Guest guest Posted July 30, 2001 Report Share Posted July 30, 2001 - My sons have had the vest for a couple of weeks and they are the same age as you son. Their regimin is 10 minutes at 7, 10 at 10, 10 at 15. They also hate the 15. The only one they seem to mind. They cough at this speed and act like they will throw up. I don't know what it means, but they do the same thing. Peggy- mom of Jonah and (2 1/2 twins with CF) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2001 Report Share Posted July 30, 2001 , My son, Levi, age 3 has had the vest for quite a while and does not regurgitate with its use. He has, on occasion done so, but it was always because we did not wait long enough after he had eaten before strapping him into it. Maybe you could try doing the vest before breakfast in the morning and either before supper or late in the evening when his stomach is empty. Levi uses the vest on pressure setting 8 and frequencies of 7, 17, and 22 for 10 minutes each. He really objects vocally to the 22 setting much of the time, but sometimes just waits it out with no complaints. Have you had one demonstrated on you? I did when we first asked about it and it was quite an experience. It really shakes you to the core and compresses your breathing a bit. I can see how that sort of pressure on a full or partially full stomach would not be good. If this doesn't help, call the vest company and ask for suggestions. ~ mommy to 3, 1 wcf > I am just a bit worried as it often makes him regurgitate. Is this normal ? > Is it the way to bring mucus up or do you think his regurgitation is more > some kind of nauseating due to too much shaking ??? > > , mom to Leo 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo/cf ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2001 Report Share Posted July 30, 2001 , Our Vest RT told us to keep the frequency between 6-8 because they have recently found that anything more is not any more helpful. I did notice with that the higher frequency shakes him too much. He would get sick if his vest was too soon after a meal, but what really bothered me was seeing his little head shake so much with the vest on. All I could think of was those commercials teaching people not to shake their children because it's dangerous! Since I'm not 100% sold on the effectiveness of the vest yet (we've had ours for almost 2 years), I only use it once a day. The other times I perform hand CPT and lots of physical activity and laughter. did get a really neat new 'toy' at our last clinic visit - can't recall the name just now, but you blow into it and it has a little ball she watches to make sure she's blowing just the right way and it makes her chest vibrate. It's kind of like what I think a flutter is, but I know it's not a flutter. If I weren't so lazy, I'd go check out the name... anyhow, it seems to work better on Em than the vest and she loves doing it. wants to do it to, but since she sucks in and blows out through it and there's always condensation in it when she's finished, I'm concerned about cross-contamination. My only complaint is that I don't feel like I can sterilize it enough. Well, I've gotten off track from your message on the vest... Angi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2001 Report Share Posted July 31, 2001 Angi, Thank you for your answer. I am a bit surprised that your RT says that a frequency superior to 8 is not helpful. I really notice that Leo only coughs with the last frequency of 14. How old is ? I am not sure if Leo is old enough to be able to do some flutter or similar. what exactly do they have to understand ? , Mom to Leo 2 1/2 wcf and Colin, 3 months wo cf Re: question on the Vest , Our Vest RT told us to keep the frequency between 6-8 because they have recently found that anything more is not any more helpful. I did notice with that the higher frequency shakes him too much. He would get sick if his vest was too soon after a meal, but what really bothered me was seeing his little head shake so much with the vest on. All I could think of was those commercials teaching people not to shake their children because it's dangerous! Since I'm not 100% sold on the effectiveness of the vest yet (we've had ours for almost 2 years), I only use it once a day. The other times I perform hand CPT and lots of physical activity and laughter. did get a really neat new 'toy' at our last clinic visit - can't recall the name just now, but you blow into it and it has a little ball she watches to make sure she's blowing just the right way and it makes her chest vibrate. It's kind of like what I think a flutter is, but I know it's not a flutter. If I weren't so lazy, I'd go check out the name... anyhow, it seems to work better on Em than the vest and she loves doing it. wants to do it to, but since she sucks in and blows out through it and there's