I for one never thought the Vest did much at all. All it ever did for me was bounce me around like I was on a trampoline and hurt the crap out of my port. I gave it up soon after and went back to good-old-fashioned manual CPT and the acapella. I started getting up much more mucus than I had with the Vest, so your findings don't really surprise me. I'm glad your experiment was successful, though!
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reflections on the vest
- Thread starter catboogie
- Start date
I just got the vest and have been using it once a day and then the acapella once a day. My doctor reccommended it that way to switch it up a bit. Not everyone responds to the vest and also, I didn't have the time to do it in the morning. I love the vest but also really like the acapella so it works for me to do them both
I just got the vest and have been using it once a day and then the acapella once a day. My doctor reccommended it that way to switch it up a bit. Not everyone responds to the vest and also, I didn't have the time to do it in the morning. I love the vest but also really like the acapella so it works for me to do them both
I just got the vest and have been using it once a day and then the acapella once a day. My doctor reccommended it that way to switch it up a bit. Not everyone responds to the vest and also, I didn't have the time to do it in the morning. I love the vest but also really like the acapella so it works for me to do them both
littledebbie
New member
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.
littledebbie
New member
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.
littledebbie
New member
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.
You all know that I take particular interest in any Vest and Physio threads, we dont have the vest readily available in the UK. It would be a wholly private buy in the UK, no insurance would cover that and the NHS will not either.
So it is very interesting to read Lauren what you say about the vest on your holiday, or rather the lack of vest on your holiday.
I would say that it may be an even split, half swear buy it the other half dont. The point is that you have to try the vest to form that opinion, so the vest must be a good therapy to have, but certainly not the only option.
Have we ever done a survey on chest treatment, I would think we have at some point. Maybe we should start another.
So it is very interesting to read Lauren what you say about the vest on your holiday, or rather the lack of vest on your holiday.
I would say that it may be an even split, half swear buy it the other half dont. The point is that you have to try the vest to form that opinion, so the vest must be a good therapy to have, but certainly not the only option.
Have we ever done a survey on chest treatment, I would think we have at some point. Maybe we should start another.
You all know that I take particular interest in any Vest and Physio threads, we dont have the vest readily available in the UK. It would be a wholly private buy in the UK, no insurance would cover that and the NHS will not either.
So it is very interesting to read Lauren what you say about the vest on your holiday, or rather the lack of vest on your holiday.
I would say that it may be an even split, half swear buy it the other half dont. The point is that you have to try the vest to form that opinion, so the vest must be a good therapy to have, but certainly not the only option.
Have we ever done a survey on chest treatment, I would think we have at some point. Maybe we should start another.
So it is very interesting to read Lauren what you say about the vest on your holiday, or rather the lack of vest on your holiday.
I would say that it may be an even split, half swear buy it the other half dont. The point is that you have to try the vest to form that opinion, so the vest must be a good therapy to have, but certainly not the only option.
Have we ever done a survey on chest treatment, I would think we have at some point. Maybe we should start another.
You all know that I take particular interest in any Vest and Physio threads, we dont have the vest readily available in the UK. It would be a wholly private buy in the UK, no insurance would cover that and the NHS will not either.
So it is very interesting to read Lauren what you say about the vest on your holiday, or rather the lack of vest on your holiday.
I would say that it may be an even split, half swear buy it the other half dont. The point is that you have to try the vest to form that opinion, so the vest must be a good therapy to have, but certainly not the only option.
Have we ever done a survey on chest treatment, I would think we have at some point. Maybe we should start another.
So it is very interesting to read Lauren what you say about the vest on your holiday, or rather the lack of vest on your holiday.
I would say that it may be an even split, half swear buy it the other half dont. The point is that you have to try the vest to form that opinion, so the vest must be a good therapy to have, but certainly not the only option.
Have we ever done a survey on chest treatment, I would think we have at some point. Maybe we should start another.
Scarlett81
New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>littledebbie</b></i>
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.</end quote></div>
Now Debbie-I'm not attacking you here, ok?!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But this is exactly what I was thinking as i scrolled down reading each post-(not the original posters, bc I don't think what you were trying to say at all was that the vest was useless, just to keep our options open,right?) but I was thinking reading others posts that 9 out of 10 people that don't feel the vest does anything probably haven't been taught how to do it properly.
Then when I read Debbie's post above, in my head went ding ding ding!!!! If you were doing it with no active participation, or just sitting there as you said, then you weren't taught how to do it right. (listen, there is no offense intended here, I did the vest for 10 stinking years with slow gradual decline, and I went to a highly repuatable ped cf clinic, and they didn't teach me the vest properly) So how do we know what to do if these clinics are not teaching us how to do it. It wasn't till I grew up and moved to a new clinic that they said, um.....who taught you to do the vest like this?
