Cost £48-52 (55,14€ ) inc. post. lungentrainer.de. So clever it works by silent resonate frequency 16-25Hz which is apparently the same resonant frequency as mucus.
Remember the TV ad where the opera singer broke the wine glass when she hit the right note ! brilliant - well this 13" long flute breaks up mucus deep in the lungs. I only know about resonance as my dad worked with acoustics.
Blowing gently down the flute secretions moved easily, you need head slightly looking down so your windpipe is open for the silent frequency to pass down into lungs like a "laser light" .
It is easy to blow, no respiratory pressure at first can feel like nothings happening. then sharp crackles and pops I produced several good samples. Breathing was/is noticeably clearer for me hours after, usually I am a wheezy noisy breather, anyone in same room can hear me !.. my handkerchief is my "silencer" !!
I also used it lying down in pd position and it worked just as well for me but it seems to make my throat a bit dry/ sore feeling after use, need drink water, weird but that passed.
It says suitable for COPD, bronchiectasis, aspergillas etc. I have lifelong bronchiectasis, half left lung removed 40ys ago and I believe this Lung Flute used daily will systematically clear gunk for many of us, I am going to keep at it and see.... Good luck all...
su
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I have something similar called "the Flutter" it was recommended by the physio on my rehab course it is difficult to use at the start but practice makes perfect and it does help a great deal. Mine is about 3" long and looks like the end of a pipe the reason I use one is I have had an allergic reaction to Mucodyne and other anti mucus medications.
Hi jandan, I bought a flutter a few years ago but for me it did not clear secretions as well as this new flute, some people get on with flutter but I found it not strong or deep enough into lung and can only be used in sitting position. It only worked for a short breath length.
I was not good on mucodyne either but found mullien tea very effective and I felt good on it. there are no side effects or chemicals with mullien , took a few days to start working like many herbs.
Tobyjug, that is a good name, thank you for the useful link. Sorry the flute is not suitable for you, we are all different and I am learning a lot about the different lung conditions from the wonderful people on here, hopefully you will find some answers online and for your Cpap problem too.
I have had 2 Flutters in the past which I have managed to break on my tiled floor. The problem is you cannot get spare parts for it. So now I use the Shaker which is also listed on the German website but I got mine from Evergreen who tell me it's a bit less brittle than the Flutter, and a lot less expensive.
thank you berti for the Evergreen info it's so hard to find where to get these things. I have heard of the Shaker, does it work for you ?
I also have a flutter but for me it does not work anything like as well as my new Lung Flute, just a couple of breaths through the flute give positive result. the flute reed must be dry to work, it does gather condensation quickly but has usually cleared my lungs before that happens. If it becomes wet with condensation the reed sticks to the side and I can't blow through it at all, ha and my breath is now getting stronger.
I would still like to know about shaker, anything that moves this gunk is worth a try.
Hi everyone, I had heard about these a few years ago but never got one, so it's very interesting to read all your comments. I have taken carbocisteine now for a few years and find it very effective. But, there are many times I feel my lungs are "blocked up" deep down but it seems to be nothing there to clear and it sounds like ones of these devices could help. I am going to look into it. Thanks for your post. Libby
libby for many years, goodness, all my life I too have had this "blocked up and cut off" feeling inside my lungs that you mentioned, nothing has worked as well for me as my new flute which is why I am so excited about it.
For me it "cuts" through the secretions, just a couple of blows through the flute and "pop".. it feels like bubble gum has burst inside my lung and suddenly I have a little more lung space to breath with, I still have to cough it all out but it easily comes up the lungs to do so with a few more blows into the flute. just hope it will help you and others.
Hi Zube, I have had a Pneumothorax , and lung surgery so I am unable to use a Flutter!!! Is there any information with the Flute, that states not to be used my people with my lung condition? Many thanks. X
my concern - my pneumothorax was 30 years ago - but everyone still said I should not use flutter etc... the Doc yesterday however when asked for a thorough and considered answer said it should be fine if I didn't have to blow too hard and could build from less blow to more over time to check it's OK - as with everything though my Doc said he couldn't issue a guarantee
wacky I don't know very much about pneumothorax, juliekkay has spoken about it before. Anyway, I looked all through the paperwork and I can't see any warnings about not using it with pneumothorax or any other lung conditions. one booklet is written in German, all I know of that is "auf viedezane" !!.. spelling will be wrong !
I also had lung surgery, half lung removed 40 yrs ago and I am not having any problems from using my flute..... touch wood... quite the opposite, I will have my mucus problem back if I stop using it !
might be better if you contact the manufacturer in US, they are -
Medical Acoustics, lungflute.com tel: (716) 759-6339 or (888)820-0970
I bought it from Germany as the postage was less.
su
Thanks for the info, Zube ... I am about to order the flute x
If it works for you it will definitely be worth it waky, eventually it is bound to be available on nhs, if our lungs are kept clearer it will save them money.
The Flutter, RC Cornet or Shaker are not suitable if you suffer from Pneumothorax. Severe Tuberculosis. Right Sided Heart Failure or if you have been coughing up blood, and although we are not aware of any reported problems with these airway clearance techniques, if you are worried about your chest. Becomes short of breath, or have chest pain contact your Health Professional without delay.
Very good point but the flute is different, it does not oscillate so that a "back pressure" is felt or generated. The oscillations are silent sound resonance. You need only to blow as if you are blowing out a candle, feels like nothing is happening but it definitely is for me. I can produce yuk evidence, ha
I see in the instructions written -- "In many chronic cardiopulmonary conditions there is a build up of secretions in the airways. BHT with the Lung Flute can help clear these secretions so they can be swallowed (yuk!) or coughed up."
