ACAPELLA DEVISE

By beverlydemarco

1 min read

Last updated: June 2021

I USE THE BLUE ACAPELLA DEVICE ABOUT THREE TIMES A DAY, IT REALLY HELPS TO MOVE THE MUCUS AROUND AND ALSO COUGH UP THE MUCUS. ITS A LIFE SAVER.

I ALSO USE THE BREATHER TO STRENGTHEN MY LUNGS, IT'S A LITTLE HARDER BUT I MANAGED TO SET THE DIAL UP TO 4 AND AM WORKING ON TO GET THE DIAL TO 5. I ALSO USE THE VOLDYNE TO BREATH IN AND OUT AND GET THE BALL UP TO 1500, I AM TRYING TO GET TO 2000, BUT ITS HARD TO DO WHEN YOUR LUNG FUNCTION IS AT 28%.

I DO FEEL SOOOOOO MUCH BETTER AFTER USING THESE DEVISES AND I ALSO DID 5 MINUTES ON MY EXERCISE BIKE YESTERDAY AND TODAY. IT TAKES A LOT OUT OF ME BUT IF I DONT PUSH MYSELF TO EXERCISE THAN I FELL WORSE AND NO ENERGY. ONE DAY AT A TIME.

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Jackie English Moderator
<inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> , Thanks for sharing your story. I am so glad that the breathing apparatuses are helping you. Good job with your bike riding, I know it has helped me also to do as much as I can. Keep us updated on your progress! Best, Jackie (moderator)
beverlydemarco Member
THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A BAD WEEK FOR ME, I THINK ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FEELING SO OUT OF BREATH, I CALLED MY DOCTOR WHEN I WAS READING ABOUT THE NEW MEDICINE BREZTIE ,, IT INTERACTS WITH ANOTHER MEDICINE I TAKE? HE ALSO TOOK ME OFF STILOTO AND THAT ONE ALWAYS HELPED ME? I JUST BEEN FEELING SO BAD AND I KNOW ITS ONE OF MY PRESCRIPTIONS , I AM STILL VERY BLOATED AND DONT EAT MUCH BECAUSE MY STOMACH HURTS WHEN I EAT, I TRY TO EAT SMALLER MEALS THROUGH OUT THE DAY BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. I JUST BOUGHT SOME BEANO ON EBAY WHICH I WILL GET WEDNESDAY SO MAYBE THAT WILL HELP, I LOST FOUR POUNDS IN TWO WEEKS SO NOW I WEIGH 102 POUNDS. I GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR JULY 1ST SO I'LL SEE WHAT HE TELLS ME. THIS COPD IS GETTING TO HARD TO LIVE WITH.
1. johnmarshall Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> You certainly have a lot going on right now. First, I want to let you know how much I admire your courage in sharing so openly with us. It takes a lot of bravery to do so. Second, please know we are here for you. I'm hoping the beano provides some relief and that your upcoming appointment is also helpful. Thanks for stopping by and please keep us posted on how you're doing. - John M. (COPD.net Team)
beverlydemarco Member
HI JOHN MARSHALL, THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERN, I HAVE TRYED THE BEANO AND NOTHING IS HELPING WITH THE BLOATING? EVEN DRINKING WATER MAKES ME BLOAT, I KNOW IT GOES WITH COPD SO THERE IS NOT MUCH I CAN DO ABOUT THE BLOATING? I AM NOW HAVING ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MY MEDICINE? THE DR. WANTED TO MAKE ME TRY THE NEW BREATHING INHALEL CALLED. BREZTRI , IT WAS GOOD FOR ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS BUT THEN I STARTED FEELING LOUSY AND I READ THAT THE BREZTRI INTERACTS WITH THE MEDICINE I USE IN MY NEBULIZER CALLED IPRATROPIUM? I CALLED MY DR. AND TOLD HIM BUT HE STILL WANTS ME TO STAY ON BOTH? I THINK HE IS OVER MEDICATING ME BUT WHAT CAN I DO? SOMETIMES I GET SO DEPRESSED BECAUSE I AM TIRE OF BEING USED LIKE A GUINI PIG AND FEELING SOOOOOO BAD. DOES ANYONE FEEL THIS WAY? OR HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? 
1. johnmarshall Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> I'm so sorry to hear about your struggle and am hoping other community members and/or advocates can chime in. Wishing you a peaceful rest of the day. - John M. (COPD.net Team)
beverlydemarco Member
I WENT BACK TO MY DR. FOR MY CHECKUP AND HE DOESNT WANT ME TO GET OFF OF THE NEW MEDICINE HE GAVE ME A FEW MONTHS AGO? ITS CALLED BREZTRI AND ITS A NEW MEDICINE FOR COPD, I HAVE SEEN IT ADVERTISE ON TELEVISION THAT IT HAS THREE BREATHING MEDICINES INTO ONE INHALER, I USE 2 PUFFS IN THE MORNING AND 2 PUFFS AT NIGHT, IT WORKED GREAT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN I WAS HAVING A LOT OF BAD SIDE EFFECTS, I WAS SHAKY, NAUSEA, A LOT OF BLOATING, SHORT OF BREATHE, BACK PAIN, VERY, VERY TIRED ALL DAY, NO APPETITE ,. HE SAID I SHOULD DEAL WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS BECAUSE I WAS DOING BETTER WITH THIS NEW MEDICINE AND MY LUNG FUNCTION HAD IMPROVED. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM? IS ANYONE ELSE TAKING THIS NEW MEDICINE.? I WAS DOING SO GOOD AS FAR AS EXERCISING BUT LATELY I AM TOO TIRED TO DO ANY EXERCISES. AND I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO EXERCISE. HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT
