nebulizers?

[octmom]

DD was a preemie (a month early), had RSV when she was just under a year old, and has a family history (DH and my MIL) of asthma. Every time she gets a cold, it lingers for weeks and turns into an awful cough. She's been fighting one for more than a month now. I took her to the pediatrician 10 days ago and he said she had some 'wet spots' in her lungs, but it was not pneumonia. He said her ears looked cloudy and based on what he saw in her and what I told him about her coughing, he thought she probably had a secondary bacterial infection. She's been taking amoxicillin for 10 days, but she's still not 100% better. DH finally agrees with me that she sounds like she is wheezing when she is sleeping, worse in some positions than others. Per doctor's instructions, we've been giving her albuterol via inhaler/ aero chamber a couple of times a day. Based on her history and her continued wheezing, I am beginning to wonder if a nebulilzer would help get the medicine to her lungs more effectively and help her get well once and for all. If she doesn't sound better in a day or two, I will take her back to the peditrician, but I want to be ready in case we are told to go ahead with a nebulizer.

It looks like there are several different types and many different models of nebulizers made especially for children. Does anyone have any recommendations? I am completely clueless about them.

TIA!

[Mermanaid]

Sorry to hear you are having these issues. It does sound like you need a nebulizer. Our ped has told us repeatedly that this is the best method when using albuterol.

I have no idea what brand/model our nebulizer is ... it's just what the insurance company sent us when the ped called in the RX. It's the masks that have been a saving grace in our family. Specifically the animal shaped verisions. For some reason DD doesn't mind the nebulizer so much when she has on her "fishy mask."

[bubbaray]

We have a Pari nebulizer, which has a fish mask:

http://www.pari.com/home/pari-products.htm

We have the green compressor and the fish mask. I like the duck one, that's cute!

[Fairy]

I agree, neb is the way to go at this point based on what I'm hearing. We have an Orsini, and it's loud. Works just fine, but it's loud and after three years, it seems like it's cranky. We still use the fish mask.

[elephantmeg]

you need a script from the doctor for the nebulizer and then they refer you to someone to get it (a home equipment/oxygen place). You should call your doctor again. It may well help more. Do you have a mask for your inahler? That may help as well. I hope she feels better soon!

[neeter]

where can i purchase the fish mask? i have a fighter who hates the nebulizer (at 19 months) so i'd love to give this a try. thanks!!

[new_mommy25]

We also have a Pari nebulizer. It's the Ultra II. It's small and compact. I was able to get it for free through insurance. We have Kaiser and the filled the script right in their pharmacy. The fishy mask and tubing we get from the doctors office. They always give it to us for free.

I agree that the nebulizer would be the easiest way to get the albuteral to your DD's lungs. I have used the inhaler/aero chamber with my older DS and I never felt like he was getting all the medicine.

[egoldber]

I would think about seeing a pediatric asthma specialist at this point.


We also have a Pari nebulizer. It's the Ultra II. It's small and compact.

This is what we have also. We got it right at the doctor's office. They recommended it over the larger ones when I mentioned we traveled a lot.

[jk3]

Both of my boys have a nebulizer but we did not get to choose the actual model. The insurance company chose each one.

[octmom]

Thanks, ladies. I appreciate all the advice. I'll call the pediatrician, but just wanted to know if there were specific things to keep in mind re: nebulizers from parents who have BTDT.

[alexsmommy]

Definitely request a neb. It is waaaay more efficient at getting the albuterol in effectively. Also, I agree with Beth. It would get a consult. I'm surprised with a cough/cold for that long they didn't give you oral predinsone. You want to get a good maintenence plan in place now rather than have every cold being a major concern.

[octmom]

where can i purchase the fish mask? i have a fighter who hates the nebulizer (at 19 months) so i'd love to give this a try. thanks!!

If you google pediatric nebulizer, you'll get plenty of hits. Here is one for the fish mask: http://www.medexsupply.com/products/pid-19388/PariBubblestheFishIIPediatricM.htm. I saw a dragon and a duckie, too.

[octmom]

If you google pediatric nebulizer, you'll get plenty of hits. Here is one for the fish mask: http://www.medexsupply.com/products/pid-19388/PariBubblestheFishIIPediatricM.htm. I saw a dragon and a duckie, too.

Just came across this, which seems to indicate that the design of the fish mask works better than the dragon and other masks: http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18985939

[LarsMal]

We got our nebulizer through the peds office. They have them in the office, but they made us sign a paper for a different company that actually supplies them (the same home care group that brought us DD's bili blanket when we got home from the hospital). That company dealt with our insurance. I didn't know it at the time- but we now OWN the nebulizer! There are ways to rent them, though.


We have the "Mister Neb Compressor Nebulizer System". It's the only one I've ever used, and I've never had any problems with it. The box says it's "compact, lightweight, portable".

If you are given one through your peds office, or however they deal with it in regards to insurance, you might not have a choice. I guess if you wanted to go out on your own and buy one that would be up to you, then you could submit to you insurance to see what they cover.

GL!

[Fairy]

Just came across this, which seems to indicate that the design of the fish mask works better than the dragon and other masks: http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18985939

Actually, this was quite helpful, as I was just thinking, we're sick of the fish, maybe it's time for a dragon. Now maybe not, tho. Thanks.

[octmom]

DH took DD to the pediatrician this afternoon, with a printout of this thread and a list of questions and concerns from me in hand. :) DH said the doctor was a bit reluctant to prescribe the nebulizer and just kept saying that we needed to be sure to get a tight seal with the aero chamber. :32: DH was persistent and came home with a nebulizer. He said he knew I would by annoyed if he didn't push. :loveeyes: What I don't understand is why the doctor encouraged us to give DD albuterol, but just didn't want to prescribe the nebulizer as the means of delivering the medication. ?? He also prescribed 5 days of an oral steroid that I need to research a little before we give it to DD. I need to go check the name (DH told me on the phone), but it wasn't prednisone. DH said the doctor told him side effects might be extreme giddiness, agitation, or psychosis. Yikes! I was afraid to give it to her before bedtime with those possible effects. She really needs some good sleep after all this nightime coughing. I gave her a nebulizer treatment before bedtime and screwed up at first. When I was moving the machine, I knocked out the tubing and didn't realize it. I've never seen a neb. in action, so I had no idea anything was wrong for about 10 minutes. Duh. Then I had to start over. DD was not amused.

Oh yeah, they gave DH the Pari Ultra II with the fishy mask. And I will be scheduling with different doctors in the practice from here on out. This doc is a nice guy, but I am not wowed by him lately. DH and DD waited for about 45 minutes to see him, then he dragged his feet about prescribing the nebulizer even though he had no problem with DD getting albuterol. The final straw was that he forgot to write the dosage for the neb. meds. on the Rx and the office was closed when DH got to the pharmacy (went stright there from the ped's office) and they discovered the error. DH and DD had to wait 45 minutes while the very kind pharmacist called the peds. practice's other office that has later hours and got another doctor to provide the dosage. Oy.

[elephantmeg]

it may be prelone which is a form of prednisone. I've never heard this but a friend told me that the pharmacist told her to divide the dose and give it twice a day and give benadryl with it to avoid the hyper side effects-so maybe talk to a pharmacist!

[srhs]

DH took DD to the pediatrician this afternoon, with a printout of this thread and a list of questions and concerns from me in hand. :) DH said the doctor was a bit reluctant to prescribe the nebulizer and just kept saying that we needed to be sure to get a tight seal with the aero chamber. :32: DH was persistent and came home with a nebulizer. He said he knew I would by annoyed if he didn't push. :loveeyes:

Sorry your DD is sick. :(
I just HAD to give your DH a :thumbsup:. Do you think he could start a mentoring program?

