I am 5’4” tall and weigh 110 pounds. I had the Hill-Rom Monarch for about nine months. I am told it comes in only one size. I tried everything to make it work, but it was simply too big. The pods are supposed to fit on your lungs or they do not work. The back lower pods hit me in the kidneys (although they were too wide to fit on my back fully). That caused back pain. The front lower pods hit my stomach. When they added shoulder pads, the top pads were too high. They wound up turning off more than half of the pods. The third representative who called finally came out and took a look; he said the vest did not fit AT ALL. They switched me to the Vest APX in December. It comes in different sizes. I am wearing a 30-34”. It fits comfortably and is adjustable. Although you can’t walk around with it, the hoses detach easily if you need them to. I highly recommend. My next scan will tell whether it has improved the mucus plugging, but I do believe it has improved my breathing. Pay careful attention if they try to fit you with the Monarch. If you are my size, it will not really fit.
When I was first prescribed a vest, the Hillrom Baxter Vest Apex was sent to me. It has hoses attached to the compressor and requires one to sit near the compressor for the entire 20 minute therapy session. I really didn't feel it was doing much at the time. Then I was notified a couple or more months later by my doctor's office that my insurance didn't cover that one and they had to order a different one through the durable medical equipment provider that my insurance used. So Hillrom Baxter requested I send the compressor back and dispose of the hoses and actual vest which they couldn't take back for medical sanitary reasons.
I was then sent an Afflo Vest which does not have hoses. I like this vest much, much better and although it's kind of heavy at 8 lbs. (I weighed it when I was wearing it), I find it works really well to help bring the mucus up after I nebulize with my Aerobika attached. Some people do their nebulizing, Aerobika and vest together, but I do the vest afterward and find that works best for me. Just for reference, I am 5'9" and about 128 lbs.
@westcottkm3040 No stupid questions here. Best thing is to search this forum for mucous plugs, which seem to be more solid mucous bits which form in our airways and appear white on scans. I think Scoop even included a picture! There are many different descriptions and appearances. Coughing these bits up help keep our airways clear.
I am using the Afflovest. It has been very effective! Lightweight and portable. Have not had any discomfort wearing it. It does have 3 intensity settings! I can walk around with it so it doesn’t tie you down. No hoses! It came with a carry on bag as well. I use it for 30 minutes as prescribed by my Pulmonologist and respiratory therapist. I use it while nebulizing with the aerobika. Gets the job done!
Very happy with it and haven’t looked back!
@winterfelllvoyager75
I use this vest brand also. When I first began, I coughed up a lot more especially in the morning. It’s been about 4 years and I don’t immediately cough up a lot of phlegm but I can tell it is keeping things moving inside. I do still cough up phlegm and I believe it has helped my lungs from getting worse.
I have AffloVest, which caused one sided rib pain after about 2 weeks use. Before the onset of pain, I thought it was somewhat useful. It's in mothballs now. Recently, I've thought about trying it again now that I am on Brinsupri and I experience less congestion/inflammation. I have much less mucus now so not sure how useful the vest would be. Between huff coughing and aerobika I seem to be able to expel what I need to feel clear.
@lsm1936, Would it be possible to say more about how the SmartVest is not working as expected. What were your expectations?
@scoop
Hi
I have the Afflovest too. I am 5 ‘ and it hits places in my spine where I have osteoarthritis.
I stopped using it and it’s a result of reading these discussions. I emailed Afflo.
They buy them the best in the exchange once during the five year commitment, asked for my serial number and said they would refer me to the DME who supplied it.
They called yesterday and asked me for my measurements. Initially, they asked only for my chest waist, length , but I mentioned the length is the real issue so send for additional measurements. Height etc.
A new one will be sent out.
Maybe this will help you.
@scoop
Hi
I have the Afflovest too. I am 5 ‘ and it hits places in my spine where I have osteoarthritis.
I stopped using it and it’s a result of reading these discussions. I emailed Afflo.
They buy them the best in the exchange once during the five year commitment, asked for my serial number and said they would refer me to the DME who supplied it.
They called yesterday and asked me for my measurements. Initially, they asked only for my chest waist, length , but I mentioned the length is the real issue so send for additional measurements. Height etc.
A new one will be sent out.
Maybe this will help you.
I’ve had the afflovest for well over a year. I haven’t used it steadily, BUT at times I have used it for 30-40 days straight usually twice a day. Although it does help some for me it’s only a very small amount. Maybe I was expecting to much!! It sounds like a lot of other people have problems or experience ineffectiveness of their vest no matter what the brand name is. I will say this the way these companies (Big Pharma, Pari, Monaghan, Ombra, etc) advertise and promote their medications and products, it makes you think WOW this will be great for me. Then when you find out that it’s not as good as advertised, you get the answer that you must be doing something wrong or everybody is different etc. I for one have told myself that although my vest only helps a little, “Every little bit helps” I think bottom line is maybe we all expect to much based on what we’ve seen and heard from medical companies and personnel.
