COPD360social welcomes new member Kathi Ann who joins 65,069 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerHave you ever been told you just have โ€œsevere asthmaโ€ or โ€œCOPD,โ€ only to later discover that bronchiectasis or NTM lung disease had been overlooked? In the latest episode of our podcast, Dr. Ashwin Basavaraj, Associate Director at NYU Langone Health, unpacks how asthma, COPD, and other disorders can overlap with bronchiectasis and why these connections are often missed. Plus, what are some red flags to look out for, and when should you push for additional testing?   Listen here: 
https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Podcasts

Podcasts | Bronchiectasis and NTM Association Podcast

Bronchiectasis and NTM 360 Podcast is a series that educates, guides, and empowers patients and their family members with current information and resources. Hear from leading health experts, passionate advocates, caregivers, and people living with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease.

8 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerPrescription costs can be one of the most stressful parts of managing careโ€ฆ and for those using Medicareโ€™s Extra Help (LIS), the experience can look very different.

For some, it means real reliefโ€”lower copays, reduced costs, or even no deductible at all.

Weโ€™d really love to hear from you ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ’ฌ If youโ€™re part of Medicareโ€™s Extra Help (LIS) program, how has it impacted what you pay for your prescriptions?

Whether youโ€™ve been using the program for a while, just recently learned about it, or this is the first time youโ€™re hearing of itโ€”your perspective matters.

Your experience could help someone else better understand what to expectโ€ฆ and maybe even point them toward support they didnโ€™t know was out there. ๐Ÿ’™

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Questions-and-Answers/Are-you-part-of-Medicares-Extra-Help-or-Low-Income-Subsidy-LIS-program.aspx

Are you part of Medicareโ€™s Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program?

If you are part of Medicareโ€™s Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, how does that impact what you pay for your prescriptions?

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Remember to join us for our monthly support group meetings, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15 (3rd Wednesday of every month). It's available on Zoom, 4-6 Eastern Time (10-noon Hawaii Standard Time). More information is at www.hawaiicopd.org/join-great-discussions-about-lung-health/. Register at www.hawaiicopd.org/hawaii-copd-event-registration/ so you can get reminders.  See you tomorrow!

3 hours ago

Bcava2

Bcava2

Hey man, not sure if youโ€™re on this platform or not anymore but Iโ€™ve been having the same issues you describe. 


Iโ€™m a 24 Y/O male and am seemingly healthy as can be. For the last 9 months or so Iโ€™ve been having palpitations, trouble inhaling and a bloating like feeling in my sternum. 


Did you ever find out with this was, as it may help guide me in the right direction.

3 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerIf youโ€™re in the mood for a different view, I came across a live cam of a bald eagle with two eaglets โ€” itโ€™s really neat to watch. It can be a nice way to take a quiet moment with some nature. Iโ€™ll add a few more live cams in the comments too โ€” everything from safari scenes to squirrels. Itโ€™s pretty amazing getting a glimpse of places all over the world like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx-M5DV8C2E

4 hours ago

Geeka

Geeka

Hi all. Im getting severe anxiety using the breztri inhaler. Itโ€™s been 2 weeks since my pulmonologist instructed me to take it twice a day. 
I guilt smoking 8 years ago. I have five years of ct exams which clearly read I have severe emphysema. I never looked them over thoroughly because my Doctors werenโ€™t concerned their messages were to continue the test yearly.
About a month ago I was winded when walking briskly and was set up for the breath exam. There I was handed the Breztri to help my โ€œsevereโ€ emphysema. 2 weeks in today. I stopped the inhaler it has made me anxious and irritable. my normal blood pressure is high, I have a slight sore throat, my back hurts.  I feel better without it than with it.
My question is since I feel fine and am breathing fine, do I even need the inhaler at all at this time.  Does it make a difference?  If Iโ€™m breathing fine and The medication is not a cure . What is the difference.  Iโ€™m so confused.
I have a follow up appointment in early May. 



4 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŒค๏ธ Reach As High As You Can Day ๐ŸŒค๏ธ

Now before anyone tries to climb a ladder or stretch for something on the top shelfโ€ฆ letโ€™s pause for a second ๐Ÿ˜„

โ€œReaching highโ€ today doesnโ€™t have to mean going all out. Around here, it can look a little differentโ€”and thatโ€™s more than okay.

Maybe today your โ€œreachโ€ is:
๐Ÿ’™ Getting through the day with a steady breath
๐Ÿ’™ Standing a little longer than yesterday
๐Ÿ’™ Remembering your meds (hey, thatโ€™s a win!)
๐Ÿ’™ Sending a message or checking in on someone
๐Ÿ’™ Or just saying, โ€œtodayโ€™s a tough one, and Iโ€™m still hereโ€

Some days we reach for the starsโ€ฆ
Other days we reach for the remoteโ€”and both count.

Wherever today finds you, thereโ€™s still something to reach forโ€”and thereโ€™s always a little hope in that.

Weโ€™d love to hear from you ๐Ÿ‘‡
Whatโ€™s one thing youโ€™re reaching for today?

6 hours ago

Dinna25

Dinna25answered the question A different kind of quit smoking question...

Hi all Its been many many years but i will not have smoked 34,680 fags. Combination of Tailor made and Rolling Tobacco. Eventually packed up on medical grounds years ago but still diagnosed with copd some years later.
Caroline West Virginia State CaptainStephanie Williams, RRT (COPDF VP of Education and Engagement)Michael55and 7 others also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 9 others also answered the question

8 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โบ๏ธCREAM CHEESE RANCH ROLY-POLYSโบ๏ธ16 ounces cream cheese, softened One 1-ounce packet dry ranch dressing mix1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup finely diced scallionsOne 2.25-ounce can chopped black olives, drainedFour 12-inch flour...

