Re: Acapella anyone?

[Guest guest]

Dear Janet,

I use an Acapella Choice and have found it quite

useful, as airway clearance. When I went to Saskatoon,

a physiotherapist, Marc told me that a recent study

done on the Acapella found they are useful for those

with bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. Old fashion

chestphysio is a big help for me while doing postural

drainage (lying in a downward position to drain the

lungs). Using a percusser and my own hands (I am

flexible), I am able to do much of my own physio,

although it is nice to have someone pound my back.

Various areas of my upper chest, sides, and back are

pounded in chestphyso. You might also benefit from the

Vest. It’s not really an option for many of us in

Canada, because it is expensive, but its much easier

to get it covered in the States. Do ask about the

vest. I also have a flutter, but have found Acapella

more helpful, and use an IPV machine - has a nebulizer

attached, basically causes vibrations in my chest

while I'm taking the neb and helps me cough stuff up.

Ask your doctor for a referral to a respiratory

therapists or physiotherapist - one that is well

versed in the various methods of airway clearance.

This way you can learn various techniques. In Canada,

physiotherapists do our physio, but I believe for you

it would be a respiratory therapist. You need to see

someone who works with bronchiectasis and CF patients,

because they have the best training and expertise.

Exercise can be helpful and part of your physio

routine. This can include walking, swiming, dancing,

etc... Ask your pulmonary doctor for more information

on exercise and also its important to seek his/her

advice or your primary care physician's before

starting any new exercise routine.

Hoping this is helpful and good-luck on Wednesday.

By the way (BTW), I don't think that your a basket

case it all. It just takes time to take in any new

diagnosis and to learn about it. You are doing a great

job!

Hugs:0)

Liz in Nova Scotia, Canada

e-mail:maryholt12@... or lungsformary@...

Pre-Lung Transplant Journey - For updates please visit my carepage and leave a

message. Thank you!:0)

carepages.com name:maryelizabethholt

) " Miracles happen with love..... " ..... Please support your local children's

hospital.... and " Give with all your might! "

http://iwkfoundation.org/

)Visit.... Children's Miracle Network.... http://www.cmn.org/ )

" I don't give in, I don't give up, and I don't take no for an answer. "

~Doris ~

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Janet,

I live in Orange County Calif. and have all of the problems you mentioned! I have a MAC infection, bronchiectasis, reflux, mitral valve prolapse. I am on a 2 year treatment taking 3 antibiotics for the MAC infection. I take Nexium (like prilosec) for the reflux.

My lung dr. recommended the acapella, a nebulizer, etc, none of which did any good because it wasn't for almost a year that anyone figured out that what was causing my symptoms was reflux! It took the nexium many months to fully work, but now I am doing well. I don't take anything for the bronchiectasis.

Good luck to you and hang in there! This isn't fun, but things do work out and you do end up feeling well!

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Thank you so very much for your good advice and counseling! Boy, I

needed that! I will definitely let you know how Wednesday goes!

You know, I am British by descent [came to America 35 years ago and

all my family still live in the London area. In fact my mum and

sister were just here in May and of course very worried about my

coughing, etc.] I am sure they do things differently too in

England. I will talk to my sister now that I have a diagnosis. Janet

Dear Janet,

>

> I use an Acapella Choice and have found it quite

> useful, as airway clearance. When I went to Saskatoon,

> a physiotherapist, Marc told me that a recent study

> done on the Acapella found they are useful for those

> with bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. Old fashion

> chestphysio is a big help for me while doing postural

> drainage (lying in a downward position to drain the

> lungs). Using a percusser and my own hands (I am

> flexible), I am able to do much of my own physio,

> although it is nice to have someone pound my back.

> Various areas of my upper chest, sides, and back are

> pounded in chestphyso. You might also benefit from the

> Vest. It's not really an option for many of us in

> Canada, because it is expensive, but its much easier

> to get it covered in the States. Do ask about the

> vest. I also have a flutter, but have found Acapella

> more helpful, and use an IPV machine - has a nebulizer

> attached, basically causes vibrations in my chest

> while I'm taking the neb and helps me cough stuff up.

>

> Ask your doctor for a referral to a respiratory

> therapists or physiotherapist - one that is well

> versed in the various methods of airway clearance.

> This way you can learn various techniques. In Canada,

> physiotherapists do our physio, but I believe for you

> it would be a respiratory therapist. You need to see

> someone who works with bronchiectasis and CF patients,

> because they have the best training and expertise.

>

> Exercise can be helpful and part of your physio

> routine. This can include walking, swiming, dancing,

> etc... Ask your pulmonary doctor for more information

> on exercise and also its important to seek his/her

> advice or your primary care physician's before

> starting any new exercise routine.

>

> Hoping this is helpful and good-luck on Wednesday.

>

> By the way (BTW), I don't think that your a basket

> case it all. It just takes time to take in any new

> diagnosis and to learn about it. You are doing a great

> job!

>

> Hugs:0)

> Liz in Nova Scotia, Canada

>

> e-mail:maryholt12@... or lungsformary@...

>

> Pre-Lung Transplant Journey - For updates please visit my carepage

and leave a message. Thank you!:0)

> carepages.com name:maryelizabethholt

>

> ) " Miracles happen with love..... " ..... Please support your

local children's hospital.... and " Give with all your might! "

> http://iwkfoundation.org/

> )Visit.... Children's Miracle Network.... http://www.cmn.org/ )

>

> " I don't give in, I don't give up, and I don't take no for an

answer. "

> ~Doris ~

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much Kathy! We ARE alike. My doc still thinks I have

reflux and wants to start me on another medicine like Prilosic and am

wondering if that drug you mentioned is the one he wants me to take.

It is annoying having this rumble in my chest at night which makes it

hard to sleep ... then I cough up junk in the most inopportune

places! Embarrassing .. not even to mention the other end, ha ha,

especially when I cough real hard!

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet,

I have been using an acapella for the last two years or so and have found it to be quite beneficial. It is a way that I can keep my lungs clear with out having to rely on my mum or Fiancé for physio. I generally lay down whilst using it.

Good luck with it,

Reply-To: bronchiectasis To: bronchiectasis Subject: Acapella anyone?Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 23:21:46 -0000

I am seeing my pulmonary doctor on Wednesday and he is suggesting that I use a therapeutic device called "acapella" which lets you administer pressure and vibration to clear congested lungs and airways. Thus far he is treating me with Prilosic GERD meds and albuterol inhaler/spacer; hasn't mentioned a nebulizer yet. Wondering if any of you have experience with this device? I have just donated my sputum 3x to the lab for a further determination of what caused this dilema in the first place [i have only had this condition since the beginning of the year]. Could be a form of MAC, he has mentioned this to me. Had an echocardiagram which came back normal. Had this done because of my high blood pressure [had anthroplasty - one stent] and diabetes. Definitely have a heart murmur too with a faulty valve. So he is left with the CT scan showing bronchiectasis in both lower lungs. I am just a basket case, eh?Janet