Puffer vs nebulizer

hmw · Jan 3, 2010

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Also, I think this probably goes without saying, but for those using traditional albuterol or other drugs that can have an effect on the heart, you should be careful about allowing your child to inhale too much of the drug. Having them try again and again until you think they have it "right" can backfire if it leaves the tachycardic for the next hour!</end quote></div>
Definitely true! We didn't increase Emily's puffs until we knew she tolerated what she already was taking without an increase in her heartrate and even then, I checked the first time she did 3 to be sure she tolerated it ok etc. If Emily doesn't do her inhaler correctly she does ONE additional puff and that is it, till her next session. I wouldn't repeat puffs either... too much is not good.

If she is coughing too hard to do her inhaler correctly, I would do her albuteral by neb instead of inhaler; we still have plenty that doesn't expire for a long time... to date that hasn't been needed. She likes the immediate effects of the inhaler when she has the chest pain and shortness of breath, since the chest pain really scares her.

hmw · Jan 3, 2010

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Also, I think this probably goes without saying, but for those using traditional albuterol or other drugs that can have an effect on the heart, you should be careful about allowing your child to inhale too much of the drug. Having them try again and again until you think they have it "right" can backfire if it leaves the tachycardic for the next hour!</end quote></div>
Definitely true! We didn't increase Emily's puffs until we knew she tolerated what she already was taking without an increase in her heartrate and even then, I checked the first time she did 3 to be sure she tolerated it ok etc. If Emily doesn't do her inhaler correctly she does ONE additional puff and that is it, till her next session. I wouldn't repeat puffs either... too much is not good.

If she is coughing too hard to do her inhaler correctly, I would do her albuteral by neb instead of inhaler; we still have plenty that doesn't expire for a long time... to date that hasn't been needed. She likes the immediate effects of the inhaler when she has the chest pain and shortness of breath, since the chest pain really scares her.

hmw · Jan 3, 2010

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Also, I think this probably goes without saying, but for those using traditional albuterol or other drugs that can have an effect on the heart, you should be careful about allowing your child to inhale too much of the drug. Having them try again and again until you think they have it "right" can backfire if it leaves the tachycardic for the next hour!</end quote></div>
Definitely true! We didn't increase Emily's puffs until we knew she tolerated what she already was taking without an increase in her heartrate and even then, I checked the first time she did 3 to be sure she tolerated it ok etc. If Emily doesn't do her inhaler correctly she does ONE additional puff and that is it, till her next session. I wouldn't repeat puffs either... too much is not good.

If she is coughing too hard to do her inhaler correctly, I would do her albuteral by neb instead of inhaler; we still have plenty that doesn't expire for a long time... to date that hasn't been needed. She likes the immediate effects of the inhaler when she has the chest pain and shortness of breath, since the chest pain really scares her.

hmw · Jan 3, 2010

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Also, I think this probably goes without saying, but for those using traditional albuterol or other drugs that can have an effect on the heart, you should be careful about allowing your child to inhale too much of the drug. Having them try again and again until you think they have it "right" can backfire if it leaves the tachycardic for the next hour!</end quote>
Definitely true! We didn't increase Emily's puffs until we knew she tolerated what she already was taking without an increase in her heartrate and even then, I checked the first time she did 3 to be sure she tolerated it ok etc. If Emily doesn't do her inhaler correctly she does ONE additional puff and that is it, till her next session. I wouldn't repeat puffs either... too much is not good.

If she is coughing too hard to do her inhaler correctly, I would do her albuteral by neb instead of inhaler; we still have plenty that doesn't expire for a long time... to date that hasn't been needed. She likes the immediate effects of the inhaler when she has the chest pain and shortness of breath, since the chest pain really scares her.

hmw · Jan 3, 2010

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Also, I think this probably goes without saying, but for those using traditional albuterol or other drugs that can have an effect on the heart, you should be careful about allowing your child to inhale too much of the drug. Having them try again and again until you think they have it "right" can backfire if it leaves the tachycardic for the next hour!</end quote>
<br />Definitely true! We didn't increase Emily's puffs until we knew she tolerated what she already was taking without an increase in her heartrate and even then, I checked the first time she did 3 to be sure she tolerated it ok etc. If Emily doesn't do her inhaler correctly she does ONE additional puff and that is it, till her next session. I wouldn't repeat puffs either... too much is not good.
<br />
<br />If she is coughing too hard to do her inhaler correctly, I would do her albuteral by neb instead of inhaler; we still have plenty that doesn't expire for a long time... to date that hasn't been needed. She likes the immediate effects of the inhaler when she has the chest pain and shortness of breath, since the chest pain really scares her.

