Gretchen McCreary

Gretchen McCrearyThere is still time to register!! Learn about Research from our expert speakers, Dr. Yawn and Dr. Mularski, joined by patient Pam DeNardo. Research 101 will answer questions about what research involves, the different forms of research, as well as the questions you should ask before participating. Join us for an informal conversation on Thursday, March 21st, from 3-3:45 pm Eastern Time. We would love to have COPD patients as well as family members and caregivers attend. Register with the following link for this free event so we know to expect you: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9081246262398293516

1 day ago

hester85

hester85answered the question unsure of what i need to do next

Just thought i woukd update this feed, my hubby has just been to the doctors and has been given steriods a new 3 in 1 inhaler and antibioctics and has to go to the hospital for chest xrays. But one question i do have now is the oximeter i bought to …

24 minutes ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

Saw my regular pulmonologist today and for the first time she used the “transplant” word. She wants me to think about meeting with a transplant team.  A preliminary meet. It is not something that I would do, it’s just not for me so not real sure there is my point in having that meeting. Lots to think about. 

49 minutes ago

Jimmy S

Jimmy SGood Morning. "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the
triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but
he who conquers that fear. For me it was easy to decide to either get onboard and learn all i could, or simply give up and feel sorry for myself. It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up. I wake up everyday not knowing what will come next in my COPD journey. Because i have taken the time to get educated and have seen positive results by knowing and not guessing my fears are fewer now days. v Your true success in life begins only when you make the commitment to become excellent at what you do.  So remember to do the things you have been taught in pulmonary rehab and if you have not gone to pulmonary rehab please contact your doctor and ask him/her to give you a referral so you can get the BEST education for your illness possible.   Have a nice day everyone.

1 hour ago

catmom777

catmom777

I"m trying to figure out what is going on with me.  I have been short of breath and tired for over a year.  My history is that I've always been sensitive to lung problems because my dad and his friends were smokers.  When I get bronchitis it's awful  I get so sick and am sick for six weeks.  To top it off I was exposed to serious smoke inhalation four years ago.  A couple years ago I got sick from a client (I was a caregiver) and got bronchitis, and have coughed ever since plus I've been increasingly short of breath.  On 3/8 I had to call an ambulance because my heart was going crazy.  At the ER I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I'm now on blood thinners. While in the ER they did a chest xray and it showed hyperinflated lungs.  So I looked that up and it says it's a clear indicator of COPD, but the doctors there seemed unconcerned about my xray. My doc didn't mention it either in my follow-up visit.  My oxygen level is between 97% and 100%, but I'm dizzy sometimes and can't seem to get a good lungful of air. I walk a lot, but I don't get any more short of breath when I walk.  I am tired all the time. I wake up tired.  Can anyone shed any light on this for me?  I will be making a doctor appointment in the morning and ask her if I can be referred to a pulmonary specialist.  I know something is wrong and feel that the sooner I find out what it is, the better I can deal with it.
Thanks for any light you can shine on this for me.

5 hours ago

Tony

Tonyanswered the question Portable Oxygen Converters

What you want does not exist. POCs do not provide oxygen via any kind of computer. Oxygen is produced by forcing room air through a sieve bed of a special mineral. If the sieve bed is small, the output is small and that's the way it will be until someone …

10 hours ago

Jimmy S

Jimmy STake your medicines exactly as prescribed: that means the right medicine at the right time! Set up a system that works best for you and the people who help care for you.
Make a medicine chart showing what you take and when.Set an alarm to ring when it's time for your medicine. A cell phone alarm can be a great reminder.Use a weekly pill box that has sections for each day and different times of the day.Ask a friend or family member to help you organize your "system."Time your medicine schedule with your routine habits, such as
before or after certain meals or when you brush your teeth in the
morning or evening.Always keep a day of pills with you so that if you are away from
home unexpectedly, you'll be able to stick to your medication schedule.When traveling, always keep your medications with you in your
carry-on bag, and keep copies of prescriptions for your medications.Rinse your mouth with water immediately after using a steroid inhaler to prevent thrush, a yeast infection of the throat.
If you are having problems controlling your symptoms, are uncertain
of the correct way to take your medicine, or experiencing annoying side
effects, talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team.
They can adjust your medicines to solve these problems.  Good Night Everyone, hope you have a peaceful night and sleep well.

11 hours ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Lol the most important question, can I get drink 🥴 ...

