Good News

I just had my appt. with my pulmonologist and a CT scan. He showed me the area of bronchiectasis and said it is stable from last year. I use a percussion vest and nebulizer with 7% saline {thanks to this group}. However he wants me to obtain a "Volara" {sp?} nebulizer to use. Does anyone use this? The therapist who is to bring it described it in a way that said the percussion vest works on the outside and this works on the inside. The co-payment is $1200.00. Will pay what is needed for my health but just curious if it makes that much difference and if anyone else uses one. Thanks guys! Love this group.

Probably a time to apply a bit of “caveat emptor” before signing the dotted line. Don

Hmmm, if my regimen was working, bronchiectasis stable and no or few exacerbations in a year, I would be very unwilling to "upset the apple cart" - especially if I had to pay for the privilege.
Here's a sample of the questions I would ask my doc:
1) How many bronchiectasis patients do you have using this device?
2) Why would this be an improvement over what I am doing since my lungs are stable?
3) Is there a less cumbersome and less expensive option to try first, like a hand held vibratory device? (eg Aerobika or Acapella)
4) All the literature (or ads) talk about delivering medication - does that mean you will be adding drugs to my regimen, and if so, why?
5) Is there a downside to not doing this, since I am stable & healthy with the current regimen?

Questions for the rep:
1) Show me the statistics for people with bronchiectasis
2) What is the learning curve?
3) Who supports me and for how long?
4) I there a trial period during which I can get my money back?
5) Do you or the doctor get a commission or other compensation if I get this?

Now remember, I am a born skeptic, but I would be reluctant to jump into this without a lot of evidence. I think the real audience for this device is people with CF, whose mucus is much more widely distributed in the lungs and very sticky, and post-op patients who are susceptible to pneumonia and often have a hard time coughing.

The one situation that MIGHT tempt me is if I could get rid of the vest and just use the Volara...

Anyone else out there using the Volara or another nebulizer/vibrator/PEP combo? Do you use it with a percussion vest or instead of one? Did you try other therapies first?

Sue

I cannot use the vest due to its weight and the fact that I have osteoporosis in my spine. So, a pulmonologist recommended I purchase a VibraLung. It uses sound waves to dislodge the mucous. It is not a nebulizer, though. Unfortunately, it is not covered by my insurance nor Medicare.

Do you use an Acapella, Aerobika or other hand held vibratory device instead? A nebulizer to loosen mucus?
Sue

My first Pulmo started me on an Acapella. I soon “graduated” to a “big boy” snazzy (and pricy) Respirtech percussion vest. It was like, as a kid, putting away my water pistol and getting a “Super Soaker. The. Vest really “kicked butt.”

For all that though, since discovering the “merits” of (7%) saline solution, the Vest has slipped out of “Center Stage.

All the (7%) palaver stirs an urge to reread the Sherlock Holmes yarn Conan Doyle titled (yep) “The 7% Solution. Don

Thanks Sue! All great points and will discuss with MD and therapist. I too wondered why I had to add to my regimen if it was working so far. Am anxious to see if therapist says this allows me to eliminate the vest.