104 Model vest - having problems?

ladybug · Jul 12, 2007

Hey, everyone.

OK, so when I initially got this vest a few years ago, when I pushed the "on" button, the vest inflated to the point where I couldn't push it into my chest without a lot of resistance (I'm only talking about before you START it, not after is pulsating). Well, lately, my vest didn't seem to inflate as much. I could easily push on the front and the back would fill with air or I could push on the back and the air would move to the front. When running it, if I sat back against a chair, it seemed to push the air forward to the front as well, so I always had to sit straight without leaning (for 30 minutes, urgh.).

Well, Hillrom sent me new tubing and a new vest... Tried them... Same problem. So, Hillrom sent me a new generator. Tried it just now and its the same!!! I also tried the new vest with old tubing and new generator, old generator/new tubing, etc. in different combinations to see if one or two particular pieces were giving me trouble. Well, nothing seemed to inflate it to my inital "tight" feel and make it so I couldn't push it in. Nothing felt "tight" when I initially turned it on like it used to. It does inflate, just not as big and puffy as usual.

.... So, my question is, do you notice when you initially start up the vest that (before pulsating it) you can push the air from front to back and vice versa? And, while laying down, can you also push the front and render the vest nearly completely flat against your body (even though its inflated)? And, when running the vest, does air seem to go forward toward your front when you lean back against something? Even just a little bit?

I have no idea if this is effecting my treatments, as it still pulsates like it should and gets fairly tight when doing a treatment (I have it on 10. the tightest setting.) BUT, should I be able to push the air forward and backward on it when not in use, just inflated? Should it be really puffy and "full" or not too terribly tight with some "give"? Should I be able to tell that air moves forward if I lean back on a chair when it IS pulsing? I'm frustrated cause I"m on west coast and Hillrom is central, so when I got my generator today at 2:45, and immediately called them, it was too late to send anything else out to try new tubing, vest, etc. again. So, it will be another couple of days before anything can be done.

.... BUT, if ya'll experience what I'm experiencing, perhaps it IS normal... Maybe I just had a freakish vest to begin with that for some reason got super tight and didn't allow any "give" when pushed. I just worry that I'm not getting a good treatment if its not tight like that. What do ya'll experience?

And, please don't suggest to get another manufacturer's vest or why another vest is better, etc... I am not able to do that at this time, so that is not even an option. I wish it were, but its not.

Thanks,

ladybug · Jul 12, 2007

Hey, everyone.

OK, so when I initially got this vest a few years ago, when I pushed the "on" button, the vest inflated to the point where I couldn't push it into my chest without a lot of resistance (I'm only talking about before you START it, not after is pulsating). Well, lately, my vest didn't seem to inflate as much. I could easily push on the front and the back would fill with air or I could push on the back and the air would move to the front. When running it, if I sat back against a chair, it seemed to push the air forward to the front as well, so I always had to sit straight without leaning (for 30 minutes, urgh.).

Well, Hillrom sent me new tubing and a new vest... Tried them... Same problem. So, Hillrom sent me a new generator. Tried it just now and its the same!!! I also tried the new vest with old tubing and new generator, old generator/new tubing, etc. in different combinations to see if one or two particular pieces were giving me trouble. Well, nothing seemed to inflate it to my inital "tight" feel and make it so I couldn't push it in. Nothing felt "tight" when I initially turned it on like it used to. It does inflate, just not as big and puffy as usual.

.... So, my question is, do you notice when you initially start up the vest that (before pulsating it) you can push the air from front to back and vice versa? And, while laying down, can you also push the front and render the vest nearly completely flat against your body (even though its inflated)? And, when running the vest, does air seem to go forward toward your front when you lean back against something? Even just a little bit?

I have no idea if this is effecting my treatments, as it still pulsates like it should and gets fairly tight when doing a treatment (I have it on 10. the tightest setting.) BUT, should I be able to push the air forward and backward on it when not in use, just inflated? Should it be really puffy and "full" or not too terribly tight with some "give"? Should I be able to tell that air moves forward if I lean back on a chair when it IS pulsing? I'm frustrated cause I"m on west coast and Hillrom is central, so when I got my generator today at 2:45, and immediately called them, it was too late to send anything else out to try new tubing, vest, etc. again. So, it will be another couple of days before anything can be done.

