The Vest - what age did your child get it?

A

angelsmom

New member
Our daughter was diagnosed in November 2005 at age 18 months. The vest was mentioned in one of our first CF clinic visits as "something she will probably get." We are now approaching a year since diagnosis and there has yet to be any further mention of getting a vest. So, I am now wondering if it is her age (now 2 1/2) or some other reason(s) why we have do not have one at this point. Could some of you please respond to these questions? I would really appreciate it!!

1) What age was your child when he/she first started using the vest?

2) How did it come about that your child got a vest? (was is something your doctor brought up and recommended or was it something you had to ask for?)

3) Does your clinic tend to be very aggressive in all areas of treatment and therefore all patients are recommended to have a vest as soon as possible?

4) Was your child experiencing a lot of respiratory issues that led your doctor and/or you to push for a vest?

Thanks for any replies.
 
A

angelsmom

New member
Our daughter was diagnosed in November 2005 at age 18 months. The vest was mentioned in one of our first CF clinic visits as "something she will probably get." We are now approaching a year since diagnosis and there has yet to be any further mention of getting a vest. So, I am now wondering if it is her age (now 2 1/2) or some other reason(s) why we have do not have one at this point. Could some of you please respond to these questions? I would really appreciate it!!

1) What age was your child when he/she first started using the vest?

2) How did it come about that your child got a vest? (was is something your doctor brought up and recommended or was it something you had to ask for?)

3) Does your clinic tend to be very aggressive in all areas of treatment and therefore all patients are recommended to have a vest as soon as possible?

4) Was your child experiencing a lot of respiratory issues that led your doctor and/or you to push for a vest?

Thanks for any replies.
 
A

angelsmom

New member
Our daughter was diagnosed in November 2005 at age 18 months. The vest was mentioned in one of our first CF clinic visits as "something she will probably get." We are now approaching a year since diagnosis and there has yet to be any further mention of getting a vest. So, I am now wondering if it is her age (now 2 1/2) or some other reason(s) why we have do not have one at this point. Could some of you please respond to these questions? I would really appreciate it!!

1) What age was your child when he/she first started using the vest?

2) How did it come about that your child got a vest? (was is something your doctor brought up and recommended or was it something you had to ask for?)

3) Does your clinic tend to be very aggressive in all areas of treatment and therefore all patients are recommended to have a vest as soon as possible?

4) Was your child experiencing a lot of respiratory issues that led your doctor and/or you to push for a vest?

Thanks for any replies.
 
N

Nicole

New member
To answer your questions--

1. Our son got his vest when he was about 22 months old.

2. Just like you, at diagnosis, we were told that most likely he would be getting a vest "sometime". Since his diagnosis we have changed clinics and doctors. We brought up the fact that we would like for him to have the vest and the dr had no problem with that and wrote the script. They did do a chest measurement to make sure that he was big enough.

3. Yes, our dr/clinic is very agressive with their treatments and are always up on the newest, latest things. They are always doing some sort of study.

4. Danny has not had any respiratpry issues so far.

Hope this helped!
 
N

Nicole

New member
To answer your questions--

1. Our son got his vest when he was about 22 months old.

2. Just like you, at diagnosis, we were told that most likely he would be getting a vest "sometime". Since his diagnosis we have changed clinics and doctors. We brought up the fact that we would like for him to have the vest and the dr had no problem with that and wrote the script. They did do a chest measurement to make sure that he was big enough.

3. Yes, our dr/clinic is very agressive with their treatments and are always up on the newest, latest things. They are always doing some sort of study.

4. Danny has not had any respiratpry issues so far.

Hope this helped!
 
N

Nicole

New member
To answer your questions--

1. Our son got his vest when he was about 22 months old.

2. Just like you, at diagnosis, we were told that most likely he would be getting a vest "sometime". Since his diagnosis we have changed clinics and doctors. We brought up the fact that we would like for him to have the vest and the dr had no problem with that and wrote the script. They did do a chest measurement to make sure that he was big enough.

3. Yes, our dr/clinic is very agressive with their treatments and are always up on the newest, latest things. They are always doing some sort of study.

4. Danny has not had any respiratpry issues so far.

Hope this helped!
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
1. Our daughters were approximately 4 and 5 when we got the vest.

