COPD360social welcomes new member Joann Bardwil who joins 65,013 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Sometimes depression doesnโ€™t look like what we expect.

Itโ€™s not always tears.
Itโ€™s not always obvious.

Sometimes itโ€™s just feelingโ€ฆ off.
Like youโ€™re there, but not really there.
Like everything takes more effort than it should.
Like youโ€™re tired in a way that rest doesnโ€™t fix.

And when youโ€™re living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM, or caring for someone who is โ€” that weight can quietly build over time.

The physical side is already a lot.
The mental side can be just as heavy.

It might look like:
โ€ข Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
โ€ข Pulling back from people or conversations
โ€ข Feeling overwhelmed by small things
โ€ข Changes in sleep or appetite
โ€ข Low energy, low motivation, or trouble focusing
โ€ข Being harder on yourself than youโ€™d ever be on anyone else

And sometimesโ€ฆ you canโ€™t quite explain it at all.

If this sounds familiar, please donโ€™t brush it off.

Donโ€™t ignore how youโ€™re feeling. It matters.

You donโ€™t have to โ€œpush throughโ€ everything on your own.
You donโ€™t have to wait until it gets worse to say something.

We are a community here โ€” and you matter here.

On the hard days, even something small can help:
a message, a check-in, a few minutes outside, a familiar song, a quiet moment to breathe.

And if all you can do today is get through the day โ€” that counts.

You are not a burden.
You are not alone.
And you donโ€™t have to carry this quietly.

If you feel up to it, whatโ€™s something that helps you when the days feel heavier? ๐Ÿ’™

3 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

Wow!Yes, I have made meals similar to yours. Yours is a nice, one-pan meal! I can smell the aroma, wafting through your kitchen! ๐Ÿ˜‹Thank you for adding your recipe to the Eating Well Blog! I really appreciate it! ๐Ÿคฉ...

2 hours ago

6ft Pixie

6ft Pixiecommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

One-Pan dinners are great, and our favorite one is cabbage, potatoes, and sausage.Pull out your largest frying pan with 1.5-2.5-inch sides, or use a Dutch oven. The measurements are lazy so use however much you have.1/2 -1 head of cabbage, cut into...

3 hours ago

6ft Pixie

6ft Pixieanswered the question How do you stay healthy and active while living with COPD?

I started cycling at the local Y after attending Pulmonary Rehab. I consistently cycled 5-6 days a week. At first, I had to stop twice and sit down on my way to the cycling room. But I kept going. In 4 weeks, I didn't need to stop and sit down. I saw …
HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainAlaskan boonyratCaroline West Virginia State Captainand 5 others also answered the question HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainand 7 others also answered the question

3 hours ago

6ft Pixie

6ft Pixieanswered the question Check-in: Whoโ€™s on your health care team?

It takes a village, or in this case, a team of doctors, to care for the whole body. Because what happens in one area of the body affects the whole person. I have a PCP whom I love. Then there is my Psychiatrist, my Therapist (My lifesavers), my …
Shar101das23Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 4 others also answered the question Shar101and 6 others also answered the question

4 hours ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captaincommented onTom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

Tom, Great meeting you in Washington, D.C. and letting me get a pic with your cool truck. Best to you and your wife and her new lungs....

4 hours ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

I forgot to mention that my care team at Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas rocks. Tremendously helpful, and also a lot of fun! ๐Ÿ™‚

4 hours ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

So I will be leaving the hospital today, finally! I have been here since 3/23/2026. I arrived in the ER via ambulance with oxygen saturation of 72%, and was put on 12 liters of supplemental oxygen. IV fluids, blood thinners,  antibiotics and I am sure there are some which I have forgotten. There have been multiple blood draws, and I feel like a human pin cushion. I was transferred from ER to CCU, and put in an isolation room, because they had yet to detect what exactly hit me. So it was a
Common viral form of pneumonia that usually only affects infants and immunocompromised people. 
So they weaned me down from 12 liters to the finally 3 liters, but may need to bump up occasionally during activity/exertion. I also took a tour of the hospital so to speak, from ER to CCU isolation , to step down CCU and to a shared โ€œregularโ€ room.
I didnโ€™t expect my insurance to authorize this move to short term rehab so quickly today, so I am pleasantly surprised.
Oh and I have named my oxygen tankโ€Suppoโ€. Need to learn how to use these things. 

5 hours ago

Amandahaggins

Amandahaggins

Thank you so much for that I really appreciate it but I'm still kind of scary and pretty diabetic but thank you so much

6 hours ago

Tom m 1970 PA. State captain

Tom m 1970 PA. State captain commented onTom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

Yes she received her new lungs on june 27 2024 so far she; s doing well with no signs of rejection..And thank you for your kind words! ...

