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?

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@thumperguy

After twice daily sessions for 3+ years I’m considering omitting one daily session to see if the sky falls or I promptly come down with acute bronchitis or suffer some equally disastrous calamity.

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Please let us know!

I also do the 7% twice a day but with Aerobika once and my husband doing patting once. It takes close to 2 hours by the time everything is done and sterilized, etc. I’m so grateful to be able to stay off medications that I’m afraid to try once a day but you can test the waters for us!

Thanks for your ever thoughtful and humourous posts here.

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@thumperguy

After twice daily sessions for 3+ years I’m considering omitting one daily session to see if the sky falls or I promptly come down with acute bronchitis or suffer some equally disastrous calamity.

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You have a lot more patience than I! With my pulmo's blessing, I dropped my saline nebs with Aerobika attached to once a day after only 5 months. I am easily able to expel mucus on my own though, so it doesn't concern me much - I just take deep breaths and "huff" cough several times a day, starting in my morning shower. I try to do it in private, because it sounds terrible, but is very effective. We each have to experiment to see what keeps us healthy, and still allows us to have a life.
Sue

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@gej53

Keep us updated on how this works. I use a smart vest and nebulize twice daily also. Was wondering about going down to once daily also. My doc just ordered me an acapella device so thought of using that for the second session. Would be convenient to just "dress up" once daily. Good luck and keep us posted.

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I have managed fully with the Acapella & Aerobika devices, without a vest, for over 2 years, even through MAC. My doc wouldn't recommend a vest because in addition to being very small, I have arthritis in my spine & he didn't think I would tolerate it. In my opinion, turns out I don't need it - am able to stay healthy with vibratory devices.
Sue

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@thumperguy

After twice daily sessions for 3+ years I’m considering omitting one daily session to see if the sky falls or I promptly come down with acute bronchitis or suffer some equally disastrous calamity.

Jump to this post

@thumperguy Good luck! I only nebulize once a day and don't have to use a vest and so far, so good. Like @sueinmn I am able to expel mucus on my own with postural drainage and huff coughs. I, too, try to go somewhere else in the house, so no one has to hear. Nan

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@thumperguy

After twice daily sessions for 3+ years I’m considering omitting one daily session to see if the sky falls or I promptly come down with acute bronchitis or suffer some equally disastrous calamity.

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I'm not quite ready to experiment with once a day. Probably check in with Pulmo for his opinion. Guess the worst that could happen is return of flare ups which have gone bye-bye with two a day thumping. Before I got the thumper I tried Acapella and found it useless. And yes Sue, we who deal with this ailment do make some wretched noises don't we? LOL Don

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@thumperguy

After twice daily sessions for 3+ years I’m considering omitting one daily session to see if the sky falls or I promptly come down with acute bronchitis or suffer some equally disastrous calamity.

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I think nebbing saline without the vest for one of the two times a day airway clearance treatment is worth a try.

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@rits

I think nebbing saline without the vest for one of the two times a day airway clearance treatment is worth a try.

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I may do it, though it chews up almost as much time anyway.

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@kathyhg

Please let us know!

I also do the 7% twice a day but with Aerobika once and my husband doing patting once. It takes close to 2 hours by the time everything is done and sterilized, etc. I’m so grateful to be able to stay off medications that I’m afraid to try once a day but you can test the waters for us!

Thanks for your ever thoughtful and humourous posts here.

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I must be living dangerously; I never sterilize anything.

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@thumperguy

After twice daily sessions for 3+ years I’m considering omitting one daily session to see if the sky falls or I promptly come down with acute bronchitis or suffer some equally disastrous calamity.

Jump to this post

I feel that way sometimes too as it takes so much time and energy out of each of my days. Occasionally, I take short breaks when I take a quick trip and I only get more tired with feelings of built up mucus that I can’t seem to get out.....but then I get back at it and in a couple days, it’s okay again. I hope it goes okay for you.

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At my last half-hour Percussion Vest/Nebulizer session I decided to experiment a bit; I ditched the Thumper. Whether it was an unrelated coincidence is anyone's guess, but I had a very productive session which easily convinced me that I should continue this routine for a while and monitor how things go. Not only does it result in a shorter session since it doesn't take 30 minutes to neb the vial of saline, but it is less "nerve wracking." For the moment the Jury is out. Don

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