1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis
Profile picture for grammyvictoria

Portable rechargeable nebulizer recommendations

Posted by grammyvictoria @grammyvictoria, Jul 1 9:25pm

Any recommendations for portable battery-or rechargeable nebulizers?
It's hard to get two news in on days when I'm not at home for long.

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

Profile picture for ruokruok
ruokruok | @ruokruok | Jul 4 7:48am

Thank you, Sue, for clarifying Nebulizer type. I will look into it for sure.

I'll try your system for disinfecting the Aerobika too. I have been using the microwave bags after each use since I was advised if I had MAC, which I do, I shouldn't skip that step each time. However, my microwave broke and I had to boil the parts while it was being fixed. I think that last boil must have damaged the flutter part. I've only been using it for 6 months though. I was hoping there might be an alternative to the Aerobika as it is so expensive to replace twice a year.

I've also been using the microwave bags for the nebulizer parts since boiling seemed to take its toll on them but I'm always uncertain if I'm doing the right thing. I just had to replace all those neb parts recently as well. It really is stressful trying to navigate all of this and I'm hoping the researchers clarify the best way to keep these parts clean so that we are not infecting ourselves more by using the "helpful" treatments.

Your suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks so much and many blessings for all you do with your sharing and caring.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 4 9:40am
In reply to @ruokruok "Thank you, Sue, for clarifying Nebulizer type. I will look into it for sure. I'll try..." + (show)
Profile picture for ruokruok @ruokruok

Thank you, Sue, for clarifying Nebulizer type. I will look into it for sure.

I'll try your system for disinfecting the Aerobika too. I have been using the microwave bags after each use since I was advised if I had MAC, which I do, I shouldn't skip that step each time. However, my microwave broke and I had to boil the parts while it was being fixed. I think that last boil must have damaged the flutter part. I've only been using it for 6 months though. I was hoping there might be an alternative to the Aerobika as it is so expensive to replace twice a year.

I've also been using the microwave bags for the nebulizer parts since boiling seemed to take its toll on them but I'm always uncertain if I'm doing the right thing. I just had to replace all those neb parts recently as well. It really is stressful trying to navigate all of this and I'm hoping the researchers clarify the best way to keep these parts clean so that we are not infecting ourselves more by using the "helpful" treatments.

Your suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks so much and many blessings for all you do with your sharing and caring.

Jump to this post

@ruokruok Yes, there is a lot to navigate, but it soon becomes routine.
As for neb parts failing, "reusable" doesn't mean permanent. Most NTM experts and lung associations recommend replacing every 3 months because the plastic breaks down over time, from boiling and exposure to saline and other meds.
Like you, we are all waiting for the definitive report on the sterilizing tests.

REPLY
Profile picture for ruokruok
ruokruok | @ruokruok | Jul 4 1:17pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@ruokruok Perhap I used the wrong term. Here is our device: https://nebology.com/collections/nebulizer-compressor-systems/products/pari-erapid-nebulizer-system-with-eflow-technology Sign up, put it..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@ruokruok Perhap I used the wrong term. Here is our device:
https://nebology.com/collections/nebulizer-compressor-systems/products/pari-erapid-nebulizer-system-with-eflow-technology
Sign up, put it into your cart, and look for their promos to save another 10-20%.
Note, it comes with 2 power heads - they are supposed to be changed out after 6 months, but ours are still going strong after a year.

As for the Aerobika, are you boiling it? I killed one dropping it into boiling water. Since then, I put it in room temperature water in a saucepan and carefully bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to keep it simmering - no further problems. I do this once a week because the manufacturer says it is made with bacteria resistant material, and independent testing has confirmed it. I have never tried a baby bottle sterilizer, instapot or microwave bags. This is another device that is intended to be replaced once a year, plastics do break down, and I can tell the difference in resistance/ vibration between old and new ones.

What caused your Aerobika to warp?

Jump to this post

@sueinmn Sue, I ordered the eRapid Nebulizing system today since it is on sale at a significant discount for July4th weekend. Great sale for those who are interested...

Thank you so much and I will look forward to your reply on my earlier response to the above.
Happy 4th!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for sallyb827
sallyb827 | @sallyb827 | Jul 5 8:43am
In reply to @ruokruok "@sueinmn Sue, I ordered the eRapid Nebulizing system today since it is on sale at a..." + (show)
Profile picture for ruokruok @ruokruok

@sueinmn Sue, I ordered the eRapid Nebulizing system today since it is on sale at a significant discount for July4th weekend. Great sale for those who are interested...

Thank you so much and I will look forward to your reply on my earlier response to the above.
Happy 4th!

Jump to this post

@ruokruok
Where did you find it on sale?

