COPD360social welcomes new member HoBo who joins 61,538 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ‹LEMONY CHICKPEA SALAD๐Ÿ‹One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes Half of a medium cucumber, diced1/4 of a medium red onion, finely chopped1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley1/4 cup chopped fresh mintZest AND juice...

6 hours ago

sif1215

sif1215answered the question Looking for relief for dry lips

I use a product called Manuka Defense Healing Lip Balm. It does not have petroleum. The base is tallow and bees wax. It works for me and i get it on Amazon but its probably available at many places. Not sure how this applies to the limpoid pneumonia …
HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question

9 hours ago

NjB

NjBanswered the question Do you know how to properly use your inhaler?

Think it's time to update inhaler usage. Thought I saw a link on how to use different ones from you, but when I went to click on it, said invalid!
bevaJason Moury Kandy State Captain of South Dakota also answered the question bevaand 2 others also answered the question

9 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainNow, I don't know how she did it, but Kandy State Captain of South Dakota โ€‹ snuck over to my house early this morning. She took a picture of me. Here it is...
๐Ÿคญ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜›

10 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainanswered the question Phlegm

You're welcome, Hopeful. As I always say- Keep calm. Stay strong. Carry on! 💪🏻
Natalie Nelson also answered the question Natalie Nelson also answered the question

11 hours ago

Hopeful

Hopefulanswered the question Question about Home Spirometers

What makes me really concerned that this spirometer could in fact be accurate is that it appears to be calculating my PEF (peak flow) correctly. When I do the clinic pulmonary function test, my PEF is consistently about 125% on all tests. This home …
TonicDkNatalie Nelson also answered the question TonicDkand 1 other also answered the question

11 hours ago

Hopeful

Hopefulasked the question: Question about Home Spirometers

What is the approximate accuracy of a home spirometer in comparison to a spirometer at a pulmonology office, administered by a respiratory tech? A few weeks ago I purchased a MIR Smart One home spirometer and I donโ€™t know what to make of the results. My …

12 hours ago

Hopeful

Hopefulasked the question: Phlegm

Is it normal to periodically cough up a piece of phlegm/mucus? I was drinking my coffee this morning and felt a tickle in my lungs and (sorry if TMI) coughed up a piece of brown mucus. I rarely have mucous, only a tiny bit every 8 months or so. But it …

12 hours ago

Pepsi3

Pepsi3

Hi, not sure if anyone can help answer this but here goes.
Been married just 9 months after a long online relationship. My husband has copd (emphysema) but will not tell me what stage he's in.  He took prednisone and prednisolone for around 7 months (50mg) per day - he didn't tell me. Cold turkey to come off the drug and it was horrendous. I made him see a doctor who sent him for many blood tests to see if there was any long term damage to kidneys and liver etc. One set of results came back positive for Hep C and further tests have confirmed it. His breathing has been much worse the past few months. 
Does anyone know if Hep C is linked with breathing issues or the lungs or if the overuse of prednisone may be to blame.  He is now out of breath just standing in the kitchen and his anxiety is much worse. 
Thank you 

14 hours ago

  • NewestOldest
  • Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainHi Pepsi3โ€‹  Welcome to 360Social.  I'm sorry your husband is having such difficulty breathing right now.  The more anxious he gets, the worse his breathing will become.  Does he know how to purse lip breathe?  Breathe in for a count of 4 and then breathe out through pursed lips (like blowing out a candle) for a count of 8 - or as long as he is able to.  This will help to calm him down.  As far as whether Hepatitis C affects the lungs,  I Googled and found some scientific articles that suggested it might accelerate lung function decline, but I'm not a doctor, and I think he should make an appointment with his doctor and you should go with him to discuss his condition and treatment.  Please let us know how he's doing.13 hours ago
  • Pepsi3Thank you for answering - he won't go again and certainly wouldn't let me into the appointment if he got one.
    I'm aware of the pursed lips thanks - 12 hours ago
TonicDk

TonicDkanswered the question Having never smoked, I am trying to better understand this disease. Please correct me if I am wrong

From what i know, it takes about 15-20 years of smoking to do the damage, but we are all different. I started smoking when i was 20, and stopped at 50 years of age. But i felt there was something going on allready at the age of 40 ca.. So there is no …
das23 also answered the question das23 also answered the question

16 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainYay! It's Wednesday! Time to put on your biggest smile and get ready to enjoy the day! 
Wishing everyone the happiest day ever! Here's a big smile for you...๐Ÿ˜ƒ

20 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question How long, on average, can someone have COPD (Emphysema), not know it and not be diagnosed?

