Please share your experience with the Volara PEP Device

It’s quick and penetrates deeply. Can’t be sterilized and impractical for traveling. I’ve had it for a few years and use it about every three days.
In the nice to have category

@cayenne If it can't be sterilized, do you get anxious using it? You are perhaps in a mild stage of bronchiectasis and don't get serious infections, and are not immunocompromised, like some of us.

I was jus prescribed one and it was delivered Tuesday the 27th. I use it twice a day (a. m & p.m.) albuterol first 2 minutes then 7%sodium next 18 minutes. It goes through several cycles (nebulizer & pulse) I wipe down the mouthpiece after each use with alcohol. Entire tubing and filter has to be replaced after 90 uses, for me that’s every 45 days. I find it much more effective than vest regular nebulizer and aerobeka it replaced that I had to use 4 times a day. So far it has made mucus much easier to clear. As soon as AFB culture are in I will have to add treatment for pseudomonas so don’t know how that will change routine. So far very pleased with the Volara system. Brenda

@brekkit123
Thank you Brenda!
Good information to know.

@cayenne Thank you!:)
Very helpful!

Does insurance cover it? Or is it a out of pocket expense.

I've been using the Volara for a year, twice a day. I like it! It's simpler than using multiple devices, effective at shaking loose bits of sputum. I soak the handpiece (6 parts) in very hot soapy water and rinse once a day; just rinse the other time.
I have traditional Medicare with a high deductible secondary plan. It costs me about $250 a month for 13 months or until I hit the deductible. After 13 months I will own it. I'll have to buy the new circuit every 45 days. I don't know what that will cost.

I use the Arobica twice a day (15 min. each session) followed by huff coughs to try to cough up sputum. Recently notice my throat (swallowing saliva) and even my neck feels sore--perhaps due to my trying to unsuccessfully cough up sputum (following huff cough). So I stopped using the Volara for about 12 days and noticed my neck was not sore nor was swallowing a problem. Has anyone experienced my symptoms? Barbara

Actually, the Volara and Aerobica are not PEP devices but OPEC devices which means it’s an oscillating pressure making it more effective than a PEP device. Volara was the only mechanical airway clearance device, for many years. But now there is also the BiWaze
I almost got a Volara when I read about BiWaze last year and went for that instead. It is a more modern version in many ways. If your insurance will pay for a Volara, it will also pay for a BiWaze (same insurance code, I’ve been told.) It’s made a huge difference with airway clearance compared to the old Aerobicas, which I used for years. You can learn about it at http://www.ABMrc.com.

I was issued a VibraPEP by my Pulmonolgist when I was first diagnosed with BE and a MAC infection 4 months ago. I have not read about anyone else using this device - not sure why. It is an OPEC, easy to use and clean (wash with Dawn after each use and boil 1/wk to sterilize. I also neb albuterol and 7% saline 1/day. I do not get much up with any of these AC techniques, unfortunately. Percussive hand thumping seems to do the best so maybe I should just do that. No perfect solution for all this.....