COPD360social welcomes new member BrandyLynn who joins 64,706 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿ’™ Remembering Jean Rommes ๐Ÿ’™

Today, we want to pause together and remember someone who meant so much to this community -- Jean Rommes.

Jean was a longtime advocate, a steady voice, and a true champion for people living with COPD. Drawing from her own journey with COPD, she showed up again and again to help educate, support, and push for change so others might have an easier path. She also served on the Board of Directors for the COPD Foundation, offering her insight, leadership, and deep commitment to this work at the highest level.

Over the years, Jean wore many hats with the Foundation -- helping plan conferences, serving as a State Captain, participating in IMPACT and other legislative efforts, contributing to research and advisory groups, and mentoring others along the way. No matter the role, her focus was always the same: making sure people felt heard, respected, and supported.

Beyond her advocacy, Jean was a mom, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She loved reading, music, good conversation, a glass of wine, and staying connected with friends, often virtually - because community always mattered to her.

If you ever worked alongside Jean, you likely remember her thoughtfulness, her wisdom, and the calm, caring way she brought people together. Our community is stronger because of her, and her impact will continue to be felt for a long time.

We hold Jeanโ€™s family and loved ones close, and we invite you to share a memory, a note of gratitude, or simply a ๐Ÿ’™ below if youโ€™d like.

Thank you, Jean, for all you gave and for the many lives you touched. You will always be part of this community.

16 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainPlease join us for our monthly COPD Support Group Meeting,  Wednesday, 2/18/2026, 10-noon Hawaii Standard Time, 4-6 Eastern Time.

1 day ago

baileymccrary

baileymccrary

Hello all! Do you currently take Anoro Ellipta, or have you ever taken Anoro Ellipta? Are you interested in sharing your story to inform lung health policy? If so, please reach out to Mike Hess at mhess@copdfoundation.org! โญ๐Ÿ’จ๐Ÿ“„

5 days ago

Matt19*

Matt19*answered the question Possibility of misdiagnosis? Or wishful thinking?

thank you for your response doctor, with that being said in your opinion if managed and not smoking is it possible for it to stay mild and have a normal life expectancy?
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )das23 also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )and 1 other also answered the question

5 hours ago

Matt19*

Matt19*asked the question: Possibility of misdiagnosis? Or wishful thinking?

Hi, Iโ€™ve got a question for the doctor or anyone who can help, I was diagnosed with early stage emphysema and mild asthma at age 30 with a spirometery test that said I had 87% lung function, I quit smoking as I only smoke maybe half a pack a day for 15 …

8 hours ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article How to Care for Your Caregiver

This article was written by Kalli Mago.

Every day, caregivers help people living with chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a term used to describe many chronic lung conditions. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue. While there is no cure for COPD now, medical treatment can help people feel better. It can also keep symptoms from becoming worse over time.

Navigating life with COPD can be difficult. This is where caregivers come in, providing support in many ways.

The Role of Caregivers

Many people with COPD get help from family. Most often, caregivers are husbands, wives, or grown children.1 Other relatives, friends, and neighbors can also help. In the United States, there are more than 63 million family caregivers. On average, each caregiver spends 27 hours per week caring for their loved one.2

15 hours ago

JAH5001

JAH5001answered the question How to get the Inogen Rav 4 to work in newer vehicles?

The USB A Male to 12V Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Female Converter Cable is (8W Max) The Inogen G5 needs around 25 to 75 watts to run depending on the setting you use, so the adapter would not work as you found out. I would assume that the Rove 4 …

15 hours ago

BrandyLynn

BrandyLynn

Hello. I am new here. I am 49 years old and was recently diagnosed with Mild COPD and hyperinflated lungs. Sadly, I did smoke for 33 years. To say I am terrified with this diagnosis would be an understatement. It has consumed my every thought for a month now and my anxiety levels are at an all time high. This is making my breathing worse! I was also diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea last week, so things have been a bit rough. With that said, finding this site this morning and reading through your posts has brought me comfort for the first time in over a month. This doesn't have to be a death sentence, especially if I do the right things, and I am trying to truly understand that. Thank you, everyone. 


