I don't suppose there's a guy with van full of hot lung flutes?

November 15, 2010 10:23 AM

Is there anywhere I can get a lung flute without a prescription?

Recently my COBRA health insurance ended. And now that it has all I have is the worst HIPAA policy in the world. It's 500 bucks a month and it basically doesn't cover anything until I've spent 5K on my own first. So it's 6K a year to keep me from going bankrupt if I have a car accident. I'm working on doing something about it, but in the meantime I've had a nasty chest cold.

I've done the mucinex, the Robitussin DM and a z-pack. I'm much better. But I just can't seem to get all this gunk out of my chest. But I hear great things about this LINK

I'd love to get this but it seems like in the US I'd need a prescription. My primary doctor won't write the prescription. He says a specialist would need to. Unfortunately specialists are completely out of pocket for me.

So is there any way to get one of these from the same guys who try to sell me boner pills or claritin? Are there any other options?

posted by rileyray3000 to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

No clue, but what about the Flutter? It's the only thing I could find with the Google.
posted by pjaust at 10:32 AM on November 15, 2010

Or have a Canadian friend buy one for you off the medicalacoustics.com website and ship it?
posted by pjaust at 10:35 AM on November 15, 2010

I own a flutter, just like pjaust linked and use it frequently as part of my lung therapy - does a good job, but you have to get the technique right.
posted by Tchad at 11:01 AM on November 15, 2010

I've only heard negative things about that device, actually. If you go on CF and COPD forums, you'll see lots of discussion about airway clearance devices of all sorts. There are many that are available without prescriptions. ("Airway clearance device" and "respiratory clearance device" are your go-to Google terms.)
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:05 AM on November 15, 2010

I too have only heard bad things about them. These reports range from "does nothing; waste of money" to "actively harmful."

Drink lots and lots of fluids. Whatever you're drinking now, double it. Fluids are what helps your body get rid of the phlegm. Hot herbal tea is great for this.

When I have allergy problems, I have a little facial steam thingie that works wonders. You plug it in and put your face over the plastic holder, and inhale the steam deeply.

Get plenty of sleep. Eat right. If you're smoking, stop.

You know... all those boring usual suggestions! They are boring and usual, but that's 'cause they work.
posted by ErikaB at 1:59 PM on November 15, 2010