Have a Nebulizer? Info you NEED to know! Life with a Vent

Nebulizers are common medical devices used to administer medication to the airways and are also used to help keep the airways clear. People with respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, COPD and asthma often use nebulizers. Additionally, nebulizers are also excellent devices to use for people who have a tracheostomy. Join me this week as I discuss some basic techniques to using a nebulizer, and I will share some tips and tricks I have learned. #lifewithavent #nebulizer #medicalsupplies
1. Nebulizer basics
2. Nebulizer Assembly
3. T-adapter Variations
4. How to Use a Nebulizer
5. Where to place the nebulizer on your ventilator tubing
6. When the solution is finished
(For more information about suctioning, please see the videos:
Have a trach & Vent? Info you NEED to know: • Have a Trach & Vent? I...
Suctioning 101: Essential Info & Tips: • Suctioning 101: Essent... )
7. When should you use the nebulizer
5 Tips for Nebulizing:
1. Lean Forward if Possible
2. Keep the nebulizer canister upright
3. Place the compressor unit on a flat, sturdy surface
4. Do not use more than 5 mL of solution at a time
5. Inflate your cuff
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[@estheradogame7169]

Thank you for putting the pieces together step by step . Helpful.

[@LifewithaVent]

My pleasure.

[@sarahsutubeusername]

Very informative video. Nice to see it demonstrated by an eloquent speaker and trach user such as yourself. Thank you. For my son, since he is 6 and mobile and active and fidgety/impatient for multiple ampules of meds to finish, we have attached the t adapter right after the humidificatiin chamber using the small corrigated tube that comes in the neb kit to connect the heated chamber to the t adapter then connect the t adapter directly to the vent circuit tubing. This location and setup has been the best way to prevent spillage while not landing the medicine into the water chamber. For a while we used some elbows from cpap machine that I found online but one day I got frusteated and looking at spare parts tried using the accordian and it worked and it only adds a 6 inch air gap so not terrible. I secure the t to the vent with a cord to keep it more stable and horizontal since my son is so active. So far this setup has worked well for us. I do see your point about the closer to the lungs the less chance to loose the medication to ancillary surfaces and also to your point our water chamber was staining yellow after tobi (gross) so we rigged it to work right after the water chamber. If you are trying to attach the nebs to a sometimes sleeping, lounging rolling or moving child, or just want to relax without worrying about spilling medicine out of the cup I suggest trying this setup.

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for your kind words. I am happy you have found a method which works well for you and your son. Thank you so much for sharing all this information.

[@ventilator98]

I use a Nebulizer several times a day. I actually use a 50 PSI medical grade compressor that is connected to my nebulizer. On my LTV ventilator circuit, there is a spring loaded T-Piee, the Valve T-Piece, and those things work so well!!! I LOVE those T-Pieces. So I Nebulize Muccomyst, ipratroprium Bromide, and Normal Saline. I do these treatments several times a day. We're trying to get me a piece of equipment from Hill-Rom known as the Volara. It's a piece of equipment that would help me substantiallyy. I have a very difficult time clearing secretions, and so we're trying to get this machine. The chances of insurance paying for it are very slim, but we've tried to get an IPV machine, and that failed. I have a vest, but it really isn't effective, I have a cough assist, but I think It's actually making situations worse. So We're trying to get a Volara. I don't think we're going to succeed in getting this piece of equipment, but we'll try, and I'll think positively, by telling myself that we'll succceed, and making myself believe that we will!

[@LifewithaVent]

I am so sorry to hear you have issues with secretions. I hope you are able to get the Volara. I looked up the Volara, and it is a really nice! If you are not able to get it approved by insurance, you may want to reach out to Hill-Rom and ask if they have a financial assistance program for the Volara. You will have to provide your financial information, and they will determine based on the info you provide how much you pay, which may be as little as $0.

[@ventilator98]

@@LifewithaVent wow! That information you gave me is of such benefit and I Thank You so much for your support!!!

[@LifewithaVent]

@@ventilator98 I hope everything works out for you.

[@shoshannafachima1306]

You are right,closer to the trache or nasal interface is the correct location for the nebuliser for a more affective treatment Hugs prayers and smiles 🤗🥰 your way

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for your insight. I hope you are well!

[@shoshannafachima1306]

@@LifewithaVent doing well thank you,hope you are keeping well and staying safe Hugs and prayers 🤗🤗 your way

[@Midnight_tarot]

Thank you! You answered every question I had and threw in “don’t add more than 5mL” which I was completely intending on doing 😅 also thanks for talking about the valved T attachment, going to ask our supplier for one of those!

[@LifewithaVent]

I am so glad it was helpful!

[@vanderson5226]

Thank you

[@LifewithaVent]

You're welcome.

[@jessicah3450]

This was very helpful. I am new to nebulizers as a Covid survivor. I can't take deep enough breaths anymore to use my inhalers effectively. My pulmonologist is really overwhelmed due to the current state of things, so she didn't have time to explain anything, just wrote a prescription and sent me out the door! I had trouble getting insurance to cover it, but went through a DME supplier instead of my pharmacy. Probably obvious for people who have been doing this for a while, but we're all learning together. I appreciate how you explain everything step by step, you're a great teacher. Can you use the same nebulizer for the medications and the saline? I recently had a lung lavage, and the saline wash was very effective, so I am thinking of asking my pulmonologist if nebulized saline would be helpful as part of my home treatments. Thanks again.

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, you can use the same nebulizer for medicines and saline. All the best to you.

[@sarahsutubeusername]

Honestly they don't send instructions, the doctors office doesn't say anything unless you know to ask, each company distributes similar but different supplies, and often the hospital equipment is different enough that even watching how the respiratory therapist or nurse does it might not translate. You've done the best thing you can by watching this informative video. If you haven't already, also consider joining an active social media group or two that covers your unique situation. I'm in large mom's group for trach kids on fb and one for r kids with my son's genetic condition. I've gotten susinct and usable answers in the middle of the night on a holiday or weekend when only an emergency room would have benn the other option. This young lady's videos will save lives if they haven't already.

[@yehudasegev9132]

You can do Nebulizer with COLIRACIN inhalations 3 times a day for Pseudomonas aeruginosa for prevention or treatment

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for the information. It sounds like a great medicine. I have researched the medicine. I could not find anything current, but an article published in October 2021 states inhaled Coliracin is not approved for use in the United States. Maybe in the future it will be available for use in the United States.

[@yehudasegev9132]

@Life with a Vent you can use also manuka honey. It's also recommended for psendomonos

[@LifewithaVent]

@@yehudasegev9132 Thank you so much. I really appreciate the information.

[@kwitty89]

Hi, hope you're doing well. My father is a covid19 stage 5 survivor, due to that he is now living with a tracheostomy. His oxygen level is good, but he's having a lot of phlegm. We do the suctioning everyday almost more than 10 times a day, still he's having breathing difficulties. I'm not sure whether should i get him a nebulizer or hme filter or any other device. But it says that if hme filter need to change frequently. And if i buy the nebulizer, do I have to use any medication or just saline would be okay? I read that a tracheostomy patient needs a humidified oxygen. I'm trying to find best and affordable device for my father. While reading online, i found your videos and it is really helpful to me. Thank you 🙂

[@LifewithaVent]

Hello. i am sorry to hear your father is having difficulties with mucus and with his breathing. Yes, a nebulizer, HME and humidifier would all be helpful. For the nebulizer, using saline would help loosen up then mucus and make it easier to clear the mucus from the airways. Medicines such as bronchodilators may also be useful. The medicines widen the airways and may help your father get rid of the mucus and breathe better. HMEs should always be worn if your father is not connected to a humidifier to prevent his airways from drying out. The HME is only supposed to be worn for 24 hours and then discarded, but you can wash them and reuse them. I have a video all about HMEs which will be coming out in the next few weeks. I give details on how to wash the HME in the video. If you can find a humidifier, that would really help your father's airways from drying out and would help with his breathing. Room air is very dry. This may be irritating his airways causing him to produce a lot of mucus. If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know. I would be happy to help. All the best to you and your father.

[@kwitty89]

@@LifewithaVent Thank you very much for taking the time to read and reply my comment. Your information is really helpful to me. I'm getting him a nebulizer and the HMEs. I'm looking forward to your next videos. Take care and stay safe 🥰

[@LifewithaVent]

@@kwitty89 Thank you.

