Getting a Portable Nebulizer

[Ratatosk]

But can you hook your VEST up to the power inverter and vest while driving down the road? I'm saying this in jest BTW...

This came up in conversation last week, when DH and I were trying to coordinate DS's treatments for a graduation. And DH brought up the idea of a power inverter for nebbing him, and then got this wild look in his eye -- hey, could we do his vest, too? Errr, wouldn't that put a HUGE drain on the car battery or make things go kabloohey?

Actually it's really no big deal to coordinate his beatment since he's not on tobi we'll just neb his albuterol/atrovent while doing his vest before we leave. Takes all of 20-30 min..

 

[Ratatosk]

But can you hook your VEST up to the power inverter and vest while driving down the road? I'm saying this in jest BTW...

This came up in conversation last week, when DH and I were trying to coordinate DS's treatments for a graduation. And DH brought up the idea of a power inverter for nebbing him, and then got this wild look in his eye -- hey, could we do his vest, too? Errr, wouldn't that put a HUGE drain on the car battery or make things go kabloohey?

Actually it's really no big deal to coordinate his beatment since he's not on tobi we'll just neb his albuterol/atrovent while doing his vest before we leave. Takes all of 20-30 min..

 

[robert321]

As far as the trek overheating, make sure you take it completly out of its bag before using and put it in a cool area and it shouldn't be too bad about overheating.

For using an inverter in the car for nebs, make sure you DO NOT go buy the cheapest one at wal mart because they are potentially not fused or the power isn't regulated well, you don't want to fry the nebulizer, expect to pay about 35-60 dollars for an inverter and i would recomend one that is at least 300 watts.

For using the vest in the car on an inverter, DO NOT use an inverter that plugs into the cigerette lighter, if you do that much you will fry the cigerette lighter and maybe the power supply in the vest, if you aren't good with cars, take it to a place that does car audio systems, they have the right tools to do it and will know how to do it right, have them run the inverter directly off the battery and run the wires under the car dash and then to under a seat where its out of the way, get a big inverter, at least 600 watts, that way you can use the vest and neb at the same time, it will make you go though batteries faster and alternators faster because of the extra load but just keep a close eye on them and don't let yourself get stranded, when you blow the alternator jumping the car off is only a very temperary fix and the car will die again soon. Its all things you have to think about.

 

[robert321]

As far as the trek overheating, make sure you take it completly out of its bag before using and put it in a cool area and it shouldn't be too bad about overheating.

For using an inverter in the car for nebs, make sure you DO NOT go buy the cheapest one at wal mart because they are potentially not fused or the power isn't regulated well, you don't want to fry the nebulizer, expect to pay about 35-60 dollars for an inverter and i would recomend one that is at least 300 watts.

For using the vest in the car on an inverter, DO NOT use an inverter that plugs into the cigerette lighter, if you do that much you will fry the cigerette lighter and maybe the power supply in the vest, if you aren't good with cars, take it to a place that does car audio systems, they have the right tools to do it and will know how to do it right, have them run the inverter directly off the battery and run the wires under the car dash and then to under a seat where its out of the way, get a big inverter, at least 600 watts, that way you can use the vest and neb at the same time, it will make you go though batteries faster and alternators faster because of the extra load but just keep a close eye on them and don't let yourself get stranded, when you blow the alternator jumping the car off is only a very temperary fix and the car will die again soon. Its all things you have to think about.

 

[robert321]

As far as the trek overheating, make sure you take it completly out of its bag before using and put it in a cool area and it shouldn't be too bad about overheating.

For using an inverter in the car for nebs, make sure you DO NOT go buy the cheapest one at wal mart because they are potentially not fused or the power isn't regulated well, you don't want to fry the nebulizer, expect to pay about 35-60 dollars for an inverter and i would recomend one that is at least 300 watts.

For using the vest in the car on an inverter, DO NOT use an inverter that plugs into the cigerette lighter, if you do that much you will fry the cigerette lighter and maybe the power supply in the vest, if you aren't good with cars, take it to a place that does car audio systems, they have the right tools to do it and will know how to do it right, have them run the inverter directly off the battery and run the wires under the car dash and then to under a seat where its out of the way, get a big inverter, at least 600 watts, that way you can use the vest and neb at the same time, it will make you go though batteries faster and alternators faster because of the extra load but just keep a close eye on them and don't let yourself get stranded, when you blow the alternator jumping the car off is only a very temperary fix and the car will die again soon. Its all things you have to think about.

 

[65rosessamurai]

AA Batteries??!! I was thinking the thing would have a Lithium Battery Pack, or even Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for the Amp/Hour and amount of current that would be needed to run it.
I saw Chaggies link from another post about compressors and meds. I still don't know if the compressors and meds that are frequently mentioned here are still available in Japan!
I doubt the meds are available, though I'm not sure why, other than Japan's restrictions being more severe than the FDA. Though marketing and insurance coverage probably plays a part in it.

