Cliff

[skipwork]

My Consultant has asked me to use an AIR PHYSIOTHAPY device for my Brochiectasis, Lung Fibrosis and Sarcoidosis. Can anyone tell me how effective it is and what device is the best buy on Amazon please?

[2greys]

If you are in the UK tell your GP you have been advised to use one. You should be able to get one on prescription.

[skipwork in reply to 2greys]

Many thanks.

[skipwork in reply to 2greys]

Many, many thanks.

[RoadRunner44]

Hello, There are a number of devices on the market to help remove the mucous from our lungs. I assume this is what your consultant is referring to. I have bronchiectasis andI have been given an acapella and another device called an Aerobika. Both are excellent. Mine were given to me free of charge by the hospital where I see my consultant. If you live in the UK I believe this is the usual practice. As for preference the main difference is you can use the Aerobika when lying down. Hopefully others on here will be able to offer you more advice.Best wishes.

[JetJet in reply to RoadRunner44]

Tagging onto your post. My 92 year old mother has Bronchiectasis and is struggling at the moment with extreme breathlessness although her lowest oxygen levels are 88. Generally 94 ish. We are under no consultant still and still no advice on managing other than carbosteine which she comes up in hives and 3 weekly antibiotic. Trying to go private but not much luck there either. and she refuses to go to hospital. So ...long and short is as per the poster which would you recommend for ease of use. Are they uncomfortable to use...Is the thinking that if the mucus is cleared then breathing improves. Also do heat and seasonal allergies aggravate Bronchiectasis? She has a sputum sample sent.off by GP which came back 'clear'. Just picking your brains!

[skipwork in reply to JetJet]

Many thanks

[skipwork in reply to JetJet]

Thanks.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to JetJet]

Hi again, Our varied weather does affect us sufferers in different ways. As I also suffer with chronic rhinitis (often found with bronchiectasis), I have a great deal of mucous from the nose too. During Spring and Summer I have found taking an allergy tablet (loratadine) seems to help. You say your mother doesn't have a consultant who oversees her condition so who authorised she provide a mucous sample for analysis? Was it her GP? Your mother really needs to be under the care of a consultant who can help her with a plan of action. You are trying to do the best you can for her and need solid advice. Things in the hospitals are improving again. I would suggest you contact your GP immediately and explain things in no uncertain terms and get your mother referred to a consultant or respiratory nurse. Even if its a telephone consultation this would better than nothing.

Good luck.

C

[skipwork in reply to RoadRunner44]

Many thanks.

[skipwork in reply to RoadRunner44]

Many thanks.

[Hidden]

If your consultant is advising that a physiotherapy device is appropriate, then this should be provided on prescription. The air physio works on the basis of OPEP, or oscillating positive expiratory pressure, however that specific device has limitations and there are several much better ones available that are not only approved and routinely prescribed by the NHS (the air physio isn’t approved or funded), but would cost less to the NHS than the air physio would cost you direct, and are much more hygienic from a cleaning and infection control perspective. These include the aerobika, acapella, and flutter. I believe there are currently 6 OPEP devices available on the prescribing tariff including those. Unless you’re minted, one of the reasons to get a device off the NHS is that they need replacing at least yearly due to bacterial contamination and structural weakening if/when appropriately cleaned and sterilised. My major gripe with the air physio in particular is that they don’t properly advise patients on appropriate cleaning and sterilisation, or that devices will need replacing.

[skipwork in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks.