As I said in this post, I’d ordered a Medel Clenny nebuliser. Well, it’s arrived, and it’s pretty good and, unlike my previous machine, is very quiet.
It comes in a zippered case that looks, worryingly, like a handbag (no matter, I have a small, black leather “man bag” that’s just the right size), complete with everything you’re likely to need.
What you get is:-
The compressor/nebuliser unit (the neb itself folds out of the top)
Adult and paediatric face masks
Plastic tubing, c/w connections, to allow you to remove the neb from the compressor and use it as you would normally, either hand-held, with a mouthpiece, or with a mask (the masks have head loops). The neb itself has an exhalation valve, so no medication is wasted as you breathe out (only works with the mouthpiece)
Two mouthpieces and one nose adapter
Spare atomiser
Battery pack
Mains adapter/charger
A handful of spare air filters
The compressor works either from the mains, using the adapter, or from the battery pack, so the sensible thing to do is use mains power at home, and save the battery for when you’re out and about. This is best, not least because the battery takes an unconscionable time to recharge – 16 hours. However, you can’t use the neb while the battery is recharging as the adapter is also the charger – bit of a lack of forethought there. If, however, you use this as an adjunct to a full-size machine, that won’t be a problem.
It weighs 585g, including the battery pack, so used as a unit (without the extension tubing), and you would probably do outdoors, it might be a bit heavy for some. If, however, you have a bag like mine, in which it will stand vertically (or a suitable pocket, you can use the extension, and the problem goes away.
My main need for it – other than as a part of my anti-flu armoury – is to enable me to get more exercise, and for that it will be absolutely fine.
If, then, you’re a light user, or want a neb you can take anywhere with you, I highly recommend it.
The handbook is, er, eccentric. The machine is made in Italy, and the handbook is rather quaintly translated into English. It’s nothing the application of a little common sense can’t overcome, though.
The handbook says – and I have no idea why – that the nebuliser unit itself should be thrown away after 10 hours use; that’s about 100 single-nebule uses. It’s also nonsense. The thing isn’t going to wear out, for pity’s sake, and as long as it’s kept clean, and solution isn’t allowed to dry out and clog it (nebules mostly contain normal saline solution, in which the drug is dissolved, and if allowed to dry out, salt deposits will clog the neb), I see no reason why it shouldn’t last for years. Oh, and the neb can be boiled to sterilise it, should you feel the need.
Note for people new to nebulisers. The best way to use it – as with all nebs – is with the mouthpiece. This makes sure you maximise the dose. Using masks is very wasteful, as are nose-pieces, though not quite as bad. So, while having to hold the neb while using the mouthpiece might be a nuisance, it’s a small price to pay to get the maximum benefit from it.
Tip – the mouthpiece can be reversed and inserted into the neb, so that it will still fold into the compressor.
