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New to smart vest. Suggestions?

Posted by km6 @km6, Sep 12 2:14pm

I was just trained today to use the Smart Vest. My back ached afterwards and I've been a little short of breath. Does anyone else have these symptoms?
I was told it would take up to four weeks to notice any difference. I rarely ever cough and with a flutter device I never seem to be able to get any mucus up at all.

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ssk999 | @ssk999 | Sep 13 7:19am

Keep doing the vest. I never got anything up until I was doing the vest for a full week. My back never hurt though. My vest does 3 sets which are 10 min each. You can adjust the power of the vibration. My vest is my lifesaver. It helps me clear out my chest when sick. Do not give up.

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2 replies
km6 | @km6 | Sep 13 7:44am
In reply to @ssk999 "Keep doing the vest. I never got anything up until I was doing the vest for..." + (show)
@ssk999

Keep doing the vest. I never got anything up until I was doing the vest for a full week. My back never hurt though. My vest does 3 sets which are 10 min each. You can adjust the power of the vibration. My vest is my lifesaver. It helps me clear out my chest when sick. Do not give up.

Jump to this post

Oh thank you
I am perfectly well besides bronchiectasis diagnosis

I guess I should continue with saline neb and vest anyway

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1 reply
lvnl | @lvnl | Sep 13 8:59am

Yes keep going! I have been on the vest for about 3 weeks now. At first it seemed to do little. I started doing my saline nebulizing at the same time and that is very productive for me! I know that doesn't work for everyone, we all need to experiment. I understand you can call the SmartVest people and they can help you adjust your program if you have pain. Especially if you have osteoporosis you need to take note of the discomfort you are feeling. But do persevere!

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ssk999 | @ssk999 | Sep 13 9:55am
In reply to @km6 "Oh thank you I am perfectly well besides bronchiectasis diagnosis I guess I should continue with..." + (show)
@km6

Oh thank you
I am perfectly well besides bronchiectasis diagnosis

I guess I should continue with saline neb and vest anyway

Jump to this post

Yes nebulize. It is preventing an accumulation of mucus plugs in lungs. Vest can loosen them and help get them out. If you are not actively sick nothing may come out. However prevention is important. I have to do it daily . I only get mucus up when getting sick. When I am sick , If I didn’t do the vest and nebulize I would get really sick and have shortness of breath.

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | Sep 13 10:24am
In reply to @ssk999 "Keep doing the vest. I never got anything up until I was doing the vest for..." + (show)
@ssk999

Keep doing the vest. I never got anything up until I was doing the vest for a full week. My back never hurt though. My vest does 3 sets which are 10 min each. You can adjust the power of the vibration. My vest is my lifesaver. It helps me clear out my chest when sick. Do not give up.

Jump to this post

Hi ssk
What are your setting on the vest machine? I started at 6hz and 10 minutes. I upped it to 7hz and 15 minutes
Thanks
MG

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ssk999 | @ssk999 | Sep 14 7:32am

I do 2 inhales of albuterol before vest. I then nebuluze with vest on.I have an afflo vest. It has percussion, vibration, drainage program. . I can set it at low, medium or high. I use medium. Each program takes 10 min. So I could easily do 30 min. I usually do 20 min. The 1st two programs are enough for me. You need to find what’s comfortable for you . I dont have alot of time, so I often use the aerobika or the pickle on the last 2 min also. Then aerobika alone .
. Remember everyone has to figure out their own routine. Nebulizing with the vest going may not work for you. You may have to separate the 2 . Meaning nebulize first then wear vest. When it is really bad I can lay in a sort of draining position with the vest also to help get the mucus out.

REPLY
1 reply
km6 | @km6 | Sep 14 1:16pm
In reply to @ssk999 "I do 2 inhales of albuterol before vest. I then nebuluze with vest on.I have an..." + (show)
@ssk999

I do 2 inhales of albuterol before vest. I then nebuluze with vest on.I have an afflo vest. It has percussion, vibration, drainage program. . I can set it at low, medium or high. I use medium. Each program takes 10 min. So I could easily do 30 min. I usually do 20 min. The 1st two programs are enough for me. You need to find what’s comfortable for you . I dont have alot of time, so I often use the aerobika or the pickle on the last 2 min also. Then aerobika alone .
. Remember everyone has to figure out their own routine. Nebulizing with the vest going may not work for you. You may have to separate the 2 . Meaning nebulize first then wear vest. When it is really bad I can lay in a sort of draining position with the vest also to help get the mucus out.

Jump to this post

thank you

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