Volara nebulizer

Hi, I hope others who use the Volara will respond to your query. I've had interest in trying it but so far breathing exercises for airway clearance seem to be doing the job. For sure, I am tempted by the reports of 10 minute sessions.

Here is a link to other discussions about Volara. Perhaps you might tag others who actually use Volara to see if you can get some replies to your question.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mac-bronchiectasis/

I do have volara. I am using it only on weekends because of how you clean the hose- just soapy water, rinsing and rinsing with boiled and cooled water. I tried using alcohol- the hose developed holes I tried sterilizing- melted. I am afraid to use the hose being only washed and soaked- I have MAC. As far as the cups - yes the new ones cannot be hot sterilized- they disfigure and melt so you have to soak them in alcohol for 5 minutes. The same with the elbow part. I called the manufacturer and was told that washing in soap wille enough to clean it but when I asked what about us with MAC the representative wasn’t sure. Using alcohol every day to sterilize the parts is expensive and who knows may be not even healthy but the hose is my worry. It’s a pity because the equipment works for me and shakes well ( alhthough I am the sputum minimum producer no matter what) I am sorry it’s so long. By the end of the year volara will be paid( some by me but most by my insurance) but I really wished I could use it more.

I also am using a Volara. And I also had the cup deform in baby bottle sterilizer. I've been told that it has been used for decades in hospital settings and was introduced for home use a few years ago. I can't fathom why sterilization hasn't been addressed, especially given the price.
On the other hand, how much of a risk is there for the air tube becoming a place for NTM to grow? Air goes through it in only one direction - towards your mouth.

@yardsend I've wondered about the tubing too. I only changed tubing once a month with my regular nebulizer. Do you still use the Volara? How do you clean/sterilize the neb cups?

The new parts that were replaced recently is a result of the company who produced the prior parts not supplying them anymore. Hillrom is aware these parts melt, break, crack, deform in shape as I have let them know as have others. Please call Hillrom and complain and they will send you a new circuit bag and ask that you send them the melted parts back to them. They will send you a return mailing slip and have FedEx pick up at your house. Their engineers need to see what is happening. I am not happy with using the system due to inability to sterilize (please let them know that putting in the dishwasher is not a sanitary way to remove NTM, pseudomonas, etc. ) The more patients they hear from the better. It's an expensive machine and the circuit bags are expensive for those of us that Medicare didn't cover (that's another story that needs addressing) and I'm considering returning the machine altogether if something isn't done soon.

@davis5663
Yes, I'm still using the Volara. I just wash the parts in hot water and soap, air dry.

@lanikai1998 Thank you for the info. I have contacted them several times, including today. They didn't ask me to return the bad cups though. I am about ready to send mine back too.

@yardsend Are you concerned about not being able to sterilize?

@davis5663
I'd like to be able to sterilize, but I don't think it's a high risk. The cup is washed and rinsed in tap water at 135⁰ and air dried - there may be NTM in the water, which may survive drying, and then may float into the saline solution and I might then inhale it, and those bacteria might survive the 7% saline and gain foothold in spite of my airway clearance. That's a lot of mays and mights.
I agree with earlier comment that feedback and discussion with the manufacturer is best solution. But in the meantime, unless I hear reasons to the contrary, I think the benefits of the Volara outweigh the risks.

My partner asks, what about disinfecting the parts with UV light?