 <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> Hi again, Beverly, and thanks for this post. While I am hopeful others in the community will see your inquiry and respond by sharing their own experiences with this medication (Breztri), I thought you might find it helpful to look over this article, published right here on <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>), which speaks to the medication itself: <a href='https://copd.net/breztri-aerosphere' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/breztri-aerosphere</a>. I do hope you find the information is useful in a practical way. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
beverlydemarco Member
I WENT BACK TO MY LUNG DR. TO ASK HIM IF I COULD GET OFF THE. BREZTRI WHICH HAD SO MANY SIDE EFFECTS, HE TOLD ME THIS MEDICINE WAS THE BEST ON THE MARKET FOR COPD, AND HE DID SEE AN IMPROVEMENT ON MY LUNG FUNCTION, I AM ALSO HAVING BLOOD PRESSURE ISSUES AND PUT ON ANOTHER PRESCRIPTION, ALL OF THESE PRESCRIPTIONS HAVE SOOOOO MANY SIDE EFFECTS. QUESS I JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT? I AM SOOOOOO VERY TIRED THAT I CANT EXERCISE THE WAY I USE TOO? I. KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO EXERCISE WITH COPD. I STILL HAVE HOME HEALTH TWO TIMES A WEEK AND THEY ALSO TALK TO MY DR. TOO. STILL TAKING IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT
 <inline-mention username="beverlydemarco" user-id="2407285"/> Hi again, Beverly, and thanks for sharing this update on your physician visit with the community. Keep your spirits up - it sounds like the doctor is monitoring your medication regimen and has your best health in mind. It is a good idea (from my perspective), for you to continue to discuss your care with the physician. This way, you have a good understanding of how (you and) the doctor are managing this condition. All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
alicemarie Member
Hello, I have been using a flutter valve (Aerobika) for about one year. It has made an enormous difference in clearing the mucus from my lungs. I hardly ever need my rescue inhaler. <img src="/content/images/2023/06/04/42c9ab9d88e6e94e00d5f4094c8f97fc_medium.jpg" alt="Aerobika mucus clearing device" class="uploaded-image"/>
1. CommunityMember7041b2 Member
 <inline-mention username="Leon Lebowitz, RRT" user-id="2445532"/> Hi and thank you for your reply. I did get the flutter valve and have attempted to use it, but didn’t ask my doctor…which I agree I should but really didn’t think of. Guess that’s why I belong here! (Not very impressive so far, as far as using the flutter valve. Barely got the smallest ball to rattle.) I do find that breathing exercises for 15 minutes twice a day seem to be working. 
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember7041b2" user-id="8423029"/> Hi again, CM7041b2, and thanks for the follow-up with us here. You may still want to check in with your physician - let him/her know you have the flutter device and you're not certain how to use it. The patients I know who use it, feel that it helps them a great deal. Naturally, this type of positive expiratory therapy (PEP), is not for everyone. That is why you will want to touch base with your physician. I also thought it might be helpful for you to look over this information from the Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/heart/patient-education/recovery-care/surgery/respiratory. I am glad to hear that the breathing exercises do seem to help you when you do them twice a day. This may be sufficient, but again, I would want to find out what your own physician's impression is for your therapy. What do you think? Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)

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