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Looking for a decent portable nebulizer

Posted by raybo @raybo, Jan 19 9:20am

So many of these look the same with a different name and fizz out in short order. I’m taking a long trip soon and need one for those times you are not in your room. Suggestions?

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EJR | @ejr | Jul 31 2:07pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Reporting in on the Pari e-Flow after a week. It is FAST! it is SILENT! and..." + (show)
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Reporting in on the Pari e-Flow after a week. It is FAST! it is SILENT! and the stream is STRONG! At this point (fingers crossed) I only neb 7% saline once a day. It takes - wait for it - 3 1/2 minutes!

The first time I tried it, I felt like a 7th grader trying their first cigarette - I was coughing from the first breath. Now I have figured out how to close my lips and tongue to slow the flow, so I get through the vial before I begin to cough. When it stopped and shut off after such a short time, I thought something was wrong, but I measured with a syringe and less than 1 ml was left - just as they said.

How did it feel afterwards? The first time I wasn't sure - I had such a coughing jag that it was 10 minutes before I could start airway clearance, then I cleared as much in 5 rounds of breathing as I usually do in 10, and my chest felt good.

Cleaning according to directions was pretty easy - rinse (esp the screen) under flowing tap water, soak in soapy water, boil 5 minutes. I'm a little lazy, so I rinse and wash every day, only boil every 3rd use. I'm healthy right now, but if I have an exacerbation I'll boil it every time. I'm hoping this works for me, so when I travel in September & October it will be easy. I'm running on batteries and watching to see how well they last - I would like to get by without carrying the charger.

Would I buy it again? Since I have the patience of a cranky 3 year old, and have the means to do so, YES. We shall see how it lasts over time. Just the convenience for travel, which we do between 6 and 7 months per year, is wonderful. It is very small, quiet & lightweight with no hoses to manage - the first time I used it my husband didn't even know it was on.

By the way, when purchased from Nebology, it is significantly discounted right now and it comes with 2 power heads. Since each one lasts 6 months to a year, and costs about $100, that is a savings.

I'll report back in a few months.

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Thank you, Sue, for the detailed and specific review. Very helpful as you always are. I will do some more research on the features that matter most to me. But you've given me (us) a great description and analysis of usage. Thank you. This helps so much.

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wandafanda | @wandafanda | Jul 31 3:27pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@raybo This is a conundrum many of us face, see my post: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recommendations-for-nebulizer-machine/?pg=2#comment-1206592 As of January..." + (show)
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@raybo This is a conundrum many of us face, see my post:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recommendations-for-nebulizer-machine/?pg=2#comment-1206592
As of January 2025, I don't have a recommendation for you. I will be travelling to Europe this summer and will need one, so I am hoping for some advice from others. I tried 3 "cheapies" - now lasted more than a few uses without leaking.

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I’ve been using the Parí Trek s for travel last two years. I feel it works very well and has a nice little travel case where I can also fit my Aerobika and saline. You only need an adapter for plug for overseas, no need for a converter.

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bronchiectasaurus | @bronchiectasaurus | Aug 8 10:33am
In reply to @lilianna "Where did you get the 20OFF coupon?" + (show)
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Where did you get the 20OFF coupon?

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It took 9 days and several messages and a phone call for my medical system to finally fax the required prescription to Nebology, but it went through yesterday, they will ship it soon and I will hopefully receive it next week. I am especially looking forward to its quietness, as my ears are sensitive and my current compressors are loud.

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lilianna | @lilianna | Aug 9 6:17am

Once you submit the prescription and call for the purchase, nebology mails erapid right away. I got mine the second day. Good luck. I received it yesterday and tried it once- so fast, but I need to learn how to inhale so that I don’t cough widly.

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jnvt | @jnvt | Aug 9 10:56am

I also just ordered the eRapid (eFlow) from Nebology. There is 25% off sale happening right now through this Friday -8/15/25. The code is BTS25. I paid 899$ less 25%=$674.25 I hope worth it for my sanity 🙂
I did have conversations with my supply company, insurance and Medicare (three hours of my life I’ll never get back…) but it was so complicated, I ended up just ordering it. I’ll try and submit for reimbursement later (with no expectation…).

