COPD360social

For a decade, the COPD Foundation has provided a growing COPD community with resources and education. Now we want to take our work to the next level. We want to hear from YOU daily.

Welcome to our interactive, collaborative community: COPD360social. You can join us and other friends, learn about events in your area, participate in research, chat with the experts, and learn how to take action -- all on your time, at your pace. COPD360social is the COPD Foundation's way of saying 'Thank you' to a community that can make the world take notice of a silent epidemic.

Join COPD360social, because we are stronger when we work together.

Create your COPD360social profile today!

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Josie-Hope

Josie-Hopereceived the badge Getting started

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Vijayan Gopalakrishna KurupElisabeth HagerKicknbakand 26559 others also received the badge Vijayan Gopalakrishna Kurupand 26561 others also received the badge

1 minute ago

Gigi-MO

Gigi-MOanswered the question Just diagnosed

Hi Jeannie. I was also diagnosed at 47 with COPD (specifically Emphysema) and was scared out of my mind but here I am 8 years later. I'm very sorry to hear about your mom and sorry you also have COPD. You've come to the right place. Knowledge is power. …
clipper (Debbie) - State Captain HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainJeannieMand 2 others also answered the question clipper (Debbie) - State Captain and 4 others also answered the question

23 minutes ago

Bill Clark - Community Manager

Bill Clark - Community Managerasked the question: What are your thoughts and hopes for the National COPD Action Plan ?

In the coming days and months you will hear a lot of talk about the new National COPD Action Plan. What you might not understand is why it is so important. What the plan does is it stresses the impact of COPD in our country and then establishes a road …

1 hour ago

Bill Clark - Community Manager

Bill Clark - Community ManagerIn the coming days and months you will hear a lot of talk about the new National COPD Action Plan. What you might not understand is why it is so important. What the plan does is it stresses the impact of COPD in our country and then establishes a road map as to how we will confront and conquer COPD going forward. Please take a moment to read an article that spells out why the action plan is important to you

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/spotlight/success/short-breath-still-fighting



Short of breath, but still fighting - NHLBI, NIH

Then suddenly, in front of the nervous eyes of organizers and reporters, one of the speakers, Grace Anne Dorney Koppel, began a slow, hacking cough that quickly escalated, forcing her to stand up and retreat to a corner.  

2 hours ago

CharlesH

CharlesHanswered the question pool exercises

Hi tlane. I read your post and you need to give us a little more information. I am for the most part in a wheelchair, I can manage about 46 steps a day. Some days a lot less. There are many tools offered that offer water resistance that can aid in …

2 hours ago

angel1129

angel1129

I am doing good today so far.Trying to make up my mind about if I want to keep using the Daliresp.Having a lot of stomach issues,and I also have GERD.Have been taking it for one month and it seems like the side effects are getting worse instaed of better.Anyone have any advice?

4 hours ago

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota voted on Under Trump, Hospitals Face Same Penalties Embraced By Obama

Gave a thumbs up for a repository item in the PRAXIS Resource Repository!

12 hours ago

tlane

tlaneasked the question: pool exercises

So my pulmonologist suggested water therapy today for exercise. I have a small pool and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for what kind of exercises I can do? As always, many thanks friends. Tlane

15 hours ago

markz

markz

Hi folks! as a 60 year old I  have just been assessed as fev1 50pc  - this result followed a few months of increased difficulty exhaling etc.  I stopped smoking at 45 years old upon emphysema diagnosis and have only had gradual virtually unnoticed problems until the last year... any thoughts on possible future progress of the disease?  

15 hours ago

  • NewestOldest
  • HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainThere is A LOT you can do to keep yourself as healthy as possible. 


    1.  Get a simple blood test for Alpha-1, the genetic form of emphysema, since its treatment is slightly different.
    2.  Get pneumonia shot and annual flu shots.
    3.  Check to see if any other conditions worsen your breathing & optimally treat them:
       a.  Reflux, GERD, Heartburn (very common for folks with lung disease)
       b.  Allergies  
       c.  Aspiration (do you cough or choke when eating or drinking)
      d.  Sleep issues like sleep apnea need to be diagnosed and treated
      e.  Any other health conditions--including being underweight OR overweight (being close to ideal weight reduces the work of breathing) and 
      f.  Exercise--fit muscles use O2 more efficiently than deconditioned muscles
      g.  Avoid infections and if you have them, treat promptly


    If you do these things, you will live your longest, healthiest life, and that's all any person can do, with or without a chronic health condition. 


    Ask to be referred to a pulmonary rehab program in your area to learn more and get a customized exercise program. 
    8 hours ago
  • Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainHi markz - welcome to 360Social!!  HIcopd has given you excellent advice.  I just want to add that I was diagnosed some 16 years ago (but know I had it for a good 10 years before that) with severe COPD and I'm still here, quite active, and am able to do pretty much everythibng I did before diagnosis - maybe just a little bit slower - but I'm 71, so might have slowed down some anyway.


    Be sure to go to the top of this page and click onto "What is COPD" and "Learn More".3 hours ago
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainvoted on Under Trump, Hospitals Face Same Penalties Embraced By Obama

Gave a thumbs up for a repository item in the PRAXIS Resource Repository!

