I also have the Ombra compressor and AeroEclipse XL nebulizer, both made by Monaghan, the same company that makes the Aerobika. You do not clean the Ombra, but you do change the filter monthly or when gray. I wash the nebulizer in warm, soapy water every time I use it. They suggest disinfecting every other day and give 5 options. I choose to soak in 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 1 hr., then rinse. I use the breath actuated mode, which I know takes longer, but I think I get more of the saline because it only produces aerosol when I inhale. What I haven't figured out is why I am able to nebulize 3 ml. Levalbuterol in a much shorter time period than 4 ml. saline. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
No thoughts as to why it takes 10 minutes to nebulize the 3ml of levabuterol and 20 minutes to nebulize the 4ml of saline. It is a good question. I do not use the Aerobika with it. I find using the Aerobika gives me less of the medicine because it gets stuck in the Aerobika screen.
All the information about compressors and nebulizer cups is baffling! I was using the old standard cup with a Power Pro Neb compressor, but the condensation would form inside the cups and would never stop misting. So after recommendations on this site I switched to PariLC Sprint cups which seemed to do okay. Then my cheap amazon travel nebulizer quit (not intended for saline) and I bought the PartTrekS in mid-May. Loved how quiet it was and seemed to work well, but now like Kate, it gets all foamy and only seems to completely empty when I attach Aerobika. Dr. Winthrop prefers that I do nebbing and Aerobika separately, unless I really need to hurry. I've tried switching to brand new cups. And also thought maybe it was being caused by exhaling into the cup, and tried to avoid that. It's actually kind of random, sometimes okay and then not.
Thanks, Sally. I do the levalbuterol first, without the Aerobika, then add the saline and Aerobika for 10 min, then detach the Aerobika and finish the saline. Donna
I also have the Ombra compressor and AeroEclipse XL nebulizer, both made by Monaghan, the same company that makes the Aerobika. You do not clean the Ombra, but you do change the filter monthly or when gray. I wash the nebulizer in warm, soapy water every time I use it. They suggest disinfecting every other day and give 5 options. I choose to soak in 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 1 hr., then rinse. I use the breath actuated mode, which I know takes longer, but I think I get more of the saline because it only produces aerosol when I inhale. What I haven't figured out is why I am able to nebulize 3 ml. Levalbuterol in a much shorter time period than 4 ml. saline. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
You said , " What I haven't figured out is why I am able to nebulize 3 ml. Levalbuterol in a much shorter time period than 4 ml. saline." I don't have empirical proof for this, but my guess is that the suspended particles in the levalbuterol solution are much smaller than those in the saline. This would be the same reason saline tends to "clog up" mesh nebulizers unless it is soaked out.
Here is another question to ponder. If the purpose of the saline solution is to thin the mucus and help us cough it out, why have we all concluded that 4 ml is the "magic dose"? I have purchased 7% saline in 3 ml, 4 ml and 10 ml ampules.
When I was struggling with making it through all 4 ml, the RT in my pulmonologist's office said, "Use it until you can huff cough. Huff cough/Aerobika for up to 15 minutes, nebbing in between if you need to. Then stop."
This process has kept me healthy for 3 1/2 years now. I don't fret about the last drops of saline, or force myself to try to clear until my throat and ribs hurt.
sue
You said , " What I haven't figured out is why I am able to nebulize 3 ml. Levalbuterol in a much shorter time period than 4 ml. saline." I don't have empirical proof for this, but my guess is that the suspended particles in the levalbuterol solution are much smaller than those in the saline. This would be the same reason saline tends to "clog up" mesh nebulizers unless it is soaked out.
Here is another question to ponder. If the purpose of the saline solution is to thin the mucus and help us cough it out, why have we all concluded that 4 ml is the "magic dose"? I have purchased 7% saline in 3 ml, 4 ml and 10 ml ampules.
When I was struggling with making it through all 4 ml, the RT in my pulmonologist's office said, "Use it until you can huff cough. Huff cough/Aerobika for up to 15 minutes, nebbing in between if you need to. Then stop."
This process has kept me healthy for 3 1/2 years now. I don't fret about the last drops of saline, or force myself to try to clear until my throat and ribs hurt.
sue
Thanks, Sue for all your good advice. I always appreciate your information that so many of us have not received from doctors. Your guess about the reason it takes longer to nebulize the saline makes sense to me. Thanks again for all you do as our volunteer mentor. I always look forward to reading your comments! Donna T
Sue-
I had not heard of a mesh nebulizer until you mentioned it. I looked it up and read how different it is from a jet nebulizer. Have any of you other readers had any experience with a mesh nebulizer? Donna T
Sue-
I had not heard of a mesh nebulizer until you mentioned it. I looked it up and read how different it is from a jet nebulizer. Have any of you other readers had any experience with a mesh nebulizer? Donna T
I bought a mesh nebulizer that runs on batteries by Omron. I have not used it yet. The cleaning and set up instructions are more complicated (well to my brain anyway) and it seems the warnings about contamination are more pronounced (compared to the jet). Also mesh is usually not considered compatible with saline. The one I got claims to be compatible. I mostly got it for emergency use when the electricity goes out but I am curious to try it. Just have to get back to reading the instructions...
