COPD360social welcomes new member Pet house sitter who joins 63,503 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿชต๐Ÿ”ฅ Gather โ€˜round the campfire, friendsโ€ฆ

As the days get shorter and the nights a little cooler, we know flu season is just around the bend. For those living with COPD, staying ahead of the season means more than just pulling out sweaters and cozy blanketsโ€”it means keeping your vaccinations up to date.

Think of vaccines as logs on the fire: each one helps keep the flame of your health burning bright. Flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, RSV protection, and COVID-19 boosters are all part of the stack that helps shield your lungs.

And hereโ€™s something important: caregivers, youโ€™re part of this fire circle too. Youโ€™re often the barrier between your loved one and the outside world, so making sure you stay vaccinated is just as vital. By protecting yourself, you help protect the person you care for.

So, before the flu winds start to blow, check in with your healthcare team. Ask what vaccinations are recommended for you, and make sure your campfire is well stocked to get through the season.

Because around this fire, we keep each other safe and warm. ๐Ÿ”ฅโค
 

4 days ago

Misty Green COPDF Research

Misty Green COPDF ResearchOver age 40 and diagnosed with COPD with a productive cough that produces thick mucus (chronic bronchitis)? Learn about a study testing a potential new treatment.


Thereโ€™s no cost to participate in this study, and you do not need health insurance. Qualified participants may also receive travel reimbursement.


To find out if you or a loved one are eligible for this COPD and Bronchitis treatment study, learn more and take the eligibility questionnaire here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K53V3WC

6 days ago

JD85

JD85answered the question Anyone hopeful about possible regenerative therapies in near future?

Its really interesting to get Dr David Mannino's Professional opinion on these trials. David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) Firstly I agree, avoid "clinics" that offer stem cell based treatments that are unproven, there are many out there who are happy to take your money but …
brydy45yrcopdasthmaHIcopd - Hawaii State Captainand 3 others also answered the question brydyand 5 others also answered the question

30 minutes ago

tmannband

tmannband

Iโ€™m glad Iโ€™m here too

3 hours ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Other people using aerosol sprays

I would do as Karen suggests & ask if they could have a no fragrance policy, we have that in all our hospitals, med clinics & most gyms. failing that, is there a different gym you could attend with that policy already in place?
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainDebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

11 hours ago

Aytรผl

Aytรผl

Hala nefes almakta zorlanฤฑyorum 

12 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Happy Labor Day to all my friends at 360Social - please click on this greeting card, and have your volume turned up ๐Ÿ˜
https://bmacards.com/IH8x4i

17 hours ago

Wildebeest

Wildebeestasked the question: Other people using aerosol sprays

When I go to the gym I frequently encounter other people using aerosol sprays. Some are more problematic than others. For instance, hairspray does not bother me all that much, but deodorant or scented body sprays really irk my throat and lungs. It's not …

19 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Labor Day, friends! Enjpy a nice day, filled with peace and relaxation! ๐Ÿ˜€

23 hours ago

45yrcopdasthma

45yrcopdasthmaanswered the question Exacerbation

I would contact your primary physician. CHF is very serious and infections can cause all kinds of issues. I have congenital heart defect and am now on heart medications. It may be you need antibiotics if you aren't already taking them. You may need a …
Caroline West Virginia State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

VERY EASY GREEK SALAD--"IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME!"Are you hosting a Labor Day cookout, or have you been invited to a cookout? Why not try this salad?!4 large ripe tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped 2 1/2 cups thinly sliced English cucumbers1 small red...

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

โ˜• Morning, friends! Wishing you a day thatโ€™s kind, steady, and filled with little wins! (Bonus points if your remote is actually where you left it last night. ๐Ÿ˜‚)

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainYay! It's Sunday! Plenty of reasons to enjoy this wonderful day, and so many reasons to smile! Today is a Blessing,  and we look forward to tomorrow. Together, many things are possible. Here's a BIG smile to start your day! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

1 day ago

Evie

Evieasked the question: Exacerbation

Does anyone else have CHF as well as idiopathic lung disease? If so what is the best treatment to alleviate a flare up? Just had a UTI that triggered my now going into the low 80โ€™s SATS even with 4ltrs of O2

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, everyone!
Take some time out to relax and enjoy this day! 
Keep on smiling, friends! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Happy Fluffy / Feathery Friday!
It has definitely cooled off here in Southeastern Wisconsin, with lows in the 50s and high mid-70s.  It sure feels like Autumn is in the air.
A Great Egret has been visiting the pond the past two weeks.  Such a beautiful, graceful bird.

3 days ago

LindaNichol

LindaNicholanswered the question Lignosus

Hi Don. I have bever heard of lignosus but i do feel myblungs are somewhst improved using N-Aceryl-cystene and drinking mullein tea.
Who Me ?1fatfannyDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )and 6 others also answered the question Who Me ?and 8 others also answered the question

3 days ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Pursed control breathing, 5 l oxygen

I have PT coming, to strengthen me to be able to even walk well, but once that get strong , I will do that! Iโ€™m learning about all this dryness in nose using ayr gel and saline spray. Thank you Karen G-Anne
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

3 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿพ Happy Fluffy Friday, friends! ๐Ÿพ

Hope youโ€™re all set for a holiday weekend filled with easier breathing, wagging tails, and maybe some shameless lounging!

