What is the optimal percentage for the chest wall oscillation vest?

Hi lp8, Your post reminded me of my primeval experience(s) as a pulmonology patient. In retrospect I think the only one in picture who knew less than me about bronchiecstasis was the pulmonologist.
He arranged for Medicare to buy me a $1,300.00 Respirtech Oscillation Percussion vest. He also started me on a regimen involving inhaling nebulized 0.09 Saline solution. So for the next year or so twice daily I dutifully “harnessed up” and got “thumped. And thus was born “Thumperguy.” This happy picture is flawed however; I continued to have febrile flare-ups and when I’m febrile I feel lousy.
My first pulmonologist pulled up stakes and moved away. I began to see his older office colleague who continued apace with the same regimen. And not too surprisingly my BOD wasn’t fooled by the personnel change; continuing to mount acute exacerbations in and out of season.

For my part, I changed nothing…until I read a post on this forum by a guy who conveyed his conviction about the superior results he had when he began using a stronger saline solution; 7% as it turned out.

I immediately brought it up with my “moribund” pulmo, who had no objection to prescribing the stronger solution. Bye bye exascerbations. I gradually began to suspect that the linchpin in the picture was the saline concentration, not the vibration. I’m now convinced of it.

My story is consonant with the wisdom often expressed on this forum including the merits of becoming one’s best advocate.

btw; Enjoy being vibrated? Have I got a deal for you. It’d probably work well as ballast in a sailboat too. All offers considered. 😁

BTW: Back when I used the “Thumper” as I eventually named it, I routinely ran it full bore “Pedal to the Medal.” Don

Thanks for writing this. Yesterday I started an online rehab program my Bronch/Mac pulmonologist urged e to do. Three times a week, 90 minutes for 12 weeks. (Aaaaargh!) Zoom, 4 people like e in the class. When the therapist/leader heard me talk she heard congestion I’ve had for a few weeks. She urged me to nebulize my saline after class which would add a 3rd session for me. I have a call in to my doctor to ask antibiotic or extra Neb. with saline. My oxygen at 91 in class when others at 96. I don’t want to do any of this but I know I have to.

Dr just called. When congested add a nubulizing with saline at noon. Not a permanent new 3x day but just this time. Not antibiotics. Every time I feel congested add a noon session.