~ Brandy Lynn

17 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ‡CHICKEN SALAD WITH GRAPES๐Ÿ‡4 cups shredded cooked chicken3/4 cup red grape halves3/4 cup diced celery2 tbsp. minced shallot3 tbsp. minced fresh dill 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp. lemon juiceSalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste In a large...

17 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Tuesday, everyone! 
You are a shining star today, and every day! ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿคฉ๐ŸŒŸ

22 hours ago

Joe Ripley

Joe Ripley asked the question: How to get the Inogen Rav 4 to work in newer vehicles?

I have the Inogen Rav4 portable oxygen concentrator. For vehicles it has the standard plug in to a cigarette lighter. Problem is new vehicles replaced the cigarette lighter plug in on the dashboard to usb ports. I mentioned that fact to the Inogen sales …

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Happy Chinese New Year's Everyone!  It's the year of the horse, which is my husband and my brother's Chinese zodiac sign.  We are celebrating by going to my younger's sister's place for a nice Chinese potluck dinner.  I can't wait!

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

I finally gave in to the idea of wearing a back brace and as of almost noon, I am asking why did it take me so long?  What does this have to do with COPD?  A lot.  I was unable to walk any distance and had to sit down every few minutes because my lower back, or hip region hurt.


Movement is medicine with COPD, so a limitation in movement is pretty much a prescription for decline.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŽ€ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S CHICKEN FRICASSEE๐ŸŽ€"A very interesting recipe, especially chosen for President's Day!"1 whole 3 to 4 pound chicken, OR 3 to 4 pounds chicken parts, cut from a whole chicken1/2 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp....

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday! You must've heard by now that a smile is contagious! So- keep that smile on your face! You light up a room! You brighten up everyone's day! (I know these things!) 
Here's a great big smile for all of you! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Enjoy your day, friends! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

Jaknel001

Jaknel001

Im stage 3 copd. Not horrible but not great. Have a hard time eating anything. It either tastes or smells horrible. And those steroids they help but tear my stomach to pieces.
Wish ya'all the best.I sweat like a pig. Does anyone else have that problem? 

2 days ago

MJ53

MJ53answered the question Lips stay dry and chapped, what best?

I find that O'Keeffe's lip repair works better than Burt's Bee's.
Alaskan boonyratGAnneJeanO53 also answered the question Alaskan boonyratand 2 others also answered the question

2 days ago

Stonecutter

Stonecutter

Hello all! I'm Ken. I just turned 70, dxed with emphysema June 2025 from ldct scan. My pcp prescribed 2 inhalers.
 I was lost for a while.


Finally went to a Pulmonary dr a couple weeks ago. He said lung function is 65% and it's moderate (damage?).
I can walk a mile without being sob. 
It's hard to talk to family about this.


Just wanted to say hi so we're not strangers!
Thanks,
Ken.


2 days ago

NjB

NjBanswered the question Safe to take the train to 8,000 ft from sea level when have COPD on 2L/min continuous flow oxygen?

Did she make it OK? (reading this one year later)
Always_QsHIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 1 other also answered the question Always_Qsand 3 others also answered the question

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, friends! Enjoy this Winter day! Plenty of ways to do just that! Cozy up under a nice blanket and read, do a word puzzle, watch a good movie, call a friend, and don't forget to visit 360Social! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question How do you stay healthy and active while living with COPD?

Greying out doesnโ€™t sound good. Maybe thatโ€™s something worth discussing with your healthcare team
Alaskan boonyratCaroline West Virginia State CaptainShar101and 4 others also answered the question Alaskan boonyratand 6 others also answered the question

2 days ago

Alaskan boonyrat

Alaskan boonyratanswered the question Bad taste in mouth and numb tongue

Oxygen tank taste? Possibly using "hard water" in your bubbler?My Breztri® leaves a weird taste if i don't aim right and spray my tongue.Supposed to rinse my mouth after each use to reduce possibility of Thrush mouth,hardly ever do that,no problems yet.
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question

3 days ago

Alaskan boonyrat

Alaskan boonyratanswered the question Can COPD be cured/reversed?โ€‹

I asked my Doctor that,she said with current knowledge COPD doesn't improve only worsens.It can be slowed,sometimes dramatically,reasonably normal life is possible with proper care and maintenence.She took a lot longer to say it,but thats the basics.
Dinna25Caroline West Virginia State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Dinna25and 2 others also answered the question

3 days ago

Alaskan boonyrat

Alaskan boonyratanswered the question How is this drug?