always condensation in it when she's finished, I'm concerned about cross-contamination. My only complaint is that I don't feel like I can sterilize it enough. Well, I've gotten off track from your message on the vest... Angi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2001 Report Share Posted August 2, 2001 How much does your son weigh? WOW! I cna't believe he's 2.5 with a vest! Santosh is almost 4 and I am going to have to really fight to get it for him - they said 6 months ago he was still too small! If Leo is smaller than Santosh then I am REALLY going to fight for it! Santosh is just 30 lbs . . .. Krishnan Mom to Santosh, 4 on 8/14 wcf and Leela, 2 on 8/25 wocf question on the Vest Hi, My son Leo, who is 2 1/2 years has been on the Vest for about a month. I guess that the procedure is always the same : you get the Vest and a Respiratory Therapist pays you a visit, explains how the Vest works and sets a program. Leo' s prgram is 5 minutes on frequency 6, 5 minutes on frequency 8, 5 minutes on frequency 10 and 5 minutes on frequency 14. Now frequency 14 looks pretty rough to me. It's the only frequeny Leo seems upset about (but he doesn't talk...so I don't know how exactly he feels about it). It's seems productive though, as he usually coughs at that time. I am just a bit worried as it often makes him regurgitate. Is this normal ? Is it the way to bring mucus up or do you think his regurgitation is more some kind of nauseating due to too much shaking ??? , mom to Leo 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo/cf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2001 Report Share Posted August 2, 2001 , Yep, fight for it !! Leo weighs 27 pounds. But what they really check is actually the chest width. It must be a minimum of 22 inches , Mom to Leo, 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo cf question on the Vest Hi, My son Leo, who is 2 1/2 years has been on the Vest for about a month. I guess that the procedure is always the same : you get the Vest and a Respiratory Therapist pays you a visit, explains how the Vest works and sets a program. Leo' s prgram is 5 minutes on frequency 6, 5 minutes on frequency 8, 5 minutes on frequency 10 and 5 minutes on frequency 14. Now frequency 14 looks pretty rough to me. It's the only frequeny Leo seems upset about (but he doesn't talk...so I don't know how exactly he feels about it). It's seems productive though, as he usually coughs at that time. I am just a bit worried as it often makes him regurgitate. Is this normal ? Is it the way to bring mucus up or do you think his regurgitation is more some kind of nauseating due to too much shaking ??? , mom to Leo 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo/cf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2001 Report Share Posted August 2, 2001 I was told that they had to be 23 inches for the longest time. I saw some comments from people saying they had the vest for their 18 month children and I got really upset with my clinic. My boys were 2 1/2 and weighed 31 pounds. Their chest was 22 inches without taking a deep breath. I called Advanced Respiratory and asked them about the minimum size. They told me anywhere from 21-23. I really pushed for the vest at our last clinic visit three weeks ago. They didn't want to prescribe it, but they did after much argument. Our vest arrived one week later and my boys have been doing a great job with it for the past two weeks. It is so much easier on me and them. They are actually coughing up which they have never done before. PUSH FOR THE VEST! Peggy - mom of Jonah and (twins with CF) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2001 Report Share Posted August 2, 2001 Chest width or circumferance? In other words, just the front, or all away around that has to be 22 inches? Dawn mom of 4 question on the Vest > > > Hi, > > My son Leo, who is 2 1/2 years has been on the Vest for about a month. I > guess that the procedure is always the same : you get the Vest and a > Respiratory Therapist pays you a visit, explains how the Vest works and > sets > a program. > Leo' s prgram is > 5 minutes on frequency 6, > 5 minutes on frequency 8, > 5 minutes on frequency 10 and > 5 minutes on frequency 14. > Now frequency 14 looks pretty rough to me. It's the only frequeny Leo > seems > upset about (but he doesn't talk...so I don't know how exactly he feels > about it). It's seems productive though, as he usually coughs at that > time. > I am just a bit worried as it often makes him regurgitate. Is this normal > ? > Is it the way to bring mucus up or do you think his regurgitation is more > some kind of nauseating due to too much shaking ??? > > , mom to Leo 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo/cf > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2001 Report Share Posted August 2, 2001 