19 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Upcoming Activities Embracing New COPD Federal Action Plan

http://www.aarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Res... AARC (American Association of Respiratory Care) is having a patient Advocacy summit in Indianapolis, for anyone who can make the trip. It's their 3rd annual on October 3 and a great gathering …
Vinny M also answered the question Vinny M also answered the question

20 hours ago

JeannieM

JeannieMasked the question: Just diagnosed

Hi everyone, forgive me as I'm very emotional. I had a pft last week and my PCP called yesterday with the results.... It was oh you have copd, nothing else offered, just see a pulmonary doc, which I am. Background...47 yrs old, female, never smoked but …

20 hours ago

GADK

GADKvoted on Giving To Support the COPD Community

Gave a thumbs up for a blog post!

21 hours ago

DanNAces

DanNAcesanswered the question Oxygen Bag

Backpacks work best for women that need to carry oxygen tanks. If you go to Etsy and type in Bette Bag, you will find a stylish bag that allows you to keep purse items separate from the tank, shows the minimum hose when carrying the backpack, and looks …
aliingreenvalleyKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question aliingreenvalleyand 1 other also answered the question

21 hours ago

Mellie

Mellie

Hiya:  The envelope says:  Subscribe to updates, or unsubscribe.  It looks red now, is it getting angry at me?

21 hours ago

Mellie

Mellie

Thank you, Vinny M.  I sure hope that I do this correctly!  (Honestly, I have never been that computer savvy, ha!  Just another "old fart!")

22 hours ago

Jastro

Jastroasked the question: medicare plus card

does anyone know about the medicare plus card? ( http://medicarepluscard.net/ ) has anyone used it? thanks

23 hours ago

angel1129

angel1129

Doing ok.

23 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Yippee!  I was just notified I won a scholarship to attend PCORI meeting in DC, Oct 31-Nov 2. It will be great hearing results on research from their earliest awardees!  As a side benefit, H and I can see our S who lives in the area!  Halloween is always interesting in big cities away from home. I guess no pumpkins for our home!

23 hours ago

Stephanie Williams, RRT

Stephanie Williams, RRTvoted on Under Trump, Hospitals Face Same Penalties Embraced By Obama

Gave a thumbs up for a repository item in the PRAXIS Resource Repository!

1 day ago

DonnaA (SSP)

DonnaA (SSP)answered the question Rescue inhalers

I use my rescue when I am or know I will be exerting myself more than usual. I take Xopenx, not albuterol, as it does not make me as jittery or play with my heart as much. But I know people that get along great on albuterol. Pursed lip breathing is my …
Mike Hess, RRT (State Captain, Michigan)HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 3 others also answered the question Mike Hess, RRT (State Captain, Michigan)and 5 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Bill66

Bill66voted on Under Trump, Hospitals Face Same Penalties Embraced By Obama

Gave a thumbs up for a repository item in the PRAXIS Resource Repository!

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Had a great visit with my pulmo today. He signed my undated United O2 forms so I can insert a date as needed. He also signed a letter declaring me disabled so I can get the free Acess pass for touring the national parks. 


I gave him handouts about COPD PPRN and the national COPD Action Plan plus the plastic flip books about COPD. He poor one in each of jis 4 waiting rooms and 2 in the lobby. He's going to be my main speaker next month for our COPD Ed Day. 


It was a great visit. My lungs are clear and I'm feeling and functioning fine. He and his partner are the only two interventional pulmón in our state, who do valves, bronchial thermoplasty and other techniques. They're also doing brushing a during bronchoscopies to determine whether a patient is more or less likely to have malignant nodule. 

1 day ago

Bill66

Bill66

Dew point is a good guide to comfortDew point is an indicator of the total amount of moisture in the air. Most people find dew points of less than 60 degrees comfortable. When the dew point rises above 65 degrees people will begin feeling that the air is “sticky.” As the dew points climb through the 70s the humidity bothers more and more people who are outdoors. The dew point at which the humidity begins to bother you is determined by whether you’re in the sun or the shade, if there is or isn’t a breeze, how long you’ve been outside, and how acclimated you are to hot, humid weather.High dew points are uncomfortable because the air’s humidity slows the evaporation of perspiration from your body, which is nature’s way of cooling you off. The National Weather Service calculates the heat index, which doesn’t measure the actual air temperature, but rather what the humidity makes the air “feel like.” It’s also the best guide to the danger of heat illnesses. On July 4 the National Airport heat index was 96 degrees at 3:52 p.m.Rising temperatures and dew points also mean your car, home, and office air conditioners have to work harder to cool the air and condense out more water vapor.

1 day ago

PatBilleb

PatBilleb

I wanted to let everyone know - the American Lung Association is going to be presenting a Lung Expo in Brookfield, Wisconsin. November 16, 2017 at the Sheraton on Moorland. It will have patient/ caretaker events from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Registration sign up at 9:00 am. Cost is $10.00. Please contact the American Lung Assoc via their website or contact me and I'll help.

1 day ago

Bill66

Bill66asked the question: Rescue inhalers

Ok, so my Doctor said when needed use my rescue inhaler, my question to anyone who can answer this, "I really start to feel uncomfortable when the dew point hits about 64 is this a reason to use it or when I just feel sick? Dew point is 71, I've heard …

1 day ago

Bill66

Bill66

Dew point 71 here🤐

1 day ago

Bill66

Bill66

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.