suction device

handinhand · 10-23-2009, 05:48 PM

Does anyone use a suction device?? What kind works the best??? Where did you get yours and is there a sight I can go to see them? Building up my section of new toys to play with...soooooo much fun. Thanks Linda

LauraW · 10-24-2009, 07:09 AM

Linda,
Mom uses 2. The BEST one and the one that she insists saved her life is the Cough Assist. I don't know where you would go to order it. We got ours through our ALS Center. But that is what it is called "Cough Assist". It pushes air into your lungs and then pulls it our and everything bad with it....simulates a cough. She is now trached and has just started to use it with her trach. It is amazing.

BarryG · 10-24-2009, 01:39 PM

Hi Linda. I use a suction machine on a regular basis to suck out the constant gooey saliva in my throat. The ALS clinic arranged for me to get an electric one which is pretty basic and I think I paid under $100 for a reconditioned one with a new suction canister and hoses. The one that I have is a Schuco model 132 which looks very much like the Schuco-Vac 130 Suction Machine in the linked web page.

I don't know anything about Mountainside Medical so I can't recommend them or not recommend them but there are a number of online medical suppliers so look around and you will be able to find somewhere to order what you need.

If you are experiencing bulbar symptoms like I am you should have a suction machine. Mine is becoming more a part of my life as time goes on and my "throat snot" gets worse. If I use lots of water to wash out my mouth and my suction machine I can get it under control for at least a little while.

I hope this helps and I hope you can find something to help you.
Barry

BethU · 10-24-2009, 02:13 PM

Linda ... the cough asist and a suction device are two different things. I use both. I'm FINALLY getting the hang of the cough assist for choking, but the suction device works great as Barry says for the build up of gunk in your mouth and throat.

My suction machine is a Deville Biss and you can probably find links through medical supply places. It's a very simple device, like a dentist's suctioning thing, but with a long wand. Because I have no gag reflex left, I can get way back with it. It's useful with a toothbrush and lots of tissues for when drool thickens!

My only complaint is that I keep mine by the sink, so I can empty it frequently, and I can clean out the wand and tubing with tap water. It would be too heavy for me to carry back and forth to the bedroom. I can't think of any other solution, however, except to have it by the sink. So it requires a lot of walking back and forth when I want to use it.

It's a very useful device for bulbar problems.

handinhand · 10-24-2009, 06:52 PM

Thanks to all, I will look into the ones you mentioned. Have you heard of a suction toothbrush??? I think that sounds pretty cool also... Lin

BarryG · 10-24-2009, 07:04 PM

I have a suction toothbrush attachment for my sucker. it works ok but the best is just the long wand that you can do the deep throat thing and get the gunk out.

I have a sink right beside the bed, I dont know if I have a bed in the bathroom or a sink in the bedroom but whatever, it works for me and my suction machine.

handinhand · 10-25-2009, 12:29 PM

Thanks Berry, What did you do ? Have a sink instaled in your bedroom for your suction device??? That is pretty darn cool... I think I will try and keep mine in the bathroom. How large is this machine anyway? My Doc said that you can even get little portable ones ? I was thinking something I could put in my purse?? Of course I know I will want one in the house...
Berry , I was thinking about the post you did about where folks are with ALS??? I was wondering if you might want to get one up another one for those of us with Bulbar... as their first dx... I am very courious to know...Did anyone's insurance pay for their suction machine?? Linda

BethU · 10-25-2009, 12:40 PM

Linda ... my insurance paid, but the machine is a rental, and I have a co-pay every three months. It's the cheapest of my rentals ... BiPap, cough assist and suction. It's also the smallest of the three units: occupies about an 8-inch by 8-inch footprint ... plus wand and tubing.

It has about a one quart resevoir to collect secretions. They suggested to me that I always keep some water in it, because you don't want secretions hardening. Mine has about a 5-foot tube! Much more than I need, but I can see situations where that would be necessary. The wand is at least 12 inches long. I rinse and empty it with very hot water after every use.

I have to keep mine in the bathroom my husband uses, as I don't have a three pronged outlet in the one I usually use. (old house)

I think a pocketbook size would be impractable; where would the secretions go? A disposable bag would work, but you'd still have to flush out the wand quickly. I guess you'd use it in a public restroom, rather than a fancy restaurant ...

handinhand · 10-25-2009, 12:55 PM

Hi Beth, I would think that it would come in handy when out , a friends house or out to eat, Flying on a plane, Car trips, keep in an RV.... I bet it has throw away bags??? Going to look into it .. Let you know what I find out.... Linda

BarryG · 10-25-2009, 01:57 PM

Linda, in addition to the electric suction machine I also have a hand operated suction I was given at the ALS clinic. It is a Res-Q-Vac.

