Recommendations for nebulizer machine

Will do 👍

What to consider when CHOOSING a nebulizer:
Most nebulizers are NOT designed for multiple uses every day, all year long. They are typically for asthma exacerbations, used a few times a week at most, and then only with albuterol or something like it and maybe an inhaled corticosteroid.

If you are going to be using yours every day, and for 7% saline as well, you have two choices - a "workhorse" machine with a powerful compressor - which may be large and/or louder, or a "convenient" machine - smaller, lighter, more portable. Call or visit a respiratory medical supply house and describe your use - they can recommend the best machine.

In my opinion, for daily use, one needs a compressor nebulizer. I have a Pari Vios I call my "big green machine" for everyday use. I have a smaller, quieter (but a little slower) DeVilbiss Traveler for convenience.

After Phillips stopped making their handheld mesh nebulizer, I tried a couple others - they definitely fall into the "light use" category and seemed to leak within 3 months. Or were not for 7% saline. Or could not be adequately disinfected.

Be sure, once you have chosen a nebulizer, to read the book and learn how to USE and MAINTAIN it.
For example, many of the small ones say not to use for over 30 minutes at a time - If you need to neb two or more solutions at a time, it might not work for you, except on an occasional basis.

Many compressor nebulizers have replaceable filters on the air intake. These need to be replaced based on usage, so for twice a day, two solution, every day use this means replacing every month or two. If you don't replace the filters, you will tax the compressor, leading to slower nebbing and early death. Any vents meant to help cool the compressor need to be kept clean and free of dust for the same reason. (Lack of those vents is the reason small compressors have time limits - to prevent overheating.)

Mesh nebulizers have screens to disperse the droplets. They are prone to clogging from some meds and 7% saline. Clean them according to the manufacturer's directions, and if they say "not for 7% saline" in their description, believe them.

The bottom line? The big compressor that lasted 5 - 10 or more years when you were nebbing periodically for asthma or bronchitis will likely last 2 - 3 years under heavy use. And the small convenient portable, if used according to directions and maintained, will last a year or two. If you decide to go with a mesh nebulizer, at best I only ever got about 18 months out of a Phillips before it leaked. The others (cheaper ones) never more than 3-4 months.

Just one more line in the budget for those with the need to neb daily - and Medicare and most insurance will only replace them every 5 years, and with a model of their choosing.

Does anyone else have advice to add?

Wonderful survey @pacathy! I am a caregiver for my mom and need to replace her old Respironics Innospire asap. She uses albuterol sulfate 3 mL followed by 4 mL of 7% sodium chloride. What cups are you using with the Proneb Max? Thank you.

I use Aeroeclipse XL reusable breath actuated. I first used the cup that came with it (Ppari sprint, I think), but it was so fast, I didn’t think I was getting all the med and saline. Some like it, though.

Good luck to you and your mom. She lucky to have you to help.

I have been using Phillips nebulizers for years but they seem to now be discontinued. I use my nebulizer4 times a day with 3 meds each time. My last, fairly new Phillips was only a year old and started to become very noisy. I have paid out of pocket for the last 3.

Now, I can get a new one through Medicare in May, I bought something to hold me over and it doesn't seem to work even half as well as Phillips did. PLUS the filter is sponge and disintegrates into powder after a few days and I think besides not getting all the meds into my lungs, I am getting the powder from the filter!!!!!!!! it is a Drive Power Neb Ultra.

Can someone who really knows help me out trying to figure out my next brand since Phillips is no longer selling please? I always felt like I should look for the PSI on a new one like my Phillips have always had which was 44. No other nebs have that. This Drive Power said 39 but hardly any mist comes out at all!

I have COPD and severe asthma and need one that can really push that medicine down there along with my other meds not on the nebulizer. Thanks for any help!

After my Phillips nebulizer got noisy I bought an Ombra. I use Ipratropium and the 7% sodium chloride. The Ombra is getting the Ipratropium deep into my lungs because when using the Phillips I could nebulize it without any side effects. Almost like inhaling nothing. With the Ombra I feel it and I get the common side effects from Ipratropium like dry mouth and some hoarseness. So, since I never purchased a nebulizer using Medicare I got one just for the Ipratropium and use the Ombra for the sodium chloride. My point being I think the Ombra does a really good job. I use the aeroeclipse with it while nebulizing. People on this forum seem to like it as well as the Pari.

Thanks,

Medicare only pays 1 every 5 years. That's why I bought others myself. I've only had Phillips respironics. The Pari on one site says 46-47 PSI and then on another it says 27psi. That makes me not trust what they are advertising. I did look at Ombra but, I need to use a mask and didn't see that you could from the picture.
I do my meds on one nebulizer. Budesonide, Arformoterol, Albuterol Sulfate. Then I have Spriva respimat, and (Dupixant shots. Keeps me alive!)
I just want something powerful enough to get in my lungs like my Phillips nebulizers. I can't believe they are not available any more!!!!!!

I agree about the Drive Compressor from Medicare. Not a very good machine. The Monaghan Medical Corp makes the Ombra Table Top Compressor. Their phone number is 800-833-9653. They are very nice. Ask them your questions and concerns. I would do that for any of the compressors that you might be interested in. Good luck and I hope you can find a machine that meets your needs I would be interested in knowing what you decide on

Thank you and I will be working on this! Now running the Drive power neb ultra with no filter because it works better that way.

I was very interested reading about your aeroeclipse!!! I've never heard of it and what a great idea to get the medicine in and not waste too! Will check out of they fit on any compressor. Sounds good!

Thanks again!

Well, in the last few days I thought your Ombra sounded pretty good to buy in May.. I sent 3 emails to one company that sells them because on most ads they don't list the PSI. (All my Phillips were pretty much in the 40's) I got 3 messages back and they say it's 19PSI!!!! I have never heard of one that low. Then I found a manual on Google for Ombra table top that does list specifications and says it is 37PSI. I had been told years ago that the PSI is the strength of the mist that gets into your lungs? So, I took a screenshot of that manual page and sent back to the company selling and telling me 19PSI but no response yet. With some recommendations and comments applauding Ombra and their aeroeclipse I was sold. But not with a low PSI. I would also need a mask to attatch to that if i did buy in the future