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Aerobika green valve blows out; common?

Posted by pacathy @pacathy, Sep 29 12:16pm

I nebulize with albuterol every morning and used to follow that with Aerobika and huff coughing. Earlier this year, I bought a newAerobika and the green valve in the back blew out with each exhale. I called Mognahan and she asked lot number. It ended in 65, she wasn’t surprised and sent me a new one. It did the same thing-lot was still in 60’s. I used part of old and part of new one to get a functioning one. That base cracked in summer, but I was walking a lot and counted that as airway clearance.

I ordered a new one to take on an international vacation in case I got sick. The trip was great, but I tested positive for Covid 3 days after my return. No shortness of breath. I’m at day 5 and on Paxlovid. I’m not up to walking hard, want to keep my lungs clear and this Aerobika is blowing out, too! I’m exhaling slowly and it’s on 5. Lot ends in 80’s. My old ones never did this. Anyone else have this happen?

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pacathy | @pacathy | Oct 3 5:18am
In reply to @scoop "I haven't used this Pep device but have eyed it. More common in Europe than US...." + (show)
@scoop

I haven't used this Pep device but have eyed it. More common in Europe than US.
https://www.saveritemedical.com/products/pari-o-pep-oscillating-therapy
Not sure about how you clean or sterilize it. Since I breathe out only through these devices (rather than in and out) I don't worry too much about sterilizing it.

I have used the green acapella choice (it used to be called) and I think I prefer Aerobika marginally, likely because it seems quieter.

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Thanks, Scoop. I decided to order the Acapella since RT and doc were familiar with it and thought it was equivalent to Aerobika.

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pacathy | @pacathy | Oct 3 5:26am
In reply to @sueinmn "With your ability to analyze things and express yourself clearly, and you 3 negative experiences, are..." + (show)
@sueinmn

With your ability to analyze things and express yourself clearly, and you 3 negative experiences, are you willing to call the company and ask to talk to one of their product engineers? They may appreciate learning what you have experienced. Otherwise, I fear customer service probably just throws them in a box, and nobody has gone back to the source and explained the exact issue.
I would hate to have the company to just decide to take the product off the market due to "excessive failure rate" - it happens way too often in manufacturing.

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I might do that when I get a bit more energy back. Hopefully, that’ll be soon.
After reading your note, I might send both the old one and new one back so they can figure out the difference. That’s the puzzling thing.
Hopefully, the Acapella works.

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irenea8 | @irenea8 | Oct 3 7:14am
In reply to @sueinmn "With your ability to analyze things and express yourself clearly, and you 3 negative experiences, are..." + (show)
@sueinmn

With your ability to analyze things and express yourself clearly, and you 3 negative experiences, are you willing to call the company and ask to talk to one of their product engineers? They may appreciate learning what you have experienced. Otherwise, I fear customer service probably just throws them in a box, and nobody has gone back to the source and explained the exact issue.
I would hate to have the company to just decide to take the product off the market due to "excessive failure rate" - it happens way too often in manufacturing.

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I second that! My Aerobika is a game changer for me. The Acapella never did as much. Their customer service is very good so calling them and pressing the issue is a very good idea.

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dhartm0669 | @dhartm0669 | Oct 3 11:42am

Thank you all. May I have a best number to reach a "human" at the company?

I have read a few comments about proper cleaning. I boil mine for 5 minutes weekly; anyone else similarly cleanse?

How to locate the lot#? I see there is a reorder number = 62510. Is that it?

Thanks

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 3 12:21pm
In reply to @dhartm0669 "Thank you all. May I have a best number to reach a "human" at the company?..." + (show)
@dhartm0669

Thank you all. May I have a best number to reach a "human" at the company?

I have read a few comments about proper cleaning. I boil mine for 5 minutes weekly; anyone else similarly cleanse?

How to locate the lot#? I see there is a reorder number = 62510. Is that it?

Thanks

Jump to this post

First, here is the link to the Aerobika manual https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1498229/Monaghan-Aerobika.html (there are 2 links on the top of the page, 2 page quick start guide and a 9 page user guide. It has complete cleaning and disinfecting instructions.

The Lot number is engraved on the bottom of the device - look at it under a bright light.
I don't have a phone number, but there may be one in the user guide.

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becleartoday | @becleartoday | Oct 4 5:09am

I hope your Acapella serves you well!

Early in my diagnosis, I purchased an Acapella to compare it to my Aerobika. Both devices were effective, but I stopped using the Acapella due to its inability to be sterilized by boiling and the difficulty of attaching it to a nebulizing cup.

Additionally, its metal parts made microwave steam bag sterilization during travel impossible. Newer Acapella models might have addressed these issues.

If you ever consider adding an Aerobika back to your bronchiectasis toolkit, I recommend one with a manometer. This gauge monitors your blowing force with the goal being to stay in the green zone. Although not widely available, you can purchase it from Blue Dot Medical.

All the best,
Linda Esposito

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1 reply
pacathy | @pacathy | Oct 4 6:45am

Thank you, Linda. I ordered the Acapella choice which says it can be taken apart for cleaning in alcohol, but can’t be boiled.

I wish I’d know about the spirometer option. I’ve suspected that my lung volumes might play a part and have mentioned it in emails to company, but wasn’t sure since first Aerobika never did that and they never commented about it. I’ll keep that option in mind.

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Oct 4 10:25am
In reply to @pacathy "Thank you, Linda. I ordered the Acapella choice which says it can be taken apart for..." + (show)
@pacathy

Thank you, Linda. I ordered the Acapella choice which says it can be taken apart for cleaning in alcohol, but can’t be boiled.

I wish I’d know about the spirometer option. I’ve suspected that my lung volumes might play a part and have mentioned it in emails to company, but wasn’t sure since first Aerobika never did that and they never commented about it. I’ll keep that option in mind.

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Boiling was always an option for sterilizing my acapella. I checked the current manual which says it can be boiled. Perhaps you have a newer different model?

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1 reply
pacathy | @pacathy | Oct 4 11:23am

I don’t have it yet-next Wed. was projected, though tracking looks like it’ll be here Monday. It is a newer version. I just read info online. It didn’t say not to boil, but gave alcohol and peroxide as options for cleaning. I’ll know more once I get it.

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becleartoday | @becleartoday | Oct 5 6:42am
In reply to @scoop "Boiling was always an option for sterilizing my acapella. I checked the current manual which says..." + (show)
@scoop

Boiling was always an option for sterilizing my acapella. I checked the current manual which says it can be boiled. Perhaps you have a newer different model?

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That is good news! Can it be boiled for 10 minutes? Did you have to get an adapter to attach it to a nebulizing cup?
💜Linda

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