What are your recommendations for travel nebulizer?
A few months ago there were some emails about what to take and do when traveling. Someone from the NYC support group recommended the PariTrekS portable nebulizer. I ordered it from Just Nebulizers. When I ordered this I inquired at Just Nebulizers if this could be used with an aerobika. They referred me to Pari and its spokesperson could not definitively endorse their product with an aerobika. I got the same sense that Katherine always got that they didn't want to recommend a competitor nor endorse something for fear of liability. In any case, it can operate as an efficient nebulizer with a small compressor for travel. I ordered mine with a battery. The battery (not really needed) came defective and neither Just Nebulizers or Pari would give me a refund. Pari will be sending a replacement but as mentioned, battery is really not necessary. Hope this is helpful for the travelers on our forum. Terry
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Hi Terri @windwalker - Thank you for the update on the Pari Trek. With two of you on this thread experiencing problems with the device and Pari support, I'll keep looking, I need to replace my InnoSpire Mini portable neb. As it ages, it takes longer and longer to use.
I'm so glad I asked. If anybody has a recommendation, please let us know! I plan on traveling since the last trip went well. I didn't use a nebulizer but only the aerobic. It was fine but in my head I feel better after nebulizing with saline. I'm actually delighted. I didn't think I'd be traveling while on the Big 3. My doctor just looked at me and asked why not?
@tinaesims Absolutely "Why not?" I just finished a year and a half or the Big 3, 6 months of it daily! We traveled and traveled, as well as wintering in our Texas home. I had to make some adjustments due to fatigue and some gastric issues, but otherwise we really enjoyed ourselves. I come from a long line of people on-the-go - my grandparents continued to travel in the '70s with serious heart disease and Parkinson disease, my parents with multiple health issues, my uncle with emphysema... We now live winters in a senior-ish community where nearly everyone has serious health challenges, but keeps on going anyway. Far better than sitting on the sidelines and feeling sorry for oneself! And portable nebs are definitely the way to go - my InnoSpire Mini was under $100 with battery (you have to search for a good price) and lasted about 3 years. If nobody comes up with an affordable alternative, I may just order another.
I forgot to say, when we travel, we carry a "cleaning kit" - a small storage container with dish soap, clean paper towels, and a bottle of peroxide for cleaning and sanitizing the neb parts, Aerobika, and husband's Acapela. The cleaning routine is part of our evening in the hotel.
Love your attitude!
I never thought about peroxide. I just bought vinegar and bottled water at the store when I got there. Peroxide is certainly light enough to take along.
Peroxide is also readily available along the way- my daughter, an ER nurse and asthma/bronch patient herself suggested it. I forgot to mention that the container is big enough to soak the devices in.
Interested to know exact process for cleaning with peroxide. I was diagnosed early last year and joined this group in July. This is the first I have heard of using peroxide. Still learning. Thanks much.
Duh! That was a lapse. I use alcohol. I don't know if it keeps NTM away, but it does handle the other bugs likely to hide in the crevices. Daily 15 min soak in soapy water then rinse and air dry on clean paper towel covered by another. Every 5 days to a week soak 30 min in alcohol after cleaning. I change my neb cup and tubing about every 3 months. I use distilled water if I have it, otherwise bottled spring water. At home I boil water in a tea kettle
Oh... alcohol makes more sense. Do you use alcohol at home to or vinegar?
@tinaesims Sorry for the delay - I just found this message. I use boiled water at home, we store the cleaned and air-dried devices in a ziploc bag, and I occasionally do an alcohol soak on the nebulizer parts. I am not convinced that household vinegar (3-5%) is sufficiently strong to kill MAC/NTM based on a few studies I have read, so I prefer alcohol. I have not found 10% acetic acid to be readily available to me like alcohol is. Here is a link I found about mycobacteria growth and the effectiveness of alcohol as a disinfecctant: https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201301-013FR.