.... BUT, if ya'll experience what I'm experiencing, perhaps it IS normal... Maybe I just had a freakish vest to begin with that for some reason got super tight and didn't allow any "give" when pushed. I just worry that I'm not getting a good treatment if its not tight like that. What do ya'll experience?

And, please don't suggest to get another manufacturer's vest or why another vest is better, etc... I am not able to do that at this time, so that is not even an option. I wish it were, but its not.

Thanks,

ladybug · Jul 12, 2007

Hey, everyone.

OK, so when I initially got this vest a few years ago, when I pushed the "on" button, the vest inflated to the point where I couldn't push it into my chest without a lot of resistance (I'm only talking about before you START it, not after is pulsating). Well, lately, my vest didn't seem to inflate as much. I could easily push on the front and the back would fill with air or I could push on the back and the air would move to the front. When running it, if I sat back against a chair, it seemed to push the air forward to the front as well, so I always had to sit straight without leaning (for 30 minutes, urgh.).

Well, Hillrom sent me new tubing and a new vest... Tried them... Same problem. So, Hillrom sent me a new generator. Tried it just now and its the same!!! I also tried the new vest with old tubing and new generator, old generator/new tubing, etc. in different combinations to see if one or two particular pieces were giving me trouble. Well, nothing seemed to inflate it to my inital "tight" feel and make it so I couldn't push it in. Nothing felt "tight" when I initially turned it on like it used to. It does inflate, just not as big and puffy as usual.

.... So, my question is, do you notice when you initially start up the vest that (before pulsating it) you can push the air from front to back and vice versa? And, while laying down, can you also push the front and render the vest nearly completely flat against your body (even though its inflated)? And, when running the vest, does air seem to go forward toward your front when you lean back against something? Even just a little bit?

I have no idea if this is effecting my treatments, as it still pulsates like it should and gets fairly tight when doing a treatment (I have it on 10. the tightest setting.) BUT, should I be able to push the air forward and backward on it when not in use, just inflated? Should it be really puffy and "full" or not too terribly tight with some "give"? Should I be able to tell that air moves forward if I lean back on a chair when it IS pulsing? I'm frustrated cause I"m on west coast and Hillrom is central, so when I got my generator today at 2:45, and immediately called them, it was too late to send anything else out to try new tubing, vest, etc. again. So, it will be another couple of days before anything can be done.

.... BUT, if ya'll experience what I'm experiencing, perhaps it IS normal... Maybe I just had a freakish vest to begin with that for some reason got super tight and didn't allow any "give" when pushed. I just worry that I'm not getting a good treatment if its not tight like that. What do ya'll experience?

And, please don't suggest to get another manufacturer's vest or why another vest is better, etc... I am not able to do that at this time, so that is not even an option. I wish it were, but its not.

Thanks,

ladybug · Jul 12, 2007

Hey, everyone.

OK, so when I initially got this vest a few years ago, when I pushed the "on" button, the vest inflated to the point where I couldn't push it into my chest without a lot of resistance (I'm only talking about before you START it, not after is pulsating). Well, lately, my vest didn't seem to inflate as much. I could easily push on the front and the back would fill with air or I could push on the back and the air would move to the front. When running it, if I sat back against a chair, it seemed to push the air forward to the front as well, so I always had to sit straight without leaning (for 30 minutes, urgh.).

Well, Hillrom sent me new tubing and a new vest... Tried them... Same problem. So, Hillrom sent me a new generator. Tried it just now and its the same!!! I also tried the new vest with old tubing and new generator, old generator/new tubing, etc. in different combinations to see if one or two particular pieces were giving me trouble. Well, nothing seemed to inflate it to my inital "tight" feel and make it so I couldn't push it in. Nothing felt "tight" when I initially turned it on like it used to. It does inflate, just not as big and puffy as usual.

