COPD360social welcomes new member LifeIsGood who joins 65,320 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerWeโ€™re remembering someone very special to so many throughout the COPD community โ€” Pamela DeNardo.
May 15, 2026

Pam was part of the COPD Foundation family from the early days and helped shape so much of what this community became. She was a passionate advocate, a caring supporter, and a true friend to many across the COPD community.

After being diagnosed with COPD in 1999, Pam chose to use her experience to help others feel less afraid and less alone. Through advocacy work, speaking engagements, and her years with the COPD Foundation Information Line, she helped countless patients and caregivers feel heard, understood, and supported.

Pam believed deeply in the importance of connection and community. Along the way, she built meaningful friendships throughout the COPD Foundation and here on COPD360social that touched many lives.

I was grateful to learn from Pam and work alongside her for several years. She shared stories, wisdom, humor, and encouragement that truly meant a lot to me. She was one of the great ones, and she will absolutely be remembered.

We are deeply grateful for everything Pam gave to this community throughout the years, and she will be greatly missed by many friends throughout COPD360social and the COPD Foundation family.

Thank you, Pam, for your kindness, advocacy, friendship, and support.

18 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

My daughter has come for a visit for a few days.  Today we're going on a 6 hour Casino Boat cruise from Port Canaveral -  we won the tickets.  I've never done that and it should be fun.  And then tomorrow we're headed to Orlando for the ATS (American Thoracic Society) International Conference where I've been asked to be a patient speaker on a panel.  I'm looking forward to visiting the COPD Foundation's booth in the Exhibition Hall and a few others.  I'll be back home Wednesday evening.

1 hour ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragonDeep unstruggled breathing for all today.

2 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday to all of our friends! You are a beautiful, shining star. ๐ŸŒŸ Each and every one of you.
Keep moving forward, and shine on! โญ

7 hours ago

JustCat64

JustCat64

Hello

10 hours ago

TDBart

TDBart

Better today than I was doing the last couple of days. 
I think the shock of getting this diagnosis still looming heavy on my heart. I feel like I have been put on a island & dumped. 
It's my own doing, I totally understand that. I don't know why I am even so devastated by it. When I had to put down how many years I had been smoking I couldn't believe it had been 45 years. I used to say that when I lived past the age my mom was when she passed that then I will quit.21 years sure freaking went quick. 

10 hours ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments5 comment(s)
  • JazzybeanBob puff dragon, I love your sense of humor!!! 44 minutes ago
  • JazzybeanTD Bart Yeah, if I could only go back in time to 1994 when after having quit in 1982 I happily picked up just one cigarette!! Then, before I knew it,  I smoked until Jan 1st 2012. Can't, go back,  and here we are. 
    Best to do now is to look forward, do the best you can!!  Each day live your best life that day, whatever that means.  Everyone in this community knows it's harder some days than others! The fear is real, the anxiety is real. Hopefully, you find some virtual companionship in this group. Stick around. WE are all here to support each other. If you have questions, ask, and someone,  may have dealt with the same issues. Best wishes.33 minutes ago
  • das23Welcome TDBart..........Maybe we should ask Keith for some of those minutes back!!!๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ‘26 minutes ago
kath.r

kath.ranswered the question "Severely Reduced DLCO"

Sounds exactly like me. Delco is at 34,% , but my oxygen is 93-95. I'm very sob.
AnonymouscreekgirlMinuteman3and 4 others also answered the question Anonymousand 6 others also answered the question

15 hours ago

klh@chvwtx

klh@chvwtx

I'm doing OK. Just got my treadmill yesterday to start a walking program. As hot and humid as it gets here in southeast Texas I know I won't be able to do too many outdoor activities over the next 4 or 5 months with my COPD. I'm 72 and diagnosed in 2025. I live alone having lost my wife in 2019. I play golf until it gets too hot, bowl leagues 2 nights a week, do my own yard work, and take care of all the house chores. Looking forward to using the website as I start my journey with my treadmill.

