Your input — is nebulizing only once a day okay?

Posted by cate123456 @cate123456, Nov 23, 2022

I nebulize every morning, and after 2-3 hours the mucus wants to come up and I do AWC. I always get the same amount approx 1/8 cup of clear mucus with 10-12 small light yellow plugs. When I also neb in the late afternoon or evening nothing comes up , but I cough at night which wakes me up and only a tiny bit of clear mucus comes up. It doesn't seem worth it to me to neb twice a day, as I don't clear any mucus , and it keeps me up at night coughing a bit even when I neb in late afternoon instead of evening. I have stable bronch and MAC, not on antibiotics.
Any opinions?

Does anyone else only nebulize once a day?

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@irenea8

That is a very good question! I should think 3 hours would be a good rule of thumb. But for me that is not always possible. My late morning nebulizing usually has only 2.5 hours after breakfast. I do not find the evening nebulizing causes coughing, in fact saline never makes me cough. But for some people it does.

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Thank you for your response, irenea8!
I realized after I posted my questions that I did not close the gaps in my thinking :). I know that collecting a sputum for analysis should be "clean". But, in consideration, does inhaling organisms left behind by food or drink, toothpaste, etc. (other than spring or boiled water) cause an issue?
Maybe I think too much...
Thank you again!

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@melissaf

Thank you for your response, irenea8!
I realized after I posted my questions that I did not close the gaps in my thinking :). I know that collecting a sputum for analysis should be "clean". But, in consideration, does inhaling organisms left behind by food or drink, toothpaste, etc. (other than spring or boiled water) cause an issue?
Maybe I think too much...
Thank you again!

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I have read that one should avoid nebulizing too close to eating or drinking due to GERD or possibly inhaling something in the process that might cause an issue. So it makes sense but i am no expert. The National Jewish Hospital (or so i have gathered) gives emphasis on GERD as a possible cause or complication with Bronchiectasis. The sputum collection issue might be different in that they are trying to avoid stuff in your mouth contaminating it? Good questions for a pulmonologist!

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@melissaf

Hello,
Does anyone have information or input regarding a waiting period to nebulize after eating? I am asking because I had a sputum collection at my pulmonologist's office and the instructions were to stop eating 4 hours prior to the collection appointment. Also, do your evening nebulizer sessions cause an increase in coughing episodes during sleeping hours?
Thank you!

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My pulmonologist isn't that concerned about nebulizing as to when after eating. But my routine is in the morning to exercise then nebulize. I drink something hot if I feel the need while nebulizing. In the evening Ill nebulize often one hr after dinner and sleep 3hrs after a meal to prevent acid reflux.
Hal

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FYI, Did you know that nebulizers get tired after a while and need to be replaced? None of my MD's mentioned it. My nebulizer will no longer produce to push the sodium chloride out. I called a Medical Supply and they said YES they do need to be replaced especially after 5 years! I've been trying to figure out what was wrong with it for months. I don't suppose it's been helping much...I wish I had known!

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@northland

FYI, Did you know that nebulizers get tired after a while and need to be replaced? None of my MD's mentioned it. My nebulizer will no longer produce to push the sodium chloride out. I called a Medical Supply and they said YES they do need to be replaced especially after 5 years! I've been trying to figure out what was wrong with it for months. I don't suppose it's been helping much...I wish I had known!

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Oh yes, they do. But there is another component that many do not know about as well. There is a filter on the air intake that can become clogged and lessen the effectiveness of the machine. For daily use it need to be replaced every 3-6 months on compressor type nebulizers. This will extend the life.

The Pari Vios, what I call the "old green machine" will work up to 10 years if well maintained without a noticeable loss.

The small, impeller type nebulizers only last from 6 months to a year with twice daily use. My InnoSpire Go need the head replaced each year, the battery pack can last quite a bit longer.

Which nebulizer did you wear out?
Sue

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@sueinmn

Oh yes, they do. But there is another component that many do not know about as well. There is a filter on the air intake that can become clogged and lessen the effectiveness of the machine. For daily use it need to be replaced every 3-6 months on compressor type nebulizers. This will extend the life.

The Pari Vios, what I call the "old green machine" will work up to 10 years if well maintained without a noticeable loss.

The small, impeller type nebulizers only last from 6 months to a year with twice daily use. My InnoSpire Go need the head replaced each year, the battery pack can last quite a bit longer.

Which nebulizer did you wear out?
Sue

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Thankyou for posting the availability of the innospire go. Im awaiting mine eagerly. Do you think i can use it daily or save it for vacations?

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@irenea8

Yes Cate I have a way of keeping track which might sound weird to some people! I think it helps to know if anything is getting worse or getting better etc. But everyone is different and some people might produce variable amounts each day. For me it is consistent at about 3 liquid ounces give or take with my early day clearance. Evening amount is just a tablespoon or two? I imagine my production is more than most people here. Pseudomonas produces more.

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I have recent reoccurrence of MAC in lung and sinuses but have been positive for Pseudomonas at least twice. I just started 3 antibiotic MAC tx and was hoping to start feeling better- I just kept get worse lung and sinus- Idid another sputum culture Nov 1 and was again positive for Pseudomonas-had 2 stop MAC antibiotic and switched to 14 days of Cipro and Flagyl-improved by end of 14 days but not back to usual status- back on MAC tx now, but I feel like I’m slowly getting worse again
Have u had frequent recurrent Pseudomonas? How were u treated?

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@crepass

Thankyou for posting the availability of the innospire go. Im awaiting mine eagerly. Do you think i can use it daily or save it for vacations?

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I use mine daily, mostly because I am on the road at least 7 months of the year, and because I have come to dislike being tethered to my noisy Big Green monster. I should bring it to Texas with extra tubing and neb cups - often have travelers here who left theirs behind and need it if they get sick. Would never share my InnoSpire Go.
Sue

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I read prescription required for Phillips InnoSpire.
Is this covered by insurance or Medicare?

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@mckee5

I have recent reoccurrence of MAC in lung and sinuses but have been positive for Pseudomonas at least twice. I just started 3 antibiotic MAC tx and was hoping to start feeling better- I just kept get worse lung and sinus- Idid another sputum culture Nov 1 and was again positive for Pseudomonas-had 2 stop MAC antibiotic and switched to 14 days of Cipro and Flagyl-improved by end of 14 days but not back to usual status- back on MAC tx now, but I feel like I’m slowly getting worse again
Have u had frequent recurrent Pseudomonas? How were u treated?

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According to my pulmonologist I have chronic Pseudomonas identified by mucoid strain in my sputum samples. That means I will never get rid of it (according to him). In my case they want to treat me ongoing to keep the Pseudomonas down at least if not get "rid of it". That treatment would include inhaled antibiotic for two weeks on and then off and Azithromycin 3 times a week. However I was unable to do either due to side effects (only tried both for VERY short time). I have other health issues unfortunately. For a more serious exacerbation they would give me Cipro or a number of IV antibiotics. Thus far I have actually never done any treatment for Pseudomonas which is not the norm. I nebulize with Saline and do some other things.

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