I have about determined that the SmartVest is too much for my condition. I have osteoarthritis (thorasic and Lumbar) and pacemaker. It causes too much soreness.
I have about determined that the SmartVest is too much for my condition. I have osteoarthritis (thorasic and Lumbar) and pacemaker. It causes too much soreness.
Reading through these posts it's clear to see that the vest is not for everyone. Neither, BTW, is 7% saline which some of us cannot tolerate . My understanding is the saline saturates the sputum, flute devices like the aerobika cause an internal vibration to shake the saturated sputum loose and the vest, or manual percussion, provides an external force to shake it loose from places the aerobika doesn't reach. Any or all of this is followed by various clearance activities such as huff coughing and positioning drainage.
We are all different and our lungs and disease are different too. Whatever works for one may not work for another. We all just do the best we can to get that nasty gook out of our lungs.
Reading through these posts it's clear to see that the vest is not for everyone. Neither, BTW, is 7% saline which some of us cannot tolerate . My understanding is the saline saturates the sputum, flute devices like the aerobika cause an internal vibration to shake the saturated sputum loose and the vest, or manual percussion, provides an external force to shake it loose from places the aerobika doesn't reach. Any or all of this is followed by various clearance activities such as huff coughing and positioning drainage.
We are all different and our lungs and disease are different too. Whatever works for one may not work for another. We all just do the best we can to get that nasty gook out of our lungs.
Amen! Just grabbed my new nebulizer - so lovely, battery operated, silent and fast. Philips InnoSpire Go - my big Green Pari Vios was developing the "growl" that I have learned precedes its death, and I decided to treat myself using the last of our 2021 Health Saving Plan dollars. Now I can neb even when someone is on the phone.
Sue
Hi Lucia, welcome to the MAC group. You'll notice that I moved your question about the smart vest and back pain to this existing discussion about using a vest. I did this so that you can read the past posts and easily connect with members like @thumperguy@sueinmn@flib@gj53@migizii@degree@1065408@alleycatkate@poodledoc@rits@woot and so many more who can share their experiences with you.
In reply to @lucialuciamsncom…I use the smart vest at 50% in the winter when I wear heavy clothes, but need to turn the volume down during the summer when I don’t have so many layers on as it can bother my back or chest…I go down to 45 or 40%.
There are 3 that I know of:
HIll-Rom (2) https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/the-vest-system-105/ https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/the-monarch-airway-clearance-system/
SmartVest https://smartvest.com
I think SmartVest also makes a Wrap.
Afflovest https://afflovest.com
The differences are that some are tethered to a compressor and other are lithium battery powered. I have Afflovest. It gave me left rib pain at first so I stopped using it. Recently, my pulmonologist suggested trying it again on only low settings. Prior, I used it on the highest settings. So far so good on the lowest settings. I expressed some doubt about how much Afflovest was really helping, but pulmonary assured me that even if I don’t feel it, it keeps things moving. It's supposed to be used twice/day, which I aim for but don't always achieve. Presently, I'm recovering from a nasty nasty cold which ended up in my chest, causing some pneumonia, so I am careful to use vest as prescribed.
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My primary recommended against the vest due to my small size, arthritis and chronic pain. Airway clearance plus neb work for me.
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2 ReactionsReading through these posts it's clear to see that the vest is not for everyone. Neither, BTW, is 7% saline which some of us cannot tolerate . My understanding is the saline saturates the sputum, flute devices like the aerobika cause an internal vibration to shake the saturated sputum loose and the vest, or manual percussion, provides an external force to shake it loose from places the aerobika doesn't reach. Any or all of this is followed by various clearance activities such as huff coughing and positioning drainage.
We are all different and our lungs and disease are different too. Whatever works for one may not work for another. We all just do the best we can to get that nasty gook out of our lungs.
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2 ReactionsThank you. So true...
Amen! Just grabbed my new nebulizer - so lovely, battery operated, silent and fast. Philips InnoSpire Go - my big Green Pari Vios was developing the "growl" that I have learned precedes its death, and I decided to treat myself using the last of our 2021 Health Saving Plan dollars. Now I can neb even when someone is on the phone.
Sue
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1 ReactionAnyone else get back pain from using the vest? Is it preventing you from using it?
Hi Lucia, welcome to the MAC group. You'll notice that I moved your question about the smart vest and back pain to this existing discussion about using a vest. I did this so that you can read the past posts and easily connect with members like @thumperguy @sueinmn @flib @gj53 @migizii @degree @1065408 @alleycatkate @poodledoc @rits @woot and so many more who can share their experiences with you.
You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Percussion Vest and Nebulizer: Do you use both, one or the other? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/percussion-vestnebulizer/
- Does anyone have any experience with a percussion vest? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/percussion-vest/
Lucia, how long have you had MAC? When did you start using the vest?
In reply to @lucialuciamsncom…I use the smart vest at 50% in the winter when I wear heavy clothes, but need to turn the volume down during the summer when I don’t have so many layers on as it can bother my back or chest…I go down to 45 or 40%.
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2 ReactionsI am considering getting a vest. Someone said you can get one that just wraps around. Do they all have hoses attached to a machine?
I thought you only use the vest wuen you are clearing your lungs with the aerobika. Is this wrong?
There are 3 that I know of:
HIll-Rom (2)
https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/the-vest-system-105/
https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/the-monarch-airway-clearance-system/
SmartVest
https://smartvest.com
I think SmartVest also makes a Wrap.
Afflovest
https://afflovest.com
The differences are that some are tethered to a compressor and other are lithium battery powered. I have Afflovest. It gave me left rib pain at first so I stopped using it. Recently, my pulmonologist suggested trying it again on only low settings. Prior, I used it on the highest settings. So far so good on the lowest settings. I expressed some doubt about how much Afflovest was really helping, but pulmonary assured me that even if I don’t feel it, it keeps things moving. It's supposed to be used twice/day, which I aim for but don't always achieve. Presently, I'm recovering from a nasty nasty cold which ended up in my chest, causing some pneumonia, so I am careful to use vest as prescribed.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions