I have just read a post concerning a flutter device for the removal of phlegm and mucus. I am considering getting one myself but not because I have phlegm or mucus but because an ad that I recently saw stated that they are also good for exercising the lungs to make them stronger. Has anyone bought one for that reason and do they a see an improvement in their breathing? Thank you for any info that you can give me as my shortness of breath is getting increasingly worse.
Also, has anyone ever tried a vibrating belt or another such device for improving lungs?
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GDanker
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Hello GDanker, I am also 76 and have Emphysema. There are several different makes of these little gadgets, and they are not expensive so I bought one. They do encourage the removing of mucus and I used one for a while. I think getting rid of mucus very important. I may have become lazy because I find that I can physically do the “haahhing” exercise myself and get a similar effect. I believe the gadget does show us how to properly achieve this. I would say get one. Think I’ll start using it again after your post. Thank you
I, too, have gotten a little lazy and feel that this gadget will provide me with more incentive. One would think that not being able to breathe properly would be incentive enough but occasionally I get the "what's the use" feeling. It's definitely the wrong way to think. Thank you.
Why pay money for a flutter device? You can achieve the same goal with half a glass of water and a drinking straw.Put the straw in to the water and blow, the water stops your breath escaping causing back pressure in your lung, when your breath forms a bubble and escapes it releases the pressure creating a vibrating action in your lungs, much the same as a flutter device. .simple.
Hi Dantredan, I have a flutter from Amazon but as my condition has worsened (I have bronchiectasis and Aspergillosis) my specialist is arranging for me to have an NHS one. Meanwhile I am going to try your glass half full and straw method, it sounds much more relaxing than using a flutter, which I find tiring. Thank you 😊
Glad you said that hidden …. I saw it advertised, read up on it and ordered one a few days ago , can’t wait for it to arrive… I to have Bronchilectasis,,, so can’t wait to try it xxx
I know how you feel. My singing is so bad I used it to get my children to behave. You know how when you ask a teenager to tidy their room or make a cuppa they huff and look wounded, act like you are the cruellest parent in the world?Well I'd say "You don't have to (insert chore) but if you don't I'll sing"
My children are all grown n flown. I have grandchildren and great grandchildren now. I don't sing to them. I used to when they were tiny. However two of my granddaughters, who can sing beautifully, listened to me and sang a song back to me. They sounded like strangled cats! I had visions of them singing like me when they went to school. So never again.
At the singing for lung health group I run, most members arrive saying they can't sing. Usually it's because the songs they try to sing are pitched too high for them. While we have our share of corncrakes and sparrows among the linnets and blackbirds, only one member is partially tone deaf, and that's because she can't hear notes higher than E above middle C, so she can't sing them either. We all have fun improving our breathing through singing, and for most of us, our singing improves too. And it makes you feel happier - win win.
I use Aerobika, on advice from the physio. It’s now available on prescription so no need to pay. I find it quite effective, though as others have said you can try other methods - it all depends what works for you, as we are all different. My husband (who is a personal trainer) tells me that athletes use it to improve their lung capacity. May be worth asking your GP to prescribe and trying it out. Good luck.
I have an Aerobika too and find it the only one to be any good for me. I find it clears muck that i didn’t know I had. I’ve tried virtually all other devices without success but, remember, we are all different. Apparently the Aerobika is one of the more expensive devices so won’t be freely offered. Good luck. Joy x
Hi GD , I have a flutter device that I purchased from Amazon. (called "Flutter"). My condition has worsened, I have Bronchiectasis & Aspergillosis, so my specialist is arranging for me to have the NHS recommended one. Meanwhile I am going to try the straw and water method as suggested by dantredan. Take care
I have read that it is not good for certain conditions but mine wasn't listed. Maybe the straw in water, that certain others have recommended, might be a better match for you?
I have an AeroBika, which the doctor prescribed. I found it very useful for bringing up phlegm. I know other people on this site love their Capellas too. I seem to remember that some people found the heavily advertised air physio device didn't work for them because it required too much puff.
Thank you for asking. My breathing is pretty good at the moment and I don't use my beloved AeroBika very often. Not as much as I should really. But I do my Active Cycle exercises regularly and try to do as much other exercise as I can. I've started Pilates classes. xxx
I'm glad to hear that your breathing is good. I hope that this flutter device will help me. I received it yesterday. I can't believe how quickly this Australian company sent it out as I got it in a few day's time after ordering. I've used it quite a bit already and I really can feel it having an effect on my lungs. Besides that, I should get out and exercise more but I seem to have a hard time doing that - even if it's just taking a walk! I hope that you will use your AeroBika more often as you refer to it as "beloved" which must mean that it is doing you some good! Take good care of yourself!
I have Bronchiectasis with asthma, I developed the illnesses in my late 30s. I'm now 73.
About 20 some years ago, I started using a nebulizer and a percussion vest. The percussion vest is very helpful. I got it from the company Hill-Rom. My insurance paid for it (It was thru my employer's insurance coverage). The equipment comes with a lifetime warranty. I had to replace the tubes, vest and the machine during the past 20 years, at no cost to me.
I don't travel with it, all together it's about the size of a small suitcase. I have a travel size nebulizer and I bring my Aerobika instead of the percussion equipment.
I may have replied to some of you twice as I got a little mixed up. However, if I did not reply to someone accidentally, please excuse me as it was not intentional. I very much appreciate all your answers and the time that you took to respond to me! Thanks to all of you!
Hallo, am Ian from England 🇬🇧, nice to.meet you. I bought one of the flutter gadgets and find it really useful in loosening mucus and I use it 2 a day, for 15 minutes a time. Would never be without now. Cheap enough to buy, too. Regards, Ian.
Nice meeting you, Ian. I'm very excited about my flutter device and can't wait to get started on it. After all, what's more important than being able to breathe? I've read so many good things about it and already feel confident that it will lead to improvement in my condition(s).
Also, will be dropping by on "Health Unlocked" regularly as there are so many nice people here. I have been reading the comments quite regularly for some time, but not so much as a participant, just reading what others are going through. It's a very inspirational place and better than any comparable health website that I've found here in the U.S.
I am in Indiana and on medicare with lots of mucus. I was prescribed a smart vest by doctor , you need prescription for it and medicare paid for it, took a few weeks for it to work but made a huge difference for me, maybe it can help others with this problem. I am also 76 years old. Also use air physio which helps. Good luck if anyone tries the vest, hope it helps.
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