petnurse · Jan 5, 2010

Philip is only 6 months, so he has to use the spacer with the albuterol. He of course screams every time we use it because it covers his nose and mouth. They told us to use 2 puffs total (it takes 6 inhalations per puff to clear the chamber). If two doesn't work, we can do more, but we have not. Does this sound correct?

petnurse · Jan 5, 2010

Philip is only 6 months, so he has to use the spacer with the albuterol. He of course screams every time we use it because it covers his nose and mouth. They told us to use 2 puffs total (it takes 6 inhalations per puff to clear the chamber). If two doesn't work, we can do more, but we have not. Does this sound correct?

petnurse · Jan 5, 2010

Philip is only 6 months, so he has to use the spacer with the albuterol. He of course screams every time we use it because it covers his nose and mouth. They told us to use 2 puffs total (it takes 6 inhalations per puff to clear the chamber). If two doesn't work, we can do more, but we have not. Does this sound correct?

petnurse · Jan 5, 2010

Philip is only 6 months, so he has to use the spacer with the albuterol. He of course screams every time we use it because it covers his nose and mouth. They told us to use 2 puffs total (it takes 6 inhalations per puff to clear the chamber). If two doesn't work, we can do more, but we have not. Does this sound correct?

petnurse · Jan 5, 2010

Philip is only 6 months, so he has to use the spacer with the albuterol. He of course screams every time we use it because it covers his nose and mouth. They told us to use 2 puffs total (it takes 6 inhalations per puff to clear the chamber). If two doesn't work, we can do more, but we have not. Does this sound correct?

hmw · Jan 5, 2010

I look at the screaming this way- I hate it, but at least they are breathing nice and deep when they are crying (I know that sounds utterly heartless, doesn't it?! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) He'll eventually get used to it, though... & it's over and done with so quickly vs. an albuteral treatment by neb, which takes something like 10min (can't remember for sure at the moment compared to the other meds Emily currently nebs.)

Emily uses the Aerochamber spacer, but it has a regular mouthpiece so she pinches her nose. Directions for that spacer are to take 3 slow, deep breaths for each puff; & w/ albuteral you separate each puff by at least a minute.

hmw · Jan 5, 2010

I look at the screaming this way- I hate it, but at least they are breathing nice and deep when they are crying (I know that sounds utterly heartless, doesn't it?! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) He'll eventually get used to it, though... & it's over and done with so quickly vs. an albuteral treatment by neb, which takes something like 10min (can't remember for sure at the moment compared to the other meds Emily currently nebs.)

Emily uses the Aerochamber spacer, but it has a regular mouthpiece so she pinches her nose. Directions for that spacer are to take 3 slow, deep breaths for each puff; & w/ albuteral you separate each puff by at least a minute.

hmw · Jan 5, 2010

I look at the screaming this way- I hate it, but at least they are breathing nice and deep when they are crying (I know that sounds utterly heartless, doesn't it?! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) He'll eventually get used to it, though... & it's over and done with so quickly vs. an albuteral treatment by neb, which takes something like 10min (can't remember for sure at the moment compared to the other meds Emily currently nebs.)

Emily uses the Aerochamber spacer, but it has a regular mouthpiece so she pinches her nose. Directions for that spacer are to take 3 slow, deep breaths for each puff; & w/ albuteral you separate each puff by at least a minute.

hmw · Jan 5, 2010

I look at the screaming this way- I hate it, but at least they are breathing nice and deep when they are crying (I know that sounds utterly heartless, doesn't it?! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) He'll eventually get used to it, though... & it's over and done with so quickly vs. an albuteral treatment by neb, which takes something like 10min (can't remember for sure at the moment compared to the other meds Emily currently nebs.)

Emily uses the Aerochamber spacer, but it has a regular mouthpiece so she pinches her nose. Directions for that spacer are to take 3 slow, deep breaths for each puff; & w/ albuteral you separate each puff by at least a minute.

hmw · Jan 5, 2010

I look at the screaming this way- I hate it, but at least they are breathing nice and deep when they are crying (I know that sounds utterly heartless, doesn't it?! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> ) He'll eventually get used to it, though... & it's over and done with so quickly vs. an albuteral treatment by neb, which takes something like 10min (can't remember for sure at the moment compared to the other meds Emily currently nebs.)
<br />
<br />Emily uses the Aerochamber spacer, but it has a regular mouthpiece so she pinches her nose. Directions for that spacer are to take 3 slow, deep breaths for each puff; & w/ albuteral you separate each puff by at least a minute.

petnurse · Jan 5, 2010