VESTS - DO ANY REALLY WORK?

I have been using the Monarch vest for 2 years. Yes it works for me

@juliea55 not to seem stupid. But people talk about mucous plugs. What are they?

When I was first prescribed a vest, the Hillrom Baxter Vest Apex was sent to me. It has hoses attached to the compressor and requires one to sit near the compressor for the entire 20 minute therapy session. I really didn't feel it was doing much at the time. Then I was notified a couple or more months later by my doctor's office that my insurance didn't cover that one and they had to order a different one through the durable medical equipment provider that my insurance used. So Hillrom Baxter requested I send the compressor back and dispose of the hoses and actual vest which they couldn't take back for medical sanitary reasons.

I was then sent an Afflo Vest which does not have hoses. I like this vest much, much better and although it's kind of heavy at 8 lbs. (I weighed it when I was wearing it), I find it works really well to help bring the mucus up after I nebulize with my Aerobika attached. Some people do their nebulizing, Aerobika and vest together, but I do the vest afterward and find that works best for me. Just for reference, I am 5'9" and about 128 lbs.

@westcottkm3040 No stupid questions here. Best thing is to search this forum for mucous plugs, which seem to be more solid mucous bits which form in our airways and appear white on scans. I think Scoop even included a picture! There are many different descriptions and appearances. Coughing these bits up help keep our airways clear.

@winterfelllvoyager75
I use this vest brand also. When I first began, I coughed up a lot more especially in the morning. It’s been about 4 years and I don’t immediately cough up a lot of phlegm but I can tell it is keeping things moving inside. I do still cough up phlegm and I believe it has helped my lungs from getting worse.

@scoop
Hi
I have the Afflovest too. I am 5 ‘ and it hits places in my spine where I have osteoarthritis.

I stopped using it and it’s a result of reading these discussions. I emailed Afflo.

They buy them the best in the exchange once during the five year commitment, asked for my serial number and said they would refer me to the DME who supplied it.

They called yesterday and asked me for my measurements. Initially, they asked only for my chest waist, length , but I mentioned the length is the real issue so send for additional measurements. Height etc.

A new one will be sent out.
Maybe this will help you.

Good luck

@patgreen11
Sorry, I just realized dictation created a strange sentence in the second paragraph.

Afflo offers one exchange during the five-year commitment to the vest.

I’ve had the afflovest for well over a year. I haven’t used it steadily, BUT at times I have used it for 30-40 days straight usually twice a day. Although it does help some for me it’s only a very small amount. Maybe I was expecting to much!! It sounds like a lot of other people have problems or experience ineffectiveness of their vest no matter what the brand name is. I will say this the way these companies (Big Pharma, Pari, Monaghan, Ombra, etc) advertise and promote their medications and products, it makes you think WOW this will be great for me. Then when you find out that it’s not as good as advertised, you get the answer that you must be doing something wrong or everybody is different etc. I for one have told myself that although my vest only helps a little, “Every little bit helps” I think bottom line is maybe we all expect to much based on what we’ve seen and heard from medical companies and personnel.

My pulmo ordered the Smartvest. I am not impressed. Their customer service is excellent but I don’t feel it helps get up any more mucus than I get with just nebbing and Aerobika.

@wandafanda Did you get a personal visit from a nurse or technician to fit the vest to you and make sure it is working optimally for you? If not, please put in a call to your pulmonologist to discuss. If it really isn't for you, it should be returned withing the allowed time, and another brand or type ordered.
"Silent quitting", putting it away when doesn't work, instead of taking action, provides NO feedback to your doctor or the manufacturer that the product is ineffective. And to have expensive medical gear sitting gathering dust after insurance or Medicare pays for it contributes to the high cost of health care.