COPD360social welcomes new member Chely who joins 63,732 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ‚ Your Autumn Survival (and Thrival!) Checklist ๐Ÿ‚

The air is cooler, the leaves are crunchier, and pumpkin spice is sneaking into everything. While youโ€™re pulling out sweaters and wondering how many pumpkin pies are โ€œtoo many,โ€ itโ€™s also a good time to get yourself ready for the season.

Here are a few friendly reminders to keep you breathing easier this fall:

โœ… Get your โ€œarmorโ€ (aka vaccines)

Flu shot? โœ…

Pneumonia vaccine? โœ… (if your doc recommends it)

RSV? โœ…

COVID booster? โœ…
Think of it as your seasonal power-up pack. ๐Ÿ’ช

โœ… Outsmart flare-ups

Cold, dry air? Scarf it up. Literally--wrap one around your nose and mouth.

Smoke, burning leaves, or strong scents? Treat them like your nosy neighbor: avoid when possible.

Germs? Hand sanitizer is your new BFF.

Dust and mold indoors? Show them the door (with a little cleaning).

And yes, even dancing to your favorite song in the living room counts as exercise. ๐Ÿ•บ

โœ… Plan ahead with meds
Tired of constant trips to the pharmacy? Ask your doctor about 90-day refills. Because when itโ€™s snowing sideways, no one wants to trek out for a 30-day bottle.

โœ… Review your Action Plan
Your COPD Action Plan is like your personal โ€œgame manual.โ€ Take a quick look so you know exactly what to do if symptoms start acting up.

๐Ÿ Most of all, go easy on yourself. Take it one step (or one pumpkin spice latte) at a time. Weโ€™re all in this together--and cheering you on through every season!


4 days ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Smsbiotech novel stem cell therapy

JD posted about chinas research a bit ago if you wanted to search for those msgs. it does look promising but a ways off. I hope you do get to participate in the trials!

58 minutes ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚MAPLE VINAIGRETTE๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚Here is a lovely fall salad dressing that goes really well with salad greens...1/4 cup cider vinegar 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 2/3 cup light/mild olive oil1 tbsp. waterSalt and freshly ground black...

3 hours ago

Red2

Red2asked the question: Lung Age

Hello Everyone, Can โ€œlung ageโ€ improve relative to your actual age, or at least remain stable if you stay smoke-free and healthy? Iโ€™m 56 former light smoker who smoke for 30 years 1-1.5 packs per week (4-6 pack years). My estimated lung age: 73 years. …

5 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday! Put on a happy face and start the day in a good way! Keep a smile on your face, and you'll always be in a good place! ๐Ÿ˜€
Have an awesome day, friends! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

7 hours ago

Wfly

Wflyasked the question: 32 mild emphysema diagnosis in ER. How bad is this? Will quitting cigs help me be normal again?

wound up in er ten days ago due to shortness of breath and confusion. Clicking / crackling when I breathe in especially waking up. Hr 90-100 waking up. Slows to 80ish throughout day at rest. They said I looked ok and ct showed nothing bad. Said anxiety …

11 hours ago

45yrcopdasthma

45yrcopdasthmaasked the question: Smsbiotech novel stem cell therapy

Hi, just wondering how many people have heard of this novel therapy in development? Currently in stage 1 clinical trials. I have contacted the company and may be eligible for stage 2-3 clinical trials. The therapy has already been administered to several …

14 hours ago

MapleLeaf96

MapleLeaf96asked the question: โ€œWondering how I got here?โ€ part 2

My previous post was here . There was a lot to summarize. I recently went in for another Spirometry. For some reason, they didnโ€™t check my DLCo values at all (maybe insurance said no?). Iโ€™m wondering if those you on LABAs commonly see improvements on …

16 hours ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Bad taste in mouth in morning, what causes it

That is a side effect that has been reported by some. Other medications can also do that (antibiotics are notorious for this)

17 hours ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Dealing with copd/emphysema

This is not "normal" for COPD. Check with your physician. Please read through our "learn more" sections above. Have you have pulmonary function testing yet? What medications are you using? Have you had pulmonary rehabilitation?

17 hours ago

Edele

Edeleanswered the question Difficult Sleeping, Tinnitus, and Weird Sharp Pains

I find it hard to sleep soon as i settle down am sitting back up coughing alot to the point i find it hard to breath through the coughing and chest feels heavy an not most days i have sharp pains in left side off chest while breathing pain worse the …
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

18 hours ago

Edele

Edeleasked the question: Dealing with copd/emphysema

Am new to my illness copd/emphysema i feel tired all the time i do my breathing exercises and take all my meds but for this last month i get up and am still tired i find it hard to sleep as soon as i settle down and sitting up coughing for an hr sometime …

18 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainanswered the question Humidity bottle, cleaning

