1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Need Advice for Traveling Internationally

Posted by kareninny @kareninny, Nov 13, 2023

Hi all. I've been following all the discussions since I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis back in February, but this is my first time posting. On Friday, I'm headed first to Denmark and then to Italy. This will be my first international travel since being diagnosed. My current routine is 7% saline with the Ombra compressor/nebulizer plus Aerobika. I sterilize the nebulizer after each use with the Medela microwave steam bags. Here are my specific questions: Which battery operated nebulizer should I buy to take with me? I know I can buy distilled water, dish soap, and a bowl when abroad for cleaning, but what do I do if my various hotel rooms don't have a microwave for sterilization? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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lilianna | @lilianna | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @kareninny "Hi all. I'm back from trip. Thanks to all of your help, I had the tools..." + (show)
@kareninny

Hi all. I'm back from trip. Thanks to all of your help, I had the tools and systems in place so that everything went okay, and I now know that I can successfully travel internationally! I bought the Pari Trek S which worked beautifully (at home I use the Ombra; with the Pari I was also able to connect my Aerobika). I also bought the Drizzle Pot -- the first night in Europe, I had forgotten to twist the disc on the bottom from 120 to 220 volts, so the water boiled over, and we also blew a fuse in the hotel room. However, once I realized that I needed to manually move it to 220 volts, everything worked fine after that. I bought dish soap in both Denmark and then again in Italy. I couldn't find distilled water anywhere, but in Copenhagen, I used demineralized water, and in Italy, I used purified water (bought at a pharmacy). The one minor issue that I had was that the nebulizer cup for the Pari Trek had a sort of chalky residue on it, even after boiling it for 10 minutes in the drizzle pot. Not sure why that happened. Next time I travel abroad, I will bring tongs with me to use for dealing with the equipment in the boiling water of the Drizzle Pot. I will also bring a collapsible bowl.
I was traveling with my 20 year-old daughter, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up with her, but I did! I made sure to do airway clearance every morning before starting our day. We then came back to the hotel and rested for 1-2 hours each afternoon before dinner; during that time is when I would soak and sterilize my equipment.
My pulmonologist had prescribed antibiotics for me to take with me just in case I got sick there. I felt good knowing I had them and felt even better that I didn't need them. Overall, the trip was a success. Thank you for all of your helpful suggestions!

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keren, what size drizzle pot was enough to boil water and what kind has the disc that changes the voltage? I am glad the trip went well and you stayed well.

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1 reply
sara10 | @sara10 | Dec 2, 2023
In reply to @becleartoday "On Amazon there are many options for handheld massagers. I have a Therabody mini. I use..." + (show)
@becleartoday

On Amazon there are many options for handheld massagers. I have a Therabody mini. I use it to target and vibrate over my lungs where I have bronchiectasis. I also target the area under my right breast where in the past I had a MAC infection. Warm regards, Linda Esposito

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Thank you Linda I bought your book couple years ago and all your tips are so helpful.

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muon | @muon | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @lvalenti "Just FYI to make more room I did not use the strainer in the drizzle pot..." + (show)
@lvalenti

Just FYI to make more room I did not use the strainer in the drizzle pot and it was fine. I also checked that it would be OK with others on this site before using.
Have a great trip!

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Hi @lavalenti,
I will be traveling to the Nordic countries next year. I use a Monarch and Ombra. I have traveled a lot in the US and hotels I stay in have microwaves, however as this may not be the case in Europe, what size Drizzle pot did you use?
Thanks you.

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1 reply
kareninny | @kareninny | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @lilianna "keren, what size drizzle pot was enough to boil water and what kind has the disc..." + (show)
@lilianna

keren, what size drizzle pot was enough to boil water and what kind has the disc that changes the voltage? I am glad the trip went well and you stayed well.

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@lilianna This is the drizzle pot which I bought. It was a tight fit for the four pieces of the nebulizer cup to have room to boil, but it worked. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WPBNTTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

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1 reply
lvalenti | @lvalenti | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @muon "Hi @lavalenti, I will be traveling to the Nordic countries next year. I use a Monarch..." + (show)
@muon

Hi @lavalenti,
I will be traveling to the Nordic countries next year. I use a Monarch and Ombra. I have traveled a lot in the US and hotels I stay in have microwaves, however as this may not be the case in Europe, what size Drizzle pot did you use?
Thanks you.

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It’s 1 liter and it’s $49.99 at Amazon. It comes in white or gray. You can take the steamer insert out for more room which is what I did.

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1 reply
muon | @muon | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @lvalenti "It’s 1 liter and it’s $49.99 at Amazon. It comes in white or gray. You can..." + (show)
@lvalenti

It’s 1 liter and it’s $49.99 at Amazon. It comes in white or gray. You can take the steamer insert out for more room which is what I did.

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Great, thanks so much for the information!

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lilianna | @lilianna | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @kareninny "@lilianna This is the drizzle pot which I bought. It was a tight fit for the..." + (show)
@kareninny

@lilianna This is the drizzle pot which I bought. It was a tight fit for the four pieces of the nebulizer cup to have room to boil, but it worked. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WPBNTTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

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Thank you. Honestly I did not even know they existed

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