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for bklynprof
bklynprof | @bklynprof | Jul 21 7:10pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@barrywayne Cheap and good seem to me to be mutually exclusive for mesh nebulizers. For many..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@barrywayne Cheap and good seem to me to be mutually exclusive for mesh nebulizers.
For many years, I relied on the De Vilbiss Traveler portable compressor with rechargeable battery pack. Before that it was the Pari Trek S. Both fit in a small case in backpack or carry on and have been reliable.

Last year, with 2 of us now using a neb, and planning several long trips, we gulped hard and invested in the Pari eFlow Rapid. It is a hybrid - tiny compressor drives a mesh head (we each have one) that connects with a slim cord. It is FAST, quiet, pricy, but proving to be durable. Saline neb takes about 3 min, as does levalbuterol when needed.

It fits in a tiny bag, runs a long time on one charge, we clean the heads in detergent & water daily, boil once a week in distilled water.

If you can afford it, it is a great luxury, but Medicare and insurance do not cover it unless you are on a specific medication that requires it. We used HSA $$ to buy. Nebology often has it on sale.

Jump to this post

@sueinmn I saw the Pari eFlow last year when I was in France. I've been using the Pari Trek for the past two years but was intrigued by the eFlow. Does it really take only three minutes for the saline neb? Is that long enough for the saline to do its job? With either my Ombra or Trek, it takes 15-20 minutes. Have you traveled overseas with the eFlow? Is the AC adapter dual voltage? That is an important consideration for me as we travel a lot in Europe.

I checked on the current Pari site in France, and it seems they have a new style base power pack
It's expensive but if it cuts down on the time I spend each day nebulizing the saline, I might just buy it.
Thanks,
Leslie

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 21 8:30pm
In reply to @bklynprof "@sueinmn I saw the Pari eFlow last year when I was in France. I've been using..." + (show)
Profile picture for bklynprof @bklynprof

@sueinmn I saw the Pari eFlow last year when I was in France. I've been using the Pari Trek for the past two years but was intrigued by the eFlow. Does it really take only three minutes for the saline neb? Is that long enough for the saline to do its job? With either my Ombra or Trek, it takes 15-20 minutes. Have you traveled overseas with the eFlow? Is the AC adapter dual voltage? That is an important consideration for me as we travel a lot in Europe.

I checked on the current Pari site in France, and it seems they have a new style base power pack
It's expensive but if it cuts down on the time I spend each day nebulizing the saline, I might just buy it.
Thanks,
Leslie

Jump to this post

@bklynprof First, yes it takes 3-4 minutes to neb. Then I move around for a minute or two, putting the gear to soak, etc, and do airway clearance.
Next, mine has a USB connector and worked fine in Europe with a plug end adapter. But in 3 weeks, with two of us using it daily, it only needed one recharge.
We figure that with two people saving 10-15 minutes per neb, the price was worth it. The literature says to replace the head every 6 months, so we got new ones. The new ones are still sitting on the shelf because the original ones continue to work fine. We wash/rinse with filtered water, and boil in distilled water. When in Europe we made do, washing in spring water, soaking in hydrogen peroxide weekly.

REPLY
Profile picture for scoop
scoop | @scoop | Jul 21 9:04pm
In reply to @bklynprof "@sueinmn I saw the Pari eFlow last year when I was in France. I've been using..." + (show)
Profile picture for bklynprof @bklynprof

@sueinmn I saw the Pari eFlow last year when I was in France. I've been using the Pari Trek for the past two years but was intrigued by the eFlow. Does it really take only three minutes for the saline neb? Is that long enough for the saline to do its job? With either my Ombra or Trek, it takes 15-20 minutes. Have you traveled overseas with the eFlow? Is the AC adapter dual voltage? That is an important consideration for me as we travel a lot in Europe.

I checked on the current Pari site in France, and it seems they have a new style base power pack
It's expensive but if it cuts down on the time I spend each day nebulizing the saline, I might just buy it.
Thanks,
Leslie

Jump to this post

@bklynprof
I've been eyeing that new powerbase also! Let me know if you figure out a way to purchase it. As far as I know not yet in USA. We have trip planned but it's a year away. Even so, you probably need a script from a local doctor.

REPLY
Profile picture for loveu
loveu | @loveu | Jul 24 9:11pm

I have several portable nebulizers. I understand they are not easy to sterilize due to the delicate mesh. I soak the cups in soapy warm water and then follow manufacturer’s instructions plus I leave them soaking in alcohol, after emptying the alcohol I put them inside a UV box, there is no smell of alcohol since evapotes quickly. The mouth pieces can be boiled. I also have the Omron mesh nebulizer which is a quick and easy to use but sometimes it leaks, it uses 2 AA Batteries. The new PARI Erapid nebulizer is fast and it looks like the system used for inhaled Arikayse, I believe that one can be boiled but it costs $1,100.00 at JustNebulizers store.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.