2. I knew of the vest because my nephew also has CF, and had received his when he was about 9 years old. I had brought it up to our therapist telling her that when my girls were big enough, I wanted the vest. I was exhausted trying to do manual CPT on two of them. And unfortunately my husband is useless in that category. He insisted he was afraid of hurting them and when they would struggle with him he would give in and stop.

3. Our CF doc is very agressive, but not all studies will prove that the vest is the best for CPT. Some doctors feel that hand CPT is best. I still do them by hand if one of my girls is overly tired or cranky and won't put on the vest. I will just sit and hold them and do it manually if they need more physical contact and comforting from mommy.

4. Neither one of my daughters had any respiratory involvement at the time of getting the vest. I pushed for it for the fact that I was having a difficult time doing it all by myself with two CF children. It was physically and mentally wearing me out. We actually only got one machine and two vest originally. But our dr. didn't realize that we only had one and why it was taking so long for me to get them through their CPT, so he prescribed a second machine, which we got about three months ago. Now my life is so much easier. They used to argue over who had to go first, and now they fight over who starts their machine the quickest to get done the fastest<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I prefer that arguement over the other any day!

I am not sure that they age really matters. It depends on the chest size of your daughter as to whether she can use it or not.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
1. Our daughters were approximately 4 and 5 when we got the vest.

2. I knew of the vest because my nephew also has CF, and had received his when he was about 9 years old. I had brought it up to our therapist telling her that when my girls were big enough, I wanted the vest. I was exhausted trying to do manual CPT on two of them. And unfortunately my husband is useless in that category. He insisted he was afraid of hurting them and when they would struggle with him he would give in and stop.

3. Our CF doc is very agressive, but not all studies will prove that the vest is the best for CPT. Some doctors feel that hand CPT is best. I still do them by hand if one of my girls is overly tired or cranky and won't put on the vest. I will just sit and hold them and do it manually if they need more physical contact and comforting from mommy.

4. Neither one of my daughters had any respiratory involvement at the time of getting the vest. I pushed for it for the fact that I was having a difficult time doing it all by myself with two CF children. It was physically and mentally wearing me out. We actually only got one machine and two vest originally. But our dr. didn't realize that we only had one and why it was taking so long for me to get them through their CPT, so he prescribed a second machine, which we got about three months ago. Now my life is so much easier. They used to argue over who had to go first, and now they fight over who starts their machine the quickest to get done the fastest<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I prefer that arguement over the other any day!

I am not sure that they age really matters. It depends on the chest size of your daughter as to whether she can use it or not.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
1. Our daughters were approximately 4 and 5 when we got the vest.

2. I knew of the vest because my nephew also has CF, and had received his when he was about 9 years old. I had brought it up to our therapist telling her that when my girls were big enough, I wanted the vest. I was exhausted trying to do manual CPT on two of them. And unfortunately my husband is useless in that category. He insisted he was afraid of hurting them and when they would struggle with him he would give in and stop.

3. Our CF doc is very agressive, but not all studies will prove that the vest is the best for CPT. Some doctors feel that hand CPT is best. I still do them by hand if one of my girls is overly tired or cranky and won't put on the vest. I will just sit and hold them and do it manually if they need more physical contact and comforting from mommy.

4. Neither one of my daughters had any respiratory involvement at the time of getting the vest. I pushed for it for the fact that I was having a difficult time doing it all by myself with two CF children. It was physically and mentally wearing me out. We actually only got one machine and two vest originally. But our dr. didn't realize that we only had one and why it was taking so long for me to get them through their CPT, so he prescribed a second machine, which we got about three months ago. Now my life is so much easier. They used to argue over who had to go first, and now they fight over who starts their machine the quickest to get done the fastest<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I prefer that arguement over the other any day!

I am not sure that they age really matters. It depends on the chest size of your daughter as to whether she can use it or not.
 
D

debs2girls

New member
My daughter was also diagnosed in Nov. 05. She was 5 at the time. She didnt get her vest until April and it took me calling Hill-Rom and the rep talking to her dr...then he decided she was a good candidate for it and wrote the script.
She hates using it, says it hurts and screams the whole time.
My daughter has tons of lung problems. She is sick 3 weeks out of every 4, that is not an exaggeration either. She has pnuemonia all the time. I am still trying to get him to prescribe Pulmozyme. We go to the clinic on Wednesday, so I will badger him some more.
Good luck with your daughter.
 
