1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Smartvest...Is it helpful in eliminating sputum?

Posted by alleycatkate @alleycatkate, Jan 4 12:34pm

Does anyone using a Smart Vest find that it has not been a positive experience resulting in the elimination of sputum? I've been using it now for about 6 months with what seems like pretty dismal results. I do saline nebulizing 2x a day. I used to be able to eject quite a lot of junk from my lungs after just nebulizing. (for many years) A little after I got the vest I did a round of antibiotics to control a pseudomona infection. Maybe I should just be jumping up and down for joy because I am not swamped with junk coming up from my lungs but I am wondering if the vest is just not effective for me. Do others experience this lack of results? I've ordered an aerobika and am considering sending the vest back as it almost seems a waste of time. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!! Kate

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Cathln | @Cathln | Jan 9 12:47pm
In reply to @alleycatkate "@equanimous Arlo...So funny. I have a similar thought process about the vest....that it is helping on..." + (show)
@alleycatkate

@equanimous Arlo...So funny. I have a similar thought process about the vest....that it is helping on some level that I am unaware of. And if I return it my health will suffer. Then I come up for air and think...this is crazy to sit and get pounded twice a day for absolutely nothing. I'm glad I asked for other experiences as it makes me feel a bit saner. I sort of think it will be going back. Thanks, Arlo!
Kate

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Allycatkate, I got Hill-rom about three weeks ago. I too weigh about 100 lbs. I tried on high, like dr. Prescribed, for 20 minutes. I got sick and my chest went into spasms. I put it on lowest. I tried everyday. Spasms got worse. I am now back in physical therapy and vest is going back. I do very well with
Postural drainage. I hope it stays that way. I can’t see where vest helped at all. But it did hurt already weak muscles. Cathleen

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1 reply
alleycatkate | @alleycatkate | Jan 9 1:24pm
In reply to @Cathln "Allycatkate, I got Hill-rom about three weeks ago. I too weigh about 100 lbs. I tried..." + (show)
@Cathln

Allycatkate, I got Hill-rom about three weeks ago. I too weigh about 100 lbs. I tried on high, like dr. Prescribed, for 20 minutes. I got sick and my chest went into spasms. I put it on lowest. I tried everyday. Spasms got worse. I am now back in physical therapy and vest is going back. I do very well with
Postural drainage. I hope it stays that way. I can’t see where vest helped at all. But it did hurt already weak muscles. Cathleen

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Cathleen @Cathln What an awful experience! I feel bad that you have injured yourself trying to do something positive. I just got my aerobika yesterday and really like it. It is the Monaghan and can be hooked up to the nebulizer to reduce therapy time. I noticed I was able to get a bit more sputum up and out of my lungs today. Sometimes it is worth checking out other remedies but it sure sounds like your experience was not one of them. Thanks for the feedback... Feel better! Kate

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ggatell | @ggatell | Jan 12 8:10am
In reply to @alleycatkate "@tracy111869 Thanks for your response. I've had MAC for at least 7 years and hope never..." + (show)
@alleycatkate

@tracy111869 Thanks for your response. I've had MAC for at least 7 years and hope never to do the big 3 therapy. Trying everything to stay healthy. I am also an avid walker...at least an hour a day at a brisk pace. (big believer in exercising the lungs and body.) Glad you are doing so well. Oh...what about the vinegar? I was using it to keep my blood sugar levels down but am not regular with it. Do you see positive effects on your health...on your lungs? Sending My Best wishes....Kate

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Hi . When u said you have had Mac for 7 years, have you had to gone thru treatment. They did find the Mac bacteria in my culture but the doctor chose not to do anything. That also has me worried

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alleycatkate | @alleycatkate | Jan 12 8:59am

Hello @ggatell. No, I have done no treatments for MAC. My case seems to be mild and does not warrant aggressive antibiotic treatment. I have been relatively healthy for that 7 yr. time-frame with regular exercise, a clean plant-based diet, a NAC supplement as well as nebulizing 7% saline solution (try for 2x a day). Mayo Clinic Doc suggested that I sleep on a wedge to make sure I was not aspirating fluid from acid reflux into my lungs) I also wear a mask when I go into any stores. My new Pulmonologist prescribed a vest for me to help eliminate mucus. (The jury is still out on that). Anyway, I did pick up a germ and got sick about 2 years ago. (unfortunately, I was wearing a surgeon's mask, not an N-95 when I encountered a sick coughing person in the grocery store.) Sure enough, I developed another bacterial infection, Pseudomonas Aerginosa. This has been more difficult and I finally did an antibiotic treatment of 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks. It has helped immeasurably but I do not believe the Pseudo's are gone. Time will tell. I think the trick is to stay as healthy as humanly possible. I wished I had taken a simple 10-day course of antibiotics when I got sick as I'm told that probably would have eliminated the Pseudos. I've requested bi-annual sputum tests to monitor the Pseudos.
I've had several Dr's say that wait-and-see was a good approach with MAC as my case is mild. They also do regular Catscans to monitor the growth and my nodules. If you have doubts, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion. I went to Mayo Clinic and the Dr there put my mind at ease....I feel very comfortable living with MAC without doing the big 3. Good luck to you and try not to worry. Kate

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1 reply
ggatell | @ggatell | Jan 12 11:12am
In reply to @alleycatkate "Hello @ggatell. No, I have done no treatments for MAC. My case seems to be mild..." + (show)
@alleycatkate

Hello @ggatell. No, I have done no treatments for MAC. My case seems to be mild and does not warrant aggressive antibiotic treatment. I have been relatively healthy for that 7 yr. time-frame with regular exercise, a clean plant-based diet, a NAC supplement as well as nebulizing 7% saline solution (try for 2x a day). Mayo Clinic Doc suggested that I sleep on a wedge to make sure I was not aspirating fluid from acid reflux into my lungs) I also wear a mask when I go into any stores. My new Pulmonologist prescribed a vest for me to help eliminate mucus. (The jury is still out on that). Anyway, I did pick up a germ and got sick about 2 years ago. (unfortunately, I was wearing a surgeon's mask, not an N-95 when I encountered a sick coughing person in the grocery store.) Sure enough, I developed another bacterial infection, Pseudomonas Aerginosa. This has been more difficult and I finally did an antibiotic treatment of 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks. It has helped immeasurably but I do not believe the Pseudo's are gone. Time will tell. I think the trick is to stay as healthy as humanly possible. I wished I had taken a simple 10-day course of antibiotics when I got sick as I'm told that probably would have eliminated the Pseudos. I've requested bi-annual sputum tests to monitor the Pseudos.
I've had several Dr's say that wait-and-see was a good approach with MAC as my case is mild. They also do regular Catscans to monitor the growth and my nodules. If you have doubts, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion. I went to Mayo Clinic and the Dr there put my mind at ease....I feel very comfortable living with MAC without doing the big 3. Good luck to you and try not to worry. Kate

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Thank you so much for taking the time for your reply. As of now they don’t have me on anything since my pneumonia cleared up. Still struggling with breathing at times but try to exercise as much as possible to help with my lungs. Well look into Mayo Clinic and get 2nd opinion
Again thank you. Your reply made me feel more at ease

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happy2023 | @happy2023 | Apr 21 12:46pm

I have been using the SmartVest since January of 2024. I am diagnosed with pseudomas so use the SmartVest along with Levalbuterl, 7% nebulized saline, and generic Symbicort (steroid) inhaler. This therapy was prescribed to keep the pseudamonas knocked back as well as to keep me from blocking up with mucus.
Has anyone had experience with SmartVest therapy to know if a treatment of every other day is just as effective as a daily treatment?

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