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Percussion Vests: Are you using one? Is it working for you?

Posted by thumperguy @thumperguy, Jan 1, 2020

Anyone willing to guess how many “regulars” on this forum use a vest?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

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thumperguy | @thumperguy | Jan 5, 2020
In reply to @flib "So, I got my vest. Had some difficulty. My hands are not strong enough to snap..." + (show)
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So, I got my vest. Had some difficulty. My hands are not strong enough to snap open the three chest straps. I found it quite heavy. But, I'm going to soldier on because I'm so tired of being tired.I think manufacturers do not think of older people when they design and women usually do not have hands as strong as men. I also wonder if all the shaking is entirely good for one. . It's noisy, and not totaly unpleasant but I've only just started so I'll stick with it to see if it makes a difference. That and the nebulizing take quite a chunk out ot the day...worth it if it improves breathing. Flib

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F l i b, How ‘bout nebulizing while getting thumped to reduce the size of the chunk?

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thumperguy | @thumperguy | Jan 5, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@flib Yeah, lacking strength is another one of the joys of getting older. Once you decide..." + (show)
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@flib Yeah, lacking strength is another one of the joys of getting older. Once you decide that you are going to keep the vest, you can take it to a shoemaker or someone who works on sporting goods and have the heavy duty buckles replaced by lighter duty one, or my husband suggested velcro. If you were near me I would offer to do it, it would be a fairly simple process. Sue (now enroute to Texas )

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Where in Texas Sue?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 5, 2020

Way south, just west of the city of McAllen

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Flib | @flib | Jan 6, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@flib Yeah, lacking strength is another one of the joys of getting older. Once you decide..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@flib Yeah, lacking strength is another one of the joys of getting older. Once you decide that you are going to keep the vest, you can take it to a shoemaker or someone who works on sporting goods and have the heavy duty buckles replaced by lighter duty one, or my husband suggested velcro. If you were near me I would offer to do it, it would be a fairly simple process. Sue (now enroute to Texas )

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@sueinmn Thank you for the thought. Both the shoemaker and Velcro are good ideas. I'll let you know.

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Flib | @flib | Jan 6, 2020
In reply to @rits "I have a smartvest and it uses velcro. The velcro is pretty strong and I'm a..." + (show)
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I have a smartvest and it uses velcro. The velcro is pretty strong and I'm a weakling but I can pull it open. When I first started using it last year, I was getting muscle pains along my sides and back. I was able to reset the thumping (really like that word, Thumper) to a weaker strength and speed. I do the aerobika during the rest periods in my program and 3% saline at the end. The neb cup fits into the aerobika and supposedly one can do all 3 - vest, aerobika and saline - at the same time but my lungs won't let me do it that way. I can watch tv with the vest but I can't read because the words jump around.

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@rits If all else fails you can apply for a job in the circus.

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woot | @woot | Mar 25, 2020

In hospital last year, pulmonary therapist had me use vest, then had me try Vibralung. Says they produce equal results. I tried each in hospital over several days. Much prefer VibaLung. I use it after every nebulizing with 7% saline twice day. Most insurance won’t cover it, tho, too new. But awesome.

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toni1132 | @toni1132 | Mar 30, 2020

I use the Smart Vest and have been using it diligently for about 1 1/2 years. I love it, to tell y'all the truth. I use the time to read and relax. If I secure it too tightly, yes, it can hurt. If that happens, I pause it, loosen the tabs just a bit and then restart it. I'm not familiar with VibaLung. sounds interesting. Do they work in a similar fashion?? Everyone keep safe. Personally, I'm home and don't go out anywhere except to take myself for a drive once in awhile. Just me, myself and I in my car. Blessings to everyone ! Toni

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fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Mar 30, 2020

Hi Toni.
How sick did you become before you were prescribed a Smart Vest? Also, what do they cost? I am doing so much better since diagnosed a year ago but just found out that I've grown out pseudomonous again. This is the third time in a year. Last fall had antibiotic via a PICC line for two weeks and nebulizing Tobramycin for a month. today they are wanting to do a month of Tobramycin only. just wondering what I can do to stop this reoccurrence. anyone who wants to chime in--welcome.

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toni1132 | @toni1132 | Mar 31, 2020

Hi, 63. They prescribed the Smart Vest to me right away, as soon as I was diagnosed. I didn't use it for about the first six months, but then started using it. Actually, I really like using it. I know a lot of people do not, but I do. I don't nebulize, tho. My doctors have never talked about using a nebulizer. I am on the Big 3 tho. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Trying to kill off those little booger bacteria. I keep my shower hose and nozzle dry and clean ( actually I use a copper nozzle to kill off bacteria). I also stopped using my waterpik. That may sound stupid, but I figure it's just another aerated water source and it's in my mouth..... maybe not a wise thing to do. So, I don't.
Oh, as for the cost of the Smart Vest, I didn't pay anything.... it was prescribed.....I would ask my doctor about that for yourself. See about the possibility of getting and using one. Being as my lungs harbor a lot of mucous, the Smart Vest is to break it up and help move it out of my lungs. So it's a medical device and was covered by Medicare. Hope this helps! Toni

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poodledoc | @poodledoc | Mar 31, 2020
In reply to @toni1132 "Hi, 63. They prescribed the Smart Vest to me right away, as soon as I was..." + (show)
Profile picture for toni1132 @toni1132

Hi, 63. They prescribed the Smart Vest to me right away, as soon as I was diagnosed. I didn't use it for about the first six months, but then started using it. Actually, I really like using it. I know a lot of people do not, but I do. I don't nebulize, tho. My doctors have never talked about using a nebulizer. I am on the Big 3 tho. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Trying to kill off those little booger bacteria. I keep my shower hose and nozzle dry and clean ( actually I use a copper nozzle to kill off bacteria). I also stopped using my waterpik. That may sound stupid, but I figure it's just another aerated water source and it's in my mouth..... maybe not a wise thing to do. So, I don't.
Oh, as for the cost of the Smart Vest, I didn't pay anything.... it was prescribed.....I would ask my doctor about that for yourself. See about the possibility of getting and using one. Being as my lungs harbor a lot of mucous, the Smart Vest is to break it up and help move it out of my lungs. So it's a medical device and was covered by Medicare. Hope this helps! Toni

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Hello Toni, I understand your reluctance to use the waterpic but you could make it safe to use by boiling distilled water for at least 10 minutes. Just thinking about your gums! Bill

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