All the information about compressors and nebulizer cups is baffling! I was using the old standard cup with a Power Pro Neb compressor, but the condensation would form inside the cups and would never stop misting. So after recommendations on this site I switched to PariLC Sprint cups which seemed to do okay. Then my cheap amazon travel nebulizer quit (not intended for saline) and I bought the PartTrekS in mid-May. Loved how quiet it was and seemed to work well, but now like Kate, it gets all foamy and only seems to completely empty when I attach Aerobika. Dr. Winthrop prefers that I do nebbing and Aerobika separately, unless I really need to hurry. I've tried switching to brand new cups. And also thought maybe it was being caused by exhaling into the cup, and tried to avoid that. It's actually kind of random, sometimes okay and then not.
After inhaling the saline mist through the mouth it is possible to exhale through either the mouth back into the nebulizer cup, or through the nose avoiding the cup. My natural tendency is to inhale and exhale through the mouth and I have to really think about it to exhale through the nose (opposite airway clearance techniques). But I tried it and didn't seem to make a difference anyway. I know some people inhale through nebulizer then exhale through Aerobika, which might avoid foam in the cup. ??
After inhaling the saline mist through the mouth it is possible to exhale through either the mouth back into the nebulizer cup, or through the nose avoiding the cup. My natural tendency is to inhale and exhale through the mouth and I have to really think about it to exhale through the nose (opposite airway clearance techniques). But I tried it and didn't seem to make a difference anyway. I know some people inhale through nebulizer then exhale through Aerobika, which might avoid foam in the cup. ??
I had never heard of that! Did anyone tell you it is ok to exhale through the nose? I have on occasion seen foam in the cup and wondered what caused it. I have always exhaled though my mouth. Just seems natural when using the nebulizer. I find using the Aerobika after and not during works better for me plus I HAVE to use different body positions while using the Aerobika.
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No thoughts as to why it takes 10 minutes to nebulize the 3ml of levabuterol and 20 minutes to nebulize the 4ml of saline. It is a good question. I do not use the Aerobika with it. I find using the Aerobika gives me less of the medicine because it gets stuck in the Aerobika screen.
All the information about compressors and nebulizer cups is baffling! I was using the old standard cup with a Power Pro Neb compressor, but the condensation would form inside the cups and would never stop misting. So after recommendations on this site I switched to PariLC Sprint cups which seemed to do okay. Then my cheap amazon travel nebulizer quit (not intended for saline) and I bought the PartTrekS in mid-May. Loved how quiet it was and seemed to work well, but now like Kate, it gets all foamy and only seems to completely empty when I attach Aerobika. Dr. Winthrop prefers that I do nebbing and Aerobika separately, unless I really need to hurry. I've tried switching to brand new cups. And also thought maybe it was being caused by exhaling into the cup, and tried to avoid that. It's actually kind of random, sometimes okay and then not.
Thanks, Sally. I do the levalbuterol first, without the Aerobika, then add the saline and Aerobika for 10 min, then detach the Aerobika and finish the saline. Donna
You said , " What I haven't figured out is why I am able to nebulize 3 ml. Levalbuterol in a much shorter time period than 4 ml. saline." I don't have empirical proof for this, but my guess is that the suspended particles in the levalbuterol solution are much smaller than those in the saline. This would be the same reason saline tends to "clog up" mesh nebulizers unless it is soaked out.
Here is another question to ponder. If the purpose of the saline solution is to thin the mucus and help us cough it out, why have we all concluded that 4 ml is the "magic dose"? I have purchased 7% saline in 3 ml, 4 ml and 10 ml ampules.
When I was struggling with making it through all 4 ml, the RT in my pulmonologist's office said, "Use it until you can huff cough. Huff cough/Aerobika for up to 15 minutes, nebbing in between if you need to. Then stop."
This process has kept me healthy for 3 1/2 years now. I don't fret about the last drops of saline, or force myself to try to clear until my throat and ribs hurt.
sue
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4 ReactionsThanks, Sue for all your good advice. I always appreciate your information that so many of us have not received from doctors. Your guess about the reason it takes longer to nebulize the saline makes sense to me. Thanks again for all you do as our volunteer mentor. I always look forward to reading your comments! Donna T
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSue-
I had not heard of a mesh nebulizer until you mentioned it. I looked it up and read how different it is from a jet nebulizer. Have any of you other readers had any experience with a mesh nebulizer? Donna T
I bought a mesh nebulizer that runs on batteries by Omron. I have not used it yet. The cleaning and set up instructions are more complicated (well to my brain anyway) and it seems the warnings about contamination are more pronounced (compared to the jet). Also mesh is usually not considered compatible with saline. The one I got claims to be compatible. I mostly got it for emergency use when the electricity goes out but I am curious to try it. Just have to get back to reading the instructions...
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsExhaling into the cup? What do you mean?
After inhaling the saline mist through the mouth it is possible to exhale through either the mouth back into the nebulizer cup, or through the nose avoiding the cup. My natural tendency is to inhale and exhale through the mouth and I have to really think about it to exhale through the nose (opposite airway clearance techniques). But I tried it and didn't seem to make a difference anyway. I know some people inhale through nebulizer then exhale through Aerobika, which might avoid foam in the cup. ??
I had never heard of that! Did anyone tell you it is ok to exhale through the nose? I have on occasion seen foam in the cup and wondered what caused it. I have always exhaled though my mouth. Just seems natural when using the nebulizer. I find using the Aerobika after and not during works better for me plus I HAVE to use different body positions while using the Aerobika.