Any Nebulizer Users w/ their DCs?

[LD92599]

I rec'd DS's nebulizer today. I'm tempted to buy a 2nd one (I have the script just in case we needed the script but it was delivered w/o the script) to leave at daycare.

Would you get one solely to leave at daycare (he's there FT)? I'm concerned that I or DH might forget it one afternoon and then that's the night we'd really need it!

Also, and tips/tricks for getting DS to cooperate with it? I haven't used it yet....

TIA!

Laura
Will is three...and doesn't sleep :-(

[img]http://b4.lilypie.com/vEOmm4.png

Use a Mac? Interested in learning more about them? Join us!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BBB-MacUsers/

[jk3]

Good luck. It's not a fun process. The only tricks we've found is putting on a highly engaging DVD or bribing. Nothing too fancy but it gets the job done. If you can get a separate one for daycare I would definitely recommend doing so.

Jenn
DS 6/03

[o_mom]

Yours is a bit older than when we started, but basically, we put him in the highchair and turned on Thomas.

[lilycat88]

DD is 26 months old and we've been doing nebulizer treatments off and on (mostly on) since she was about 8 months old. She also is in daycare full time. We just got a second nebulizer about 6 months ago. We got it because we thought her original one was dying but it turns out it just needed a new filter. So, we have 2. We never actually left it at daycare except once accidently. It was nice not to have to worry if we left it. We mainly brought it home so we could more easily monitor the medications used. She used different medications for each treatment and we wanted to make sure they were doing it right. I have no idea how much they cost. You might want to make sure this nebulizer works and helps whatever issue you're addressing before going out and getting another one. If it works great, it is nice to have a second.

Since DD has been doing it for so long, it's just a part of her routine. I will say, though, that having her involved in the process is very helpful. She started being very involved at about 18 months or so. We put the medications in the cup and hook it over the handle for the nebulizer. We ask her to turn her machine on and she goes over and flips the switch. She holds the mask over her nose/mouth now by herself. Doing it herself is very important to her. We read books while she is being treated. When we are finished, I tell her to go turn her machine off. She then hands me the mask to take off the tubing and then I hand it back to her to take to the bathroom sink.

Jamelin
DD Susanna 6/29/04

[table4three]

No great advice, since my DS is only 17 months old, but I'll be watching the replies for ideas. We are only at daycare PT so we only have one. So far what has worked is reading books while getting the treatments. And pulling out new toys/books to play with when he gets antsy.

http://b2.lilypie.com/mkn7m5.png

[Fairy]

Ya know, I would. Like a pp, has been off and on for some time now, mostly on. We now have discovered that his asthmatic episodes are triggered by colds (now, tho, we're wondering if it's hayfever allergies). So, when he comes down with a cold, we do Albuterol by neb 2ce a day, and he's always on Pulmicourt 2ce a day by neb. Now, he started with an inhaler with the bongy attachment, which was not working that well, but when he has his cold symptoms, daycare now has the inhaler, and he gets that mid-day. He does well with it now. So, we have not gotten a 2nd one. If he ends up diagnosed long-term ashtma, we are def getting a 2nd neb.

So, if you're full time and DC is on relatively consistent treatment by neb, then I think it's worth it to get a 2nd one and leave it at daycare with explicit instructions. Good luck!

BTW, we sit DS in front of the TV and watch Sesame Street, Blue, Oobi, or Jack's Big Music Show for the duration of the treatment. He doesn't fight us, but in the beginning it was hard on him, and this helped. Now he does the mask himself and everything, but the TV thing sort of stuck.

[bubbaray]

We have this one: http://www.pari.com/products/proneb_ultra.html, the pediatric model (green, comes with a fish mask and stickers). Its quieter than the first one we had and DD seemed OK with it.

We never really had to fight with her after the first session -- I think she realized that the meds helped right away and she felt so much better, she didn't fight it. We mixed the ventolin & pulmicort together as per the dr's instructions and the treatment was about 10 minutes, maybe a little less. I sang to her, DH held her the first time or two, but after that, I could do it on my own, holding a rather willing participant.

Our DCP would have given treatments and knows how to work a nebulizer, but DD was only using it 2x/d (am and pm), so we didn't need to do a mid-day tx.

If we had to use a nebulizer during the day with DD on a pretty regular basis, I would probably get a second one for DC. You might want to wait a bit and see how many treatments per day your DS ends up needing. If its regularly involving one at DC, then its probably worth it.

Good luck!

Melissa

http://b3.lilypie.com/rppJm7/.png[/img][/url]

http://bd.lilypie.com/fYrCm7.png

[Lynnie]

this is late, but

I agree with pps to get two. Its so nice to have one in daycare, and have one less thing to worry about shlepping back and forth.

