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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Profile picture for mimimary @mimimary

I have purchased at least a dozen nebulixers over the past years and including a Pari Trek and several mesh-type made in China. I now have 2 Sunset mesh nebulizers that I alternate. They are silent, compact and only slightly more expensive than the basic Chinese nebulizers with funny names. Those usually only work a short time before dying. Many cannot handle 7% saline. I love the reliable Sunset portable nebulizer. available from many medical supply houses. Here's one. https://hartmedical.org/product/sunset-portable-mesh-nebulizer.

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That is a scary nebulizer, telling you to use tap water only and 1/4 strength vinegar for cleaning. Neither of these will kill NTM or remove biofilm that harbors it from the nebulizer. I'm not sure how many other infectious germs 1/4 strength vinegar kills.

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Profile picture for mimimary @mimimary

I have purchased at least a dozen nebulixers over the past years and including a Pari Trek and several mesh-type made in China. I now have 2 Sunset mesh nebulizers that I alternate. They are silent, compact and only slightly more expensive than the basic Chinese nebulizers with funny names. Those usually only work a short time before dying. Many cannot handle 7% saline. I love the reliable Sunset portable nebulizer. available from many medical supply houses. Here's one. https://hartmedical.org/product/sunset-portable-mesh-nebulizer.

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Medpro. Was like $80 and works great.

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Profile picture for westcottkm3040 @westcottkm3040

Medpro. Was like $80 and works great.

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Can you provide a link? I cannot see this anywhere.

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I bought a micro air vibrating mesh nebulizer (NE-U100) made by Omron a few years back and still use it. It works well. I got it at a Neergaard Pharmacy in NYC in case you live there. It's a speciality pharmacy carries a wide range of useful items.

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@apf, how do you clean and sanitize this equipment? Do you nebulize 7% saline with it? It's at a reasonable price. I am tempted.
Best wishes of great health to all of us!

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Profile picture for gigiv @gigiv

@apf, how do you clean and sanitize this equipment? Do you nebulize 7% saline with it? It's at a reasonable price. I am tempted.
Best wishes of great health to all of us!

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There are no provisions for sterilizing/sanitizing this device, which is what kept me from buying it. I even checked the manufacturer site.

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

That is a scary nebulizer, telling you to use tap water only and 1/4 strength vinegar for cleaning. Neither of these will kill NTM or remove biofilm that harbors it from the nebulizer. I'm not sure how many other infectious germs 1/4 strength vinegar kills.

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Thank you, Sue! Good point! Right, Sunset's recommendation for disinfecting. . . I have never followed it as it is not adequate for us. What I do is - using Lifestraw water - soak the cup in warm water with Dawn for 15 minutes. Then I rinse well. After that, I fill the cup with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. For reference, National Jewish Health recommends cleaning the a cappella and the aerobica with hydrogen peroxide, soaking for 30 minutes - or 70% isopropyl alcohol for five minutes. I read somewhere that alcohol could hurt the mesh of the nebulizer so I've been using hydrogen peroxide. The water I use is always from my Lifestraw but one could use boiled water, of course. Early on I did boil the cup and it distorted, so don't try steaming it either!

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Profile picture for gigiv @gigiv

@apf, how do you clean and sanitize this equipment? Do you nebulize 7% saline with it? It's at a reasonable price. I am tempted.
Best wishes of great health to all of us!

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I do use 7% saline with it and I use distilled water to clean it, maybe some soap. I believe I've also used boiled water but when I read the instructions recently it said to use distilled water. Reading the various comments on this site, I've come to realize that I am not as fastidious as most when it comes to cleaning. I usually just rinse my devices and then use soap and boiling water now and then.

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Profile picture for kathyhg @kathyhg

How does the DeVilbiss compare to regular sized compressors for strength? I bought a Pari Trek a couple of years ago and found it weak compared to my regular Pari and Ombra compressors. I’m looking for a stronger compressor so I’m wondering how the DeVilbiss compares.
Thanks in advance,

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I am very happy with the DeVilbliss travel nebulizer. My pulmonologist recommended it for travel and it's been working fine for over 6 yrs. I found a bargin on one recently and got it as backup for trip to Europe but did not need it.

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The Pari Trek-S has been fantastic for me on short and longer term trips (a month). Haven’t had any issues. I bought the portable battery so I charge it during the day and then can move around the house with it during treatment. I use the Pari Nebulizer cups which can be boiled. I typically soak in warm water and dishwashing detergent and then boil for 10m after rinsing. (if you don’t have a sterilizer while traveling).

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