The thing is, when the vest is done properly (as directed), it should feel like at the end of it you just did an intense 45 min workout.
That being said-
I agree with the original posters feelings on airway clearance. There are some people I'm sure that do the vest correctly but stil don't see great results all the time or every day. Hey, whatever works for you best.
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.</end quote></div>
Now Debbie-I'm not attacking you here, ok?!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But this is exactly what I was thinking as i scrolled down reading each post-(not the original posters, bc I don't think what you were trying to say at all was that the vest was useless, just to keep our options open,right?) but I was thinking reading others posts that 9 out of 10 people that don't feel the vest does anything probably haven't been taught how to do it properly.
Then when I read Debbie's post above, in my head went ding ding ding!!!! If you were doing it with no active participation, or just sitting there as you said, then you weren't taught how to do it right. (listen, there is no offense intended here, I did the vest for 10 stinking years with slow gradual decline, and I went to a highly repuatable ped cf clinic, and they didn't teach me the vest properly) So how do we know what to do if these clinics are not teaching us how to do it. It wasn't till I grew up and moved to a new clinic that they said, um.....who taught you to do the vest like this?
The thing is, when the vest is done properly (as directed), it should feel like at the end of it you just did an intense 45 min workout.
That being said-
I agree with the original posters feelings on airway clearance. There are some people I'm sure that do the vest correctly but stil don't see great results all the time or every day. Hey, whatever works for you best.
Scarlett81
New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>littledebbie</b></i>
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.</end quote></div>
Now Debbie-I'm not attacking you here, ok?!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But this is exactly what I was thinking as i scrolled down reading each post-(not the original posters, bc I don't think what you were trying to say at all was that the vest was useless, just to keep our options open,right?) but I was thinking reading others posts that 9 out of 10 people that don't feel the vest does anything probably haven't been taught how to do it properly.
Then when I read Debbie's post above, in my head went ding ding ding!!!! If you were doing it with no active participation, or just sitting there as you said, then you weren't taught how to do it right. (listen, there is no offense intended here, I did the vest for 10 stinking years with slow gradual decline, and I went to a highly repuatable ped cf clinic, and they didn't teach me the vest properly) So how do we know what to do if these clinics are not teaching us how to do it. It wasn't till I grew up and moved to a new clinic that they said, um.....who taught you to do the vest like this?
The thing is, when the vest is done properly (as directed), it should feel like at the end of it you just did an intense 45 min workout.
That being said-
I agree with the original posters feelings on airway clearance. There are some people I'm sure that do the vest correctly but stil don't see great results all the time or every day. Hey, whatever works for you best.
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.</end quote></div>
Now Debbie-I'm not attacking you here, ok?!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But this is exactly what I was thinking as i scrolled down reading each post-(not the original posters, bc I don't think what you were trying to say at all was that the vest was useless, just to keep our options open,right?) but I was thinking reading others posts that 9 out of 10 people that don't feel the vest does anything probably haven't been taught how to do it properly.
Then when I read Debbie's post above, in my head went ding ding ding!!!! If you were doing it with no active participation, or just sitting there as you said, then you weren't taught how to do it right. (listen, there is no offense intended here, I did the vest for 10 stinking years with slow gradual decline, and I went to a highly repuatable ped cf clinic, and they didn't teach me the vest properly) So how do we know what to do if these clinics are not teaching us how to do it. It wasn't till I grew up and moved to a new clinic that they said, um.....who taught you to do the vest like this?
The thing is, when the vest is done properly (as directed), it should feel like at the end of it you just did an intense 45 min workout.
That being said-
I agree with the original posters feelings on airway clearance. There are some people I'm sure that do the vest correctly but stil don't see great results all the time or every day. Hey, whatever works for you best.
Scarlett81
New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>littledebbie</b></i>
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.</end quote></div>
Now Debbie-I'm not attacking you here, ok?!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But this is exactly what I was thinking as i scrolled down reading each post-(not the original posters, bc I don't think what you were trying to say at all was that the vest was useless, just to keep our options open,right?) but I was thinking reading others posts that 9 out of 10 people that don't feel the vest does anything probably haven't been taught how to do it properly.
