Defective Acapella Choice?

[LouLou]

So I got my Acapella Choice and the ring that is supposed to vary the resistance pressure doesn't do anything. I turn in and the resistance stays the same. So either the re-design sucks or mine's defective.

They are overnighting me a new one so I'll let you all know tomorrow perhaps if it was defective or if this is a design flaw in the newer version of the Acapella (I hope not!)

 

[wallflower]

Mine is like that too. I just figured that's how it was supposed to be. I don't get hardly any resistance out of it, so just haven't been using it.

 

[LouLou]

Barb, Have you tried turning the wheel? Does it make a difference in the resistance? Did you have another acapella before the choice in order to make a comparison to? if so, I would say get a new one. the more of us that (b)itch the more likely they will have well designed products.

 

[LouLou]

The last Acapella was such a better design overall. It was more aesthetically pleasing, could balance on its end and could lay down while keeping the mouth piece well away from the surface. Of course, the Choice can be taken apart which is a huge plus.

I'm a product designer and the old vs. the new choice is an excellent example of cost reduction. THe first one clearly used industrial designers where this one resorts purely to a mechanical engineers idea of 'good design' (no offense any ME's out there) and the fit and finish is subpar. Ugh! Check out www.idsa.org if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

Demand good design!

 

[wallflower]

I have turned the wheel, and either I'm just not doing the breathing right, or the change is too low for me to notice. This is my first time with an Acapella (thought it would be a good idea for traveling).

I would like to think that it is not that difficult to master (I did watch the video), so I'm taking it with me to my next appt and have the therapist check that I'm doing it right -- or now as the case may be, if it is working correctly!

 

[LouLou]

I received my new Acapella Choice. Its resistance is the same as the one I had thought was defective. It seems to be a design flaw. Has anyone else noticed that the Acapella had much more noticeable setting variations than the Choice? ...hmm I'll register my compliant and hope that you all do to if you feel this is an issue.

I think I'll look into another PEP device such as the Quake I keep hearing about. After all a CF girl can't ever have too many PEP devices. It's like shoes, right?!

 

[Jem]

I just got my Acapella Choice yesterday and cleaned it last night.
 I was going to try it out today and bring it with me on my
trip to Italy which begins tomorrow.  YAY!!!<br>
I never had the original Acapella so I have nothing to compare it
to.  I guess I will just try it out and see how it goes. I
have to send for the video but I read the instructions which
sounded simple.  I hope it works.

 

[LouLou]

Janet, Have a great trip. Alcohol pads work great for a quick mouthpiece cleaning if while you're on the go in Europe you don't have time for a proper cleaning of your Acapella. I'm sure it will work great. Like you said it's functionality you'd only know you were missing if you had experienced the prior version. Smith Medical has great customer service - if you have any problems, they'll quickly help you get what you need.

 

[Jem]

Thanks for the great advice and good wishes Lauren! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[blindhearted]

I have an Acapella Choice and I didnt feel the resistance...at first. When I had my first flare up with it and was often short of breath then I noticed the resistance. 1 was the easiest, 5 had the most resistance. But when I am overall well, I didnt notice much of a difference in resistance. I hope that helps.

 

[Buca]

Hi,<br>
<br>
I'm an Industrial Design student in the UK and stumbled across this
thread while researching the Acapella. I just starting my Major
project for my final year and I was wondering if you could give me
some fed back on the Acapella or other PEP/Vibratory therapy
devices. I'm not a sufferer of CF but a friend is and that's how I
became interested in the devices.  <br>
<br>
.... How does it help you?<br>
.... Do you think it is effective compared to other devices?<br>
.... Is it easy to use?<br>
.... Do you like the way it looks?<br>
.... Do you use the adjustments?<br>
.... When do you use it and how often?<br>
.... Out of the Quake Flutter and Acapella, which is the most
suitable to you and why?<br>
<br>
I could go on forever! Any comments at all would be really
helpful.<br>
<br>
Thank you very much for any help you can give!<br>