Hi there! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I have question...

I was wondering if any of you have an asthma 'breathing machine'---sorry, I can't think of the exact name of it off hand.

I have a bunch of the medicine/solution that goes with it, BUT it is expired. I really don't want to make a dr. appointment just to get a refill (I have no med. insurance)....I was wondering if it was safe and/or effective if I use what I already have?

Just a side note...I normally only have asthma whenever I am sick with a cold/flu/bronchitis,etc. It's also *sometimes* induced by lots of exercise or certain smells. Lately, I've had that "tight chest" feeling (not too terribly though). I'm not sure why, because I don't seem to have cold! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Hi, well first of all,I have a "nebulizer" and have had that same problem... No insurance, expired solutions..But NEVER use expired medication or solution... some medications' change form after expiration dates and can either 1. not be effective
2. become TOXIC!
Even Tylenol..anything expired you shouldn't use it.
Secondly, I think you should see the Dr. if you are experiencing chest tightness..MOST Dr.'s get LOTS of samples from drug companies that are trying to "sell" their products. If you explain to your Dr. that you have a difficult time getting prescriptions right now because of coverage, more than likely he/she will be willing to supply you with samples. Inhalers are VERY effective, and with the right regimen you probably wouldn't need your machine at all. Ask about Vanceril, Pulmicort, Albuterol (Fast Acting/opens you up within 1-15 minutes!!) and Servent.
It's asthma season until may/june here in the west, so an inhaler regimen would be smart for your Dr. to consider for you.

Best wishes...let me know :-)

i agree with the previous post. don't use anything expired, especially something your going to inhale into your lungs. the medicines that go into the nebulizer are relatively cheap. i use liquid atrovent in mine, like you only when i have a cold. so they last me for a long time. i find the nebulizer does a better job then the inhaler of getting into the lungs when i am sick

depending what your doctor will say trt singulair its on the preventive side for the future.anda lot of doctors have samples of it. i got for my son samples
And the air source machine helps a lot for smoke dust and odors. but it's an expensive machine

Just out of curiosity....can you use a nebulizer in place of an inhaler as part of daily asthma management? I don't have a nebulizer but have been wondering about them.

Thx everybody!

Cheers,

Nicola http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Yeah you can.Two maintnence meds come in neb form.Pulmicort and cromolyn.I used cromolyn in my nebulizer as part of my maintnence meds last year.Of course now when I'm well I don't want to be attached to my nebulizer!

you can but it is more expensive and the neb is far higher maintenance
they don't usually like to prescribe a nebulizer unless you've got it so bad you can't take any other kind of inhaler style

I agree with the previous post up top never use expired meds.....

I like the effect that the neb gives my little girl because the use of it controls her symptoms and attacks better...but she hates having to do them everyday.... we finally did get her one of the small hand held kind that run off batteries and can be hooked to the car ...she still hates them though!!!
Allergy injections for her done at home have been a life saver!!!!

I too have a nebulizer and it is far more expensive for the medication.
My doctor put me on the regular inhalers and I recently have changed over to the nebulizer due to not being able to afford the others, this way they can give me samples.
They get those in quite frequently but not the other kind.
It is far too high to purchase straight however, it is like 85 dollars per 200 inhalations.
I too am uninsured and have to rely on samples for all of my medications.
You do not by any means want to use any breathers when they have expired.
I asked my drugist about that once and he said that it does one of two things either delivers straight aresol without medicine or delivers double strength medicine.
He said you never know which it is so not to use them.
Faithwalker

[This message has been edited by Faithwalker (edited 03-18-2002).]

Generally it is safe to use expired medication although it may not be so effective anymore. Of course, if it expired in 1990 I wouldn't use it. If it expired, let's say, in August 2001, it is OK.