Fun and games

[Chris Mottram-Wooster]

When we started using the cough assist machine we found it helped if I watched the screen and whilst holding the mask firmly against her face I used the other hand like a conductor to indicate when to breath in or out. So breath in = open hand palm up raise hand. breath out = open hand palm down lower hand. cough = stationary clenched hand. If you find it runs to quickly you can ask them how to change the speed, also they can increase the number of cycles as well all by a phone or zoom call, it's easy.

[MMG]

My husbands cough assist machine has a vibration setting so that he can tell what stage of the cycle he is at. Maybe an option?

[Madge]

Sadly house proud has gone out of the window 😜

[Ellie]

Madge Oh that is good news Madge 👍👍

You're right - practice will make things easier and yes, another bit of clutter 🙄 The Queen of Decluttering, Marie Kondo, would hate to see our rooms, wouldn't she 😄😘

[Madge]

Hi Ellie an update re the cough assist. The ladies came today and I got the hang of it. I still need to practice but it was so much better today so hopefully I will get a bit more used to it x. Just another piece of equipment to clutter up my home 😝

[Sarahw]

Hi Madge! I’ve deffo had problems with many items offered - notably the NIV! (New mask delivered courtesy of nhs -result!). However, one issue with the hoist that they never tell you about is that the sling is as , if not MORE important. My OT brought several for me to try and spent ages lengthening/shortening various straps. I must have tried at least 10 models on (not that I’m fussy!) until we found a good one. It’s exhausting trying them on so don’t worry if you can’t find one at the first go. My secret is nagging!!!
good luck! X

[Madge]

I’m not Ellie x they are coming back to see me. I feel claustrophobic with the mask on, I can’t hear the bleep for when you have to cough as the machine is noisy hence I’m coughing at the wrong time !! No hope for me 😵💫

[Ellie]

How are you getting on with the Cough Assist machine Madge?

[Madge]

I have spoken to OT and she said she will pop out to see us on Friday x thank you all for your advice x

[JamesW]

You'll probably find user manuals for most bits of kit on t'interweb - it won't shock you to know that I've a dedicated folder on my PC for mine 😉🥱😘

No it doesn’t surprise me Ellie 😂😂😂😂😂

To be fair you can get hold of instructions online but I really wish that the likes of Medequip would give users a simple quick start guide or something similar. There are quite a lot of people who don’t have Internet access and struggle to find this sort of stuff 👍

[Ellie]

I wish they would leave an instruction sheet for this sort of thing

You'll probably find user manuals for most bits of kit on t'interweb - it won't shock you to know that I've a dedicated folder on my PC for mine 😉🥱😘

[Madge]

It’s encouraging that it’s not just my hubby and me x I find it hard concentrating and learning new gadgets these days … hey ho

[Deb]

This is totally understandable Madge . I find when I am given a new piece of equipment I am stressy about needing it so i don't concentrate.

We were provided with a mobile hoist and training a year ago. I have no movement in my legs so once my arms started to weaken it was agreed we should have it for when its needed. I am still transferring sideways but only just. They serviced the hoist this week and we had totally forgotten what went where. My OT agreed we'd need a refresher course and said she'd come out until me and my husband felt confident. I wouldn't worry about getting people backX😘

[JamesW]

Hi Madge,

We had exactly the same problem as there is quite a lot to remember. As Ellie has said have a look for a YouTube video for your particular hoist, there are plenty out there by each manufacturer.

I wish they would leave an instruction sheet for this sort of thing 😠

James x

[Ellie]

This is the cough assist video Madge - it's just under 10mins long and, if you want to skip to the part where you see it being used on a person, start at 5m 20 (the first bit is about the machine itself)

If you can't find one for the hoist, let us know which one you have and perhaps one of us have the same one. xx