.... So, my question is, do you notice when you initially start up the vest that (before pulsating it) you can push the air from front to back and vice versa? And, while laying down, can you also push the front and render the vest nearly completely flat against your body (even though its inflated)? And, when running the vest, does air seem to go forward toward your front when you lean back against something? Even just a little bit?

I have no idea if this is effecting my treatments, as it still pulsates like it should and gets fairly tight when doing a treatment (I have it on 10. the tightest setting.) BUT, should I be able to push the air forward and backward on it when not in use, just inflated? Should it be really puffy and "full" or not too terribly tight with some "give"? Should I be able to tell that air moves forward if I lean back on a chair when it IS pulsing? I'm frustrated cause I"m on west coast and Hillrom is central, so when I got my generator today at 2:45, and immediately called them, it was too late to send anything else out to try new tubing, vest, etc. again. So, it will be another couple of days before anything can be done.

.... BUT, if ya'll experience what I'm experiencing, perhaps it IS normal... Maybe I just had a freakish vest to begin with that for some reason got super tight and didn't allow any "give" when pushed. I just worry that I'm not getting a good treatment if its not tight like that. What do ya'll experience?

And, please don't suggest to get another manufacturer's vest or why another vest is better, etc... I am not able to do that at this time, so that is not even an option. I wish it were, but its not.

Thanks,

ladybug · Jul 12, 2007

Hey, everyone.

OK, so when I initially got this vest a few years ago, when I pushed the "on" button, the vest inflated to the point where I couldn't push it into my chest without a lot of resistance (I'm only talking about before you START it, not after is pulsating). Well, lately, my vest didn't seem to inflate as much. I could easily push on the front and the back would fill with air or I could push on the back and the air would move to the front. When running it, if I sat back against a chair, it seemed to push the air forward to the front as well, so I always had to sit straight without leaning (for 30 minutes, urgh.).

Well, Hillrom sent me new tubing and a new vest... Tried them... Same problem. So, Hillrom sent me a new generator. Tried it just now and its the same!!! I also tried the new vest with old tubing and new generator, old generator/new tubing, etc. in different combinations to see if one or two particular pieces were giving me trouble. Well, nothing seemed to inflate it to my inital "tight" feel and make it so I couldn't push it in. Nothing felt "tight" when I initially turned it on like it used to. It does inflate, just not as big and puffy as usual.

.... So, my question is, do you notice when you initially start up the vest that (before pulsating it) you can push the air from front to back and vice versa? And, while laying down, can you also push the front and render the vest nearly completely flat against your body (even though its inflated)? And, when running the vest, does air seem to go forward toward your front when you lean back against something? Even just a little bit?

I have no idea if this is effecting my treatments, as it still pulsates like it should and gets fairly tight when doing a treatment (I have it on 10. the tightest setting.) BUT, should I be able to push the air forward and backward on it when not in use, just inflated? Should it be really puffy and "full" or not too terribly tight with some "give"? Should I be able to tell that air moves forward if I lean back on a chair when it IS pulsing? I'm frustrated cause I"m on west coast and Hillrom is central, so when I got my generator today at 2:45, and immediately called them, it was too late to send anything else out to try new tubing, vest, etc. again. So, it will be another couple of days before anything can be done.

.... BUT, if ya'll experience what I'm experiencing, perhaps it IS normal... Maybe I just had a freakish vest to begin with that for some reason got super tight and didn't allow any "give" when pushed. I just worry that I'm not getting a good treatment if its not tight like that. What do ya'll experience?

And, please don't suggest to get another manufacturer's vest or why another vest is better, etc... I am not able to do that at this time, so that is not even an option. I wish it were, but its not.

Thanks,

ladybug · Jul 12, 2007

Hey, everyone.

OK, so when I initially got this vest a few years ago, when I pushed the "on" button, the vest inflated to the point where I couldn't push it into my chest without a lot of resistance (I'm only talking about before you START it, not after is pulsating). Well, lately, my vest didn't seem to inflate as much. I could easily push on the front and the back would fill with air or I could push on the back and the air would move to the front. When running it, if I sat back against a chair, it seemed to push the air forward to the front as well, so I always had to sit straight without leaning (for 30 minutes, urgh.).