I don't know what BHT stands for, have you heard of it stone?
the instructions go on to mention "blow gently" ... " the acoustic waves produced cannot be heard by human ears. The only sound you will hear is the fluttering of the reed when you exhale, you will not feel any vibration during use".
Stone, I am beginning to feel like a blessed sales person for this dear company !.. ..
I am definitely not !.. just a delighted user but if lots of us are interested, we could do with a cash discount from Medical Acoustics !?!
Toby, sorry your breathing is not so good, I was puzzled by your answer, can I ask if you tried the flute ? if you have enough breath to blow out a candle ( that has been difficult for me in the past) there should be enough blow to use the flute but not flutter. check with gp anyway.
Dear Mavis, your daughter is very lucky to have her mum looking out for here on blf you will find many helpful, wonderful people also with copd and plenty of tips to help her to control it.
I can't speak for the medical fraternity, my own experience with bronchiectasis is that things are rapidly improving now, for me because of incredibly kind, knowledgeable people who generously share their ways of managing lung conditions here.
The lung flute was designed by acoustics engineer Sandy Hawkins - I immediately understood the potential only because my late dad was also an acoustics engineer.
I was brought up with acoustics and electronics, being so unwell, I missed almost all my school education, when I was not in hospital with pneumonia I was at home to hear the strange sounds and experiments coming from dad's workshop, I took in all he taught me. thinking about it... it's more use to me now than any history lessons etc I might have learned at school !
Zube, thanks for info - will certainly 'tackle' GP about acapella. I say 'tackle' because it seems to me that if you don't do your own research (this site is a great help) and make your own enquiries via medical fraternity nothing will be suggested. It's a shame we have to fight to find relief from this condition!
indeed. I have found by accident other ways to keep me from needing too frequent antibiotics also.
just looking It is very difficult to tell that some people have a lung condition sometimes, it is assumed they have been smoking or running or exerting themselves... or "have you still got that flue?" I have never smoked ever, just the smell made me cough badly, and my "flue" has lasted a lifetime !... but now is improving.
It is up to us to explain and explore.
My GP referred me to a lung clinic for the acapella. They need to do this so you can be properly assessed, the acapella is not suitable for some conditions and would be harmful I was told.
Thanks again zube. I see you suffer with the bronchiectasis side rather than the 'smokers problem' so maybe I wouldn't qualify for the acapella. Think I'll just order a lung flute instead from Germany, but I see there is an option for oxygen to be included? Is this necessary for the device to work properly?
Hi to all. I have tried to purchase a lung flute without success, the site is in the german language which I dont understand, can anyone help please. I cannot use Mucodyne as have suffered a burst ulcer. Thanks
hello drifter, I googled lungentrainer.de and in the grey bar at the top of the page (don't know what it's called as still learning pc use!) it says "Translate" . sometimes I have landed on lungentrainer.de and it has been in English, ??..
HI Su, Thanks. I have googled the page but dont have a grey bar at the top so not quite sure what to do now. I would really like to purchase one of these, I think it is just the thing I need.
I ordered a lungflute a couple of days ago and yes, the site came up in German. If you are used to ordering goods online its much the same as usual i.e. Name, dob, address, etc. I think I remember you could pay via paypal which makes it easier too!
PS, the "Powerbreathe" I mentioned 20 mins ago is the "Breath Builder" which looks good. there seems loads of different things on there, I feel like I'm in a candy bar !
Arn I've just been on google again looking to find the lungentrainer in English, when I stumbled on lungentrainer.de/products
try that, also there I saw another product called a "Powerbreathe" which looks interesting, it says it "increases breathing capacity" that sounds good Arn ! and they have reference to COPD.
It still came up in German but again there was a translate bar. I am using google chrome, don't know what difference that makes.
Anyway, did you have any luck finding it in English ?
Hi all you lovely people, your help has paid off, I have managed to order the lung flute( I think ). will wait and see if I was successful, I will let you know. Thanks again. Arn
Ha Arn well done, hope a lung flute is what you get... it was your ( I think) that that made me chuckle... you could end up with a Puff Puff Lotto Game !!!... can you believe I saw one of those on there too !?! ha su
Found you at last Su and your lung flute topic - just call me slow. Well my lovely I am now thanking you - this is really interesting informtion. Is the flute/reed easy to keep clean? Can just see us all there with our array of gadgets and gizmos. There's no stopping you now - you go girl.
cofdrop how naughty are you when you were told to rest up and now I find you here !
I am pleased you find it interesting, it's only THANX to you that I found the "gizmo" at all in the first place.
The reed and flute are easy to clean. flute is basically a square 13" tube with plain removable mouthpiece that pushes on like the acapella mouthpiece.
the reed is an almost paper thin plastic strip that is removable and trapped into mouthpiece to hold it in place. They supply about 20 more reeds with flute saying that's 6 month supply but I think they will last much longer.
I dip the whole lot in soapy water and dry with kitchen paper, a stick is useful to push paper inside the length to dry it.
I have been using it for 2 wks now, my breathing is continuing to get clearer, people can tell when I speak on the phone.
curiously my breathing became a bit "tight" 3 days ago and I found out why !... you and I have bronchiectasis and we need a daily "possitive expiratory pressure" to open the airways for the flute to be really effective.... so I got my old pep device out and after using that my tightness went away.
The acapella although it works well, does not have enough "expiratory" pressure, this is why I used my old pep again.
So, every day I will use pep to open airways then flute. hope this helps. Lord knows we need some help!
su
PS... go and rest before I come over there and force feed you my green juice !
does the lung flute irritate the throat as I seem to cough all the time after using it , and I don't seem to need to do the huff huff cough , I seem to just cough without any help anyone else here do that
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