I second the TV suggestion to encourage cooperation. I also sometimes have to let DS hold it himself without the mask part on. Not as good as the mask, but a lot easier for me. (although apparently the crying and screaming is good, as it makes them inhale more of the medicine...)

[Jen841]

We have 1 for 2 kids, and they are in daycare f-t... a second would be nice! They only need it when things flare up for them, not daily.

DVD!!!! E (almost 1) has become a pain with the neb (and diaper changes.) I think he is in a 'don't keep me still' phase that is painful! J (3) and E get put (strapped if necessary) in the FP rocker for it. It is known as the medicine chair. J sees it as a treat, E sees it as torture.

Good luck! The machine and I have a love/hate relationship. It saved my kids from being hospitalized a few times now, but it adds another item into our daily routine that is not always pleasant. As a working parent I secretly love having dc give it to them b/c that is less treatments I have to deal with!

[LD92599]

>it adds another item into our daily routine that is not always
>pleasant. As a working parent I secretly love having dc give
>it to them b/c that is less treatments I have to deal with!

HMM... secretly I was thinking the same thing!

Laura
Will is three...and doesn't sleep :-(

[img]http://b4.lilypie.com/vEOmm4.png

Use a Mac? Interested in learning more about them? Join us!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BBB-MacUsers/

[Jen841]

Glad I am not the only one!

[lpl47]

Does anyone have a good travel-size nebulizer? We travel quite a bit and while DS doesn't need to use it daily, he does when he's sick and I'm worried about not bringing it, but not wanting to bring anything too big.

Thanks.

[bubbaray]

We have an aerochamber and aerosol meds for travel. I would ask your dr for Rx's for your DS's meds in aerosol form and an Rx for an aerochamber for emergency use and for travel.

We didn't have this until recently (though DD has had an emergency aerochamber at daycare for a while). However, we recently had a 14 hour power outage when DD needed a nebulizer treatment. We had to pack up DD and all her gear and go to a community center for her treatment. NOT fun. DD's allergist prefers nebulizer meds, but OK'd an aerochamber for travel and emergency use. I am currently keeping it in the car, in case she has a severe attack while we are away from home.

I doubt we would travel if DD was on her meds -- she really only needs them during allergy season (and will hopefully be better maintained next year than this year) and when she has colds. This last cold, she ended up with pneumonia, caught early, but I wouldn't have wanted to be dealing with that on vacation, KWIM? If she was well when we left for vacation, and got sick at our destination, we would probably just rent a nebulizer if the aerosol meds weren't working.

HTH

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

DD#2: c/s 01/2007

[o_mom]

I wouldn't call ours travel size, but it fits in a diaperbag. We just take the whole bag - meds, Rxs, tubing and masks. That way we are not scrambling to try and find meds or rent a nebulizer (what do you do if it's Christmas Day?) They boys only need meds when sick and the meds they use are not available in a form that can be used with an Aerochamber. The only other option is an injection, and we are trying to avoid any more ER trips for that, so we always take it along.

This is the one we have:

http://www.specialtymedicalsupply.com/medical-supply-products/Devilbiss-Pulmo-Aide-Compact-Nebulizer-3655D.html

It fits in a regular sized diaperbag with room to spare. I had several extras from baby gifts, so we just dedicated one to the nebulizer and accessories.

[roysmom]

You might check with your daycare. DS's has a nebulizer, we just have to take the part you actually put in your mouth and the hose. He has to take treatments on and off all winter due to recurring bronchitis. He usually fights us the first time, but after that he is sort of fascinated with it. Maybe it will get better for you.

[jess_g]

My 7 year old uses the Nebulizer sometimes and is using one now (twice a day). He uses it at home so we don't take ours out of the house.

Does anyone have a quite one? Ours is so noisy and son hates it mostley beacuse of the noise! If we could find a quite one we would be so much happier.

Thanks,

Jessica.

[TaChapm]

Tyler just started doing a daily Nebulizer treatment after Thanksgiving due to reactive airway disease. At first it was TERRIBLE!!!! He fought it and screamed and threw up and kicked (you get the picture). :) We tried videos and books but nothing calms him down when he is mad. After about a week he settled in and stopped fighting them. Now he just sits there and does his treatment. I don't even have to hold him down anymore. :) I think if it is a daily treatment that he will eventually get used to it.

Tara
Mommy to Jackson 11-10-02
Tyler 6-9-05
& Baby Jaci 8-10-06

http://b5.lilypie.com/IV-Mm6.png


http://b2.lilypie.com/sJmVm7.png

http://b1.lilypie.com/EZwnm7.png