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    Our Mission

    Our mission at PCD Smiles is to bring smiles to hospitalized primary ciliary dyskinesia, no mater their age; through the gift of a cheer package. Currently serving only The United States and Canada.
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Dear Smile E.

I injured my back a few weeks ago and my vest machine is really killing me during treatments. Honestly all airway clearance hurts at this point. What should I do? Is there anything I can do besides just skipping my treatments.

Signed,

Airway Clearance Hurts

 

Dear Airway Clearance Hurts,

This is definitely a topic to discuss with your PCD team. There are most definitely ways to modify your airway clearance regiment around an injury, surgery, and pain. You can adjust your vest settings down to the lower level suggested by your PCD Team Respiratory Therapist. The great things about the vest is that they can be adjusted to allow you to still get your treatment in with minimal pain. You will however have to ask your team what the appropriate lower settings are in your case. I suggest starting by lowering the hertz be fore lowering the pressure of the vest. The higher numbers seem to make even minimal pain from minor surgery or injuries hurt. Most surgical teams will say to stay at your settings because the vest doesn’t interfere with there surgical area, but I thing that those surgical teams do not consider then referred pain associated with being shaken in the vest or during any airway clearance techniques. I strongly recommend that you call your airway clearance prescriber as soon as possible to discuss any needed modifications to you airway clearance treatment plan. I do hope that you are feeling better soon!

Yours Truly,

Smile E. Turtle


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Thank you for your consideration!

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