oups, sorry I was talking circumference :-)) Re: question on the Vest Chest width or circumferance? In other words, just the front, or all away around that has to be 22 inches? Dawn mom of 4 question on the Vest > > > Hi, > > My son Leo, who is 2 1/2 years has been on the Vest for about a month. I > guess that the procedure is always the same : you get the Vest and a > Respiratory Therapist pays you a visit, explains how the Vest works and > sets > a program. > Leo' s prgram is > 5 minutes on frequency 6, > 5 minutes on frequency 8, > 5 minutes on frequency 10 and > 5 minutes on frequency 14. > Now frequency 14 looks pretty rough to me. It's the only frequeny Leo > seems > upset about (but he doesn't talk...so I don't know how exactly he feels > about it). It's seems productive though, as he usually coughs at that > time. > I am just a bit worried as it often makes him regurgitate. Is this normal > ? > Is it the way to bring mucus up or do you think his regurgitation is more > some kind of nauseating due to too much shaking ??? > > , mom to Leo 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo/cf > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2001 Report Share Posted August 3, 2001 My son was 2 1/2 when he got the vest and he is on 10 min @ 10, 10 min @ 12 and 10 min @ 14. We were told if he could not tolerate 14 that it would not hurt to go 15 min @ 10 and 15 min @ 12--check with the vest company on their advice. They have been very helpful to us. We use 14 when our son is awake, but if he's alseep we stay at 10 and 12 so we do not wake him. Dawn mom to 3 (one w/cf, one w/Apraxia, one healthy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2001 Report Share Posted August 3, 2001 My son got the vest at age 2 1/2 and at 30 lbs. He is in the smallest vest size available. I had to fight as well, mostly the docs cuz they think CPT is just as effective at minimal cost. I however believe differently and encourage you to fight, it was worth it to us. Good luck Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2001 Report Share Posted August 3, 2001 Thanks, , I will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Krishnan Mom to Santosh almost 4 wcf and Leela, almost 2 wocf question on the Vest Hi, My son Leo, who is 2 1/2 years has been on the Vest for about a month. I guess that the procedure is always the same : you get the Vest and a Respiratory Therapist pays you a visit, explains how the Vest works and sets a program. Leo' s prgram is 5 minutes on frequency 6, 5 minutes on frequency 8, 5 minutes on frequency 10 and 5 minutes on frequency 14. Now frequency 14 looks pretty rough to me. It's the only frequeny Leo seems upset about (but he doesn't talk...so I don't know how exactly he feels about it). It's seems productive though, as he usually coughs at that time. I am just a bit worried as it often makes him regurgitate. Is this normal ? Is it the way to bring mucus up or do you think his regurgitation is more some kind of nauseating due to too much shaking ??? , mom to Leo 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo/cf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2001 Report Share Posted August 3, 2001 Thanks! Krishnan Mom to Santosh, almost 4 wcf and Leela, almost 2 wocf Re: question on the Vest My son got the vest at age 2 1/2 and at 30 lbs. He is in the smallest vest size available. I had to fight as well, mostly the docs cuz they think CPT is just as effective at minimal cost. I however believe differently and encourage you to fight, it was worth it to us. Good luck Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2001 Report Share Posted August 4, 2001 If you get that vest in your home, DO ANYTHING TO KEEP IT. Whether or not your child is " big " enough for it now, you know he/she will be at some point. It makes no sense to let them take it away -- for whatever reason. I guarantee they will eventually approve it. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2001 Report Share Posted August 6, 2001 My daughter is not quite 2 yet, and though she's 28 pounds, her chest did not meet the manufacturer's " guidelines " . So, they came out and tried one on her before shipping one. She's doing real well with it, especially since she wasn't willing to do postural drainage and appropriate CPT. Ann mommy to Joy 20 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2001 Report Share Posted August 7, 2001 HI, I know here in Washington State the vest company came to our clinic and said that if anyone wanted one, they could have it regardless if you could pay for it or not. They would take over trying to get payment from your insurance company and if they could not, you still would not have to pay for it. I would try to contact the company directly. Hope your grandaughter is doing well. mom to Hannah 3 1/2 w/out and h 17 months