16 hours ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Brinsupri

Tom E I was thinking the same thing maybe once a month to see if the stiffness in joint and muscle stop. I would love to do one shot but dr will know best
Tom.EDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question Tom.Eand 1 other also answered the question

18 hours ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragon

Hope every one can have the best day possible,live love laugh and repeat.

21 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onThe Breath Gap: How COPD Affects Women Differently

Thank you for your openness about your stories of diagnosis and living with COPD. ...

22 hours ago

Evelyn L

Evelyn Lanswered the question Ohtuvayre usage

I've been using ohtuvayre and trelegy for one year and my breathing is getting to be bad. Not sure what to do
Webbgirl028Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State CaptainJonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education) also answered the question Webbgirl028and 2 others also answered the question

22 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends!
There's always a sign telling us that our day will be an awesome one! Enjoy your day! Keep on smiling, and do something you love! Goodness lies within us. Let all the goodness out and share it with everyone! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question vented propane heat source

we checked on the whoke house generator, very pricey. We had hvac come out they will remove our old fireplace and put in a new one vented, we have a generator that will run a lamp and tv, so we are grateful to have what God is giving us.I wonโ€™t have to …
6ft PixieKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question 6ft Pixieand 1 other also answered the question

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article The Breath Gap: How COPD Affects Women Differently

This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.

For many years, COPD was seen as a "man's disease", but that may not be the truth.1 Every day, more women are getting diagnosed with COPD, and the numbers keep going up.2 New studies are showing that more women than men have COPD.2

During National Women's Health Week, we are sharing how women may have a different experience with COPD than men. Women may have different symptoms and provider interactions. They face unique challenges, and their voices matter. We are also highlighting three COPD Foundation Captains, who are working to bring change and to raise awareness.

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Well, today was pretty interesting, for sure. I wore my POC (Inogen Rove6) as usual. Two different women commented on it and how much smaller and lighter than tanks. I agreed that they have some advantages but after wearing awhile just seem to get heavier. 


The other woman said her mom was just put on O2 and wishes her mom would use it & be out & about but sadly doesnโ€™t think her mom will. 


Both were curious about my POC and I happily shared. It allowed me to  keep up with H and my friends, as we are travelingโ€”NYC, Finland, Estonia and now Stockholm. Next Denmark and Norway and Tokyo. 

1 day ago

Danthman

Danthman

Hello everyone new to the group. Iโ€™ve had copd for about 3 yrs now. My heart rate concerns me itโ€™s always. At 100 or higher sometimes in the 120 range depending on activity. How concerned should I be?

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerGood morning and Happy Friday, 360social! โ˜€๐ŸŽถ

Wishing everyone a day filled with easier breathing, lighter moments, and maybe even a little dancing in your chair today. If youโ€™re traveling this weekend, safe travels and smooth roads ahead. And if youโ€™re staying close to home, we hope you can find a little time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the simple things that make you smile.

I came across this fun video of classic movie stars dancing to Uptown Funk, and it is an absolute toe-tapper. Seeing these legendary moments from old films all synced together is just pure joy โ€” and honestly, itโ€™s hard not to grin while watching it.

So turn the volume up a little, tap those toes, and letโ€™s head into the weekend with some good energy together. ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿ•บ๐ŸŽฅ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1F0lBnsnkE&list=RDM1F0lBnsnkE&start_radio=1

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸCARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE๐ŸOne 20-ounce can pineapple chunks in natural juice1/2 cup packed light brown sugar Drain the pineapple. Save the juice for another use. Makes a nice juice drink! Place the pineapple chunks in a large skillet. Sprinkle...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from an interesting, curious little friend! Say hello to this cute baby Bearded Dragon! I like to visit with him when I go to the pet store.
Wishing everyone an awesome day! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragonJust thought l would update on a subject l mentioned a while ago in the hope it may offer some comfort to anyone experiencing a similar diagnosis and treatment and hopefully dispell a few worries.l know it is not copd related but a gift from smoking ,the pastime that brings many of us to 360.