Wash it daily with soap and water and be sure to rinse it out well. Then every few days, maybe once a week, disinfect it with vinegar water - 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Let it sit awhile - about 15 to 20 minutes with the vinegar solution. Then wash …

1 day ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Turn litters up and down

good morning, Iโ€™ve just been out of the hospital for four weeks with about a pneumonia for 15 days. So I came home on 5 L of oxygen when I was on 2 L. Now I find myself where I can wean myself down to four when I was with physical therapy, but thereโ€™s …

1 day ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Humidity bottle, cleaning

good morning, I just recently put the humidity bottle on my concentrator. So I know that we have to use distilled water but what Iโ€™d like to know is how often do we clean this bottle? What do we clean it with. It says that weโ€™re not to pour water on top …

1 day ago

Taskmaster

Taskmasterasked the question: Bad taste in mouth in morning, what causes it

I am on a steroid Inhaler. Can this cause a bad taste in the mouth in the morning?

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday! I hope everyone has a beautiful, easy breathing day! Keep those positive vibes flowing! And, oh yeah! Don't forget that morning cup of coffee! ๐Ÿ˜Šโ˜•

1 day ago

LadyG

LadyGasked the question: Difficult Sleeping, Tinnitus, and Weird Sharp Pains

Hello All I was just recently diagnosed with COPD at the end of July, and was just wondering if anyone else experiences nights were they can't sleep, tinnitus, (ringing in your ears), or phantom sharp pinprick type pains around various places n your …

1 day ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Does anyone else have depression due to COPD?

Hi Metzli, everyone has given you great advice. many of us here understand how you feel, myself included. pulmonary rehab can really help as Karen mentioned & I also have learned modifications that allow me to continue doing things I want & need …
Metzli Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Metzli and 1 other also answered the question

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Yayโ€”we got our flu shots today. It should protect us for the year. Our internists like us to wait until October to have as much protection as possible to entire year.

1 day ago

FL Boy

FL Boy

Is there a way I can locate my old account from few years back?

1 day ago

Evelyn Bernadette

Evelyn Bernadette

Hello everyone. 
I hope everyone is having their kind of day, and your able feel joy.  
I am happy to report my Harmonica for Health today.  I've started practicing, I know it helps I play piano, getting the rhythm, but it's the blowing to the rhythm thats curious. ๐Ÿ˜. Like tapping your head and rubbing your belly ๐Ÿคฃ.  
I definitely feel the benefits


So glad i have a place to share. 


Be well stay dry and safe. My prayers are with those in North Carolina especially.

1 day ago

Airplane

Airplaneanswered the question New PFT 10/2/25,

Good morning Dr.Mannino, Thanks for responding. My FEV1 is now 28% up from 25%.A few other numbers improved a little. I was told in April 2024 i had right heart chamber hypertension after an echo in the hospi. for pneumonia. My home exercise has become …
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

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday! May your day be set aglow with sunshine and joy! Your positive outlook can set the stage for all that is good! Enjoy your weekend, friends! ๐Ÿ˜Š

2 days ago

Metzli

Metzli asked the question: Does anyone else have depression due to COPD?

itโ€™s depressing knowing I canโ€™t do what I used to

2 days ago

Airplane

Airplaneasked the question: New PFT 10/2/25,

Hello 360 Social, I did have light exercise and healthy diet, no exacerbations in 2025. My Pulmonary only said it is the same as Jan. 2025. Can someone please explain the results and mention if something looks better than the last PFT i posted? The …

2 days ago

GodIsLove

GodIsLoveanswered the question 9 Point Jump In Fev1/Fvc in 6 Months

I realise that I have my personal info on. I've reported it and asked the monitors to crop it out as I am unable to edit it, or remove it!😢
brydyKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainCoach Brandon - Community Managerand 4 others also answered the question brydyand 6 others also answered the question

2 days ago

Danforth55

Danforth55answered the question Emphysema but spirometry is normal?

Yes I too was told there is mild centrolobular emphysema on a ct scan two years ago. Yet spirometry results are normal.I still feel fine and have no symptoms. One pulmonologist insists I am asymptomatic but have it, while another opinion this year is a …
evnewt1 das23 also answered the question evnewt1 and 1 other also answered the question

2 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Happy Fluffy Friday Everyone!  Brought to you today by one of my favorites... a Belted Kingfisher
When near the pond or along the creek, I'm always on the lookout for a Kingfisher.  I know when one is around because they make a rather loud "chittering" sound.  Last week I was able to get a shot of this one after it successfully caught a fish.  Bonus shot!

2 days ago

evnewt1

evnewt1 asked the question: Emphysema but spirometry is normal?

Hello All! During a bout with Covid last Fall, I had a CT scan which indicated mild centrilobular emphysema and trace biapecal pariseptal emphysema. My GP said these results could be the result of Covid, since I'd had a CT scan less than two years …

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.