Thinking of cutting back on nebbing while traveling

Posted by coffcoff @coffcoff, May 30 9:25am

I'll be taking a month-long trip overseas this fall and thinking about the logistics of doing airway clearance morning and evening has become a nightmare. We'll be traveling with a small group on a very active tour, getting up early and staying out late. As we all know, the airway clearance regimen takes a lot of time, what with cleaning and sterilizing equipment, etc etc. Not to mention all the stuff I'll need to pack in order to do it.

So.... I'm toying with the idea of cutting back on AWC to one a day or every other day. Has anyone done that successfully? By that I mean, without any negative ramifications, like respiratory infections? I currently have bronchiectasis and a MAC infection but taking no meds except brensocatib.

As an aside, I have a friend with CF and bronchiectasis who took a 2 week vacation to Asia and did not neb at all while gone. She came back with a severe respiratory infection. So that's one cautionary tale.

Has anyone out there done it successfully? Do you really neb twice a day while traveling?

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

scoop | @scoop | May 30 3:38pm

Maybe experiment with cutting back at home to see how your lungs handle it.

Another option is wake up earlier everyday. Not ideal I know. Bring multiple nebulizers with you so you don't need to sterilize everyday. Sometimes these trips have some downtown built in.

Ask pulmonary for stand by antibiotics in case you catch a virus that turns into an infection.

We're all different in this way or that. Some might be able to cut back while others not. For me, cutting back would likely result in increased coughing and everyone would think I was sick!

lilianna | @lilianna | May 31 8:56am

I was on a road trip last year, two weeks. I would wake up 1 and a half hour earlier to do my AC and would join them for breakfast later. I also explained my situation before we went . I also had my travel pari nebulizer with sodium and levalbuterol vials and would use it while we were driving or sometimes stayed in the car when they explored. I would not eliminate airway clearance

coffcoff | @coffcoff | May 31 9:08am

Thank you Scoop and Liliana for the good advice.

blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | May 31 7:40pm

In reply to @coffcoff "Thank you Scoop and Liliana for the good advice." + (show)

@coffcoff I agree with scoop and llianna. I have only been at this since Oct. of 2023 and I am convinced missing the sessions is not a good thing.
Oh how we wish we could skip the task and all that goes along with it BUT....not worth it in the long run.
I personally have not taken a long trip but have given a little thought to it and gave thought to the same thing scoop has said about the neb cups.
Have a wonderful trip....and remember the phrase "error on the side of caution."
Barbara

pacathy | @pacathy | Jun 1 7:31am

Is it just saline you neb? I was nebulizing albuterol, too, and before a trip I asked doc if I could use inhaler for albuterol on trip-he agreed. Now he’s agreed to that unless I get sick, then I’ll neb it.. That saves a few minutes. He’s also given me permission to decrease nebbing hypertonic saline to few times/week, but I DON’T have MAC and bronchiectasis is just in 2 lobes.
In your shoes, I think I’d neb at least daily (increase if it doesn’t keep you clear), but modify the cleaning/sterilizing or as Scoop suggested, take extra neb cups. Just an idea-you can soak in Dawn and boiling water after each use, let it dry and store in clean zip locks and just sterilize every couple days since it takes a while for biofilm development.
Note-on last trip, I’d thrown in a quart thermos bottle and that allowed me to get boiling water if no hot pot was available in room. Hotel staff members were happy to fill it as often as needed. I’ve taken microwave bags, but in Europe, microwaves were less available than here.
Have a wonderful trip!

cholash | @cholash | Jun 1 9:16am

We will be going on a 2 week trip in the fall , and with the help of Sue I was able to find disposable neb cups. For all the reasons you listed , I’ve decided this will be the easiest way to ensure I nebulize daily . The other option was to take a bunch of my Aeroeclipse ( reusable ) nebs , and boil them all when home .
Here’s a link to the ones I’m going to order . I’m considering it part of my trip expenses …use & throw away as I go so more time having fun! I’m ordering enough for the trip, but also an additional one for me to try at home first .
https://share.google/OfccZP93MpKNZ2Syz

scoop | @scoop | Jun 1 10:21am

In reply to @cholash "We will be going on a 2 week trip in the fall , and with the..." + (show)

@cholash
Let us know how they work. Before I purchased my portable nebulizer Pari eFlow, I ordered a dozen of deposable nebulizers and connecting tubes for travel for use with the Pari Trek. I found neb time took much longer and the flow was not as strong as my at home Ombra setup with the Pari wing tip tubing. I think the tubing diameter was smaller than the Pari I was using. Better than not nebbing I guess. Good idea to try ahead of travel time. Hope they work for you.

cholash | @cholash | Jun 1 10:40am

In reply to @scoop "@cholash Let us know how they work. Before I purchased my portable nebulizer Pari eFlow, I..." + (show)

@scoop thank you , and will do! I’m expecting them to take longer , but to me it’s worth not having to deal with washing and boiling . We will be in Europe , moving every couple of days , fast paced . It was getting overwhelming trying to find a good solution. That being said, if my trial run takes a ridiculous amount of time to neb, I think I’ll just go to plan B- taking multiples of my AeroeClipse and waiting to boil when back home . I’m experimenting , so stay tuned lol.

JoAnn | @jcwest211 | Jun 2 7:34am

is there a way to use the disposable cups with the Aerobika?

nygirl4159 | @nygirl4159 | Jun 2 11:24am

If I don’t neb twice a day the sputum literally forces the uncontrollable coughing and I have to do it. If you’re set against taking your equipment, at least take the Aerobika. It’s small, lightweight, and you can neb anytime you feel the need.