D

debs2girls

New member
My daughter was also diagnosed in Nov. 05. She was 5 at the time. She didnt get her vest until April and it took me calling Hill-Rom and the rep talking to her dr...then he decided she was a good candidate for it and wrote the script.
She hates using it, says it hurts and screams the whole time.
My daughter has tons of lung problems. She is sick 3 weeks out of every 4, that is not an exaggeration either. She has pnuemonia all the time. I am still trying to get him to prescribe Pulmozyme. We go to the clinic on Wednesday, so I will badger him some more.
Good luck with your daughter.
 
D

debs2girls

New member
My daughter was also diagnosed in Nov. 05. She was 5 at the time. She didnt get her vest until April and it took me calling Hill-Rom and the rep talking to her dr...then he decided she was a good candidate for it and wrote the script.
She hates using it, says it hurts and screams the whole time.
My daughter has tons of lung problems. She is sick 3 weeks out of every 4, that is not an exaggeration either. She has pnuemonia all the time. I am still trying to get him to prescribe Pulmozyme. We go to the clinic on Wednesday, so I will badger him some more.
Good luck with your daughter.
 
D

DEES4

New member
My son will be 3 years old in December and we are just now getting the process of getting the vest started. I had to be the one to insist that he get a vest. If I wouldn't have mentioned it I dont know how long the doctor would have waited before recommending a vest. So if you want your child to have one tell the doctor and don't wait for it to be their idea because there is no telling how long that will be! Good Luck!
Carrie
 
D

DEES4

New member
My son will be 3 years old in December and we are just now getting the process of getting the vest started. I had to be the one to insist that he get a vest. If I wouldn't have mentioned it I dont know how long the doctor would have waited before recommending a vest. So if you want your child to have one tell the doctor and don't wait for it to be their idea because there is no telling how long that will be! Good Luck!
Carrie
 
D

DEES4

New member
My son will be 3 years old in December and we are just now getting the process of getting the vest started. I had to be the one to insist that he get a vest. If I wouldn't have mentioned it I dont know how long the doctor would have waited before recommending a vest. So if you want your child to have one tell the doctor and don't wait for it to be their idea because there is no telling how long that will be! Good Luck!
Carrie
 
K

ktsmom

New member
1 - We have the vest already; my daughter is 3 yrs 4 months and was
only diagnosed about 45 days ago<br>
2 - The doctor prescribed it<br>
3 - I would say yes our doc is aggressive in all areas of
treatment<br>
4 - We did not have any obvious respiratory issues at all.  We
were diagnosed because of GI symptoms only.  But we did
culture PA at our first visit, so that is when we were prescribed
the vest and all the meds, nebulizer treatments, etc. that go with
it!
 
K

ktsmom

New member
1 - We have the vest already; my daughter is 3 yrs 4 months and was
only diagnosed about 45 days ago<br>
2 - The doctor prescribed it<br>
3 - I would say yes our doc is aggressive in all areas of
treatment<br>
4 - We did not have any obvious respiratory issues at all.  We
were diagnosed because of GI symptoms only.  But we did
culture PA at our first visit, so that is when we were prescribed
the vest and all the meds, nebulizer treatments, etc. that go with
it!
 
K

ktsmom

New member
1 - We have the vest already; my daughter is 3 yrs 4 months and was
only diagnosed about 45 days ago<br>
2 - The doctor prescribed it<br>
3 - I would say yes our doc is aggressive in all areas of
treatment<br>
4 - We did not have any obvious respiratory issues at all.  We
were diagnosed because of GI symptoms only.  But we did
culture PA at our first visit, so that is when we were prescribed
the vest and all the meds, nebulizer treatments, etc. that go with
it!
 
N

norcotrent

New member
Our dr keeps saying around age 3. My wife asks at every visit and they finally measured her up and said she's still too small.

Debbie, sorry to here Cheyenne is so ill. It seems odd that they cannot get rid of the pneumonia. Good Luck Wed. And I agree about the common sense comment.

Best Regards,
 
N

norcotrent

New member
Our dr keeps saying around age 3. My wife asks at every visit and they finally measured her up and said she's still too small.

Debbie, sorry to here Cheyenne is so ill. It seems odd that they cannot get rid of the pneumonia. Good Luck Wed. And I agree about the common sense comment.

Best Regards,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top