Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi, My 83 year old mother has bronchiectasis. This week she got a prescription for a vest airway clearance system from her pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic! So the question is, which vest ? The SmartVest from Electromed or The Vest from Hill-Rom seem to be very similar. When I called both companies, they both said the same thing! Both were similar. I will be reading up on it including reading some old mailings to this group. But I would appreciate any comments people have about this topic. Thanks in advance. BTW, my mother also has problems with depression and anxiety. She is much better lately with the help of a very low dose of Xanax ( 0.125 mg! started at 0.25mg but that made her too sleepy ) and also some advice from this excellent book: http://thedepressioncurebook.com/ That that might help some others. Thanks -- Herb Schilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Hello Herb!I tried on all the different types of vests @ Mayo Clinic, where my 6yr oldson was diagnosed w/ bronchiectasis. Good for you for taking her tothe Cleveland Clinic! Great hospital staff!I tried all of them on and I really thought that the Vest for Hil-Romwas the most comfortable, and he's been using it for almost 2 years.All the other ones were uncomfortable for both of us, quite frankly.Best wishes to you and your mom....Subject: Which vest is bestTo: bronchiectasis Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 10:13 PM Hi, My 83 year old mother has bronchiectasis. This week she got a prescription for a vest airway clearance system from her pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic! So the question is, which vest ? The SmartVest from Electromed or The Vest from Hill-Rom seem to be very similar. When I called both companies, they both said the same thing! Both were similar. I will be reading up on it including reading some old mailings to this group. But I would appreciate any comments people have about this topic. Thanks in advance. BTW, my mother also has problems with depression and anxiety. She is much better lately with the help of a very low dose of Xanax ( 0.125 mg! started at 0.25mg but that made her too sleepy ) and also some advice from this excellent book: http://thedepressioncurebook.com/ That that might help some others. Thanks -- Herb Schilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Hi Suzanne, I have the Hill-Rom " The Vest " - it was what my pulmonologist preferred so that's what I got. I don't know where you are (this is a VERY international email list!), but I'm in the US. Medicare paid for my Vest. We are in the US too. Cleveland Ohio area. If you're in the US, I would strongly urge you to speak with your mother's pulmonologist about him prescribing pulmonary rehab for her. I've been going for 4 years - most of the people there are long-time participants, which means they must be getting something out of it! Medicare typically pays for about 3 months - then one pays oneself - I pay $88 @ month for 3 times a week. I mention it to him but he never goes for it. Also, my mother probably wouldn't go for it. She always says she is too busy for things like this. It sort of doesn't make sense though because she sits around feeling lousy for hours. Maybe if she would do the rehab, she would actually gain time! But she doesn't see it that way and it is easy for me to say all this! Pulmonary rehab has done SO much for me! In addition to bronchiectasis, I also have asthma and it was always so hard for me to take a walk in the neighborhood (which is what most recommended). At rehab, they will find machines for one to use that they actually CAN use and build up from there. Well tuned muscles make a far more efficient use of oxygen than flabby ones! In addition, exercise greatly helps with depression - also daytime sleepiness. I used to take a 2 hr nap everyday - I almost never dose anymore! For me, the camaraderie is also SO valuable, She would like that. She used to go swimming. She misses her swimming friends. Thanks for replying! Best to you. and it's an opportunity to socialize. We all understand one another's physical limitations very well. At my rehab, we have people from about my age (67) up to almost 90! Most are on oxygen, which is provided by rehab while there. If rehab could get your mother off the anti-depressants, it would be a VERY good thing as these meds can sometimes contribute to falls in the elderly. Your mother is very lucky to have a concerned son like you! Suzanne -- Herb Schilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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