Does anyone have any experience with a percussion vest?

My doc Rx’d 30 minute “vest” sessions twice daily. Been at it now for over two years. I’m curious about how scrupulously you and others whao use a vest follow a regimen?

This is a similar program for me, along with nebulizing albuterol and 7% saline solution. I’ve been at it about 7 months. I am pretty conscientious but I get tired of doing it all the time. I try to fill my time with fun things to do to pass the time and this helps. The addition of the vest has been very beneficial for helping to clear mucus as I couldn’t do it without the vest program.

Migizii it seems to me you're doin' it right and getting results. When I first started using the device I just kinda went at it like, as I'm prone to say, "a Boy Scout," meaning dutifully complying with the prescribed schedule. I guess that has paid off. The single time I decided to not take it with me on 4-day trip I promptly had a bronchitis flare-up. Made a believer of me. Don't know if it was simply coincidence, but I'm loath to risk it by experimenting with another "vacation." Let me ask you, when you mention it clearing mucus does that happen during or soon after the treatment session In my case I do bring up mucus but it is entirely unrelated in time with the treatment session. I've always just assumed that the periodic coughing and spitting episodes wouldn't be as productive absent the use of the vest. The goofy thing is though, that I had coughing and spitting episodes before ever getting the vest. Go figure. Lots of puzzling questions crop up with this ailment.

@thumperguy Hi there! Welcome to our group. I have read your posts and am wondering if your dr ever did a sputem test to see what exactly is growing in your lungs. Reason I ask is; I went for yrs going on and off Z-packs (azithromycin) and all that did was put off my real diagnosis of bronchiectasis with mac infection.

Hi thumperguy, thanks for the compliment on my compliance but I too take random, very short breaks when I can’t muster motivation😔. I could not bring up any mucus prior to using the vest but had a pretty consistent dry cough. The combination of nebulizing and the vest tend to bring up the mucus for me and then sometimes for a little while afterwards. Periodically, during the day I still have my dry cough and rarely some spitting. That’s how it goes for me anyway. Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Teri, thanks for the welcome. Only Mac has sputum confirmation. Bronchiectasis diagnosed on film by radiologist and pulmonologist in tandem.

Migzii your experience compared to mine really drives home a point; that being the wide variation there is among persons regarding how this malady presents. I consider myself lucky when I learn of others’ experience; like I must have a relatively mild case.
Jumping topics, and I hope this isn’t too intrusive, but I’m curious about what in the world is the derivation of “Migzii? 😁

I don’t have a percussion vest but do use a nebulizer with 3% saline, followed by an aerobics and my husband pats various parts of by rib cage over my lungs after laying in various positions where I’m slightly inverted. Each step is followed by huff coughs and controlled coughing. It takes about an hour every morning (empty stomach). I understand how you can want a break every once in awhile.
I find that I cough up bits of mucus throughout the day now but definitely not only in the morning. Is that other prople’s experience? It means I’m coughing more all day,which is great for clearing my lungs when I’m at home but not so great when I’m out in public.

Well Kathy, you and your husband sure figured out a way to beat the steep cost of percussion vests. Congratulations. My mucous clearing episodes, unlike yours, almost always occur in unannounced "obligatory" episodes of several minutes when I'm essentially out-of-commission for any other activity. Fortunately they seem to occur predominately at bed time. Also fortunately my wife's a night owl so is minimally bothered by the clamor I make.

LOL. I guess we have saved a bit of money but it was directed by the respiratory therapist!
Thanks for you comments,