Well, Hillrom sent me new tubing and a new vest... Tried them... Same problem. So, Hillrom sent me a new generator. Tried it just now and its the same!!! I also tried the new vest with old tubing and new generator, old generator/new tubing, etc. in different combinations to see if one or two particular pieces were giving me trouble. Well, nothing seemed to inflate it to my inital "tight" feel and make it so I couldn't push it in. Nothing felt "tight" when I initially turned it on like it used to. It does inflate, just not as big and puffy as usual.

.... So, my question is, do you notice when you initially start up the vest that (before pulsating it) you can push the air from front to back and vice versa? And, while laying down, can you also push the front and render the vest nearly completely flat against your body (even though its inflated)? And, when running the vest, does air seem to go forward toward your front when you lean back against something? Even just a little bit?

I have no idea if this is effecting my treatments, as it still pulsates like it should and gets fairly tight when doing a treatment (I have it on 10. the tightest setting.) BUT, should I be able to push the air forward and backward on it when not in use, just inflated? Should it be really puffy and "full" or not too terribly tight with some "give"? Should I be able to tell that air moves forward if I lean back on a chair when it IS pulsing? I'm frustrated cause I"m on west coast and Hillrom is central, so when I got my generator today at 2:45, and immediately called them, it was too late to send anything else out to try new tubing, vest, etc. again. So, it will be another couple of days before anything can be done.

.... BUT, if ya'll experience what I'm experiencing, perhaps it IS normal... Maybe I just had a freakish vest to begin with that for some reason got super tight and didn't allow any "give" when pushed. I just worry that I'm not getting a good treatment if its not tight like that. What do ya'll experience?

And, please don't suggest to get another manufacturer's vest or why another vest is better, etc... I am not able to do that at this time, so that is not even an option. I wish it were, but its not.

Thanks,

Wheezie · Jul 12, 2007

Hi Sonia,
I have a HillRom vest (and I'm on the west coast too, so I hear your frustration with that). For me, when the vest first inflates (right when I turn the machine on) it feels really tight, but then is gets a little loser once it's all inflated. It stays pretty tight and inflated throughout the treatment though. However, when I do lean back against the couch, the vest seems to get more flat in the back and the air seems to roll forward to the front, just like you described. I also notice that when I lean back while it's pulsating, I don't feel like I'm getting as much "shake" in the back or on the back side of my lungs, if that makes sense.

I never thought it might be a problem with the vest though - it honestly never occurred to me; I just thought that's the way it worked. I make myself sit up straight and try not to ever lean back against anything (unless I'm feeling really sick and/or weak). I find that when I sit up straight and really concentrate on taking in deep breaths (almost like meditating) I get a much better treatment out of it. I also think if it's too tight, you might not be able to take as deep of a breath as would be most beneficial (at least, that's my understanding and personal opinion).

I'm interested to hear what others' experiences have been, but I hope this helps a little. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Wheezie · Jul 12, 2007

Hi Sonia,
I have a HillRom vest (and I'm on the west coast too, so I hear your frustration with that). For me, when the vest first inflates (right when I turn the machine on) it feels really tight, but then is gets a little loser once it's all inflated. It stays pretty tight and inflated throughout the treatment though. However, when I do lean back against the couch, the vest seems to get more flat in the back and the air seems to roll forward to the front, just like you described. I also notice that when I lean back while it's pulsating, I don't feel like I'm getting as much "shake" in the back or on the back side of my lungs, if that makes sense.

I never thought it might be a problem with the vest though - it honestly never occurred to me; I just thought that's the way it worked. I make myself sit up straight and try not to ever lean back against anything (unless I'm feeling really sick and/or weak). I find that when I sit up straight and really concentrate on taking in deep breaths (almost like meditating) I get a much better treatment out of it. I also think if it's too tight, you might not be able to take as deep of a breath as would be most beneficial (at least, that's my understanding and personal opinion).

