Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I am interested to find out what anyone in this group thinks about the medical device called “The Vest”. We just received it (training to come tomorrow). It is really expensive (16,000), and I don’t want to keep it unless it really does work like docs say. VISHA WALLACE (804) 334-5215 Rags Land Sales Rep: www.ragsland.com Stay-At-Home Mommy: www.ourthreegirls.com CM Consultant: <http://www.mycmsite.com/vwallace> www.mycmsite.com/vwallace _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of hadi sutarjo Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 2:42 AM Subject: cough & sticky fluid secretion (SMA II) Hi, everybody Thanks a lot for many email sharing the experience on this issue. My daughter now is admitted at Penang Adventist Hospital, Penang Malaysia. Doctor said that she need to stay at least one week to clear her right lung from the secretion. He give her antibiotic and some inhalation treatment ( i do not know the name of treatment, later i will find out). In the hospital the physioterapist put her lying down on the bed, put pillow under her belly and tapping her back to make her cough, she could not spill out but at least the secretion out from the lung and go to the stomach (likely such as described by ms_charmaine). about the cough assist, i would be grateful if Kathy Maloney send me a picture about the device and the brand and the producer ( to my email address please to avoid our mailing groups chocked up). I have found JH emerson CoughAssist Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation on website, but i do not know whether this is correct device and do not know about the price and hoe to find it. i think this device that described by Ms Charmaine, but too expensive for me. Best Regards, Sutarjo Hadi Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger <http://uk.messenger.> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Visha, I have had The Vest since 1999. I used to use it 2x's a day, but now it just sits in my closet. I've been fortunate that I haven't had pneumonia since 1999, but if I had I would of dragged it out. It essentially does what chest PT does, break up the mucous so it can come out, and is probably more efficient than manual chest PT. It vibrates the hell out of you and I hated doing it when I had a headache. It is expensive, but if she requites chest PT often then it's a great device. Smiles, Kimi In a message dated 2/25/2007 5:35:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, vtvish@... writes: I am interested to find out what anyone in this group thinks about the medical device called “The Vestâ€. We just received it (training to come tomorrow). It is really expensive (16,000), and I don’t want to keep it unless it really does work like docs say. VISHA WALLACE <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Visha, We have been using The Vest on our 7 year old daughter for two years. We LOVE it. In that time we have had no hospitalizations due to pneumonia. She has had pneumonia several times but with The Vest we have been able to keep things loose and with the Cough Assist to help keep things moving we have managed every pneumonia at home. I also truly believe that our diligent use of The Vest when she shows signs of being sick have kept her from developing pneumonia several times. I know it is terribly expensive and we were lucky enough to have our insurance cover it 100%. If your insurance won't budge (I would appeal a denial several times before you give up) I would approach the manufacturer and see if they will give you a special price since you have no insurance (we got several thousand dollars off a wheelchair by doing this) they might even have one that has been a demo that they would sell you. Considering they come with a lifetime warrantee, I wouldn't hesitate to get one that has been used. You might also contact the MDA they will cover up to $2000 every 3 years of equipment that your insurance won't. The helped us out with the previously mentioned wheelchair, they were really nice and the red-tape was minimal! I wish you good luck as I feel our Vest has done wonders for our daughter. Please keep us up to date on your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I use a Wahl massager with its flat cup attachment. It vibrates really deep ... so much so that your voice wabbles when speaking while using it. Such devices are NOT to be used near the heart or throat. It shakes my goobers up'n'out! Angie On Sunday 25 February 2007 12:10, Ksmile96@... wrote: > Visha, > I have had The Vest since 1999. I used to use it 2x's a day, but now it > just sits in my closet. I've been fortunate that I haven't had pneumonia > since 1999, but if I had I would of dragged it out. It essentially does > what chest PT does, break up the mucous so it can come out, and is > probably more efficient than manual chest PT. It vibrates the hell out of > you and I hated doing it when I had a headache. It is expensive, but if > she requites chest PT often then it's a great device. > Smiles, > Kimi > > > In a message dated 2/25/2007 5:35:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, > vtvish@... writes: > > I am interested to find out what anyone in this group thinks about the > medical device called “The Vestâ€. We just received it (training to come > tomorrow). It is really expensive (16,000), and I don’t want to keep it > unless it really does work like docs say. > > VISHA WALLACE > > > > <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free > email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at > http://www.aol.com. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Thanks so much for the information! I hope this works as well for my little girl as it does yours! Right now we are on it 20 minutes 2x a day. She tried it for the first time this morning and didn’t seem to mind it at all… although she was sitting on my lap and it was shaking ME too!!! As for insurance, I won’t give up. But, I know that we only have a $5000 DME limit and we are in the process of getting, or have just gotten, a Kangaroo-E feeding pump (the new one), a robo or koala wheelchair and this “the vest”. That being said, I’m not thinking insurance is going to cover anything but the first $5000. Have you found otherwise? I have Anthem Healthkeepers, and had to fight for MONTHS to get my daughter the RSV shot! VISHA WALLACE (804) 334-5215 Rags Land Sales Rep: www.ragsland.com Stay-At-Home Mommy: www.ourthreegirls.com CM Consultant: <http://www.mycmsite.com/vwallace> www.mycmsite.com/vwallace _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of tombaak Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 11:42 AM Subject: Re: " The Vest " Visha, We have been using The Vest on our 7 year old daughter for two years. We LOVE it. In that time we have had no hospitalizations due to pneumonia. She has had pneumonia several times but with The Vest we have been able to keep things loose and with the Cough Assist to help keep things moving we have managed every pneumonia at home. I also truly believe that our diligent use of The Vest when she shows signs of being sick have kept her from developing pneumonia several times. I know it is terribly expensive and we were lucky enough to have our insurance cover it 100%. If your insurance won't budge (I would appeal a denial several times before you give up) I would approach the manufacturer and see if they will give you a special price since you have no insurance (we got several thousand dollars off a wheelchair by doing this) they might even have one that has been a demo that they would sell you. Considering they come with a lifetime warrantee, I wouldn't hesitate to get one that has been used. You might also contact the MDA they will cover up to $2000 every 3 years of equipment that your insurance won't. The helped us out with the previously mentioned wheelchair, they were really nice and the red-tape was minimal! I wish you good luck as I feel our Vest has done wonders for our daughter. Please keep us up to date on your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Sitting up, u wont be able to lay becz u will have a hard time breathing...  Jodi & Juni Digital Scrapbook Artist & Service Dog All Scraps 4 You www.freewebs.com/allscraps4you ________________________________ From: <nicoleroberts@...> " " < > Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 7:29:25 PM Subject: Re: Re: The Vest  Can it be used laying down or do you have to sit up? On 2/1/11 6:18 PM, " Ronda Cockerham " <rochra@...> wrote: > My four year old daughter uses it daily when well and 3-4 times a day when > sick. She just got home from hospital with rsv. It worked wonderful during > this. We noticed a big difference in her ability to cough up secretions. > > Sent from my iPhone > > ------------------------------------ > > A FEW RULES > > * The list members come from many backgrounds, ages and beliefs So all > members most be tolerant and respectful to all members. > > * Some adult language and topics (like sexual health, swearing..) may > occur occasionally in emails. Over use of inappropriate language will > not be allowed. If your under 16 ask your parents/gaurdian before you > join the list. > > * No SPAMMING or sending numerous emails unrelated to the topics of > spinal muscular atrophy, health, and the daily issues of the disabled. > > Post message: > Subscribe: -subscribe > Unsubscribe: -unsubscribe > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 I have one of those vest things too. I also find it very uncomfortable. I can only tolerate the lowest setting for a few minutes. At first my dr wanted me to use it every day for maintenance. But when I told him how uncomfortable and time consuming it was, he told me to just use it when I'm sick. Dina From: Jodi & Juni <junikins4me@...> Subject: Re: The Vest Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 7:46 PM  Vest machines...try it before you buy it!! I HATED IT! My back due to scoliosis was REALLY painful and when it was squeezing my ribs n chest hurt. It also hurt my g-tube. Its painful. I personally do not think a 15 min session everyday will not do much. I was doing 4 30 min sessions when I did it. Hurt!  Jodi & Juni Digital Scrapbook Artist & Service Dog All Scraps 4 You www.freewebs.com/allscraps4you ________________________________ From: Lori G <lorig713@...> sma friends < > Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 4:45:26 PM Subject: The Vest  Hi Friends, I am looking into getting the vest airway clearanse system ( http://www.thevest.com/patients ) per a recommendation from my MDA neurologist. I think I could commit to using it once a day after work for 15 minutes. Not sure that would make any kind of real difference. Do any of you have/use one? What do you think? Thank you! Lori I am Bippy on Twitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi, I've been using the Vest for about 10+ years and LOVE it. A bit about me: strong type 1, had spinal fusion with no pain, 46 years old. For me, it's a miracle when I'm sick. Much less exhausting than being pounded on for postural drainage. Can use it sitting or lying down. I typically do an IPPB breathing treatment first, then Vest for 10-20 minutes. It feels good to me. Definitely try it first, as the variety of experience here is so broad. Good Luck, Ellyn > > > From: Jodi & Juni <junikins4me@...> > Subject: Re: The Vest > > Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 7:46 PM > > >  > > > > Vest machines...try it before you buy it!! I HATED IT! My back due to > scoliosis was REALLY painful and when it was squeezing my ribs n chest hurt. It > also hurt my g-tube. Its painful. > > I personally do not think a 15 min session everyday will not do much. I was > doing 4 30 min sessions when I did it. > > Hurt! >  > Jodi & Juni > Digital Scrapbook Artist & Service Dog > All Scraps 4 You > www.freewebs.com/allscraps4you > > ________________________________ > From: Lori G <lorig713@...