Pari Vios vs Vios Pro?

[Hail2Pitt]

My current Pari Vios is dying, and I need to get a new one ASAP. I see that there is now a Vios Pro that targets "heavy use patients." Has anyone used it yet? I typically buy my compressor myself since my insurance makes it so painful, and I'm wondering whether it's worth the extra $30.

Thanks!

 

[Aboveallislove]

I can't speak of those but we got covered by insurance a 50 psi Mobilaire compressor and it is a godsend. We were wearing them out every couple months before and only really went fast for a week. Had for about a year...no problems and reliably quick with meds....maybe get cheaper one and push to get 50 psi covered by insurance or spring for it for long term...really great ewuipment and worth it!

 

[Hail2Pitt]

Thanks, I'll check it out! I go through 2-3 Pari compressors a year, which is kind of ridiculous, and would love to find something more robust.

 

[Ratatosk]

Is your pari still covered under the warranty? When we used the paris on a daily basis they had 5 year warranties, so I'd call the company, they'd ship a new one to me the next day and I'd return the old one. I DID purchase a mobilaire out of pocket, which we use for the daily treatments and take either the Vios or Invacare nebulizer with us on trips since it's smaller, more compact. I believe Devilbiss also makes a heavy duty 50 psi machine as well.

 

[Aboveallislove]

It is...and what to me is more ridiculous is after two or three years of that and getting new ones they finally said oh, we'll they aren't really able to handle the demands of cf use and you need a 50 psi one...what the heck...why not tell us that and get us the right one up front!!!

 

[stephen]

Another compressor you may want to consider is the DeVilbiss Pulmo Aide 5650D.

It's not in the same class as the 50 psi Mobilaire, but it costs mush less (about $100); and it is a real workhorse. I've been using them for years. Originally it was the only FDA approved compressor for TOBI.

Although I've never used a Mobilaire compressor, I'm sure you will not go wrong by getting one.

 

[Oboe]

I'm going through this myself, my Vios is on its way out. As someone else said, though, I just get it replaced under the warranty every time. Call one day, new machine's here the next, they send a label to send the old one back for no cost.

Good luck finding something more hearty. I know I go through a few of these things a year, myself. This one lasted 8 months which is a record in recent years for my machines.

 

[Ratatosk]

We had a DeVilbiss Pulmo Aide 5650D as well, which I loved; however, every 2 years something would go wrong with it and their policy is that you have to go thru a durable medical equipment provider (medical accessories store) and the local place would give me grief every time. Tell me they didn't carry that model, would take 3 weeks for the local DME to send the machine in and get one sent back. The last time they called after 3 weeks and said it wasn't covered under warranty, but when I picked it up I noticed the date on the back indicating the machine wasn't even 3 years old and there was a 5 year warranty on it. They hadn't even bothered sending it in!

At least with the pari, I call, they ship a new one out and send a mailing label for the old one. The 50 psi Mobilaire is a nice workhorse, but it's tough to find replacement filters and the start up cost is about $240-300 so sometimes insurance isn't willing to pay. The Devilbiss I bought out of pocket as a spare and it was less than $100.

 

[Gammaw]

How funny. I've been having those same conversations this week with the Respiratory Therapist and with Pari. We've been through three or four compressors - all Pari Vios - the past 6 months. Ridiculous. But whenever I called Pari they would send out a new one overnight, then send me a prepaid mailing label to send the old one back. But gets tiring. And it wouldn't be nebulizing right, causing a cough and would take more and more time to nebulize TOBI. So the last time - last week - I asked Pari if they were sending me refurbished. They said absolutely not and the RT said they were not allowed to do that either. So I asked the Pari rep why they seem to be going out so often and she asked me a few questions re how we clean the nebbie cups and how often we used it. Since we use it at least twice a day, and 4 times a day with TOBI, she immediately said it was normal for it to go out after such a brief time - she said we are "heavy use" and they are not meant for heavy use. Ya think some one would have said something initially!!! She recommended a Pari Vios Pro. Our CF Nurse is currently trying to locate one and will put it through insurance under the preauthorization requirements - explaining that we have tried the Vios and it won't work with heavy use. Hopefully we will get it covered. Our RT said others have been having these issues lately too and it was discussed at an RT conference of some sort last year. Pari Vios Pro is apparently the common solution. I hope we get one soon!

 

[Ratatosk]

Wow, just did a quick internet search and the Pari Vios Pro doesn't look any different than the regular paris. Says it's got higher psi and is more durable. Guess I was thinking it would be more like the mobilaire or the devilBiss 50 psi machine which are both made up of mostly metal parts not plastic. Did see pricing on the pari vios pros are about $90.

 

[Gammaw]

I just called Pari. The Vios is 32 psi and the Vios Pro is 46 psi. That's "without anything hooked up to it"! Once you hook up the Nebulizer cups, the Vios is 18 and the Pro is 23 psi. I think I remembered the numbers correctly. The warranty on both is 5 years. The Pro has a "slightly bigger motor" as the rep put it. And is made for those who neb several times a day. The point I remember is that the Pro is 4 psi short of the others mentioned in this thread. I suspect the psi they all quote is before you attach anything. And no, I have no connection to Pari other than as an end user! I remember when the DeVilBiss had a 10 year warranty and was the only one ever approved for use by the FDA with TOBI. But I believe that was because TOBI trials were with that machine. Now I think the DeVilBiss is a 5 year warranty. I wonder if the lesson isn't that you need a backup machine at all times . . . . Clearly not approved by insurance! Anyone have experience with the Pro?

 

[stephen]

I’m overly cautious and always had a backup.

Currently I have three nebulizers that are used regularly; two DeVilbiss Pulmo Aids and a Pari Vios. In addition to being backups, they are in three different rooms, making treatments more convenient. (This was important for me when I was using TOBI and/or Colistin, which meant doing 6 - 8 treatments daily).

I also have an eFlow for Cayston, and a Pari Trek for travel.

Most were supplied at no cost.