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nebulizing albuterol and saline

Posted by donnaturn @donnaturn, Dec 14, 2022

I have had shakiness after nebulizing albuterol 2.5mg/3ml. The last time I saw my pulmo. He suggested using only half the vial, which has helped some. He also said that we could change to a lower dose when I need a refill. Have any of you experienced the same thing and what dose is most commonly prescribed? Also, I think I have read on this site that nebulizing saline causes coughing. I have problems with that often and have to stop and cough and drink before resuming. It is frustrating because it just makes the session longer. I am using 7% saline. Has anyone had less coughing with 3%? Also, I assume 3% is less effective and perhaps I should put up with the coughing if the 7% does a better job. I appreciate any advice. Thank you. Donna Turnbaugh

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 28 11:28pm
In reply to @dlynn1210 "@sueinmn - I have MAC and was instructed to nebulize with albuterol to help remove mucous..." + (show)
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@sueinmn - I have MAC and was instructed to nebulize with albuterol to help remove mucous buildup in my lungs. Saline does not help with that.

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@dlynn1210 Albuterol opens the airways to make it easier to do airway clearance. Some use it in a nebulizer, others in an inhaler. Saline thins the mucus to make it easier to expel. Every person is different, so some people need one, some the other, some need both.
Personally, my mucus is easily expelled after using my Symbicort inhaler and some exercise most days. With a cold or on bad allergy/asthma days, I need to add a saline neb.
Have you tried saline?

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songinmyheart54 | @songinmyheart54 | Mar 29 7:46am
In reply to @totty "Nebulizer’s nor Albuterol and saline are covered by my husband’s Medicare but I think I read..." + (show)
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Nebulizer’s nor Albuterol and saline are covered by my husband’s Medicare but I think I read somewhere that if the physician would write a prescription for these and use a specific code that these are would be covered.
Is anyone familiar with this?
Thanks,
Totty

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@totty I received my nebulizer from Medicare. My medicine is filled by my secondary insurance.

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songinmyheart54 | @songinmyheart54 | Mar 29 7:49am
In reply to @poodledoc "Sue, Thanks for the link but really why does Medicare have to be so complicated with..." + (show)
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Sue, Thanks for the link but really why does Medicare have to be so complicated with this. Has anyone had Medicare pay for a specific Nebulizer? Bill

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@poodledoc Medicare paid for my nebulizer. Doctor writes a prescription. No problems at all

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songinmyheart54 | @songinmyheart54 | Mar 29 7:54am
In reply to @sueinmn "@songinmyheart54 I see that you have had lung cancer, may I ask why you are using..." + (show)
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@songinmyheart54 I see that you have had lung cancer, may I ask why you are using albuterol, which is usually used for treating asthma?

The members speaking of nebulizing saline have a chronic lung disease called Bronchiectasis or a lung infection called Mycobacteria Avium complex (MAC.) The saline helps to remove mucus from our lungs so they function better, and less mucus gives the bacteria fewer places to hide and grow.

Have you been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis or MAC?

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@sueinmn thank you for the explanation. No I do not have MAC. I do have asthma but I have melanoma cancer in my lung. My immunotherapy Keytruda affects my asthma therefore I use a nebulizer several times a day because keytruda causes extreme breathlessness. It has greatly effected my quality of life.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 29 12:24pm
In reply to @songinmyheart54 "@sueinmn thank you for the explanation. No I do not have MAC. I do have asthma..." + (show)
Profile picture for songinmyheart54 @songinmyheart54

@sueinmn thank you for the explanation. No I do not have MAC. I do have asthma but I have melanoma cancer in my lung. My immunotherapy Keytruda affects my asthma therefore I use a nebulizer several times a day because keytruda causes extreme breathlessness. It has greatly effected my quality of life.

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@songinmyheart54 I'm not a doctor so I don't know if it is possible with Keytruda, but there are long-acting medications for treating breathlessness. The one I use is Symbicort, which was life-changing for me. It is a twice a day inhaler, and has made my nebulizer a sometimes thing rather than being tethered to it several times a day.
Maybe you can ask about options for you?

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sheila7a | @sheila7a | Mar 29 8:40pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@songinmyheart54 I'm not a doctor so I don't know if it is possible with Keytruda, but..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@songinmyheart54 I'm not a doctor so I don't know if it is possible with Keytruda, but there are long-acting medications for treating breathlessness. The one I use is Symbicort, which was life-changing for me. It is a twice a day inhaler, and has made my nebulizer a sometimes thing rather than being tethered to it several times a day.
Maybe you can ask about options for you?

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I'm going to ask about the Symbicort.
Albuterol seems to make me nervous, shaking and short of breath.
Suppose to do the opposite.

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