w/cf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2001 Report Share Posted August 7, 2001 My insurance company paid for the vest in one payment -- $15,689. I got a copy of this on the Explanation of Benefits form. I know others pay monthly, but not ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2001 Report Share Posted August 7, 2001 I am curious if there is help in getting the vest at no or little cost since the $15000 cost we were told is out of the question for us. I know some states the children got them free. We are in Ga. and need some advice on this. Thanks, Roy p.s. our granddaughter goes to the clinic at Shands in Gainesville >From: jojay9@... >Reply-To: cfparents >To: cfparents >Subject: Re: question on the Vest >Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2001 19:46:27 EDT > >I was told that they had to be 23 inches for the longest time. I saw some >comments from people saying they had the vest for their 18 month children >and >I got really upset with my clinic. My boys were 2 1/2 and weighed 31 >pounds. >Their chest was 22 inches without taking a deep breath. I called Advanced >Respiratory and asked them about the minimum size. They told me anywhere >from >21-23. I really pushed for the vest at our last clinic visit three weeks >ago. >They didn't want to prescribe it, but they did after much argument. Our >vest >arrived one week later and my boys have been doing a great job with it for >the past two weeks. It is so much easier on me and them. They are actually >coughing up which they have never done before. PUSH FOR THE VEST! Peggy >- mom of Jonah and (twins with CF) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2001 Report Share Posted August 7, 2001 Actually, even though the Vest is worth about 15'000 $, the company that makes it (American Biosystems) does not sell it, they lease it to your insurance company, the Vest will always remain property of American Biosystems. Therefore I think that most insurance plans accept to pay for it because I guess it must not be a huge amount to pay (at least not if they look at it in a monthly charge..) I also think that the Vest does not cost 15,000 $ but that this amount is probably the result of a calculation of the lease they're getting, maybe in a 5 year write off ? that would mean they're charging our insurances 250$ a month. I am sure that they're making a nice benefit.... I don't think this machine is worth more than 2,000$ , Mom of Leo, 2 1/2 wcf and Colin 3 months wo cf Re: question on the Vest I am curious if there is help in getting the vest at no or little cost since the $15000 cost we were told is out of the question for us. I know some states the children got them free. We are in Ga. and need some advice on this. Thanks, Roy p.s. our granddaughter goes to the clinic at Shands in Gainesville > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2001 Report Share Posted August 7, 2001 Actually, ours was paid off in a year, with us paying 40 percent and insurance covering 60 percent... personally, I don't care if they think they still " own " it.....I figure we paid for it and they are not getting it back (dang it...) Just my humble opinion... Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2001 Report Share Posted August 8, 2001 Jen, Wow, 40% how can you afford anything else. That is a lot. We gave problems keeping up with 10% of what we owe of are insurance. With having two kids with CF and a husband that has Rheumatoid Arthritis. It adds up fast. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2001 Report Share Posted August 8, 2001 In a message dated 8/7/2001 12:14:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, johnsonroy@... writes: > I am curious if there is help in getting the vest at no or little cost since > the $15000 cost we were told is out of the question for us. I know some > states the children got them free. We are in Ga. and need some advice on > this. Do you have insurance? With insurance and having CF Center write a good look of medical necessity and following up on it - fighting them.... good luck. Rosemary in NY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2001 Report Share Posted August 8, 2001 I got 2 vests! Rosemary in NY - with 3 kids with CF - soon getting 3rd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2001 Report Share Posted August 8, 2001 Rosemary- Do you have one machine and two vests or two machines and two vests? Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2001 Report Share Posted August 8, 2001 How big are your children who are getting them? And how old? Krishnan Mom to Santosh, almost 4 wcf and Leela, 2 going on 5 wocf Re: question on the Vest I got 2 vests! Rosemary in NY - with 3 kids with CF - soon getting 3rd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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