> > sma friends < > > Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 4:45:26 PM > Subject: The Vest > >  > Hi Friends, > > I am looking into getting the vest airway clearanse system ( > http://www.thevest.com/patients ) per a recommendation from my MDA neurologist. > I think I could commit to using it once a day after work for 15 minutes. Not > sure that would make any kind of real difference. Do any of you have/use one? > What do you think? > > Thank you! > > Lori > > I am Bippy on Twitter. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Thank you Ellyn and everyone, Just when I decided not to get it, this post sounds positive. Haha. I think I will, at least, try it. Lori I am Bippy on Twitter. ________________________________ From: " ellynpeace@... " <ellynpeace@...> Sent: Thu, February 3, 2011 2:49:46 PM Subject: Re: The Vest Hi, I've been using the Vest for about 10+ years and LOVE it. A bit about me: strong type 1, had spinal fusion with no pain, 46 years old. For me, it's a miracle when I'm sick. Much less exhausting than being pounded on for postural drainage. Can use it sitting or lying down. I typically do an IPPB breathing treatment first, then Vest for 10-20 minutes. It feels good to me. Definitely try it first, as the variety of experience here is so broad. Good Luck, Ellyn > > > From: Jodi & Juni <junikins4me@...> > Subject: Re: The Vest > > Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 7:46 PM > > >  > > > > Vest machines...try it before you buy it!! I HATED IT! My back due to > scoliosis was REALLY painful and when it was squeezing my ribs n chest hurt. >It > > also hurt my g-tube. Its painful. > > I personally do not think a 15 min session everyday will not do much. I was > doing 4 30 min sessions when I did it. > > Hurt! >  > Jodi & Juni > Digital Scrapbook Artist & Service Dog > All Scraps 4 You > www.freewebs.com/allscraps4you > > ________________________________ > From: Lori G <lorig713@...> > sma friends < > > Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 4:45:26 PM > Subject: The Vest > >  > Hi Friends, > > I am looking into getting the vest airway clearanse system ( > http://www.thevest.com/patients ) per a recommendation from my MDA neurologist. > > I think I could commit to using it once a day after work for 15 minutes. Not > sure that would make any kind of real difference. Do any of you have/use one? > What do you think? > > Thank you! > > Lori > > I am Bippy on Twitter. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Lori, Brett used the vest from age 2 to age 5. When he was younger he loved it, and it did help a lot! Once he kind of thinned out and got a g-tube- it was too painful for him. We even put a huge foam pad over his belly to try to alleviate the shaking on the tube site but it was torture for him. I finally gave up because I did not want to put him through it. I think everyone is different, we just switched to using a handheld vibrating massager and it works pretty good for us and is easier to set-up. I say it is worth a try! Kristal- Mom to Brett- SMA II- 11 years old Visit Brett @ www.our-sma-angels.com/brett OR www.caringbridge.org/visit/brettwilson The Vest > > Â > Hi Friends, > > I am looking into getting the vest airway clearanse system ( > http://www.thevest.com/patients ) per a recommendation from my MDA neurologist. > > I think I could commit to using it once a day after work for 15 minutes. Not > sure that would make any kind of real difference. Do any of you have/use one? > What do you think? > > Thank you! > > Lori > > I am Bippy on Twitter. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Ughh the Bleeping Vest For those that have good experiences with the gawd awful vest I'm happy for you Everybody else please remember these precussion vests are not tested or approved for people with fragile bones, use while having any feeding tubes, chest IV 'ports', or designed with the chest wall anomalies folks with SMA have [called 'pear shaped' in MDA literature] in mind. Much easier and cheaper methods are clapping a padded cough assist mask on the chest or buy a simple hand held vibration massager. Massagers shaped like lady bugs or puppy dogs are cute for our fellow little ones dealing with SMA Mask & " Thumper " photo below from SMA Medical Supply LINK http://smasupply.com/respiratory/other.htm <http://smasupply.com/respiratory/other.htm> [Anesthesia Mask] [Thumper] Vibration Massagers [no not the XXXrated kind] Link http://www.thefind.com/appliances/browse-homedics-mini-massager <http://www.thefind.com/appliances/browse-homedics-mini-massager> I found one cheap at Bed Bath & Beyond > > > From: Jodi & Juni junikins4me@... > Subject: Re: The Vest > > Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 7:46 PM > > >  > > > > Vest machines...try it before you buy it!! I HATED IT! My back due to > scoliosis was REALLY painful and when it was squeezing my ribs n chest hurt. It > also hurt my g-tube. Its painful. > > I personally do not think a 15 min session everyday will not do much. I was > doing 4 30 min sessions when I did it. > > Hurt! >  > Jodi & Juni > Digital Scrapbook Artist & Service Dog > All Scraps 4 You > www.freewebs.com/allscraps4you > > ________________________________ > From: Lori G lorig713@... > sma friends > Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 4:45:26 PM > Subject: The Vest > >  > Hi Friends, > > I am looking into getting the vest airway clearanse system ( > http://www.thevest.com/patients ) per a recommendation from my MDA neurologist. > I think I could commit to using it once a day after work for 15 minutes. Not > sure that would make any kind of real difference. Do any of you have/use one? > What do you think? > > Thank you! > > Lori > > I am Bippy on Twitter. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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