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Cleaning + disinfecting nebulizer and aerobica

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Aug 28, 2023 | Replies (107)

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@sueinmn

Hello Donna, Under my Medicare supplemental insurance, the Aerobika is covered if I get it from the doc as part of an office visit. If I go to but one, I pay.
If you get one from the doc, ask to have correct use demonstrated, it made a huge difference for me. My original pulmo had a fabulous nurse who was good about demonstrating. My current one actually has a respiratory therapist on her clinical staff who is awesome. She also gave me some new tricks for getting the mucus up last spring.
Sue

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Replies to "Hello Donna, Under my Medicare supplemental insurance, the Aerobika is covered if I get it from..."

Dear Sue,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am very thankful for any help I can get from patients with experience. I'm sure you know how fortunate you are to have such good medical care and the availability of a good nurse and a respiratory therapist. I live in Asheville, NC, which used to have good medical care, but unfortunately things have changed. My pulmonologist who is the best one I've had thus far, told me to go to Lincare, a medical supply store, for a flutter valve. The only one they had was the Acapella. There was minimal instruction on use and the wrong information on cleaning- "you can't put it in water, so just clean the mouthpiece." I looked that up on my own and have been hopefully cleaning it properly. I don't see the dr. until Nov.21 and the office is critically understaffed. It is the only pulmo. practice in the area and the doctors also staff the ICU dept. at the hospital. This seems to be common in our area since the pandemic, so I feel like I'm on my own for a while. I also have a Medicare supplement, but it was my understanding that they only cover the 20% that Medicare does not. I found the Aerobika on the manufacturer's website in Canada and I can order it without a prescription, which I may do. I am having what I suspect is a flare now. It is 1:25 PM and I'm still waiting for a call-back from my primary care dr.'s office, since my pulmo. is off today. Again, I greatly appreciate your mentoring and any advice you can share. Donna Turnbaugh

Sue, can you please share the new tricks for getting the mucus up. I have been having tiny bit of blood every week mixed with mucus and I'm not sure whether from force coughing that I have been doing. I feel my throat area is dry and not sure if the blood is coming for the throat or lungs.

Can you share those tips with us? I’m always looking for better ways to clear my lungs.
Thanks,

Sue,
I have researched the Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida areas and there are no respiratory therapists. I told my eye Doc about it and she even asked around and could not find one.
Any helpful tips would be appreciated for those of us that have no access to a respiratory therapist.
Thanks,
Sally