My doctor and i have tried many medications,we finally found that BREZTRI® inhaler works better then any for me.With regular Albuteral/Ipratropium nebulizer treatments i can usually function fairly well most days.Unfortunatly,its 950.00 an inhaler a …
netmouseDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question netmouseand 2 others also answered the question

3 days ago

Alaskan boonyrat

Alaskan boonyratanswered the question COPD and inhaler

Sounds like you are trapping stale air deep down,you can look up breathing exercises to help force out the trapped air.i have this same problem and with conscious effort i can get most stale air out.You may want to try a good trick i use,i bought a …
Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )JeanO53 also answered the question Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)and 2 others also answered the question

3 days ago

Alaskan boonyrat

Alaskan boonyratanswered the question Studies on weather impacting progression of lung disease

Ive lived in Alaska all my life,and ive found that very cold,dry air helps dry my lungs out.Thats just me,but i definitely notice a degradation of my breathing when i go inside to warm,humid air.
Jean IA State CaptainKandy State Captain of South Dakota also answered the question Jean IA State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

3 days ago

Alaskan boonyrat

Alaskan boonyrat

Its a hard to breathe day again,seems like they come more often in winter.Ive been trying to find a loophole in Medicade that will get me oxygen,but they wont even consider it.It took almost two years to get my Breztri and they still keep dragging me to mediations to revoke it.Its like 950.00 a month for one 120 use inhaler.Fortunatly,i only pay 3.50 for it.And 50 cents for the Albuteral/ipratropium nebulizer solution.Ive been getting those Sports oxygen bottles when i can afford them,but theyre spendy in Alaska.Any procurement for oxygen will be helpful.Im 62,Stage3 copd.54% compromised.Hard calcium plaques.I think thats right,hard to read this report.Ive mostly stopped burning wood,unless its really cold makes me choke a lot.Propane cost is breaking me,Big Buddy heater sucks it down.My finger oxymeter reads 93 to 98 most days,still feels like drowning too often.B.P. cuff is useally low at 110/70.Even tried givesendgo,nothing at all.Probably because im not a social media user and just a few friends and neighbors.This is my first post,so excuse me if I'm writing a book.

3 days ago

  • NewestOldest
  • Caroline West Virginia State CaptainIf you have a 93-98 oximeter reading, you do not qualify for oxygen, so there is no loophole to exploit.  Your oxygen saturation must be 88% or lower to qualify for supplemental oxygen.


    You need to discuss your breathlessness with your physician.  Have to tried pursed lip breathing?3 days ago
  • JazzybeanHi Alaskan boonyrat. Just want to say welcome to the group. Glad you are here. You sound like you are helping yourself as much as you can. Hopefully the extreme cold will soon be a thing of the past. that way you can stop burning wood soon. Yeah, the oxygen levels are tricky. I'll second what Caroline said, unless it's 88% there just is not any way to get oxygen prescribed. If you have a pulmonologist who will listen maybe you can bring it up there. Stay in touch. 2 days ago
Jillian55

Jillian55

Hi everyone Iโ€™m new here so glad I found this site. NC weather is nice today. Thank you for having me here. 


Jillian

3 days ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Lips stay dry and chapped, what best?

I have been using beets bees lip balm (peppermint), but I continuously put it on. What is everyone using and find that helps ? Thanks G-Ann

3 days ago

Iain Christie

Iain Christie

Just joined, so thanks to Admin, and Hello to all!  I was diagnosed with what the Medic called โ€œmildโ€ COPD in 2004.  I have been lucky so far, but I do have a problematic mucus nuisance most days.  But - and this seems strange to me, I am 4 days into a nasty head cold, my first since before COVID, and despite online warnings that colds can make the mucus problem much worse, Iโ€™m astonished to find that it has apparently cured mine completely!  I appreciate that this is temporary, but I really am completely free of the usual mucus problem, with no production whatsoever since the start of the cold.  Any thoughts anyone, patients one Medics?

3 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.