The Vest

[TuffsStuff]

Did you know that children 6 months and older can wear the vest? We were told by our first CF doctor that our son could not get the vest until he was 3 years old. We changed doctors after we moved and within a few days they had a Vest at our front door step, my son was a year and eight months old at this time. The Vest is a god send. It replaces all the required rapping and percussion required to help clear the lungs, and does a much better job. It also has to be more comforatable than the constant rapping. We have noticed an energy boost in our child since the Vest arrived. Most insurance companies cover the cost for the Vest minus a couple hundred dollars. They have a new style out that is very portable, and the company sends a new vest as they grow. They also call and check up on you and your child at different intervals. I just wanted to inform everyone of the Vest, it will help your child. I am a firm believer in good doctors. Ask questions about CF and your childs care all the time, If your doctor can't answer them, find one who can. We found some great ones in Jacksonville, FL after we moved 350 miles to get to them.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Drea]

The standard size for the vest is at least a chest circumferance of 22 inches. Most kids do not hit this size until about 3yrs old or so. That said, the company WILL make custom sized vests for smaller kids but often, the insurers won't cover them until they hit the standard size because they haven't been used as often in smaller children and they have less proof of the effectivness in the little ones. I think a vest should be standard issue for any kid with CF over 6 months! All the fighting to get manual percussion done would be a thing of the past! My daughter got her vest May of 03 and it is a god send. She was 4 but had just hit the standard circumferance. Andrea

 

[anonymous]

I agree that the Vest is a god send. I live alone and it is great to have that independance. I know parents need a break and the vest gives that to them, but don't underestimate the importance of that old school way of doing it. Every time you clap on your child's back, you are bonding... you are telling them w/o words that they don't deal with CF alone, and that you are willing to work hard to keep them healthy. So remember that, Moms and Dads, when your kid rolls their eye or protests to therapy time. Eventually they will thank you.Debbie 22 yr old w/ CF

 

[anonymous]

Thanks for letting us know about the vest - never heard of it here - i guess it's a physio replacement and will be asking about it. It'd be better than my boyfriend having to do my physio!thanks guys - these forums ARE good!

 

[TuffsStuff]

Here is the company website for The Vest.http://www.abivest.com/

 

[anonymous]

I live in Jacksonville! I don't have children and I'm afraid I may never <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> I don't even know if my husband has CF we just went to the doctor today and he has all the symptoms but we won't even be going to get the test for another 2 weeks. I really hope that it's just asthma and not CF. I've done so much reading today and none of it is very comforting. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

The Vest sucks.. In my case at least.. It didn't make me cough and its was <i>really</i> itchy.. It was the same thing for my friends who have CF too.. I like the Flutter and Acapella much better.. But to each his own I guess..

 

[anonymous]

I just got the vest in august for the first time (im 20) and i LOVE it. i never wanted it before because it was so huge and intrusive, plus i thought it was weird. I always did chest pt with a percussor or a therapist, or my mom did it. I could do some positions myself. ANyway i got the new vest which is so much smaller and i love it- i am so lazy and now i can just sit there and do it, plus it makes me cough and chest pt never did. I hated the flutter i feel like it does nothing. It is definitely to each his own though, but i would have had no idea that the vest could be this good.

 

[anonymous]

Yes the vest is truly a godsend for independence and building self confidence in your treatment care abilities. I'm a freshman at college for the first time and it has opened many dorrs that wouldn't be possible without it. If I get on a coughing jag in the middle of the night I'll put on my vest and it will help to clear the lungs. Though CPT is always a good thing because you can have them focus on areas of mucus build up.

 

[buffikins23]

I got the vest when I was 18 and on my way to college. It has been wonderful, regular clapping never really worked on me, neither did the flutter, but since I've had the vest I've had decreased hospitalizations. I also call it my vibrator to make it more fun<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Just don't let your parents' respond to your coughing by asking if you used your vibrator that day, especially in a public arena (been there done that)<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">Bethany f/22/cf/cfrd

 

[Casey]

HA HA HA Buffkins. No way I'd ever call it my vibrator. Besides the fact I'm a guy. I'd get some pretty strange looks. The Vest is ok. I think mine is too old. I have had it for about 5 years I think now. It works ok, but I should look into getting a new one.