If youโ€™re grilling, remember: burgers and hot dogs taste way better than smoke inhalationโ€”so let the food be smoky, not your lungs. ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ’จ

And letโ€™s be realโ€”Mother Natureโ€™s been on a bit of a power trip lately, so if itโ€™s blazing hot, donโ€™t try to โ€œtough it outโ€. Retreat to the AC, claim your throne on the couch, and letโ€™s call it smart breathing strategy! ๐Ÿ‘‘โ„


Stay safe, stay cool, and letโ€™s roll into the weekend with a little humor and a lot of fluff. ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿถ๐Ÿพ

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธSAUERKRAUT ~N~ ONIONS๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธPrepare this inside on the stove. Place it in a covered serving bowl. Your cookout guests can enjoy this with hot dogs, kielbasa, brats, or as a side dish!3 tbsp. butter2 large onions, thinly sliced into ringsLarge...

3 days ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Pursed control breathing, 5 l oxygen

Home after 15 days in hospital when 02 dropped to 77. On 5 l now which means tanks. How do you know how may to take with you? Think about getting caught out and not having enough. Prayerfully I will continue to get better, and go back to 2 l. Also I seem …

3 days ago

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Diagnosed When Little, Now Hardly Any Issue, Help?

COPD is typically not diagnosed in children. You may have had some type of complication of an early life infection. If you still use inhalers- you should have pulmonary function tested to see your current numbers.

3 days ago

livingliv

livinglivasked the question: Diagnosed When Little, Now Hardly Any Issue, Help?

hello guys! This question is kinda odd but figured iโ€™d ask anyways! When i was super little like four, the doctors knew i had an issue with my lungs but didnโ€™t think asthma. So they diagnosed me with COPD and threw an inhaler at me. Itโ€™s been 15 years …

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from Silvio! He and his littermates will be going to their furever homes next week! 
Have a wonderful day, friends! ๐Ÿ˜Š

3 days ago

Wolvegirl

Wolvegirl

Happy to have joined was scared at first. Iโ€™m very tired and breathless I canโ€™t stand I canโ€™t do anything like I use to do, it takes me forever.

4 days ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Physical therapists๎€€ , along with respiratory therapists, are right up there at the top of my list of people who can help you through the hard stuff.
I am so grateful that for the past 2 days, it is not the evening before my hips begin to hurt.

4 days ago

DEE0627

DEE0627

Good evening all.  I'm sorry to bother you guys again as I said I wouldn't and leave you all alone with my questions ๐Ÿ˜ฌ but as I've told no one about my diagnosis it's sorta hard just talking to myself and trying to figure some of this out.  The part that is even harder is I couldn't get an appointment for the pulmonolgist until 10/30. That means everthing is just festering.  First thing, of course still trying to figure out what stage i could be in and based on everthing is believe it's early.  Everthing says being diagnosis at 63 with an early stage is good, so if this is true I'm relieved and my anxiety has calmed a bit but who knows.  I've been testing myself bc who the heck can wait 8wks to go to the doctor, surely not me.  I've done my own 6 minute test and i can do 575 steps, can hold my breath for a minute and 45 seconds, blood pressure and bpm are good, breaths are 12, jogged in place for 7 minutes, went up and down the stairs 5xs., I walk 2 miles, no wheezing, no cough... but what confuses me and maybe a medical person knows here.  I found out I had emphysema by cardiac calcium scoring test which was 0.. the lung portion showed emphysema. Basically there wasn't anything else in the report except emphysematous lungs.  There weren't any further recommendations from the radiologist. Shouldn't there have been? Does that he wasn't concerned. Also I'm going to have to have a surgery that i found out yesterday. Is that safe? Thank you for any in put.

4 days ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Move More, Breathe Better: The Link Between Movement and Lung Health

This article was written by: Kortney McCaffrey, BS and Ashley Medina Tallyn, MHA, RRT.

We all know that movement is good for your heart and muscles. But did you know it's also really important for your lungs?

The COPD Foundation and the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association's Lace Up for Lungs initiative aims to inspire people of all ages to get active in support of better lung health.

Getting up and moving doesn't just help you stay in shape. It could also make it easier to breathe, both now and in the future. Whether you have a lung condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis, or you just want to stay healthy, movement can be a big help.

What Happens to Your Lungs When You Move More?

When you live with a lung condition, it can be normal to feel short of breath. But small activities, like walking, dancing, or light exercise, could help your lungs work better over time.

4 days ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article COPD care pathway leads to shorter hospital stays, more referrals to pulmonary rehab

Step-by-step guidance helps streamline in-hospital care for people with COPD

Miami (August 28, 2025) - Using a care pathway focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to shorter hospital stays, increased referrals to pulmonary rehabilitation, and improved standardization of care, according to a new study. The study is published in the July 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.

COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Individuals are commonly hospitalized for acute exacerbations, or flare-ups; however, proper hospital care for people with COPD varies.

This study examined the effectiveness of a COPD care pathway in a large academic medical center. Care pathways are designed using evidence and expert consensus to provide real-time decision support for health care providers.

4 days 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.