1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Vibrating vest

Posted by spider109 @spider109, Nov 3, 2024

I was just asked to try the AffloVest which of course vibrates to help loosen mucus from our airways to be expelled. There are three modes, vibrating, percussion, and drainage. This vest is battery operated so you can be mobile while using. I would like to hear anyone who has used this particular vest what there experiences are. Particularly do you use it at the same time you nebulize? I nebulize Albuterol followed by 7% saline. Or do you use vest after nebulizing. Thank-you. Any Tips and advice appreciated

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | Mar 10 5:29pm
In reply to @spider109 "I currently am not using the vest daily. I am currently in Florida until 4/12/25. But..." + (show)
@spider109

I currently am not using the vest daily. I am currently in Florida until 4/12/25. But I’m definitely going to retry it when I return to NY. When I tried it from September-December (2024) it seemed to work somewhat. During that period my mucus didn’t seem to be as deep in my lungs as it is now. The manufacturer of the Afflo vest told me it has to be used 2-4 weeks daily before I’d possibly see a difference in it helping me move the mucus to my upper airways to cough out. One I return and use again I will post information on it. I know I have been told that I have to experiment with different other airway clearance techniques to see what works best.

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Hillrom tech told me the vest moves mucous out of lower lobes and huff cough should be done after therapy 2 x a day.
I only do it once a day. My husband does chest PT in morning when I have a lot of mucous.
Good luck

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lvnl | @lvnl | Mar 10 6:08pm

I use a smartvest which was prescribed for 15 min, 2x/day. I combined nebulizing 7% saline at the same time and upped the smartvest to 20 minutes so I'm doing both for 20 mins. For me doing them together gets up more mucus than separately. That doesn't work for everyone here who has tried it. I do Albuterol puffer first. My docs approved this regimen.

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | Mar 11 10:34am
In reply to @mariegrace "Medicare and I guess secondary insurance covered the hillrom vest" + (show)
@mariegrace

Medicare and I guess secondary insurance covered the hillrom vest

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Good. I really think it helps move mucous because i do bring it up in the morning.
Sometimes if my stomach is off, i will skip my evening session.
Be sure to check your doctors rx so you dont exceed the settings. My husband and I spent 5 days in Philly last week and did not take the machine.
Good luck
Marie

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lnduh72 | @lnduh72 | Apr 2 8:02am
In reply to @chris1321 "Hi. I’m wondering how you’re doing with the Afflowvest currently. I’m just reading this thread. I..." + (show)
@chris1321

Hi. I’m wondering how you’re doing with the Afflowvest currently. I’m just reading this thread. I started the HillRom about 3 weeks ago & neb 7% saline at the same time. I do this 2-3x/d 25 minutes each. Sometimes I don’t fit a midday session in but 3 really helps clear me up so I feel better. I have BE, MAC that didn’t clear after treatment (maybe starting new regimen) & chronic pseudomonas. It’s a lot of work & I only feel better if I do it so I’m motivated to continue. I used to use aerobika before a pseudomonas exacerbation. It’s not enough anymore. How do you like the afflowvest? did you buy it or did your insurance cover it? My insurance only covers HillRom. I’m thinking about purchasing a refurbished Afflowvest for the mobility. Good luck & thanks for any input.

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Medicare paid for my Afflovest as a rental fee for about 5 years. Now it is evidently paid for because it no longer shows on my Medicare statements. I have bronchiectasis and use it daily after the saline nebulizer treatment. I find it very heavy for me walk around with it and have to use the low setting.

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1 reply
spider109 | @spider109 | Apr 2 11:19am
In reply to @lnduh72 "Medicare paid for my Afflovest as a rental fee for about 5 years. Now it is..." + (show)
@lnduh72

Medicare paid for my Afflovest as a rental fee for about 5 years. Now it is evidently paid for because it no longer shows on my Medicare statements. I have bronchiectasis and use it daily after the saline nebulizer treatment. I find it very heavy for me walk around with it and have to use the low setting.

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Do you find it helps or works for you?

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2 replies
lnduh72 | @lnduh72 | Apr 2 1:20pm
In reply to @spider109 "Do you find it helps or works for you?" + (show)
@spider109

Do you find it helps or works for you?

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That is hard to say. It usually does not make me cough or bring up anything. I stopped using it daily except in the case of a flare and then it seemed to help some. I had a recent bad flare and was advised to use at least twice a day by my doctors, flare or not. I find the Aerobika works really well at bringing up mucus, so I use that too. Hope that helps.

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mruskin | @mruskin | Apr 3 10:41am

I used not to get any mucus movement but if you nebulize and /or exercise before and play with positioning during your sessions ( lie on either side for 2 min each and on back with a pillow under you) you might get better mucus movement. It’s clear in all treatments you have to find what works for you. I also had to do big 3 antibiotics for MAC and couldn’t tolerate the ethambutol so they eliminated it and the protocol still worked.

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dolllover | @dolllover | Apr 3 12:38pm

I have worn the vest for years for 30 minutes once or twice a day presribed by my doctor. I have not been able to tell that the vest helps bring up anything. I am one of those that have never been able to get sputum up.

After reading messages on this website, I tried several over the counter things and now can get lots of sputum up.

But, even though I get a lot up, it's not enough. I just had a bronchoscopy after six months and my pulmonoligist said I was full up to my neck. They found pseudomonas and I am on azithromycin Mon-Wed-Fri for three months, possibly rest of life.

I am a firm believer in bronchoscopies. We need to have them every several months to find out what is going on down in our chest.

Stay Positive.

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2 replies
notnancy88 | @notnancy88 | Apr 4 7:52pm
In reply to @spider109 "Do you find it helps or works for you?" + (show)
@spider109

Do you find it helps or works for you?

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I have used the Afflovest on the medium setting for a little over a year. Medicare pays. The respiratory therapist working with the UTexas Tyler Pulmonary Clinic instructed me to use it AFTER my nebulizing, coughing( including Huff Coughing, and using the Aerobika and my nebulizer). For the last part of the vest 'session'- Drainage- I lay on my left side on the bed or couch. I have Bronchiectasis and Myco Abscessus abscessus. I find that this all works and helps me. Good Luck

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2 replies
lilianna | @lilianna | Apr 5 7:48am
In reply to @notnancy88 "I have used the Afflovest on the medium setting for a little over a year. Medicare..." + (show)
@notnancy88

I have used the Afflovest on the medium setting for a little over a year. Medicare pays. The respiratory therapist working with the UTexas Tyler Pulmonary Clinic instructed me to use it AFTER my nebulizing, coughing( including Huff Coughing, and using the Aerobika and my nebulizer). For the last part of the vest 'session'- Drainage- I lay on my left side on the bed or couch. I have Bronchiectasis and Myco Abscessus abscessus. I find that this all works and helps me. Good Luck

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Not Nancy, do you mean you use the vest after all other clearing therapies?

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