." + (show)

Jeff, sorry about everything that's happened to you. And you lost your wife on top of everything else. I know that sucks.

dawne123 | @dawne123 | Sep 15 5:03am

In reply to @tcarson52 "I don’t understand why your dr gave you this med to use in a nebulizer it..." + (show)

Albuterol Sulfate inhalers are usually used as a rescue med for asthma patients, however, I've been using it as a maintenance inhaler (over 20 yrs, 5 diff doctors prescribed as maintenance, 2 dose, 2 x day). I have also used albuterol in a nebulizer as maintenance, even given this treatment (albuterol) in office when close to pneumonia, last try to avoid hospital admit.
Being that the two different drugs mentioned above are used for same symptoms as albuterol is (used in inhaler or nebulizer), I'm not sure why you think those are only for rescue inhaler. Description for Ipratropium: "It is used to treat the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. It is used by inhaler or nebulizer".

dawne123 | @dawne123 | Sep 15 5:06am

In reply to @peter51f "I use symbidcort and Spiriva Resp." + (show)

You find them helpful? Can I ask what they're best in doing for you, or preventing (coughing, breaking up phlegm, preventing phlegm etc.)?

dawne123 | @dawne123 | Sep 15 6:11am

In reply to @peter51f "I too use the nebulizer with Alburerol. My Dr said I can use this 3 times..." + (show)

Do you drink suggested amounts of water/fluids a day? I'm real bad about that, always have been (water anyway lol). Wondering if anyone notices a difference when increasing it.

Retep51 | @peter51f | Sep 15 9:32am

At first it was a challenge but I started low and increased my fluids every couple days. Now I drink a lot during the day. Not much plain water. I do drink Crystal Light in a 58oz container, maybe 1 and 1/2 a day. I also drink a couple bottles of Gatorade or Body Armour both no sugar. I am diabetic so I have to watch my sugar intake. I know there are others but I like these 2. I only buy them when they are on sale.
For me I keep a bottle in front of me all the time so I drink them. I have them next to my chair while watching TV and a bottle on my computer desk.

I have stomach problems as well. One thing I do is eat pretzels which helps. I like the long thick pretzels, just my preference. I scrap off the salt. So that makes me drink more as well.