Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Hi Nona, Cheryl and all, I was also interested to know why percussion is considered old hat. I do know that some folks in the States are using a “vest” which takes the place of postural drainage and percussion, but they are super expensive and only a few people are able to get them through their doctor and insurance plan. I did mention it to my physiotherapist (in Australia) but she had never heard of it, so I don’t believe it is available here as yet. Some folk complain of “wheezing” after percussion, and do not tolerate it very well. My physiotherapist suggested that deep breathing (in cycles) is just as effective for some. However, I still use percussion with postural drainage as it seems to be the only effective thing for me. Nona, I was interested to hear that you use steam treatment. I remember using steam inhalations years ago when I was a child, but I suppose nebulised saline is used a lot more these days. However, I believe that whatever works for us as individuals is the best medicine. Take care and keep well. Love Bunny Re: Cheryl, So sorry you have been having such a bad time of it. Do hope it gets better soon for you. Will keep you in my prayers. You mention that your new respiratory specialist told you that percussion is " old hat " - did he make an recommendations to take its place? It works for me, as I do not cough anything up before but after steaming and percussion I do get mucous up. Would be interesting in hearing his thoughts on the matter. Please share. Nona star34baby@... To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: bronchiectasis-unsubscribe Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Bunny, I am using a vibrator that is specifically for the percussion - helps to save wrists of my hubby. My insurance paid for it & I believe it cost right at $700.00. As for the steaming - we have a friend in Illinois who was a Pulmonary Specialist (is now an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Medicine) and when we saw him recently at a reunion he suggested I use the steaming with treatment & also use albuterol (or another I can't remember name) inhaler or with a nebulizer. I have both now - the inhaler & nebulizer at my request my Dr. gave me prescriptions for. I also am enrolled in a rehab program which I think is great. Back to the steaming. Twice a day: 1st sniff of albuterol (inhaler or nebulizer) 15 minutes of steam 2nd sniff of albuterol (inhaler or nebulizer) 5 minutes of each postural drainage position, using vibrator while in those position, except stomach back positions. Have found that even if I do not cough up anything I still feel better after. I have a piece of plywood (on which I placed an old afghan for comfort) on a bed & have raised one end of plywood 20 inches (hang on by my toes for stomach position & heels for back position. (smiles) Anyway, this all works for me but that's me, the next guy it may not & of course should be approved by the Dr. for anyone who would want to try. Everyone have a Blessed New Year. <<hugs>> Nona star34baby@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 this is wierd......I've heard several members talk about using steam......but for me when I am doing something as simple as taking a shower and it gets too steamy in the bathroom......I start choking and can't breathe......it takes my breath every time..........am I just strange??????? lol sondra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Nona, How do you do the steam treatments? My doctors have never suggested that. I have found that a long hot shower does loosen thing up quite a bit. Percussion therapy helped but not nearly enough. Barb Re: Percussion << File: ATT00002.htm >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Sondra, I don't know that everyone can use the steam. However, Dr. B. in Illinois told me to take 1 whiff of the albuterol or use part of the dosage on the nebulizer before steaming to open up the airways. Then take 2nd whiff after steam treatment before drainage & percussion. Do you have only Bronch. or do you have other airways problems? Perhaps I have less damage but he did not examine me we only talked. Have a Blessed New Year <<hugs>> Nona star34baby@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Barb, I started out using the old fashion method of heating water on the stove & then holding towel over my head to create a tent. You must be careful not to breath hot steam - don't want to cook lungs. (smile) Anyway, Dr. B. told me to get a baby bottle warmer & use it with towel over head. I did that & I also bought a sauna facial unit & use the steamer attachment with it, sometimes I just leave the attachment off. Anyway I hold a small hand towel longwise with one edge touching table behind the unit and the other edge across the bridge of my nose & around to temples. I like to watch television while I am doing my treatment - makes time go faster so prefer not to do tent. I find the shower loosens it up too. The nebulizer put saline in the lung along with the medication but I still use the steam as well. I like the feeling it gives me & sometimes I do not use nebulizer but use abuterol inhaler instead. Have a Blessed New Year <<hugs>> Nona star34baby@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 nona.......as far as I know I have bronchiectasis and thats it.....but I have it pretty bad.....I can't work or anything and although my oxygen is at a good level......my breathing sucks....lol I only register at 32 on the breathing tests.....and should register at least 80.......so I guess maybe it depends on how severe your lungs are damaged.......I don't know.....I have learned that everyone of us is affected in different ways........strange isn't it.....that one disease can have so many different effects on people.......... sondra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 The more I learn about this disease the stranger it is in so far as how it affects all of us. I am registering 95 to 99 saturation when I go to rehab. So my damage is far less than you. Perhaps that is why the steaming works for me. We continue to learn. Take care my friend. Nona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Since it does not bother you in the shower perhaps you can get good results. Just remember not to breathe the real hot steam, don't get down on top of it and be sure to clean your unit. Good luck. Nona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Nona, Thanks for the information regarding steam. I'll give it a try. I have terrible problems during humid stormy weather, too. However, the steam in a hot shower is wonderful. Barb Re: Percussion << File: ATT00007.htm >> Barb, I started out using the old fashion method of heating water on the stove & then holding towel over my head to create a tent. You must be careful not to breath hot steam - don't want to cook lungs. (smile) Anyway, Dr. B. told me to get a baby bottle warmer & use it with towel over head. I did that & I also bought a sauna facial unit & use the steamer attachment with it, sometimes I just leave the attachment off. Anyway I hold a small hand towel longwise with one edge touching table behind the unit and the other edge across the bridge of my nose & around to temples. I like to watch television while I am doing my treatment - makes time go faster so prefer not to do tent. I find the shower loosens it up too. The nebulizer put saline in the lung along with the medication but I still use the steam as well. I like the feeling it gives me & sometimes I do not use nebulizer but use abuterol inhaler instead. Have a Blessed New Year <<hugs>> Nona star34baby@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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