My pulmo suggested Aflo vest. I am very small frame. Used for 1 year until bones starting hurting in chest area. It really didn't do much for me. AC works much better. Vest is for sale.
I also used/tried Afflovest. The concept was great -- free standing, no tether to a compressor, rechargeable, had its own carrying case for travel (I used to carry it on the plane). I developed lower rib pain on one side, however, and had to discontinue. Pulmonary suggested the lowest settings only to see if that would eliminate the rib pain but it did not.
I hope others will weigh in. It's a topic that has been discussed a lot. It's easy to search this forum to read others' experiences. From what I've gleaned people seem to like the SmartVest but you should definitely do your own research and trial the product for as long as necessary before purchasing.
I started using the smart vest. I’ve been using it for over a month now. My coughing has almost disappeared so I’m trying some of the postural drainage techniques to clear my lung with some success. Overall, I am so much better. Is this normal?
I also used/tried Afflovest. The concept was great -- free standing, no tether to a compressor, rechargeable, had its own carrying case for travel (I used to carry it on the plane). I developed lower rib pain on one side, however, and had to discontinue. Pulmonary suggested the lowest settings only to see if that would eliminate the rib pain but it did not.
I hope others will weigh in. It's a topic that has been discussed a lot. It's easy to search this forum to read others' experiences. From what I've gleaned people seem to like the SmartVest but you should definitely do your own research and trial the product for as long as necessary before purchasing.
I could not use any vest due to vertigo. Dr. Haas, NJH ID doctor is currently trying to get insurance approval for the Voalara which sends oscillating pressure into lungs. It is also a nebulizer which cuts the nebulizing time down to 10 minutes. I know some people don't like the back pressure feeling but it didn't bother me. I hope it gets approved.
I'm using the Hillrom Baxter vest. I've only been using it for a few weeks as it was just prescribed by my pulmo. It has a compressor and it comes with a case on wheels like a small suitcase if you need to take it traveling. I'm not sure it's doing much at this point, but I haven't used it long enough to make a firm judgement. I also recently switched my neb solution to 7% from 3%. That's where I noticed the biggest difference. The 7% really helps me bring up stuff that wasn't coming up before. I'm currently doing the vest after the nebbing but I may switch around. Anyone else have any input on vest before or after nebbing?
I'm using the Hillrom Baxter vest. I've only been using it for a few weeks as it was just prescribed by my pulmo. It has a compressor and it comes with a case on wheels like a small suitcase if you need to take it traveling. I'm not sure it's doing much at this point, but I haven't used it long enough to make a firm judgement. I also recently switched my neb solution to 7% from 3%. That's where I noticed the biggest difference. The 7% really helps me bring up stuff that wasn't coming up before. I'm currently doing the vest after the nebbing but I may switch around. Anyone else have any input on vest before or after nebbing?
I could not use any vest due to vertigo. Dr. Haas, NJH ID doctor is currently trying to get insurance approval for the Voalara which sends oscillating pressure into lungs. It is also a nebulizer which cuts the nebulizing time down to 10 minutes. I know some people don't like the back pressure feeling but it didn't bother me. I hope it gets approved.
I also used/tried Afflovest. The concept was great -- free standing, no tether to a compressor, rechargeable, had its own carrying case for travel (I used to carry it on the plane). I developed lower rib pain on one side, however, and had to discontinue. Pulmonary suggested the lowest settings only to see if that would eliminate the rib pain but it did not.
I hope others will weigh in. It's a topic that has been discussed a lot. It's easy to search this forum to read others' experiences. From what I've gleaned people seem to like the SmartVest but you should definitely do your own research and trial the product for as long as necessary before purchasing.
Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry your vest didn't help. =(
I had searched this forum and gathered that SmartVest was effective and sustainable for some but for others, perhaps too gentle to help them expectorate. I'm wondering whether SmartVest is less likely to cause back/spine/rib problems and whether it's too gentle to be effective.
Thanks for your input. That's what I was thinking and why I've been doing it that way. But it seems I get the most stuff out during my nebulizing session. It almost feels like the vest dries me out when it's on and when I breathe in (kind of stutter breaths because of the oscillation), and not much of anything comes out during that session. In general, I don't have much mucus and I'm not bothered by coughing during the day or night so I guess I'm lucky in that respect. But I know there is something in there because my CT showed small mucus plugs and that's what I'm trying to get rid of.
The respiratory therapist did not go over the cleaning. I assume the mouthpiece is the same as the Aerobika. If I get insurance coverage, someone will come into my home and go over operation and cleaning.
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My pulmo suggested Aflo vest. I am very small frame. Used for 1 year until bones starting hurting in chest area. It really didn't do much for me. AC works much better. Vest is for sale.
I also used/tried Afflovest. The concept was great -- free standing, no tether to a compressor, rechargeable, had its own carrying case for travel (I used to carry it on the plane). I developed lower rib pain on one side, however, and had to discontinue. Pulmonary suggested the lowest settings only to see if that would eliminate the rib pain but it did not.
I hope others will weigh in. It's a topic that has been discussed a lot. It's easy to search this forum to read others' experiences. From what I've gleaned people seem to like the SmartVest but you should definitely do your own research and trial the product for as long as necessary before purchasing.
I started using the smart vest. I’ve been using it for over a month now. My coughing has almost disappeared so I’m trying some of the postural drainage techniques to clear my lung with some success. Overall, I am so much better. Is this normal?
I could not use any vest due to vertigo. Dr. Haas, NJH ID doctor is currently trying to get insurance approval for the Voalara which sends oscillating pressure into lungs. It is also a nebulizer which cuts the nebulizing time down to 10 minutes. I know some people don't like the back pressure feeling but it didn't bother me. I hope it gets approved.
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1 ReactionI'm using the Hillrom Baxter vest. I've only been using it for a few weeks as it was just prescribed by my pulmo. It has a compressor and it comes with a case on wheels like a small suitcase if you need to take it traveling. I'm not sure it's doing much at this point, but I haven't used it long enough to make a firm judgement. I also recently switched my neb solution to 7% from 3%. That's where I noticed the biggest difference. The 7% really helps me bring up stuff that wasn't coming up before. I'm currently doing the vest after the nebbing but I may switch around. Anyone else have any input on vest before or after nebbing?
Nebulize first because it makes the mucus moist and easier to remove via the airway clearance techniques you perform after.
It sounds like you tried the Volara already? What is the process for cleaning and disinfecting it after use?
Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry your vest didn't help. =(
I had searched this forum and gathered that SmartVest was effective and sustainable for some but for others, perhaps too gentle to help them expectorate. I'm wondering whether SmartVest is less likely to cause back/spine/rib problems and whether it's too gentle to be effective.
Thanks for your input. That's what I was thinking and why I've been doing it that way. But it seems I get the most stuff out during my nebulizing session. It almost feels like the vest dries me out when it's on and when I breathe in (kind of stutter breaths because of the oscillation), and not much of anything comes out during that session. In general, I don't have much mucus and I'm not bothered by coughing during the day or night so I guess I'm lucky in that respect. But I know there is something in there because my CT showed small mucus plugs and that's what I'm trying to get rid of.
The respiratory therapist did not go over the cleaning. I assume the mouthpiece is the same as the Aerobika. If I get insurance coverage, someone will come into my home and go over operation and cleaning.