[@LifewithaVent]

@@kwitty89 I made a video about HMEs. Perhaps it may be helpful to you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpfLo6SwYpKkptU

[@kwitty89]

@@LifewithaVent oh this is wonderful! Thank you for updating me. Definitely will check it out 😊

[@marbleryeroll5471]

My aunt uses an easy air machine but it is quite loud and adds uncomfortable heat to her room. Can she use the Nebulizer in place of the Easy air machine? And if so, how long can she run the machine? Thank you in advance for any information you can provide. And thank you for these very informative videos

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for your kind words. The best people to ask about your aunt's medical equipment would be your aunt's medical team. They know your aunt's medical needs and medical history. A nebulizer can run for about 20-30 minutes. Then the machine needs to be switched off and allowed to cool down.

[@ceceliatorres5757]

Where can I buy the adaptor and the tubing at? I use the one by mouth.

[@LifewithaVent]

It probably easiest to buy what is called a "nebulizer kit". This has all the items needed to nebulize. You can buy it at a number of online medical supply stores or on eBay. Either go to eBay.com and type in "nebulizer kit" in the search or type "nebulizer kit" in an online search engine and click "shopping".

[@jawariasattar2281]

What if foam starts forming in the medicine when i turn on the nebulizer...is it normal? And should you mix the steroid medicine with normal water inside the nebulizer cup for medicine?

[@LifewithaVent]

Foam sometimes develops from the nebulizer making the solution into a midst. The nebulizer infuses the solution with air. This sometimes causes foam. For the steroid medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist and ask how the medicine should be used in the nebulizer. All of my medicines are pre-mixed and ready to use when I pick them up from the pharmacy. If the medicine is supposed to be diluted, please do NOT use regular water. Only use sterile water, distilled water or normal saline to dilute the medicine.

[@jawariasattar2281]

@@LifewithaVent Thanku

[@BipinBabu2024]

can I survive covid 19 using a nebulizer if I start getting shortness of breath?

[@LifewithaVent]

I do not know. That question would be best answered by your primary care provider.

[@jessicah3450]

I had to puff on my albuterol inhaler every 2 hours (even at night), but the hospitals were overwhelmed, so it wasn't ideal. I should have been inpatient. The nebulizers do make the medications easier to take for those of us who can't take deep breaths, but of course it's best to speak with your pulmonologist. Under-treating this virus has the potential to cause lung damage, so don't skip out on medical treatment if it's available. They were just trying to keep people alive when I was sick, but now my lungs are scarred, so home treatment was not ideal, just all we had at the time. I don't recommend it if you have other options.

[@bridgetdemastes3563]

Does anyone ever feel dizzy after using it or jittery

[@LifewithaVent]

What you using in it? Are you using saline or are you using a medicine?

[@bridgetdemastes3563]

@@LifewithaVent I have a nebulizer machine that I'm using Albuterol in for really bad wheezing due to bronchitis and I've used it twice today with at least 5 maybe 6 hours in between and each time I got dizzy and jittery when I called my doctor she said I over oxygenated myself but they are packaged with one dose per tube I'm half tempted to just use my rescue inhaler and hope it works

[@bridgetdemastes3563]

@@LifewithaVent i do some times get dizzy just from my inhaler tho it goes away in 4 minutes but the dizziness I get from the nebulizer lasts a good hour

[@LifewithaVent]

​@@bridgetdemastes3563 The symptoms you are describing are some of the side effects to taking albuterol. I am sorry your doctor dismissed your concerns. Here is some information I found from Mayoclinic.org: "If you find it difficult to tolerate side effects of albuterol, talk to your health care provider about the following options: Changing the delivery method. Albuterol side effects are less likely if you use an inhaler instead of taking a pill or liquid. If you use a nebulizer to inhale the drug, you may lessen symptoms if you can switch to a metered dose inhaler." Here is the link to website if you wish to view it: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/expert-answers/albuterol-side-effects/faq-20058088 Perhaps you can call your doctor and ask if you can switch to using your inhaler. I am sorry to hear you have bronchitis. I hope you are soon on the path to better health.

[@bridgetdemastes3563]

@@LifewithaVent I thought they were side effects my friend said it has happened to her before and I will be switching to my Albuterol inhaler tomorrow so I have 24 hours in between switching thank you so much!

[@zero8852]

Always pray to God s

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@zero8852]

@@LifewithaVent save treasure in heaven help the homeless, read this verse in ur bible JAMES 2 13/ MATEO 5 7 / and proverbs 19 17 and acts 20 35 god luck beautiful.

[@LifewithaVent]

@@zero8852 Thank you.