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Living Dangerously - Nebulizer Cleaning

Posted by thumperguy @thumperguy, Mar 12, 2021

I marvel at the time consuming, meticulous way many, perhaps the majority, of contributors to this forum clean and sanitize nebulizers. Following the treatment session I soap and hot water “bathe” the mouthpiece then let it air dry until its next use. The tube gets no special attention except being fully disconnected from the compressor. I’ve read of some regimens aimed at sanitizing shower heads; another activity I ignore entirely. I’m closing in on 16 months free of a “flare-up” involving fever, and an antibiotic to defeat.
The lengthening periods of freedom from acute symptoms is something I attribute solely to learning about 7% saline nebulizer solution which I read about on this forum.
My comparatively minimal attention to “sanitation” may catch up with me but so far so good.

I should add that I realize many forum participants are contending with considerably more virulent pathology than I am. Don

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

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lenorj | @lenorj | Oct 9 6:50am
In reply to @spider109 "@lp8 I’ve had the vest for awhile now also, I think by sitting upright though gravity..." + (show)
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@lp8 I’ve had the vest for awhile now also, I think by sitting upright though gravity plays a role in the movement of the mucus. I also believe the biggest factor is the location (lobes) of where each individual’s worst Bronchiectasis is. Mine is posterior both lower lobes, and middle right. Being lower lobes means it has to travel farther of course to the larger central airways to help expel. I’m still trying everything possible, now doing vest with postural drainage, after 7% nebbing followed by 2-3 sessions of Autogenic drainage. My whole morning session takes about an hour, but for me well worth it in order to feel better throughout the day.

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@spider109 could you explain a little more about how you do postural drainage with the vest?

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spider109 | @spider109 | Oct 9 7:40am
In reply to @lenorj "@spider109 could you explain a little more about how you do postural drainage with the vest?" + (show)
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@spider109 could you explain a little more about how you do postural drainage with the vest?

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@lenorj I have the affliction vest. I’m lucky because I have a tilt bed. I tilt the feet end all the way up, no pillows on head end!!! I use medium settings on all the modes. I find laying on my back seems to work best, although I do occasionally turn side to side. Very hard to lay on stomach though, which according to what I’ve read, based on my worst BE in lower lobes is position best for me. But I’ll keep trying.

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lenorj | @lenorj | Oct 9 10:12am
In reply to @spider109 "@lenorj I have the affliction vest. I’m lucky because I have a tilt bed. I tilt..." + (show)
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@lenorj I have the affliction vest. I’m lucky because I have a tilt bed. I tilt the feet end all the way up, no pillows on head end!!! I use medium settings on all the modes. I find laying on my back seems to work best, although I do occasionally turn side to side. Very hard to lay on stomach though, which according to what I’ve read, based on my worst BE in lower lobes is position best for me. But I’ll keep trying.

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@spider109 thanks for the info, very helpful

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melinda561 | @melinda561 | Oct 9 11:09am
In reply to @pacathy "@kate2025 If you leave the boiled water in pot you boiled it in and have it..." + (show)
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@kate2025
If you leave the boiled water in pot you boiled it in and have it covered tightly, it should stay sterile. IMO, transferring back and forth to containers increases risk of contamination.

To answer specific question, the water
should be fine for reuse.
I'll admit that I am not as meticulous as some in cleaning equipment. I use the Bololo because it's simple and equipment can be left in it until next use, minimizing handling.

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@pacathy This was discussed in Lung Matters. It was recommended to change water daily because a few mycobacterium may survive. Im going to upgrade to an instant pot because it kills everything under high pressure if I read that correctly. So I was keeping my boiled water for a week but after reading about some.bacterial surviving, I change the distilled water daily which is another expense. The 6 quart instant pot only requires 1.5 cups for each session so I’ll discard it after each use . Still learning.

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kate2025 | @kate2025 | Oct 10 9:04pm
In reply to @pacathy "@kate2025 If you leave the boiled water in pot you boiled it in and have it..." + (show)
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@kate2025
If you leave the boiled water in pot you boiled it in and have it covered tightly, it should stay sterile. IMO, transferring back and forth to containers increases risk of contamination.

To answer specific question, the water
should be fine for reuse.
I'll admit that I am not as meticulous as some in cleaning equipment. I use the Bololo because it's simple and equipment can be left in it until next use, minimizing handling.

Jump to this post

@pacathy thank you.

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