[alexsmommy]

I'm glad you pushed your ped. You are the expert on your child. Was the rx orapred or prednisolone? It's pretty standard. I was very reluctant to give my "baby" steroids, but the difference it makes cannot be understated. He is a different kid within six hours of his first dose when the wheezing settles in. I now have a rx of my own so that if he gets sick on a weekend we don't have to go through the er any more to start the meds. My ped knows I "get" the seriousness of steroids and will get him in to be seen first thing Monday morning. I love me peds, they work with me and treat me as a member of my childs healthcare team. I hope you find someone who listens to you more.

[egoldber]

Prednisolone (brand name Orapred) is what they prescribe for Sarah when she has a severe crisis.

[octmom]

Prednisolone (brand name Orapred) is what they prescribe for Sarah when she has a severe crisis.

I just checked-- prednisolone is it.

[mamicka]

I'm surprised with a cough/cold for that long they didn't give you oral predinsone. You want to get a good maintenence plan in place now rather than have every cold being a major concern.

:yeahthat:

[neeter]

If you google pediatric nebulizer, you'll get plenty of hits. Here is one for the fish mask: http://www.medexsupply.com/products/pid-19388/PariBubblestheFishIIPediatricM.htm. I saw a dragon and a duckie, too.

Thank you!!

[bubbaray]

DH took DD to the pediatrician this afternoon, with a printout of this thread and a list of questions and concerns from me in hand. :) DH said the doctor was a bit reluctant to prescribe the nebulizer and just kept saying that we needed to be sure to get a tight seal with the aero chamber. :32: DH was persistent and came home with a nebulizer. He said he knew I would by annoyed if he didn't push. :loveeyes: What I don't understand is why the doctor encouraged us to give DD albuterol, but just didn't want to prescribe the nebulizer as the means of delivering the medication. ?? He also prescribed 5 days of an oral steroid that I need to research a little before we give it to DD. I need to go check the name (DH told me on the phone), but it wasn't prednisone. DH said the doctor told him side effects might be extreme giddiness, agitation, or psychosis. Yikes! I was afraid to give it to her before bedtime with those possible effects. She really needs some good sleep after all this nightime coughing. I gave her a nebulizer treatment before bedtime and screwed up at first. When I was moving the machine, I knocked out the tubing and didn't realize it. I've never seen a neb. in action, so I had no idea anything was wrong for about 10 minutes. Duh. Then I had to start over. DD was not amused.

Oh yeah, they gave DH the Pari Ultra II with the fishy mask. And I will be scheduling with different doctors in the practice from here on out. This doc is a nice guy, but I am not wowed by him lately. DH and DD waited for about 45 minutes to see him, then he dragged his feet about prescribing the nebulizer even though he had no problem with DD getting albuterol. The final straw was that he forgot to write the dosage for the neb. meds. on the Rx and the office was closed when DH got to the pharmacy (went stright there from the ped's office) and they discovered the error. DH and DD had to wait 45 minutes while the very kind pharmacist called the peds. practice's other office that has later hours and got another doctor to provide the dosage. Oy.

I've been told by one dr (who we didn't go back to) not to use a nebulizer with my DD#1 (she was 4 at the time) because the ER wants it as a fall-back. WTF? Our regular dr says to use a nebulizer with young children until they are old enough to properly use an aerochamber, which she says is school-age.

FWIW, we've given DD#1 asthma treatments (sometimes just ventolin/salbutamol & sometimes ventolin & pulmicort) in the middle of the night with no ill-effects. The only asthma drug that affected her was Singulair, which is supposedly meant to reduce the need for other asthma meds (d/n work for DD#1 and just turned her into Dr. Jeckyl, so we stopped it). IIRC, we can do 4 ventolin tx a day and 3 pulmicort (not 100% sure on that, its been a loooong time).

I hope you like the Pari. We are happy with ours. We run it for a minute or two after each treatment to get the moisture out of the tubing. Don't wash the tubing! We wash all the other parts (mask, medication chamber) in hot water/dish soap and air dry. Our protocol is for 10min treatments.