15 hours ago

SnoopyDoo

SnoopyDooanswered the question COPD, ICU, Sedation and Pneumonia

please think POSITIVE Suzie it sounds as if your step father is in good hands try trusting the nurses for a few days OK

16 hours ago

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota answered the question Portable Oxygen Converters

This is what I been looking for also. If you need high flow like I do they are way to heavy to manage. Demand is just not enough on the tanks anymore and continuous just is gone not leaving enough time away. Your right all this technology now days and …

16 hours ago

chaf

chafanswered the question COPD, ICU, Sedation and Pneumonia

I was in a similar situation a year and a half ago. Intubated, in ICU, respiratory failure, etc. They thought I was a goner but I survived and am now in better shape than i have been in years, but for the shortness of breath. I did not, however, have …

17 hours ago

GlobalCyclist

GlobalCyclist

Hi  I'm Rex from UK. Have joined to gather information .   I'm 70 have never smoked and have keep myself fit. I'm a lifelong Cyclist and have always considered myself fit and healthy.   Last month however during a particularly nasty bout of what  I always though was Bronchitis ( because that's what the Doctor always told me)  I was told that I have COPD  . It's new to me and I know precious little about the condition........  I'm now advised to take a preventative Inhaler every morning and use a Ventolin Inhaler whenever I'm out of breath.   It's all so new I don't yet know if these measures are helping. I've cut out all Diary products from my diet and that seems to help reduce the coughing and Phlegm. 


I will continue to be as active as I can e.g. Cycling Walking whenever I can.


My question is :-   Will strenuous exercise worsen my condition ?


I cycle most days and often do a 50 mile ride, apart from being a bit slow on the hills  I keep up with the pack.

17 hours ago

ScottyRoss

ScottyRossanswered the question COPD, ICU, Sedation and Pneumonia

hello, I have no answer for you. It sounds like you all are having a rough time, all I can do is send prayers up for him and your family

17 hours ago

Jimmy S

Jimmy SGoing shopping is essential, but there are many things you can do if you have COPD to make this less strenuous.
Don't shop till you drop. Phone around first to find out whether the
items you are looking for are indeed available at specific shops. Don't
wander aimlessly in search of something – it will exhaust you
unnecessarily. Avoid rush hours. Friday and Saturday are not good
shopping days, as many people who work can only go shopping then. If at
all possible, shop early in the morning in the middle of the week when it should be quiet.
Become a basket case. Only joking. But jokes aside, a shopping basket
on wheels is a very good idea. It prevents you having to carry heavy
groceries around and minimizes the effort of a shopping expedition.
Disabled disc. Whether you are having difficulty walking long
distances, because you're on crutches, or because you are having
difficulty breathing, makes no difference. You should qualify to get a
disabled disc. These will enable you to park really close to shopping
center entrances. Smoke-free zones. All shopping centers should
be smoke-free. If you see anyone smoking, feel free to report them to
center security. Dress for success. Shopping for clothing can be
exhausting even to people in perfect health. Carry your measurements and
a measuring tape with you – if you see something you like, measure it
first to see if it will fit, rather than going through the whole
exhausting process of fitting on new clothes. You can also do you
shopping using catalogues – then you will not even have to leave the
house. Freezer frenzy. Have all the frozen foods packed
separately, so that if you are really tired when you get home, you can
just put the whole bag into the freezer and sort out everything else
later. The same goes for refrigerated goods. Wash those hands. It
is always a good idea to wash your hands properly after you have been

17 hours ago

Suziecan24

Suziecan24asked the question: COPD, ICU, Sedation and Pneumonia

My stepfather has COPD. No one knows what stage. He complained on Sat and Sun of weakness, shortness of breath, not hungry, etc. Sunday evening my mom was going to take him to hospital. He told her to call 911. Ambulance arrives. He is put in ambulance. …

17 hours ago

VicEck-State Captain

VicEck-State Captainasked the question: Portable Oxygen Converters

Does anyone know of a POC that is a continuous generator that does not weigh alot and lasts for more than a couple of hours. You would think if they can come up with all these phones and these hand held computers they could invent a POC that generates …

18 hours ago

VicEck-State Captain

VicEck-State Captainanswered the question Is a person permanently on oxygen if it is used

I can not agree with Debbie more. Pulmonary Rehab will help. I would push your doctor for answers. If you do not get a satisfactory answer I would look for another Pulmonologist.

18 hours ago

Jimmy S

Jimmy SWhen you say a person “Rocks”, it simply means that you think that
person is Cool / Fun / Awesome Or Amazing. If you are reading this then
you know all ready your an Amazing individual and is awesome by wanting
to learn about their illness and learn how to move forward and not
backwards. "When you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions
of people
who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who
doesn't." Faith brings all the benefits of salvation into our lives.
This includes healing, prosperity, peace, love, joy. Whatever faith you
have inside of you will determine the outcome of the faith level you’ll
have for God at work around you.   I hope this finds everyone breathing easy and having a good day so far.  Remember to:  Pursed-Lip Breathe today.

20 hours ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain I saw this and thought I would share
James Kiley, PhD‏Verified account @NHLBI_LUNGDir
Excited to announce the #NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Our kickoff for the celebration will be a symposium on pulmonary imaging open to the public on April 9th. A live webinar is available. #Lung50 https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/events/2019/nih-symposium-50-years-progress-pulmonary-science

NIH Symposium: 50 Years of Progress in Pulmonary Science | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

This Symposium will highlight important scientific advances in pulmonary health and disease since the creation of the NHLBI Division of Lung Disease (DLD) 50 years ago. Experts in pulmonary science will discuss the progress and promise of lung disease research, including lung imaging and clinical …

20 hours ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Yes they are very helpful, hands on is always best. Every pulmonologists office should have these and have someone in the office trained on demonstrating proper use any inhaler that they prescribe. Even if a patient doesn't want a lesson it should be...