8 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Tuesday! 
Keep those positive vibes flowing! You have no idea how much your positive outlook helps others! 
Positivity. Pass it along to everyone! ๐Ÿคฉ

13 hours ago

Ms Burns

Ms Burns

I'm seeing the pulmonologist for the first time in May 2026 and don't know what to expect 

20 hours ago

Ms Burns

Ms Burns

Feeling lonely but ok 

20 hours ago

DavinaT

DavinaT

๐Ÿ˜Š

23 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainCaroline West Virginia State Captainโ€‹ writes wonderful articles and this one is, I think, one of the best, especially since I also have a drippy nose and found her suggestions to be ex cellent!!  Thank you, Caroline!!

https://www.bezzycopd.com/discover/basics-copd/health-managing-allergies-on-oxygen-for-copd/?utm_term=reads&slot_pos=1&utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%20copd_17669449&utm_content=thisweek

Allergies and Oxygen: What to Know

Using oxygen for COPD can be challenging when you're not sneezing. Pollen season can make it worse. Here are ways to help yourself.

1 day ago

Lisa Hall- Minnesota State Captain

Lisa Hall- Minnesota State Captainanswered the question Are you part of Medicareโ€™s Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program?

I get extra help through the state of Minnesota I to pay $3 and some change and $6 and some change. They also pay for my Medicare premiums And it is also income based so it tends to keep you poor instead of helping you get a leg up if you have a chronic …
Calebsnana also answered the question Calebsnana also answered the question

1 day ago

Dan Leonard

Dan Leonardcommented onTom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

Thank you Tom!I am a voice for those who like me have COPD. My #1 most important goal is to get word out to as many fellow patients as possible. So much is not being openly told to patients forcing many to do research on their own. I took immediate...

1 day ago

Ms.PoohBear3040

Ms.PoohBear3040

I have upper resportary and been dealing with it for some yrs now. I am concerned due to my dad passing away to lung cancer when I was 14yrs old. So I am doing everything I can do

1 day ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragonAnother wet dreary day on the coast like we need it.
Trying to get through another day bird watching and observing the world from the front window,no plans except have a video conference with local school board to try and establish an expanded music course,Have been offering guitar classes for years where  l tape them and experiment at the mixing board to show them a
Better view of the behind the scenes business aspects.The students have been asking for me to do more as nothing is offered in our area to help them and Lord knows l need a cause these days.Afraid dealing with school boards is like copd, frustrating and endless.
Anyway keep them breaths large and repeat.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โšก๏ธEDAMAME ZIPPY CRUNCH SALADโšก๏ธSALAD:One 12-ounce package frozen shelled edamame, cooked and cooled2 cups packaged coleslaw mix2 cups shredded red cabbage1 large red bell pepper, diced1 cup shredded carrots3 scallions, chopped 1/3 cup chopped...

1 day ago

MatthewH

MatthewH

Having a really bad time trying to 

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainToday is Monday. Time to turn over a new leaf! ๐Ÿƒ Start the week with a positive outlook. Plan your days according to the weather forecast. Spend time outdoors on sunny days. Accomplish projects indoors on rainy days. Balance out your week so you can get things done, plus have time to relax. Leave the negativity behind, friends! From here on in, we are moving forward! โžก

1 day ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainanswered the question Ohtuvayre residue in Neb cup.

I have not had this issue. I use the Pari only with Ohtuvayre, as I was instructed by the pharmacyโ€™s pharmacy counselor and or nurse, I donโ€™t believe the Pari I received from my specialty pharmacy is a LC Sirint, I am currently away from my Pari, in a …
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question

1 day ago

ZaydeBob

ZaydeBob

I was diagnosed with COPD paraseptal emphysema in 2023. Outside of exacerbations, I was stable and showed no signs of progression until 10 months ago. My shortness of breath and energy levels have been slowly getting worse. Walking to the mailbox and back (about 110 yards roundtrip) now leaves me breathless and exhausted. Two months ago, I learned that I have diastolic dysfunction. Fortunately, it is Stage I.

I have also had very high Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) factor levels that have been increasing in the past year. The normal range for RA is 0 - 20. My RA factor is 850. My Pulmonologist sent me to see a Rheumatologist on Monday. She ran a bunch of blood tests. She told me that I now have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my lungs. This is classified as Interstitial Lung Disease (RA-ILD). I go back to see her next week to discuss treatment options. I was shocked when I did a look up on RA-ILD and saw that the median survival from diagnosis is 3-5 years. I'm nervously awaiting my follow up visit with her.

Is there anyone else here that has both COPD and ILD?

2 days ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Is any else dealing with the pollen, are you wearing a mask?

!!I have plenty of allergy meds. For rag weed all winter. I normally have a good spring, guess I think about it because my dr told me to be careful in the pollen. Iโ€™m glad he is go. Er Ed about me and I see him Wednesday for another didnโ€™t shot and go …
Caroline West Virginia State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaindas23 also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 2 others also answered the question

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerJean Rommes Memorial - live stream her celebration of her incredible life โ™ฅ



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghiIoOUsN6k

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerAsk me how Jasmine and Jagger always stay calm and never take off after a rabbitโ€ฆ and definitely never take me for a ride while Iโ€™m holding both leashesโ€ฆ yikes! ๐Ÿพ


Wishing you a lovely afternoon, with some Spring colors mixed in!

2 days ago

norin

norin

Not brilliant 

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappiest of Sundays to everyone here on 360Social! May every moment bring you much deserved joy! ๐Ÿ˜Š

2 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.