I also use a vest and have only been able to increase its intensity to 45% because if I try to go any higher my chest gets sore. Also, some days when feeling tired after work, I might even have to turn it down to 40%.
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
@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 )
My vest has Velcro straps only and is pretty easy to apply. I try to nebulize and use the vest at the same time to save on time. The respiratory therapist said it could be done that way.
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.
Mine is also a Smartvest with the Velcro and they can be adjusted to be snug but I find them pretty easy to maneuver. Right now I use 3% saline that comes in 15 cc but am going to speak to my pulmonologist after reading these posts about increasing the saline percentage and see if it is supplied in less than 15 cc. It takes forever it seems for the 15 to be completely used. I had a CT and my doc has diagnosed MAC based on that. I had a bronch with biopsies and washings but all the results have been negative which is puzzling to me and makes me wonder if I indeed have MAC or just the bronchiectasis which shows on the CT. Has anyone else been told they have MAC without positive cultures/sputum/biopsies?
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No, but add me;I'm being fitted tomorrow.
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1 ReactionI do and I really think it is helping clear my lungs. But I have a question. Does it make anyone somewhat sore after use?
I also use a vest and have only been able to increase its intensity to 45% because if I try to go any higher my chest gets sore. Also, some days when feeling tired after work, I might even have to turn it down to 40%.
No soreness, but I’ve had moments when I’ve sorta wondered what it was doin’ to my brain
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1 ReactionSo, 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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2 Reactions@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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1 ReactionMy vest has Velcro straps only and is pretty easy to apply. I try to nebulize and use the vest at the same time to save on time. The respiratory therapist said it could be done that way.
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1 Reaction@gj53
Hi
Did you apply you own Velcro straps or did you get yours that way? I find my fasteners hard to manage to with having RA.
Thanks
Shari
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.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMine is also a Smartvest with the Velcro and they can be adjusted to be snug but I find them pretty easy to maneuver. Right now I use 3% saline that comes in 15 cc but am going to speak to my pulmonologist after reading these posts about increasing the saline percentage and see if it is supplied in less than 15 cc. It takes forever it seems for the 15 to be completely used. I had a CT and my doc has diagnosed MAC based on that. I had a bronch with biopsies and washings but all the results have been negative which is puzzling to me and makes me wonder if I indeed have MAC or just the bronchiectasis which shows on the CT. Has anyone else been told they have MAC without positive cultures/sputum/biopsies?