I am not sure that your question can be answered. I am sure that I had COPD 10 or more years before I was diagnosed, but I have no proof of that since I did not have the diagnosis. So I think that all we can do is guess, but not give you a definite …

23 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question COPD (Emphysema) Medication-function clarification

From my knowledge of the subject, Dave has given you the correct answer.
das23 also answered the question das23 also answered the question

23 hours ago

Natalie Nelson

Natalie Nelson

Hopeful- how are you doing now? Any breathing difficulties? I have mild emphysema on a CT scan but normal PFT and read your story and wondered how you are doing 2 years later. 

1 day ago

bradford1234

bradford1234asked the question: Having never smoked, I am trying to better understand this disease. Please correct me if I am wrong

Do (most) smokers know they have to quit at about 45 yrs old in order not to be at risk for developing COPD (Emphysema) and Lung Cancer? (Cigarette smoking is an addiction. I am not judging. I am just trying to better understand). Thank you very much.

1 day ago

bradford1234

bradford1234asked the question: COPD (Emphysema) Medication-function clarification

Just to clarify, is the following (below) correct? (If not, would you please correct me?) Thank you. COPD (Emphysema) medications DO: 1. Reduce exacerbations (which may or may not but probably lengthens life, to some unknown degree of time?). 2. …

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ”˜CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING๐Ÿ”˜This is the kind of dressing you used to enjoy at the salad bar...1/4 cup white wine vinegar 2 tbsp. lemon juice1/3 cup olive oil1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 cloves garlic, finely minced1/2 tsp. dried basil1/2 tsp. dried...

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article COPD is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States

Increased awareness of COPD needed to improve treatments, quality of life for people with chronic lung diseases

Miami (January 21, 2025) - Chronic lower respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics released its "Deaths: Leading Causes for 2022" final report, ranking the 10 leading causes of death.

COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and chronic cough.

The disease affects more than 30 million Americans, yet approximately half of those people do not yet know they have COPD. Awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor. COPD is also the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, according to 2021 data from the World Health Organization.

1 day ago

Jasnee

Jasnee

Happy tuesday everyonee!! Stay warm and safe. I have been reading about the weather in your areas and damn it is extremely cold. Please take care!โค
I dont feel good today. My grandmother developed a bad cough(due to the cold) and despite every precaution I took, somehow caught the cold from her. I can feel another flare up coming. Well that's all I have to share today!




1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainIt's Terrific Tuesday! Remember, the simple things are the best things! When you see that little winter bird outside your window, remember that he put a smile on your face, and made your day a special one! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Have a happy, easy breathing day, friends! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

KatW1

KatW1

Anybody clicking in your ears sometimes when youโ€™re on oxygen them on 2 L a night also when they send a case of cannulaโ€™s, I like 16 soft seven you can probably use one cannula out of five with a ridiculous waste of money and our time and we donโ€™t feel good anyways plus our time is limited on things we can do Just had to get that out there hope everybodyโ€™s doing well. Weโ€™re in a departure freeze I hate being trapped. Since I canโ€™t go to the store or anything anyways I donโ€™t like being boxed up. Nobody does hopefully this will be over fairly quickly just winter time in Kansas. Iโ€™m just used to being outside just a little whining. Hope everyone else is well. Havenโ€™t been on here for a while. I read things though. Thanks for everyone support have a good one. Donโ€™t forget to check your cannulaโ€™s.:;/

2 days ago

KatW1

KatW1

I always use Berts bees I like the cherry for my lips every night even before the oxygen even before I was sick with emphysema works great

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โœณ๏ธSEVEN LAYER MEXICAN BEAN DIPโœณ๏ธPerfect for football game snack time! ๐ŸˆTwo 14.5-ounce cans refried beans16 ounces low-fat sour cream1 envelope taco seasoning mix16 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided 1 cup diced tomatoes 2 cups...

2 days ago

Aardvark

Aardvarkanswered the question Prognosis for asthma/mild copd

Thanks everyone. I hope you're all right and progression is very slow
brydydas23DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain also answered the question brydyand 2 others also answered the question

2 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Iโ€™m staying home today; itโ€™s a little chilly here in Wisconsin.๐Ÿฅถ
Iโ€™m going to peel some apples and make a double batch of applesauce; chunky, with no added sugar

2 days ago

joney

joney

I am doing well very cold here in Ill just trying to stay warm and well. Hope u guys are all well also.๐Ÿ˜

2 days ago

Aardvark

Aardvarkasked the question: Prognosis for asthma/mild copd

Hi all, I am 42 yo male. I had an asthma exacerbation 18 months ago and ended up in hospital for 10 days on oxygen, coughing up a lot of almost solid mucus. I have slowly improved since then, aided by lots of exercise and running. I've got my 5k below …

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.