My pulmo ordered the Smartvest. I am not impressed. Their customer service is excellent but I don’t feel it helps get up any more mucus than I get with just nebbing and Aerobika.
My pulmo ordered the Smartvest. I am not impressed. Their customer service is excellent but I don’t feel it helps get up any more mucus than I get with just nebbing and Aerobika.
@wandafanda Did you get a personal visit from a nurse or technician to fit the vest to you and make sure it is working optimally for you? If not, please put in a call to your pulmonologist to discuss. If it really isn't for you, it should be returned withing the allowed time, and another brand or type ordered.
"Silent quitting", putting it away when doesn't work, instead of taking action, provides NO feedback to your doctor or the manufacturer that the product is ineffective. And to have expensive medical gear sitting gathering dust after insurance or Medicare pays for it contributes to the high cost of health care.
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I have been using the Monarch vest for 2 years. Yes it works for me
@juliea55 not to seem stupid. But people talk about mucous plugs. What are they?
When I was first prescribed a vest, the Hillrom Baxter Vest Apex was sent to me. It has hoses attached to the compressor and requires one to sit near the compressor for the entire 20 minute therapy session. I really didn't feel it was doing much at the time. Then I was notified a couple or more months later by my doctor's office that my insurance didn't cover that one and they had to order a different one through the durable medical equipment provider that my insurance used. So Hillrom Baxter requested I send the compressor back and dispose of the hoses and actual vest which they couldn't take back for medical sanitary reasons.
I was then sent an Afflo Vest which does not have hoses. I like this vest much, much better and although it's kind of heavy at 8 lbs. (I weighed it when I was wearing it), I find it works really well to help bring the mucus up after I nebulize with my Aerobika attached. Some people do their nebulizing, Aerobika and vest together, but I do the vest afterward and find that works best for me. Just for reference, I am 5'9" and about 128 lbs.
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1 Reaction@westcottkm3040 No stupid questions here. Best thing is to search this forum for mucous plugs, which seem to be more solid mucous bits which form in our airways and appear white on scans. I think Scoop even included a picture! There are many different descriptions and appearances. Coughing these bits up help keep our airways clear.
@winterfelllvoyager75
I use this vest brand also. When I first began, I coughed up a lot more especially in the morning. It’s been about 4 years and I don’t immediately cough up a lot of phlegm but I can tell it is keeping things moving inside. I do still cough up phlegm and I believe it has helped my lungs from getting worse.
@scoop
Hi
I have the Afflovest too. I am 5 ‘ and it hits places in my spine where I have osteoarthritis.
I stopped using it and it’s a result of reading these discussions. I emailed Afflo.
They buy them the best in the exchange once during the five year commitment, asked for my serial number and said they would refer me to the DME who supplied it.
They called yesterday and asked me for my measurements. Initially, they asked only for my chest waist, length , but I mentioned the length is the real issue so send for additional measurements. Height etc.
A new one will be sent out.
Maybe this will help you.
Good luck
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2 Reactions@patgreen11
Sorry, I just realized dictation created a strange sentence in the second paragraph.
Afflo offers one exchange during the five-year commitment to the vest.
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2 ReactionsI’ve had the afflovest for well over a year. I haven’t used it steadily, BUT at times I have used it for 30-40 days straight usually twice a day. Although it does help some for me it’s only a very small amount. Maybe I was expecting to much!! It sounds like a lot of other people have problems or experience ineffectiveness of their vest no matter what the brand name is. I will say this the way these companies (Big Pharma, Pari, Monaghan, Ombra, etc) advertise and promote their medications and products, it makes you think WOW this will be great for me. Then when you find out that it’s not as good as advertised, you get the answer that you must be doing something wrong or everybody is different etc. I for one have told myself that although my vest only helps a little, “Every little bit helps” I think bottom line is maybe we all expect to much based on what we’ve seen and heard from medical companies and personnel.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsMy pulmo ordered the Smartvest. I am not impressed. Their customer service is excellent but I don’t feel it helps get up any more mucus than I get with just nebbing and Aerobika.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@wandafanda Did you get a personal visit from a nurse or technician to fit the vest to you and make sure it is working optimally for you? If not, please put in a call to your pulmonologist to discuss. If it really isn't for you, it should be returned withing the allowed time, and another brand or type ordered.
"Silent quitting", putting it away when doesn't work, instead of taking action, provides NO feedback to your doctor or the manufacturer that the product is ineffective. And to have expensive medical gear sitting gathering dust after insurance or Medicare pays for it contributes to the high cost of health care.