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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@becleartoday

I use the Ombra. Love it! I know it National Jewish health they pretty much exclusively, recommend the Ombra nebulizing system, including attaching the Aerobika and Aeroeclipse XL cup. The Pari company out of Germany also has good jet compressors.

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Good to know!Will other tubing fit onto the Ombra? I would think that the part the tubing fits onto would be a universal fit for all compressor's tubing. The nebulizer supplied by my insurance company (which is like the ones they would use in a hospital) seems to work well for me and would be a shame not to be able to use it with the Ombra since insurance pays for it.

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@cavlover

Hi! I hope I’m not too late in responding. I recently returned from a trip to Italy. I was so apprehensive about traveling abroad with bronchiectasis. I traveled all over before my diagnosis, and I knew it was time to let go of my fears!
Like others I took the Nathome Drizzle Travel instapot, and it worked beautifully. I read that Italy didn’t have microwaves so I didn’t take my microwave bags. However I found out upon arrival that my tour company would’ve provided me with a microwave. (I highly recommend Taulk tours!) I brought a foldable bowl and a small bottle of clear Dawn and a toothbrush to wash my equipment before boiling. The Pari Trek S nebulizer has always been reliable when traveling in the US and it didn’t disappoint me in Italy. I took several sets of cups and Aerobicas, but I only used two because I sanitized my equipment nightly. I brought paper towels to put my equipment on to let it air dry. In case it didn’t dry, I brought some dish towels to wrap my equipment. I didn’t end up needing these. I brought several plastic bags and labeled them “clean” and “dirty” in case I couldn’t clean equipment each night. A small spritz bottle of alcohol and alcohol wipes were also included.
As you can see, I brought more than I needed. Often after doing something once, I get over my fears. It really wasn’t hard to do at all. And there were some travel companions who ended up getting very bad chest colds and coughs. And on the way home, my seat faced someone who was extremely sick and must’ve coughed every minute 😢 Thankfully I could lay down (on my left side!!) to try to avoid him.
I feel confident that air clearance kept me healthy. And drink lots of liquids…..including the delish wine lol

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@cavlover This is so helpful! I leave this evening for my trip. My Pari Trek S just arrived in the mail an hour ago. With the drizzle pot, did you actually put the neb cups in the pot and boil them in it for ten minutes? Is the strainer included with it meant to go on the bottom so that plastic doesn't touch the heating unit and burn? I'm not bringing dish soap or paper towels/dish towels because of space (I'll buy them there). Everything else I am taking (including alcohol wipes as you suggest). Glad you had a great trip!

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I use the cheap mesh nebulisers that you buy online, and sterilise with boiling water after I've run white vinegar through it to help disinfect and clear the saline from the nozzle.

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@cwal

Good to know!Will other tubing fit onto the Ombra? I would think that the part the tubing fits onto would be a universal fit for all compressor's tubing. The nebulizer supplied by my insurance company (which is like the ones they would use in a hospital) seems to work well for me and would be a shame not to be able to use it with the Ombra since insurance pays for it.

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Yes, other tubing will fit the Ombra and other cups might as well. The good thing about the Aeroeclipse cups that come with the Ombra is that you can boil them to sterilize them. Additionally, you can put them on breath actuated mode, so mist is only released when you inhale. This helps keep your home environment clean.

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@kareninny

@cavlover This is so helpful! I leave this evening for my trip. My Pari Trek S just arrived in the mail an hour ago. With the drizzle pot, did you actually put the neb cups in the pot and boil them in it for ten minutes? Is the strainer included with it meant to go on the bottom so that plastic doesn't touch the heating unit and burn? I'm not bringing dish soap or paper towels/dish towels because of space (I'll buy them there). Everything else I am taking (including alcohol wipes as you suggest). Glad you had a great trip!

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Yes, I use the strainer that is included.
Have a fantastic time!
Oh-I took air tags and saw that my luggage decided to vacation longer at the Munich airport Terminal 1 for 20 extra days!! All my equipment was on Carry On.

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@cavlover

Yes, I use the strainer that is included.
Have a fantastic time!
Oh-I took air tags and saw that my luggage decided to vacation longer at the Munich airport Terminal 1 for 20 extra days!! All my equipment was on Carry On.

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Good call to carry all your equipment with you and not in the airplane hold!

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@becleartoday

Yes, other tubing will fit the Ombra and other cups might as well. The good thing about the Aeroeclipse cups that come with the Ombra is that you can boil them to sterilize them. Additionally, you can put them on breath actuated mode, so mist is only released when you inhale. This helps keep your home environment clean.

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Thank you! I would hate to spend the money for the Ombra to find out my other tubing would not fit. I think my insurance will only pay for the kind that I got from the Respiratory supply company but I could check to make sure.

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Currently Ombra nebulizing cups and tubing are packaged together to last for six months. However, because many of us change our tubing monthly, we use other types without an issue.

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@kareninny

@cavlover This is so helpful! I leave this evening for my trip. My Pari Trek S just arrived in the mail an hour ago. With the drizzle pot, did you actually put the neb cups in the pot and boil them in it for ten minutes? Is the strainer included with it meant to go on the bottom so that plastic doesn't touch the heating unit and burn? I'm not bringing dish soap or paper towels/dish towels because of space (I'll buy them there). Everything else I am taking (including alcohol wipes as you suggest). Glad you had a great trip!

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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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@becleartoday

Currently Ombra nebulizing cups and tubing are packaged together to last for six months. However, because many of us change our tubing monthly, we use other types without an issue.

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Do you know how Pari Trek S and Ombra compare as far as sound/loudness?

Also, I have seen where some have been having trouble with their nebulizer cups that came with their Pari Trek?

I was looking at the versatility of the Pari Trek because it works by battery and plug in the wall.

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