Then when I read Debbie's post above, in my head went ding ding ding!!!! If you were doing it with no active participation, or just sitting there as you said, then you weren't taught how to do it right. (listen, there is no offense intended here, I did the vest for 10 stinking years with slow gradual decline, and I went to a highly repuatable ped cf clinic, and they didn't teach me the vest properly) So how do we know what to do if these clinics are not teaching us how to do it. It wasn't till I grew up and moved to a new clinic that they said, um.....who taught you to do the vest like this?
The thing is, when the vest is done properly (as directed), it should feel like at the end of it you just did an intense 45 min workout.
That being said-
I agree with the original posters feelings on airway clearance. There are some people I'm sure that do the vest correctly but stil don't see great results all the time or every day. Hey, whatever works for you best.
I honestly think that the best form of CPT is which ever one you will be most likely to do the most and with a concious effort to clear out your lungs while doing it. For me I thought the vest felt like some form of annoyance torture and since it took no participation on my part I just sort of zoned and payed not a wit to my bretahing or coughing or lack of coughing...mostly I just wanted it to be over. And it irritated my port as well and was impossoble to do while accessed.
Acapella for me requires my attention and participation, which is a nuisance in itself of course, but for me it makes me more productive. It makes me focus for a few minutes on my breathing and my task at hand of clearing as much crap outta my lungs as possible. Anyhoo, thats why I'm a acapella girl.</end quote></div>
Now Debbie-I'm not attacking you here, ok?!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But this is exactly what I was thinking as i scrolled down reading each post-(not the original posters, bc I don't think what you were trying to say at all was that the vest was useless, just to keep our options open,right?) but I was thinking reading others posts that 9 out of 10 people that don't feel the vest does anything probably haven't been taught how to do it properly.
Then when I read Debbie's post above, in my head went ding ding ding!!!! If you were doing it with no active participation, or just sitting there as you said, then you weren't taught how to do it right. (listen, there is no offense intended here, I did the vest for 10 stinking years with slow gradual decline, and I went to a highly repuatable ped cf clinic, and they didn't teach me the vest properly) So how do we know what to do if these clinics are not teaching us how to do it. It wasn't till I grew up and moved to a new clinic that they said, um.....who taught you to do the vest like this?
The thing is, when the vest is done properly (as directed), it should feel like at the end of it you just did an intense 45 min workout.
That being said-
I agree with the original posters feelings on airway clearance. There are some people I'm sure that do the vest correctly but stil don't see great results all the time or every day. Hey, whatever works for you best.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sakasuka</b></i>
I am willing to bet large amounts of money that if you put your vest to the wayside for a good period of time, say, 6 months, your feeling about the Vest might be different.</end quote></div>
I wont... I used the vest for a 3-4 month period and got so bad that I lost most of what remained of my fev1's. Was at 39% dropped to below 20%. I think the Vest or any airway clearance device depends on the individual. What works for one wont nessessarily work for another. If the Flutter Valve works better for someone and the Vest works better for you. Thats just how it is. I am going to throw a number out here, cause I can't remember the statics given me years ago, but here it goes. (Made up #'s) Statics show 80% improvement... well that doesn't mean all patients showed an 80% improvement in airway clearance. More accurately is means 80% of the Patients showed improvement, the other 20% didn't. This is an example given me by my doctor and a rep at hillrom, about 5 or 6 years ago. So the numbers are going to be off. Mainly what is being said is the Vest isn't effective for everyone, but for those who it is effective the more power to them for using it, and they shouldn't stop.
I am willing to bet large amounts of money that if you put your vest to the wayside for a good period of time, say, 6 months, your feeling about the Vest might be different.</end quote></div>
I wont... I used the vest for a 3-4 month period and got so bad that I lost most of what remained of my fev1's. Was at 39% dropped to below 20%. I think the Vest or any airway clearance device depends on the individual. What works for one wont nessessarily work for another. If the Flutter Valve works better for someone and the Vest works better for you. Thats just how it is. I am going to throw a number out here, cause I can't remember the statics given me years ago, but here it goes. (Made up #'s) Statics show 80% improvement... well that doesn't mean all patients showed an 80% improvement in airway clearance. More accurately is means 80% of the Patients showed improvement, the other 20% didn't. This is an example given me by my doctor and a rep at hillrom, about 5 or 6 years ago. So the numbers are going to be off. Mainly what is being said is the Vest isn't effective for everyone, but for those who it is effective the more power to them for using it, and they shouldn't stop.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sakasuka</b></i>
I am willing to bet large amounts of money that if you put your vest to the wayside for a good period of time, say, 6 months, your feeling about the Vest might be different.</end quote></div>
I wont... I used the vest for a 3-4 month period and got so bad that I lost most of what remained of my fev1's. Was at 39% dropped to below 20%. I think the Vest or any airway clearance device depends on the individual. What works for one wont nessessarily work for another. If the Flutter Valve works better for someone and the Vest works better for you. Thats just how it is. I am going to throw a number out here, cause I can't remember the statics given me years ago, but here it goes. (Made up #'s) Statics show 80% improvement... well that doesn't mean all patients showed an 80% improvement in airway clearance. More accurately is means 80% of the Patients showed improvement, the other 20% didn't. This is an example given me by my doctor and a rep at hillrom, about 5 or 6 years ago. So the numbers are going to be off. Mainly what is being said is the Vest isn't effective for everyone, but for those who it is effective the more power to them for using it, and they shouldn't stop.