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annsnj | @annsnj | Aug 9 10:56am

DeVilbiss and Pari Trek S are both nice travel nebulizers, small and dual voltage. But the instructions for both do not support boiling for 10 minutes each day for long term. Ombra’s AeroEclipse XL BAN nebulizer cup can be boiled for 10 minutes each day for six months. Its manufacturer Monaghan said their customers use the AeroEclipse XL BAN cups with DeVilbiss. If you have NTM, boiling for 10 minutes is a good way to disinfect.

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scoop | @scoop | Aug 9 11:37am
In reply to @jnvt "I also just ordered the eRapid (eFlow) from Nebology. There is 25% off sale happening right..." + (show)
Profile picture for jnvt @jnvt

I also just ordered the eRapid (eFlow) from Nebology. There is 25% off sale happening right now through this Friday -8/15/25. The code is BTS25. I paid 899$ less 25%=$674.25 I hope worth it for my sanity 🙂
I did have conversations with my supply company, insurance and Medicare (three hours of my life I’ll never get back…) but it was so complicated, I ended up just ordering it. I’ll try and submit for reimbursement later (with no expectation…).

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I hope you love it as much as I do mine! It's such a relief from a noisy compressor. It's compact and travels well. Easy to maintain. FYI, I get many more months than 6 months before changing the handset. From my understanding, Medicare does not reimburse (pay) for portable compressors, which this is considered.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 9 8:08pm
In reply to @jnvt "I also just ordered the eRapid (eFlow) from Nebology. There is 25% off sale happening right..." + (show)
Profile picture for jnvt @jnvt

I also just ordered the eRapid (eFlow) from Nebology. There is 25% off sale happening right now through this Friday -8/15/25. The code is BTS25. I paid 899$ less 25%=$674.25 I hope worth it for my sanity 🙂
I did have conversations with my supply company, insurance and Medicare (three hours of my life I’ll never get back…) but it was so complicated, I ended up just ordering it. I’ll try and submit for reimbursement later (with no expectation…).

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I read the Medicare regs - right down "into the weeds" where they specify which compressors MIGHT be covered for which medications. Nope, I could not find any circumstances under which they might cover the Pari eRapid, and I have been pretty thorough.

If you would like to study this for yourself, I started here:https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=52466#
And later delved into this one: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdId=33370&ver=49

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jnvt | @jnvt | Aug 10 8:00am

Thanks so much Sue for this (and all you do for us and this forum!). I had a new (surprising) dx of CF and had heard somewhere that this qualified patients for insurance coverage on the eRapid - but since Medicare is already paying for my (inexpensive) TrekS it seems doubtful they’d go for the eRapid. I was able to get the TrekS as my one covered neb through Medicare as it was submitted as a necessity due to my travel schedule. Had I know how inexpensive it was, I’d have opted for something different and just bought it myself. But oh well, live and learn. I guess with this disease, there will be other opportunities to try something different next time.

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kathyjjb | @kathyjjb | Aug 10 1:51pm
In reply to @jnvt "Thanks so much Sue for this (and all you do for us and this forum!). I..." + (show)
Profile picture for jnvt @jnvt

Thanks so much Sue for this (and all you do for us and this forum!). I had a new (surprising) dx of CF and had heard somewhere that this qualified patients for insurance coverage on the eRapid - but since Medicare is already paying for my (inexpensive) TrekS it seems doubtful they’d go for the eRapid. I was able to get the TrekS as my one covered neb through Medicare as it was submitted as a necessity due to my travel schedule. Had I know how inexpensive it was, I’d have opted for something different and just bought it myself. But oh well, live and learn. I guess with this disease, there will be other opportunities to try something different next time.

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Insurance paid for my Pari Lamira nebulizer kit when I was on Arikayce. It came with an ebase controller, a blue disc shaped controller that doesn't require a hose-just a "handset",i.e. nebulizing cup with an aerosol head. I think this is the same thing that you all are talking about. When I googled eRapid, 2 totally different pictures came up-one being the blue disc shaped controller and the other a larger rectangular gray controller. I was planning on using for my 7% saline when I travel but need a new handset and aerosol head. I just figured it worked for the Arikayce, it should work for the 7% NaCl solution. Am I on the right track?

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