COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

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KiddoGal 02/25/2016

Hi, just wanted to let you all know that my husband is now using the "vest" that breaks up the phlegm in his chest. Wow, so far so good! He has been using it for almost a week and he is not coughing (or trying to cough up) the phlegm, and being miserable. He can even use it himself and does the treatment while I am at work. Yeah!

redvelvetcake 02/26/2016

Yay! I've been trying to get my dad to try it! What brand do you have? Can I buy it without a prescription?

KiddoGal 02/26/2016

I'm not at home right now so I don't know the brand name, but yes, it would require a doctor's prescription. The doctor's office called the company and set up the whole thing. The company sent out a representative who gave us a demo on it. Medicare is paying for it (at least that is how it was explained to me). I will find out the brand name and let you know. I do know that the manufacturer was Hill-Rom.

Imarighter 02/28/2016

They tried that on me a few years ago when I was in the hospital with a severe case of pneumonia. I absolutely hated it and it did nothing for me. So I'd suggest trying one out, if possible, before actually investing.

KiddoGal 02/28/2016

Sorry it took me a while to get back on the post. It is called "The VEST Airway Clearance System" by Hill-Rom. Good idea I you can try it out first, but for my husband it seems to be helping!

jarca 02/28/2016

i'm very dry as i have emphysema. does the vest help that or is is more for people with bronchitis that have more mucus---or does it help for both?

i guess i'm asking if your husband has emphy or bronc type of copd?

redvelvetcake 02/29/2016

Thank you! I'll see if he can try that while on hospice.

KiddoGal 02/29/2016

My husband has emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. I am thinking that it probably helps more with the chronic bronchitis, as he has had so much phlegm and mucous, and is always coughing. I am noticing less of this lately with the use of the Vest.

jarca 02/29/2016

ty for your reply...i have emphy & only clear my throat like allergies, but sometimes i go into a coughing spasm for a mucus plug to come up ----but i don't normally have phlegm or mucus.
I had tons of mucus & coughed all the time but when I quit smoking it just went away & now i'm opposite---sooooo dry. I wish there was a happy medium.
I am so glad that the vest is helping :)

yetmost 03/01/2016

just starting with the vest. for me it is a period of adjustment. 15 minutes instead of 30. reducing the amount of pressure. I am doing it mostly to keep mucus from settling in my right lower lobe. that is where most of my pneumonia starts and because it is very hard for me to get the mucus up and out.. can't put it on by myself just yet
Medicare is paying for it. I have been told that if it ends up not being helpful my doctor can prescribe a discontinuation and the unit will be picked up.

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