 

[65rosessamurai]

AA Batteries??!! I was thinking the thing would have a Lithium Battery Pack, or even Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for the Amp/Hour and amount of current that would be needed to run it.
I saw Chaggies link from another post about compressors and meds. I still don't know if the compressors and meds that are frequently mentioned here are still available in Japan!
I doubt the meds are available, though I'm not sure why, other than Japan's restrictions being more severe than the FDA. Though marketing and insurance coverage probably plays a part in it.

 

[65rosessamurai]

AA Batteries??!! I was thinking the thing would have a Lithium Battery Pack, or even Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for the Amp/Hour and amount of current that would be needed to run it.
I saw Chaggies link from another post about compressors and meds. I still don't know if the compressors and meds that are frequently mentioned here are still available in Japan!
I doubt the meds are available, though I'm not sure why, other than Japan's restrictions being more severe than the FDA. Though marketing and insurance coverage probably plays a part in it.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>65rosessamurai</b></i>

AA Batteries??!! </end quote></div>

yes


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> I was thinking the thing would have a Lithium Battery Pack, or even Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for the Amp/Hour and amount of current that would be needed to run it. </end quote></div>

no

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>65rosessamurai</b></i>

AA Batteries??!! </end quote></div>

yes


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> I was thinking the thing would have a Lithium Battery Pack, or even Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for the Amp/Hour and amount of current that would be needed to run it. </end quote></div>

no

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>65rosessamurai</b></i>

AA Batteries??!! </end quote></div>

yes


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> I was thinking the thing would have a Lithium Battery Pack, or even Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for the Amp/Hour and amount of current that would be needed to run it. </end quote></div>

no

 

[Jem]

I love my eflow because it is sooooooooo quite and I do believe it delivers the meds better as my HS now really packs a punch as compared to when I was doing it on my old nebulizer/compressor but I am not impressed with how I have to sterilze the neb pieces right after using it each time. I used to just let the nebs pile up after a hand wash for 3 days then do a big batch at once.

Now it take me 15 minutes twice a day between hand washing the neb pieces and head ...boiling in water then laying the neb parts out to dry and putting the head in the container with a little alcohol. And as far a transporting it, if you have to keep the head in alcohol but at the same time make sure the prongs stay out of the alcohol (view Amy's blog for pictures) then it does not really make it a practical nebulizer/compressor to travel with unless someone knows something I do not. How does one prevent the head from not falling over while traveling and then getting alcohol on the prongs?

Those of you who have eflows and use it for traveling---how do you manage sterilzing the head and neb pieces twice a day? Unless you have a running water (distilled water) and the ability to boil water, I don't see how it can be done. And if I am on vacation I do not want to spend precious time doing this. I would rather use disposable nebs.

Would love to hear some input on this dilemma.

 

[Jem]

I love my eflow because it is sooooooooo quite and I do believe it delivers the meds better as my HS now really packs a punch as compared to when I was doing it on my old nebulizer/compressor but I am not impressed with how I have to sterilze the neb pieces right after using it each time. I used to just let the nebs pile up after a hand wash for 3 days then do a big batch at once.

Now it take me 15 minutes twice a day between hand washing the neb pieces and head ...boiling in water then laying the neb parts out to dry and putting the head in the container with a little alcohol. And as far a transporting it, if you have to keep the head in alcohol but at the same time make sure the prongs stay out of the alcohol (view Amy's blog for pictures) then it does not really make it a practical nebulizer/compressor to travel with unless someone knows something I do not. How does one prevent the head from not falling over while traveling and then getting alcohol on the prongs?

Those of you who have eflows and use it for traveling---how do you manage sterilzing the head and neb pieces twice a day? Unless you have a running water (distilled water) and the ability to boil water, I don't see how it can be done. And if I am on vacation I do not want to spend precious time doing this. I would rather use disposable nebs.

Would love to hear some input on this dilemma.

 

[Jem]

I love my eflow because it is sooooooooo quite and I do believe it delivers the meds better as my HS now really packs a punch as compared to when I was doing it on my old nebulizer/compressor but I am not impressed with how I have to sterilze the neb pieces right after using it each time. I used to just let the nebs pile up after a hand wash for 3 days then do a big batch at once.

Now it take me 15 minutes twice a day between hand washing the neb pieces and head ...boiling in water then laying the neb parts out to dry and putting the head in the container with a little alcohol. And as far a transporting it, if you have to keep the head in alcohol but at the same time make sure the prongs stay out of the alcohol (view Amy's blog for pictures) then it does not really make it a practical nebulizer/compressor to travel with unless someone knows something I do not. How does one prevent the head from not falling over while traveling and then getting alcohol on the prongs?

Those of you who have eflows and use it for traveling---how do you manage sterilzing the head and neb pieces twice a day? Unless you have a running water (distilled water) and the ability to boil water, I don't see how it can be done. And if I am on vacation I do not want to spend precious time doing this. I would rather use disposable nebs.