I am willing to bet large amounts of money that if you put your vest to the wayside for a good period of time, say, 6 months, your feeling about the Vest might be different.</end quote></div>
I wont... I used the vest for a 3-4 month period and got so bad that I lost most of what remained of my fev1's. Was at 39% dropped to below 20%. I think the Vest or any airway clearance device depends on the individual. What works for one wont nessessarily work for another. If the Flutter Valve works better for someone and the Vest works better for you. Thats just how it is. I am going to throw a number out here, cause I can't remember the statics given me years ago, but here it goes. (Made up #'s) Statics show 80% improvement... well that doesn't mean all patients showed an 80% improvement in airway clearance. More accurately is means 80% of the Patients showed improvement, the other 20% didn't. This is an example given me by my doctor and a rep at hillrom, about 5 or 6 years ago. So the numbers are going to be off. Mainly what is being said is the Vest isn't effective for everyone, but for those who it is effective the more power to them for using it, and they shouldn't stop.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sakasuka</b></i>
I am willing to bet large amounts of money that if you put your vest to the wayside for a good period of time, say, 6 months, your feeling about the Vest might be different.</end quote></div>
I wont... I used the vest for a 3-4 month period and got so bad that I lost most of what remained of my fev1's. Was at 39% dropped to below 20%. I think the Vest or any airway clearance device depends on the individual. What works for one wont nessessarily work for another. If the Flutter Valve works better for someone and the Vest works better for you. Thats just how it is. I am going to throw a number out here, cause I can't remember the statics given me years ago, but here it goes. (Made up #'s) Statics show 80% improvement... well that doesn't mean all patients showed an 80% improvement in airway clearance. More accurately is means 80% of the Patients showed improvement, the other 20% didn't. This is an example given me by my doctor and a rep at hillrom, about 5 or 6 years ago. So the numbers are going to be off. Mainly what is being said is the Vest isn't effective for everyone, but for those who it is effective the more power to them for using it, and they shouldn't stop.
I am willing to bet large amounts of money that if you put your vest to the wayside for a good period of time, say, 6 months, your feeling about the Vest might be different.</end quote></div>
I wont... I used the vest for a 3-4 month period and got so bad that I lost most of what remained of my fev1's. Was at 39% dropped to below 20%. I think the Vest or any airway clearance device depends on the individual. What works for one wont nessessarily work for another. If the Flutter Valve works better for someone and the Vest works better for you. Thats just how it is. I am going to throw a number out here, cause I can't remember the statics given me years ago, but here it goes. (Made up #'s) Statics show 80% improvement... well that doesn't mean all patients showed an 80% improvement in airway clearance. More accurately is means 80% of the Patients showed improvement, the other 20% didn't. This is an example given me by my doctor and a rep at hillrom, about 5 or 6 years ago. So the numbers are going to be off. Mainly what is being said is the Vest isn't effective for everyone, but for those who it is effective the more power to them for using it, and they shouldn't stop.
littledebbie
New member
No offense taken Christian. i will say it is entirely possible I wasn't doing it right. I was doing it the same way they do it when I'm in the hospital though so I would be somewhat surprised if it was totally incorrect. However, even in the hospital they ended up switching me to either flutter or manual cpt becasue I was just non-productive with the vest and was a general pain in the as$ pateint to get to do it when accessed.
Bottom line...I found the vest uncomfortable and thought it felt some what assaulting and since I couldn't wait for it to be over I was not the least bit invested in it. again my point being....if you don't like it...you won't do it...hence it's not the best form of CPT for YOU.
Bottom line...I found the vest uncomfortable and thought it felt some what assaulting and since I couldn't wait for it to be over I was not the least bit invested in it. again my point being....if you don't like it...you won't do it...hence it's not the best form of CPT for YOU.