20 hours ago

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Your Pharmacist will take the time to explain how to use your inhalers correctly, at CVS our policy is to ask every patient or customer do you have any questions about your medication? 50% of the time is no, and the other 50% is can I drink alcohol...

20 hours ago

Cinanne

Cinanne

I use to use Foradil powder maintenance inhaler until they stopped making it in 2016. In trying to find a good substitute I tried about every inhaler on the market that I could take as I have allergies and had a reaction to them.  My throat would close and I thought I could not get my breath back. Turns out it was the propellant and once I started using the spacer the problem was solved. It took a friend of mine to figure out the problem, the Doctor never did.

21 hours ago

Cinanne

Cinanne

Hi All, hope you are doing well today. I am 75 and have had emphysema for 19 years. I do pretty well, some days are better than others. I try not to use the oxygen all the time as I do not want to be totally reliant on it. I am always searching for alternative things, like minerals and vitamins that will help heal ,my lungs. So far, no magic bullet. I do have salt lamps and they seem to help. I do believe there is a better way than using the inhalers all the time as these seem to cause throat problems. Would love to hear from others about what works for them.

22 hours ago

Stephanie Williams, RRT

Stephanie Williams, RRTcommented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Those demo inhalers are so important in teaching the right techniques, but I have been finding that not very many places use them in their practice. I wish every pulmonology office had them and took time to really teach proper technique. ...

22 hours ago

Stephanie Williams, RRT

Stephanie Williams, RRT

Has anyone heard from Sharo ​lately? I haven't seen her posting or commenting lately.  Hope she is ok! 😀

22 hours ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain Today is #KickButtDay. For me it has been 1,387 days.  What about you?

1 day ago

Stephanie Williams, RRT

Stephanie Williams, RRTcommented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Thanks, Bill.So true. I've seen that more times than I can say. I hope we are starting to make an impact on correct inhaler use. I'll certainly keep talking about how important it is. 94% of people using their medications the wrong way is an...

1 day ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 typos.... when will i learn to read before i hit post...

1 day ago

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain

clipper (Debbie) - NJ State Captain commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 The last time I saw a pulmonologist it was at Temple University Lung Center. They wanted me to try another medication and within minutes someone from the pharmacy was in the room with a sample. They also had a demo inhaler of same type to show me how...

1 day ago

grammysue1

grammysue1commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Thank you so much for this article. Using inhalers right is so important. I once again can thank my pulmonologist for making sure I knew how to use them....

1 day ago

GertieJr

GertieJranswered the question Is there anything that can help me plan out a healthy eatting plan?

There are certain supplements that can help reduce the urge to smoke, I think hyssop is one and can be an herbal tea or you can smoke it. Also, for nutrition, chewing takes energy and so you don't want lots of things like broccoli or carrots. Well cooked …

1 day ago

GertieJr

GertieJranswered the question Why does the respiratory therapist do both doses at the same time? The medicine instructions says to

They're in a hurry. Period. When DH was in hospital, they were in such a hurry that they didn't want to help him rinse his mouth, saying it didn't matter. I'm always there to enforce the way it should be done, so they don't like me. They also ALWAYS try …

1 day ago

GertieJr

GertieJranswered the question How much has COPD changed the way you look?

As the wife of a copd patient, I can see that someone has copd when I go to the store, etc. They tend to lean on things, have a barrel chest and breathe through their mouth. It's good that I notice that, since then I can help them load their packages or …

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Coffee.Love my iced coffee! It's my go-to treat!...

1 day ago

edpe77

edpe77commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 dry...

1 day ago

Prince22

Prince22

Can someone please tell me how long a copd individual ca. Survive without oxygen?

1 day ago

Stephanie Williams, RRT

Stephanie Williams, RRTcommented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 Pulling the other comments into this thread: The last word was cold.My word is:ICE...

1 day ago

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain

Bill66 - Bill Wornstaff NJ State Captain commented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 You truly hit a huge home run with this Stephanie 1. Taking the wrong medication at the wrong time. I dont know how many times I've heard people using their maintenance inhalers as their rescue and then saying their rescue inhaler doesn't work....

1 day ago

Tony

Tonyanswered the question Is a person permanently on oxygen if it is used

Debbie is exactly on the mark. Pulmonary rehab and observation by a trained respiratory therapist is your wife's only path to recovering whatever is recoverable for her condition. Don't delay.

1 day ago

Friendly devil

Friendly devilcommented onTeaching with a Twist – Inhalers

 I'm a bit out of whack - ignore the grass - I only read as far as blades. OopsI will continue with haze and say heat....

1 day ago

Gran

Gran

Hi everyone... I've been Mia as well....feeling well thank goodness after a few scares with lumps and bumps...and falling in love all over again at 68... I thought copd took all my loving away 10 years ago...copd and its complications are always there....thank goodness I'm getting a good run thanks to Mucinex tabs ....they help me so much...hope we are all feeling ok... ☘️☘️☘️

1 day ago

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Medical Advice

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.