Would love to hear some input on this dilemma.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Jem</b></i>
And as far a transporting it, if you have to keep the head in alcohol but at the same time make sure the prongs stay out of the alcohol (view Amy's blog for pictures) then it does not really make it a practical nebulizer/compressor to travel with unless someone knows something I do not. How does one prevent the head from not falling over while traveling and then getting alcohol on the prongs?

</end quote></div>

I did it on two 13 hour flights to France. It can be done.... and it's well worth it.


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Those of you who have eflows and use it for traveling---how do you manage sterilzing the head and neb pieces twice a day? Unless you have a running water (distilled water) and the ability to boil water, I don't see how it can be done. And if I am on vacation I do not want to spend precious time doing this. I would rather use disposable nebs. </end quote></div>

I have two containers provided by foundation care.

The first container I put a dab of soap they provided and tap water. I throw nebs in there and shake for 2 minutes (usually while doing the vest). I rinse everything out with tap water then place nebs in alcohol for 10 minutes. Take nebs out and let air dry.

Easy process.. I did it in Europe for 7 days no problem.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Jem</b></i>
And as far a transporting it, if you have to keep the head in alcohol but at the same time make sure the prongs stay out of the alcohol (view Amy's blog for pictures) then it does not really make it a practical nebulizer/compressor to travel with unless someone knows something I do not. How does one prevent the head from not falling over while traveling and then getting alcohol on the prongs?

</end quote></div>

I did it on two 13 hour flights to France. It can be done.... and it's well worth it.


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Those of you who have eflows and use it for traveling---how do you manage sterilzing the head and neb pieces twice a day? Unless you have a running water (distilled water) and the ability to boil water, I don't see how it can be done. And if I am on vacation I do not want to spend precious time doing this. I would rather use disposable nebs. </end quote></div>

I have two containers provided by foundation care.

The first container I put a dab of soap they provided and tap water. I throw nebs in there and shake for 2 minutes (usually while doing the vest). I rinse everything out with tap water then place nebs in alcohol for 10 minutes. Take nebs out and let air dry.

Easy process.. I did it in Europe for 7 days no problem.

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Jem</b></i>
And as far a transporting it, if you have to keep the head in alcohol but at the same time make sure the prongs stay out of the alcohol (view Amy's blog for pictures) then it does not really make it a practical nebulizer/compressor to travel with unless someone knows something I do not. How does one prevent the head from not falling over while traveling and then getting alcohol on the prongs?

</end quote></div>

I did it on two 13 hour flights to France. It can be done.... and it's well worth it.


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Those of you who have eflows and use it for traveling---how do you manage sterilzing the head and neb pieces twice a day? Unless you have a running water (distilled water) and the ability to boil water, I don't see how it can be done. And if I am on vacation I do not want to spend precious time doing this. I would rather use disposable nebs. </end quote></div>

I have two containers provided by foundation care.

The first container I put a dab of soap they provided and tap water. I throw nebs in there and shake for 2 minutes (usually while doing the vest). I rinse everything out with tap water then place nebs in alcohol for 10 minutes. Take nebs out and let air dry.

Easy process.. I did it in Europe for 7 days no problem.

 

[Jem]

Thanks for answering Amy...I appreciate you sharing your experience. Ok maybe holding the head in the container is possible for long periods as you proved but it does not make it practical as there are so many things to juggle while getting on and off planes...I give you a lot of credit for doing it though.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

As far as sterilizing the other neb parts...does leaving the neb parts in alcohol for 10 minutes after washing kill the germs as effectively as boiling does for 5 minutes? Because if this is true then it could be a solution for me when time is tight. And one more thing...what happens if you leave the neb pieces in longer than 10 minutes say an hour or two or more? Does that hurt the nebs?

As always I look forward to your answer.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jem]

Thanks for answering Amy...I appreciate you sharing your experience. Ok maybe holding the head in the container is possible for long periods as you proved but it does not make it practical as there are so many things to juggle while getting on and off planes...I give you a lot of credit for doing it though.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

As far as sterilizing the other neb parts...does leaving the neb parts in alcohol for 10 minutes after washing kill the germs as effectively as boiling does for 5 minutes? Because if this is true then it could be a solution for me when time is tight. And one more thing...what happens if you leave the neb pieces in longer than 10 minutes say an hour or two or more? Does that hurt the nebs?

As always I look forward to your answer.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Jem]

Thanks for answering Amy...I appreciate you sharing your experience. Ok maybe holding the head in the container is possible for long periods as you proved but it does not make it practical as there are so many things to juggle while getting on and off planes...I give you a lot of credit for doing it though.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

As far as sterilizing the other neb parts...does leaving the neb parts in alcohol for 10 minutes after washing kill the germs as effectively as boiling does for 5 minutes? Because if this is true then it could be a solution for me when time is tight. And one more thing...what happens if you leave the neb pieces in longer than 10 minutes say an hour or two or more? Does that hurt the nebs?

As always I look forward to your answer.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">