The CT scan revealed there are no visible polyps, and just typical CF mucus thickening. So, that's a relief!
He managed to gain 3 lbs in a month. The Tobi isn't supposed to make you hungrier, but oddly he has had a bit more of an appetite lately. His FEV1 was 92%, which is around his normal baseline. His lungs sounded clear, and overall, the doctor was quite pleased. We haven't received the results of his culture yet, but the doctor said that the colonies of pseudomonas aren't resistant to antibiotics, so there is hope for possible eradication of it.
I wanted to share a little information I was reading recently on another CF mom's page.
This article in the CFWA RED Magazine, summer edition, lists several studies done and have found the Vest to be much less effective than Positive Airway clearance methods.
Here is a segment of the article.
"Another study in Thorax by Osman et al 2010 compared the Vest to the usual airway clearance techniques (such as Flutter, PEP, active cycle of breathing technique, autogenic drainage) performed by the participants. This was a short term study, and looked at sputum production during the physio session and for 24 hours after using either the Vest, or the participant's usual technique. When participants used the Vest they produced less sputum in both the physio session and the w24 hours afterwards. The majority (55%) of participants also said they preferred their usual technique over the Vest. in fact, the only time the Vest has shown promise in CF studies is when it is compared to percussion and Postural Drainage - a technique that is now outdated and no longer used (Bradley 2010)
There may be a couple of reasons why the Vest is not as effective as other physiotherapy techniques for CF. One is that it provides no positive airways pressure, which helps to splint floppy airways open to allow sputum to travel from the small airways up into the larger airways, where it can be coughed up. If you have damaged, floppy airways, and they are not being splinted open by positive pressure during chest physio, they can close down and trap sputum deep in the lungs.
Positive airways Pressure also helps to get air behind trapped sputum, forcing it out of the small airways. Positive Airways Pressure techniques include PEP (including Bubble PEP), Flutter, and Acapella - but can be produced whenever you blow out against resistance (blowing out under water, blowing up balloons, blowing through pursed lips). The Vest may also not be as effective because it is a passive technique. Whenever you have to blow out against resistance, or use techniques like ACBT or autogenic drainage to control your breathing, you engage and strengthen your muscles of breathing - it's a workout for the muscles that help your lungs work! you can't get this with the Vest."
I have always felt that the Vest hasn't been as effective for Azer has Chest Percussion Therapy. While I am not considering eliminating the Vest from our treatments, I will be throwing in more CPT sessions along with using the Acapella. After a few days of using the Acapella in addition to his normal breathing treatment routine, I have heard a difference in his cough, and he says his lungs feel clearer. Just another weapon in the arsenal!