I actually have never used it but I take it with me in my travel bag if I go away because it is very portable and it seems easy to use and it has a little collection bottle that you can wash it out easily.

If you have to have only one go for the electric one and I would keep it by the sink. This allows not only for easy cleaning but when I am using the suction I also am washing my mouth out with the tap. My machine is about 12" long by 8" deep by 8" high and weighs about 10 pounds so it isn't really very portable but if I was going anywhere for any length of time I would just pack it in another suitcase.

As far as the bathroom in the bedroom is concerned it was built that way by the original owner. The bedroom is not that large and instead of having a separate attached bathroom the builder just put a wall around the shower and toilet and left the sink and counter as part of the bedroom. My wife hates the layout especially when she is trying to sleep and I am gagging, suctioning and spitting

but it works really well for me.

I hope you can find something to help you cause the goo really is a pain and hard to deal with otherwise.

Barry

h37skipper · 10-27-2009, 07:44 AM

This is an important thread. We also have the three devices - BiPap, Cough-Assist, and suction(DeVilbiss). I have been looking for something more portable for suction for wife Maura. She does not have the hand-strength for the one mentioned above. It would have to be battery-operated I think.

Maura uses the BiPap nearly eighteen hours a day. We find the cough-assist(c-a) less useful for secretions and cough and more important for shortness of breath. When she can't get her breath then four or five cycles of the c-a rejuvenates her. Originally diagnosed in Nov. 2007 with bulbar onset there has been progressively more loss of mobility.

I am looking for an easily wheeled cart for the suction device and cough-assist. The c-a is especially unwieldy. We need to be able to have it near her favorite chair when she is watching TV but close to bed at night. I am learning a lot as a recent forum member. Thanks to all who are willing to share. And God bless.

BarryG · 10-27-2009, 08:37 AM

h37skipper, welcome to the forum. You are right about the hand operated suction device that I have, it is not really designed for self use and would probably only be useful when operated by a second person. I have not seen a battery operated suction machine but it is a very good idea and I will look around to see it there is such a thing.

I remember seeing a cart on the Mountainside Medical website linked above so that might at least give you an idea what is available and that is a really good idea for all of this stuff that is necessary but not that portable.

All the best to you and Maura

Barry

handinhand · 10-27-2009, 12:58 PM

It is nice to have all of you to ask questions and recieve answers. I get a bit overwhelmed at times trying to keep on top of all the things that I may or may not need????? What is the best and the best price. Where to go to get it and then wondering it that will be something the insurance will think necessary to pay for???? Think I am having a pitti party today?? Yes I am and that's ok...LOL Think I will go to town and knit with some friends. Look again later for the best suction machine... Would much rather be looking for new yarn... Going to make myself have a good day. Linda

h37skipper · 10-29-2009, 08:33 PM

Linda, some of your questions about insurance concern me. What assistance are you receiving? We work with several providers who receive orders from our doctors. All of our equipment is covered, in our case it is Medicare. We still pay 20% until we reach the deductible on our supplemental. For one example the BiPap provider has us pay off our 20% in twelve months. Then we own the machine. Iinsurance also pays for monthly supplies of food(Iso Source 1.5), new masks, new tube and syringes, etc. You can also register with the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc.(MDA). They can provide some assitance at no cost.

Maura was diagnosed with bulbar onset in 2007. We are using every possible resource to deal with this dreadful illness. I think that I read that you also were dx with bulbar. I hope you are not working on this alone. Make sure that you leave no stone unturned.

handinhand · 11-08-2009, 05:20 PM

Skipper, We have United insurance.... It was a problem trying to get the talking device. At first they said no... It is United but backed by Johnson Wax. So the appeal was sent and I will be getting my device. Not here yet but it should be on it's way. Mean time I am using my ipod to speek. Works pretty good. I am just very slow ..... I hope that we don't run into this problem with every machine needed. My husband is saying [No we won't] This is all so stressful as it is.....don't need the insurance company giving us trouble too...... Thanks for your concern... Linda