A very weird appointment Monday morning at the pulmonologist. No other patients waiting at 9:30 am. And there also were no nurses checking in patients, weighing them, taking their temps, reviewing their meds, doing a BP and Pulse Ox test. Nada.
I heard my doctor's walk through the wall behind me, which has preceded his entering the exam room for years. He called my name and we went into an exam room and discussed my frustration with chronic coughing which tires me out - thus ever bronchiectasis is. He put me on a short term antibiotic, and said it was time to start using the vest.
I got it from a friend who has since died. She got it from an organization which funded her, but she'd never used it (they are quite expensive, and used for Cystic Fibrosis patients also.)
So I dug it out of all it's cute suitcases and figured out what went where. It actually included a owners manual in English. But I didn't tackle the actual wearing of it and looking seriously at the different settings on the machine itself (which must weigh 40 pounds easily!) Fortunately it lit up when I plugged it in, and started blowing. I unplugged it till I figured out how to stop and start the mechanism (that button I'm pointing at).
At first I thought it would be too small, but it's all velcrowed together, shoulders and around the chest. So I finally got into it.
Today's quote:
"I didn't have any idea we were poor. Back then, nobody had any money. We were so poor, and everybody around us was so poor, that it was the '40s before any of us knew there had been a Depression." Chet Atkins, musician
NOTE: as of 10:30 am I spoke with two people at the manufacturer of the vest...their phone number is on the tag inside the vest. They of course said since I didn't have a prescription for that, they couldn't help me. But the second woman, also very nice, said she understood my hesitations about my other conditions. Then I asked her what settings she might use if she were wanting a bit of relief. That was clever of me, I must say. She said since she was 50 and didn't have any conditions, she would probably just use the frequency around 8-9 htz. And then my other brainstorm of the day was to just put it behind me in a chair and lean back on it. Believe me that still vibrated me plenty! I still want feedback as to how the vibrations will affect the rest of my innards! But things are progressing!
And the cardiologist that is on call while mine is on vacation said there's no reason I can't do the "Smart Vest"!
...bronchiectasis was a years problem for me in fall. Thankfully it hasn't been a problem since I retired. Good luck to you, stay well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for good luck wishes. It's not a fun thing to live with. Glad yours cleared up.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a treatment that works for you. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
Thanks so much Eileen...I hope you have a lovely weekend also!
DeleteMy goodness, Such a device.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty scary actually when it gets going! Probably the whole building will fall down upon our heads from its shaking!
DeleteYikes! That sounds a bit scary. Good to check out the heart concern. I hope the vest can help you.
ReplyDeleteI left word on a nurses line yesterday. For now I'm not using it. Tonight if I haven't heard back I'm packing it up. I asked if there was any less aggressive way for it to be used.
DeleteAre you able to use it only on your back? Do not put the vest on but lie down with your back on it , maybe a pillow for your head and a support under your knees?
Deletebarb
Now I want to do all kinds of online sleuthing to find out how that vest is supposed to fit and work. There must be more info out there. I wish your doc had answers. Take care there.
ReplyDeleteNot having it through any home health agency means not having proper instructions, of course. Maybe I can contact the manufacturer...which I'll go do now.
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DeleteSee my added note at 10:30 am...above in the text of post.
DeleteAnd my note at 3:00 pm...cardiologist says ok!
DeleteGood approach. It is always wise to start slow and get help from the experts.
ReplyDeleteIt ends up with me just having to figure out a good time to do it. I sure can't have a full stomach!
DeleteGood to be cautious.
ReplyDeletehttps://smartvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SmartVest-SV2100-Instruction-Manual.pdf
ReplyDeleteWould this help?
Thanks, I've got an instruction manual..
DeleteI should think that lying on it to give a low level massage would help all your innerds! Boosting blood flow and possibly lymph flow as well?
ReplyDeleteI'm just leaning back for now..May try lying on it soon though.
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