6 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐Ÿฅ•MASHED CARROTS WITH CINNAMON๐Ÿฅ•2 pounds carrots2 tbsp. olive oil 1 tsp. salt2 tbsp. unsalted butter 4 tbsp. loosely packed light brown sugar 1/4 tsp. nutmeg1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 cup milk, but you may need moreChopped fresh parsley for garnishPreheat...

8 hours ago

Tom.E

Tom.Eanswered the question Ohtuvayre use

You know Mr.CL, I tried your 'twirl' method and it worked very well. That's what I'll be doing going forward. So a tip of the hat to you and many thanks for that. Tom
Mr.CLReggieSViperand 3 others also answered the question Mr.CLand 5 others also answered the question

9 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Thursday! 
May your day flourish with happy thoughts, positive vibes, and nothing but goodness! ๐Ÿ˜Š

12 hours ago

NicoleMike

NicoleMike

Hi id like to take the time to introduce myself, my name is Nicole and my husband Mike has severe end stage copd emphysema and basically im his full time caregiver have been for a number of years and just looking for a little extra support and advice here a d there 

13 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

I see that we have surpassed 65000, but I do not know when.  Coach Brandon, do you know?

15 hours ago

Harley75

Harley75

And big thank you to Brandon for introducing me to everybody And helping me get through some bad days

20 hours ago

Harley75

Harley75

Thank you to everybody I'm happy to be a part of everyone We see OPD COPD

20 hours ago

Dr Jean

Dr Jean

I was with over 500 veterans today at an event hosted by Veterans Bridge Home.  I wondered as I talked with them: how many have been adequately tested for COPD?  We know the exposures on the front lines can lead to lung damage.  How should we (the COPDF) help the veteran community and their lung health?

22 hours ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragonMy winter rust is turning into a burn omg this sunshine is so nice.
Happy big breaths to all and repeat.

1 day ago

Pattyhen69!

Pattyhen69!

I am doing okay considering all of my issues.

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerWe have some great questions that came from the article talking about our State Captain Tom m 1970 PA. State captain โ€‹

https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/COPD-Digest/Article/1945/Tom-the-Truck-Driver-Drives-COPD-Awareness.aspx 

Tom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

This article was written by Tara Shedor, MA. The COPD Foundation was delighted to recently be introduced to Tom of Pennsylvania who is using his time on the road to raise awareness about COPD and inspire our community. The following is an interview with Tom who shares his story about how he …

1 day ago

Amandahaggins

Amandahaggins

I just found out on the 6th of this month that I am pre-diabetic and I'm scared

1 day ago

TJ69

TJ69answered the question How do you know your COPD is getting worse?

Hi, Eric. Thank you so very very much for your comment regarding your Advair 259/50 and your use of Albuterol inhaler. I'm at the point on my generic Adviar of it not working as well as breathlessness has increased. I am going to contact my Pulmonologist …
eric63Richard DJWildebeestand 4 others also answered the question eric63and 6 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ“ธ Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday

Letโ€™s take a little trip todayโ€ฆ without even leaving our favorite chair. ๐Ÿ’™

This week, weโ€™d love to see the view that lives in your mindโ€”the one you can picture clearly, even on the days youโ€™re staying close to home.

It could be:
๐ŸŒ… A place youโ€™ve been that still brings you peace
๐ŸŒŠ A beach, mountain, or quiet road you love
๐ŸŒณ A backyard, porch view, or somewhere close to home
๐ŸชŸ Or even the view right outside your window

Sometimes just thinking of these places can bring a sense of calm, a good memory, or a little reset in the day.

So if youโ€™re up for it, share a photo (or even just describe it!) and tell us:
Whatโ€™s your favorite view from your corner of the worldโ€”real or remembered?

We canโ€™t always goโ€ฆ but we can still visit together. ๐ŸŒŽโœจ

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

๐Ÿ‹๐ŸงˆLEMON BUTTER PASTA๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿงˆ8 ounces long spaghetti 1 tbsp. olive oil 3 tbsp. unsalted butter 8 medium cloves garlic, mincedZest and juice of 1 lemon1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking waterSalt to taste Cook the pasta as...

1 day ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State CaptainSome call it contemplation, cogitation, meditation, consideration, meditation.
I call it another beautiful day to be alive.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Wednesday, friends! Grab your favorite drink, put on a BIG smile, and take a seat! Today is going to be a wonderful day! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

1 day ago

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. We make every effort to support our members, our medical professionals cannot and will not provide a diagnosis or suggest a specific medication; those decisions should be left to your personal medical team. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.