As a brief refresh l had pneumonia back in October of last year,ended up in ICU, placed under sedation and ventilated for a time.During this nightmare it was found that a prexisting nodule through xray had grown in size.In April  after being able to move around again, l had a CT scan which had the growth at now double the size from a few months previous.A pet scan end of April confirmed cancer.
Fast forward to this month,meeting with oncologist,pre mapping CT scan and finally todays radiation session it is over for now. 
With the many medical advances going on these days a cancer diagnosis is really not the news it was years ago.The treatment and everything related was totally painless and because of all the great professionals at the clinic it was really a piece of cake.There will be follow up tests in the coming months to see how effective it was but have all the confidence in my team and a great outcome.


My take aways and advice is,make sure to have regular scheduled scans or xrays,early treatment greatly improves outcome.
Secondly don't fret over the treatment as it is really nothing to stress over.
Again don't mean to be a Debbie downer(no inference to you Debbie ๐Ÿ˜Ž,but l think it is important to mention staying on top of things as copd has many different spin off surprises in store for us all.

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHere we are. Now we're all set to start our day tomorrow in a good way! A good start means the rest of the day is bound to be great! ๐ŸŒž

2 days ago

6ft Pixie

6ft Pixie

It has been a while since I posted anything. I have been busy with appointments, was going to Physical Therapy twice a week for my lower back, and continued strength training for my left hip, which I broke last September. I asked my psychiatrist to change my medication to something else, because the current one was causing me to gain a lot of weight, which I bet is causing me to tire out so quickly. My question is: Has anybody done well with exercising, then had to stop due to injury, and can't seem to get back to aerobic exercising?

2 days ago

  • NewestOldest
  • Caroline West Virginia State CaptainThis is an issue that I have faced many times.  One thing that seems to help is to set an exact time to exercise.2 days ago
  • Sean P. SmithWow! right up my alley!!! I was diagnosed back in late spring of 2018. They figured it out while I was going through Cardiac Rehab because my blood ox stayed in the mid to high 80s. Since then I went religiously to the gym five days a week. Only time I didn't is when I had to have my left ankle tendons reattach. But I did light weights at home. Since then I returned to the gym and hit it hard until last October when the needed to rebuild my right shoulder. Before I even got out of the recovery room they sent me to the ICU because I developed pneumonia - in only freakin' hours! I also have had a really hard time getting back into working out let alone going to the gym. First, there is the "Oh my God my body is going to XXXX!" Then there is the "Why am I even bothering - it's not going to help!" attitude. I have been there and done that. But I am slowly getting back. It is not easy but it makes me feel good knowing I am trying. I can tell you the idea of one step at a time really is true. I fought my body and my mind and now I am starting to feel the pride in working out coming back. But more importantly, my mental health is also recovering. You know what really makes me feel good is knowing I CAN do this! Pixie, take your time but just keep trying. Do you have any friends that may be able to work out with you or even just walking around the block? Also, sit down with your physical therapist and tell them what you're going through. Maybe they can give you some insights on how to get over this hump. Let me know if I can help. 1 day ago
  • 6ft PixieThank you, Sean, Caroline, and all of you who care. I will try these ideas!1 day ago
6ft Pixie

6ft Pixie

Hi, Sean. Welcome to the best place to learn more about COPD, ask questions, and get answers. Hope you are having a great day!

2 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

I want to give a shout out to our Caroline West Virginia State Captainโ€‹ for her wonderful article in COPD News Today. Thank you for writing it - it's SO true!!

https://copdnewstoday.com/columns/how-cornfield-taught-me-claim-space-living-copd/?mc_euid=f4e1afc955&utm_source=COPD&utm_campaign=c855e81ab4-Email_ENL_US_COPD&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_23d08524e9-c855e81ab4-74415186

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.