Travel advice

Posted by Toni D. @tcd518, Jun 2, 2023

Hello, all. I am going on a two-week trip with no access to a kitchen or such and am bringing along my bronchiectasis, MAC, and restrictive ventilatory defect (I never leave home without them). Currently, I nebulize twice a day with levalbuterol 0.31 mg followed by 7% sodium chloride with my Aerobika hooked up to the nebulizer and am doing okay. I bought a travel-size Pari Trek S nebulizer and a collapsible bowl for washing the Aerobika and neb parts but don't know how I can sanitize them. At home, they go in the dishwasher every two-three days on the "sanitize" cycle. Do you think a soak in vinegar would do the trick? Any other ideas?

I'm also bringing along decongestant pills, a box of 12-hour Mucinex, and a large bottle of Delsym, just in case. Any other recommendations?

Thank you all so much for your help!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

For water consider a LifeStraw water bottle or LifeStraw collapsible squeeze bottle water filter system. Some prior posts recommend the SteriPen. If you have access to electricity use a coiled cup heater to boil water from the LifeStraw for your devices. If you don't have access to electricity maybe carry rubbing alcohol? Another thought, to cut down on the equipment, before you leave test out other clearance methods that don't require aerobika, i.e., active cycle of breathing, or autogenic drainage, etc, and use disposable cups for nebulizer. Check out past posts here for tips on traveling with bronchiectasis and all that goes with it. There is loads of information. Happy trails!

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You could use 70% alcohol to sterilize the Aerobika. They list it as a way to sterilize. You are probably using the Sprint cups with the Pari Trek. They do not recommend alcohol for those but if you are not using it long term it would probably be fine. In both cases it is just for 5 minutes and then rinse. And soak them in soapy water first. The vinegar soak is for one hour and is only considered a light disinfectant.

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Thank you, Irenea8 - that's what I needed to know!

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When I traveled I took the Crazy Cap, LifeStraw Pitcher/LifeStraw Water Bottle, Collapsable pot for boiling and SteriPen. Such a Lifesaver!

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Heat is one way to kill bacteria; acid is a different way. I see most vinegar recommendations
are for 30-60 minutes with either a one to one or a one part vinegar and two parts sterile water.
So you do the best you can. I would be more worried about shower heads in motels; the #1 source
of MAC. So take short baths instead.

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@tconz

When I traveled I took the Crazy Cap, LifeStraw Pitcher/LifeStraw Water Bottle, Collapsable pot for boiling and SteriPen. Such a Lifesaver!

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@tconz do you remember which collapsible pot you purchased? I'm looking for one that can be used with a portable cup heater, something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Immersion-Electric-Portable-Reheater/dp/B01M0Q84BR I want to make sure the heater does not melt the bowl/pot. Generally, silicone can withstand boiling but wanted to double check with you. TIA.

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I bought Amazon Foldable Hot Pot Cooker Travel Pot. I don't know if it can be used with a portable cup heater.

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When traveling I take my microwavable steam bags as many hotels have microwaves in room or elsewhere in hotel. Cruise ships will often give you a plug in tea pot to boil water in; then after washing neb I pour boiling water over it in steam bag and let sit for a bit. Also take some disposable neb cups. I wear a mask in showers and keep them short, tepid and ventillated. I take a Go Straw, but often end up drinking bottled spring water as well. Good luck and happy travels!

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Thank you all for the helpful advice. One more question: is distilled water interchangeable with the LifeStraw water? Ta!

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My pulmonologist recommends cleaning the shower head with white vinegar before using. I would suggest taking a small spray bottle of it with you. He thinks vinegar is better than using bleach.

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