Best place to buy a flutter device and does it work?

Hi again, friends,

I am having difficulty getting hold of a flutter device through the nhs. Does anyone know of a reputable place to buy a good one (not sure if there are different /better kinds..?) and do they work ? (I have bronchiectasis and lots of problems with expelling sticky sputum)

With grateful thanks, as always.

Swimmer

16 Replies

oldest • newest

cofdrop-UK

6 years ago

Hi Swimmer

I am absolutely astounded you cannot get a flutter device if you have bronchiectasis. I can understand if you asked your GP, but if you have a resp consultant (and you defo should have) cons should have referred you to a resp physio and they are the ones who should go through all the pep devices. Do they work - well as we are all different they work well for some.

All bronchiectatics have their favourite methods, be that the flutter, acapella. Most bronchs I know have been 'loaned' either one. I have a flutter and it's easy to use but if you do postural draining it will only work when upright. I also have an acapella which I like very much, although I do not rely on any of the gadgets alone, I also do postural draining with percussion and the acapella can be used in any position. Another member here (you know who you are sweet) has very kindly introduced and sent to me a lung flute and I am just getting used to it at the mo.

It might be an idea to try your cons again for a referral to physio, but if you really have to purchase your own (and I don't think you should) you already have a link for evergreen and lungflute. There is also Henleys Medical. The acapella from the hospital is the Acapella Choice.

henleysmed.com/page/acapell...

My last one broke and I thought it only fair to buy the next one myself. You can get VAT medical exemption but even with that I thought it was cheaper on Amazon.

amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&key...

amazon.co.uk/Clement-Clarke...

Hope that helps.

Good luck.

cofdrop-UK

in reply to swimmer

6 years ago

It's really hard to say which is more efficient for any individual swimmer as we all have different needs and preferences. If you check out the Henleys link it will explain about the Acapella Choice. Some folks swear by the flutter and it's easy to use. The acapella is very useful as you can use it in any position, although you will often find it easier if you turn the mouthpiece (so if you are lying on your left side turn the mouthpiece slightly to the left). It also has a dial at the bottom 1 to 5, 1 being the least resistance, therefore easier to use and 5 being most resistance.

I do pd with percussion and use the acapella as an aid whilst doing it. The cupped floppy hands trap the air which vibrates the mucus free and the flutter and acapella are supposed to vibrate internally to loosen the gunk.

I have not really used the flute long enough or with pd to comment as yet.

Looking at Puff's post I do remember someone - probably Puff - saying quite recently that you can now get the flutter on prescription. Worth a try. June is quite a way away, but I would have thought your consultant could refer you to a physio on his/her team. Is cons a cf/bronch consultant?

Good luck hun

C xxx