I'm interested to hear what others' experiences have been, but I hope this helps a little. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Wheezie · Jul 12, 2007

Hi Sonia,
I have a HillRom vest (and I'm on the west coast too, so I hear your frustration with that). For me, when the vest first inflates (right when I turn the machine on) it feels really tight, but then is gets a little loser once it's all inflated. It stays pretty tight and inflated throughout the treatment though. However, when I do lean back against the couch, the vest seems to get more flat in the back and the air seems to roll forward to the front, just like you described. I also notice that when I lean back while it's pulsating, I don't feel like I'm getting as much "shake" in the back or on the back side of my lungs, if that makes sense.

I never thought it might be a problem with the vest though - it honestly never occurred to me; I just thought that's the way it worked. I make myself sit up straight and try not to ever lean back against anything (unless I'm feeling really sick and/or weak). I find that when I sit up straight and really concentrate on taking in deep breaths (almost like meditating) I get a much better treatment out of it. I also think if it's too tight, you might not be able to take as deep of a breath as would be most beneficial (at least, that's my understanding and personal opinion).

I'm interested to hear what others' experiences have been, but I hope this helps a little. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Wheezie · Jul 12, 2007

Hi Sonia,
I have a HillRom vest (and I'm on the west coast too, so I hear your frustration with that). For me, when the vest first inflates (right when I turn the machine on) it feels really tight, but then is gets a little loser once it's all inflated. It stays pretty tight and inflated throughout the treatment though. However, when I do lean back against the couch, the vest seems to get more flat in the back and the air seems to roll forward to the front, just like you described. I also notice that when I lean back while it's pulsating, I don't feel like I'm getting as much "shake" in the back or on the back side of my lungs, if that makes sense.

I never thought it might be a problem with the vest though - it honestly never occurred to me; I just thought that's the way it worked. I make myself sit up straight and try not to ever lean back against anything (unless I'm feeling really sick and/or weak). I find that when I sit up straight and really concentrate on taking in deep breaths (almost like meditating) I get a much better treatment out of it. I also think if it's too tight, you might not be able to take as deep of a breath as would be most beneficial (at least, that's my understanding and personal opinion).

I'm interested to hear what others' experiences have been, but I hope this helps a little. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Wheezie · Jul 12, 2007

Hi Sonia,
I have a HillRom vest (and I'm on the west coast too, so I hear your frustration with that). For me, when the vest first inflates (right when I turn the machine on) it feels really tight, but then is gets a little loser once it's all inflated. It stays pretty tight and inflated throughout the treatment though. However, when I do lean back against the couch, the vest seems to get more flat in the back and the air seems to roll forward to the front, just like you described. I also notice that when I lean back while it's pulsating, I don't feel like I'm getting as much "shake" in the back or on the back side of my lungs, if that makes sense.

I never thought it might be a problem with the vest though - it honestly never occurred to me; I just thought that's the way it worked. I make myself sit up straight and try not to ever lean back against anything (unless I'm feeling really sick and/or weak). I find that when I sit up straight and really concentrate on taking in deep breaths (almost like meditating) I get a much better treatment out of it. I also think if it's too tight, you might not be able to take as deep of a breath as would be most beneficial (at least, that's my understanding and personal opinion).

I'm interested to hear what others' experiences have been, but I hope this helps a little. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Wheezie · Jul 12, 2007

Hi Sonia,
I have a HillRom vest (and I'm on the west coast too, so I hear your frustration with that). For me, when the vest first inflates (right when I turn the machine on) it feels really tight, but then is gets a little loser once it's all inflated. It stays pretty tight and inflated throughout the treatment though. However, when I do lean back against the couch, the vest seems to get more flat in the back and the air seems to roll forward to the front, just like you described. I also notice that when I lean back while it's pulsating, I don't feel like I'm getting as much "shake" in the back or on the back side of my lungs, if that makes sense.

I never thought it might be a problem with the vest though - it honestly never occurred to me; I just thought that's the way it worked. I make myself sit up straight and try not to ever lean back against anything (unless I'm feeling really sick and/or weak). I find that when I sit up straight and really concentrate on taking in deep breaths (almost like meditating) I get a much better treatment out of it. I also think if it's too tight, you might not be able to take as deep of a breath as would be most beneficial (at least, that's my understanding and personal opinion).

I'm interested to hear what others' experiences have been, but I hope this helps a little. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

rockingdog · Jul 12, 2007