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Cleaning + disinfecting nebulizer and aerobica

Posted by sara10 @sara10, Jan 20, 2022

Diagnosed with bronchiectasis several years ago. No antibiotics so far but 2x airway clearance with aerobica and nebulizer recommended. Some MAC bacteria was found.
Finding all sorts of info how to properly clean and disinfect but none agree with the other. Should both be cleaned each time and is it good enough to disinfect once a week? Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or boiling best option?
Finding the whole process very tedious especially if cleaning 2x per day was necessary.
Does anybody have experience with Evenflo silicone steam sanitizing bag for disinfecting? Or, what baby bottle cleaner and dryer can you recommend?

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heathert | @heathert | Jan 31, 2022
In reply to @ljfoo "Dr. Falkenham's lab is going to test the effectiveness of baby bottle sterilizers and microwave steam..." + (show)
@ljfoo

Dr. Falkenham's lab is going to test the effectiveness of baby bottle sterilizers and microwave steam sterilizerr bags for killing NTM . He says that he will share results with us even before they publish their results.

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@ljfoo good to have Dr Falkenham test for us, looking forward to hearing what he says.

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2 replies
tatilove | @tatilove | Jan 31, 2022
In reply to @heathert "@ljfoo good to have Dr Falkenham test for us, looking forward to hearing what he says." + (show)
@heathert

@ljfoo good to have Dr Falkenham test for us, looking forward to hearing what he says.

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A few very solid studies have already been done showing that the best mode of disinfecting are the baby bottle sterilizers.

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1 reply
gsobel122 | @gsobel122 | Jan 31, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Well - that depends. My Walgreens has it, but the local CVS does not. We have..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Well - that depends. My Walgreens has it, but the local CVS does not. We have experienced that before - they seem to carry fewer choices than some other chains. And CVS Mail Order pharmacy has it too.
Sue

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I was told that CVS and Walgreens have different suppliers

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sara10 | @sara10 | Jan 31, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Yes, the supply chain is a crazy thing. Walgreens in MN had to ship it to..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Yes, the supply chain is a crazy thing. Walgreens in MN had to ship it to Walgreens in TX for me one year because the 2 locations had different suppliers. My daughter thinks there are 2 problems - all the respiratory therapy going on due to Covid in hospitals taxes the supply, and much of the saline comes from outside the US, so it is caught in the shipping chaos.
Sue

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Sue I have been able to find it at Walmart consistently at a good price.
I am new to this site and find it incredibly helpful as the local NC doc really did not offer too much insight.
Where did you buy the silicone waffle mat to sterilize the neb parts? I like that idea very much and cheaper than alcohol and such.
Also where do you buy your Aerobica parts and tubing?
My local home health source does not carry it. I am in Asheville NC.
Thanks so much.

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1 reply
sara10 | @sara10 | Jan 31, 2022
In reply to @heathert "@ljfoo good to have Dr Falkenham test for us, looking forward to hearing what he says." + (show)
@heathert

@ljfoo good to have Dr Falkenham test for us, looking forward to hearing what he says.

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Who is Dr. Falkenstein?

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1 reply
heathert | @heathert | Jan 31, 2022
In reply to @sara10 "Who is Dr. Falkenstein?" + (show)
@sara10

Who is Dr. Falkenstein?

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haha, Dr Joseph Falkinham, professor of microbiology in the Department of Biological ... Falkinham focused his most recent research on mycobacteria. He has been a great help to our communiyt, tests mycobacteria in many ways, like boiling water long enough to kill the bugs.

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1 reply
raney | @raney | Feb 1, 2022

Sara10 I live in Wilmington NC. I ordered my Arrobiks. Google Aerobika d you will see the range of prices. It seems that the best prices are on eBay..

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sara10 | @sara10 | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @heathert "haha, Dr Joseph Falkinham, professor of microbiology in the Department of Biological ... Falkinham focused his..." + (show)
@heathert

haha, Dr Joseph Falkinham, professor of microbiology in the Department of Biological ... Falkinham focused his most recent research on mycobacteria. He has been a great help to our communiyt, tests mycobacteria in many ways, like boiling water long enough to kill the bugs.

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Thank you I am still a newbie just amazed how much good info there is on this site!

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sara10 | @sara10 | Feb 1, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sara10, this question is a perennial favorite in the MAC group. Allow me to link you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sara10, this question is a perennial favorite in the MAC group. Allow me to link you to previous discussions that have loads of wisdom and tip that you're looking for about cleaning and sterilizing besides the tips you've already gathered here from @gardiner @pop55 and @raney.

@thumperguy, started this one:
- Living Dangerously - Nebulizer Cleaning https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-dangerously/

@128128terry11t started these two:
- Is it okay to microwave nebulizer or in baby bottle sterilizer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/microwaves-and-nebulizers/
- Aerobika/nebulizer cleaning question https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cleaning-question/

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Colleen thanks very much for posting this.

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sara10 | @sara10 | Feb 2, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi dc1950, I think I can address your question. We have used nebulizers in our home..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi dc1950, I think I can address your question. We have used nebulizers in our home for years and have never sanitized tubing. If you are using the machine correctly the tubing should always be dry, so nothing can grow in it. If you see moisture droplets in it any time, simply disconnect the mouthpiece from the tubing and leave the compressor running for 10 minutes to dry it out.

Mouthpieces, whether regularly sterilized or not, should be replaced every 3-6 months based on your doctor's recommendation. Simply replace the tubing at the same time. When I order my replacement mouthpiece, I make sure new tubing is included.

How often do you replace the mouthpiece and solution chamber?
Sue

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What is the best place to get tubing, parts or the whole Aerobica set? My local home health supply does not carry it?

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