Inhaler vs. Nebulizer

[scrapper1264]

DS9 had his quarterly CF appt last week and the dr switched him from his ventolin inhaler to nebulized xopenex because he was wheezing, and his pfts were a bit lower. He had a treatment in the office and another pft afterwards. Pfts increased slightly. Dr said DS9's airways open up better with the nebulized med.
DS9 was on xopenex from his ped when he was misdiagnosed with asthma, but the pulmonary dr at the time switched him to an inhaler because he said it had the same effect. Does anyone know if one works better than the other?

 

[scrapper1264]

DS9 had his quarterly CF appt last week and the dr switched him from his ventolin inhaler to nebulized xopenex because he was wheezing, and his pfts were a bit lower. He had a treatment in the office and another pft afterwards. Pfts increased slightly. Dr said DS9's airways open up better with the nebulized med.
DS9 was on xopenex from his ped when he was misdiagnosed with asthma, but the pulmonary dr at the time switched him to an inhaler because he said it had the same effect. Does anyone know if one works better than the other?

 

[Aboveallislove]

Our son was on Xopenex nebulized from 1 month on and at an appointment around 9 months they mentioned we could instead use an inhaler with a spacer. DH said "what, you've been holding out on us." We then quized CF doctor on which was better. She said that studies show they work the same, BUT that most CFers say that they feel better with the nebulized treatment. That's what we stuck with, but have the other for "emergencies." Not sure if this helps.

 

[Aboveallislove]

Our son was on Xopenex nebulized from 1 month on and at an appointment around 9 months they mentioned we could instead use an inhaler with a spacer. DH said "what, you've been holding out on us." We then quized CF doctor on which was better. She said that studies show they work the same, BUT that most CFers say that they feel better with the nebulized treatment. That's what we stuck with, but have the other for "emergencies." Not sure if this helps.

 

[hmw]

According to our team, I guess the short answer would be 'it varies.' Some do fine with inhalers, and others do much better with nebs and it can take trial and error to find the best match for each person along with being realistic about how much time the treatments take.

Emily does much better with nebulized meds over inhalers, and we only use the ventolin inhaler when we have to (before gym at school or when we are out, etc.) And for albuterol we weren't saving time using the inhaler, taking 4 puffs with a minute between each before the vest vs the neb while vesting. We tried a couple steroid inhalers with poor results but she does well with nebbed pulmicort. Her other stuff only comes in neb form.

 

[hmw]

According to our team, I guess the short answer would be 'it varies.' Some do fine with inhalers, and others do much better with nebs and it can take trial and error to find the best match for each person along with being realistic about how much time the treatments take.

Emily does much better with nebulized meds over inhalers, and we only use the ventolin inhaler when we have to (before gym at school or when we are out, etc.) And for albuterol we weren't saving time using the inhaler, taking 4 puffs with a minute between each before the vest vs the neb while vesting. We tried a couple steroid inhalers with poor results but she does well with nebbed pulmicort. Her other stuff only comes in neb form.

 

[imported_Momto2]

A personal answer from an adult- Yes, handhelds are quick and easy and portable. But the nebbies seem more effective, get down deeper, and last longer.

 

[imported_Momto2]

A personal answer from an adult- Yes, handhelds are quick and easy and portable. But the nebbies seem more effective, get down deeper, and last longer.