Vest

[anonymous]

I'm sure this subject has been done to death but I'm thinking seriously about trying the vest and I wondered if any of you that have the vest find it to be beneficial?
I searched through some previous threads & noticed that quite a few people think the manual clapping CPT is best, but if it's not possible for someone to be here with me to do the manual, do you find that the vest does quite a bit of good or not?

 

[Lilith]

I used the Vest for a while, but I found it didn't do me much good because 1) I had my port placed, and having a Vest shake that around doesn't feel so hot and 2) that's all it did was bounce me around. Didn't do me much good at all as far as actually bringing up mucus. When I'm healthy, I use the Acapella, which is a small, egg-shaped thing you blow into that helps to not only vibrate the crap out of your lungs, but also makes them stronger due to a resistance setting. When I'm sick, I usually prefer manual CPT. But, if no one is around to do it, I use a hand-held massager, on a high setting, and that usually makes me cough like crazy! The vibration does a great job of shaking stuff loose.

 

[Kay]

I tried the vest once and didn't like it. I get manual CPT and I wouldn't switch. I felt the vest was very constricting, and I didn't like that it bounced you around either. If it is the only alternative give it a try. Something is better than nothing...also I found as much as we all hear it and don't want to exercise is a good idea. I exercise heavily at least once a week (I play in a volleyball league once a week for like 5 hours) and sometimes I feel like I benefit from that better than CPT.

Kay w/cf, cfrd

 

[Allie]

I think it's all personal preference. My husband did both, usually the vest in the morning, and then I'd beat him up at night lol. But we did the CPT as sort a bonding experience , if you will. Just cause I could help him and I liked to.

The advantage to the vest is no one has to be there, so if you don't have someone around who's willing or able to do it, it's no worries.

 

[JennifersHope]

I have found the vest to be more effective if I do it while lying down...Kind of like postural drainage... When I am healthy, I hardly notice any good side effects from it.. but what I have found is it loosens everything up real good.. but if I don't bring it up.. I end up getting sick...I don't know if that makes sense since it was already in my lungs to begin with, but anyway..that is what happens with me..


Jennifer

 

[JustDucky]

Hi all...I use the vest now, even though I am vented. Wierd to get used to at first, but I like it. Yes it jiggles me around, but it works especially when I am sick. The crap that I suctioin out of my lungs after a treatment is unreal sometimes, it's hard to believe that much crap could reside in my lungs. I use it for 20 minutes twice a day, on varying frequencies. At first, I use a lower frequency like 10Hz, then I go up to 14 Hz after 10 minutes into the session (usually have to pause to suction myself). I use my nebs prior to the vest to open up those airways.

I too have a port, but there is a good way to help minimize discomfort, especially when it is accessed. Use a square of memory foam, you know, the stuff that the Tempur pedic is made of, cut an indentation that matches your port size, put it on under the vest and turn the vest on...you would be surprised how little you feel the vibrations on your port! Also, if you call Hillrom, they have a similar square of foam made of the same material that they will send to you, just call them...at least that's what the RT said to me when he set me up. I happened to have a square from my old mattress cover handy and improvised. You are right though, without the padding, it is uncomfortable.

I live with my mom who has arthritis in her hands so it is difficult for her to do the CPT. In the hospital, they usually do the CPT, works well too and they tilt me on my head LOL!

The pressure settings are adjustable...I know of someone who has Lou Gherig's who uses it on 1, the lowest pressure there is (I think the machine goes up to 6, usually used with a full vest) and she barely tolerates it. I am on 2, my muscles are pretty fragile at this point. The puffiness of the vest is t he hardest to get used to...also, if you have a trache, I have to adjust the vest differently or the thing vibrates right up next to my trache and gets very uncomfortable.

I guess, all in all, I am doing better with the vest than without...as everyone has said, it is a matter of preference and there are alot of devices out there that help loosen secretions too (ie flutter device for one, havent tried this one) I also like the portability of the thing, goes anywhere with you.

I hope I have helped and not confused you...Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> (the other Jenn)

 

[anonymous]

I prefer my Acapella or PEP. Or when sick manual CPT. Not a big fan of the vest but then I can't stand anything thats too tight and the vest really wasn't designed for anyone with boobs lol!

 

[ClashPunk82]

I use the vest and find it far superior to manual PT. And it's very easy you just put it on and you can watch TV play the computer whatever you wanna do without having to keep switching positions.

 

[cdale613]

I've used CPT, the vest, flutter, etc. While the vest is far more convenient in terms of doing other stuff, I find that Chest PT is the most effective method of loosening and clearing the crap out of my small airways. That being said, I have a tough time getting regular Chest PT, and the vest is certainly better than nothing.

Chris 25 w/CF

 

[mustangmousa]

I have used the vest for years and it works so much better than anything else for me. I used to do manual CPT, but no matter how hard I was clapped, it never seemed to loosen up the mucus much. I've also tried the Flutter, Acapella and Percussors without any luck. The Vest does shake you around a bit, but I get up so much more junk up than I did with anything else. The only time it bothers my port is when I'm accessed and I usually just push it off my shoulder a bit and it doesn't bother me too much. As I've gotten sicker the tightness and restriction has started to bother me, so I just reduce the pressure. I inhale my nebulizers while I'm using the Vest and it's turned into my relaxation time of the day. I sit and read a good book and I feel ready for the rest of the day afterwards!! I LOVE the Vest!!