If you have a nebulizer , is there really a point of going to the E.R ?

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italiannyc17

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This is a pretty basic question ..

Im sure alot of us have felt like or HAVE went to the E.R cuz of the shortness of breath from asthma, and also the anxiety we get from thinking the worst is one of the biggest reasons we feel we need to go anyway . . But honestly, most of the time you go there and know its the asthma, all they do is give you a breathing treatment anyway. So the question is , is there even a point if you have the nebulizer already at home? All they did for me one time was mix a double dose ..
 
Yes - I have a nebulizer at home and at work. Just the other day I took two treatments of Albuterol in the neb, and it wasn't doing anything. I was even experiencing chest pains and a gurgling within when I was trying to breathe. Was brought to the hospital and they had to give me steroiRAB and anti-inflammatory drugs through an IV b/c it was so bad. Then they sent me home with a Medrol pack to fight the inflammation.

So, YES - despite the fact that you have a nebulizer, sometimes you do need to go if you have done everything in your power to stop it and help yourself.
 
If your rescue med - inhaler or nebulizer - doesn't take care of the flare up, then yes, you should seek medical attention.
This should be part of your written plan from your pulmonologist so that you know how long to do the nebulizer or how many puRAB of the albuterol inhaler you should do before seeking other attention. If you don't have such a plan from your doctor, you should talk with him/her about it and formulate one.
 
I agree with both other responses.

My last emergency treatment, they gave me a shot of ephinephren. It worked wonders to open my airways quickly. I also ended up with a strong steroid prescription.

Really, if you are to the point that your breathing is that bad, you want to be in the ER. My last attack, I was close to stopping breathing all together. Nothing is scarier.
 
Like you I thought that I had the routine down and could treat myself with the nebulizer at home. However on my last trip to the ER ,when I was too far from home to get to my nebulizer, my O2 level had dropped to 86%. It was only discovered because the tech came in to give me my second breathing treatment.
I was placed on oxygen right away and my O2 levels were brought back up over 90 after a couple of hours. I would not have known about the drop if I had treated myself at home.
 
I haven't had to go the the ER since I got my nebulizer, but...the time could come.

The only 2 visits I made to the ER for asthma were when all I had was a rescue inhaler...before the Advair and Singulair. I haven't had to use a nebulizer in over a year, but I have 3 ready for when the need arises...home, work, and travel. But if the neb doesn't work, I'll go to the ER.
 
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