COPD360social welcomes new member Rizley who joins 64,572 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŒง๏ธโ„ When the elements keep us insideโ€ฆ letโ€™s make the most of it. โ˜€๐Ÿ“š

Debbie B and I were talking, and it got us thinkingโ€”when the weather keeps us inside, having a few go-to ideas ready can make those indoor days feel a lot more manageable and even enjoyable.

Cold, heat, smoke, or storms can sometimes keep us home for several days at a time. A little planning ahead can help reduce stress and give us things to look forward to while we stay safe and comfortable indoors.

Here are a few gentle, indoor-friendly ideas for patients and caregivers:

๐ŸŽจ Get creative
Coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, or simple crafts can be a relaxing way to pass timeโ€”no artistic skills required.

๐Ÿ“– Read or listen
Books, short stories, or audiobooks are great companions, especially on quieter days.

๐Ÿงฉ Puzzles & games
Crosswords, word searches, jigsaw puzzles, card games, or apps can help keep the mind engaged.

๐Ÿ“ Write it out
Journaling, gratitude lists, or jotting down memories, recipes, or thoughts can be surprisingly grounding.

๐ŸŒฑ Try indoor gardening (Great idea, Debbie!)
Caring for houseplants or starting seeds indoors for spring can be a rewarding hobby and a real mood booster.

๐ŸŽง Music, podcasts, or relaxation
Create a playlist, catch up on a favorite podcast, or try a short guided relaxation or breathing exercise.

๐Ÿช‘ Light movement (if youโ€™re able)
Gentle stretches, seated movement, or even moving to a different room can help prevent stiffness.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Planning ahead helps
If you know youโ€™ll be indoors for a stretch, consider putting together an โ€œinside-day kitโ€ with books, puzzles, coloring supplies, snacks, chargers, and cozy comforts. Taking care of this ahead of time can make those days feel a little easier.

What helps you get through indoor days?

1 day ago

Mark Luttmann, COPDF Research

Mark Luttmann, COPDF ResearchCOPDHeart Study (Phase 2)

Talk to us about COPD health!
Your feedback can help shape a health program for adults living with COPD.
If you have COPD, please join us for a one-hour voluntary research interview.
Eligible participants who complete the online interview will receive a $50 gift card.
Thank you for making time to make a difference in the future of COPD care!

Fill out the eligibility questionnaire at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9KGCXK9

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Wednesday! 
This place is going quackers! I'm glad to see you've ducked in to say hello! 
Have a great day, and keep smiling friends! ๐Ÿ˜€

3 hours ago

Rรฉjean

Rรฉjeancommented onMilk Products and Mucus in COPD

This should do the job, at least it did for me. After a month taking NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) capsules, I literally Stopped Coughing up Mucus and Wheezing.I've been taking it for 5 years now, a dry cough is all I get still, which Ricola easily...

6 hours ago

JeanO53

JeanO53answered the question Do liters matter? Help with oxygen and cpap from a fairly new user

Hi Cosmic woman - I'm a bit confused by the percentages you noted. What brand of concentrator are you using with your CPAP?
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

7 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Walmart just sent me an advertisement for Oxygen Nasal Cannula Cover for Oxygen Tubing Prongs, Hose Holder with Handle, Fits Medline, Size 1.5 inches, 2 pack - Walmart.com  

11 hours ago

Cosmic woman

Cosmic woman asked the question: Do liters matter? Help with oxygen and cpap from a fairly new user

hello! due to horrible medical equipment services here I purchased my own cpap and oxygen concentrator. the dr had me on cpap with 2 liters oxygen at night. When I got my own equipment I noticed that if you increase the liters of oxygen, the percentage …

11 hours ago

Maggie4947!

Maggie4947!asked the question: Can someone please explain to me about the FEF25 75 category

I was found to have trace Paraseptal emphysema on a cat scan almost 2 years ago. I quit smoking at that time and have continued with no smoking since. My first pft was pretty good all things considered , my second pft showed improvements in regard to …

17 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Sitting here in my warm house, it is difficult to comprehend how cold it is outside, because the sun is shinning and it looks so warm out there.  One only needs to open the door to dispel that fantasy. 

18 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainSo, my sister works at a grocery store. Snow panickers completely wiped out the ice cream. She has to put this entire cart on the frozen food shelves before she can go home. ๐Ÿจ๐Ÿฆ

20 hours ago

Prince Osei

Prince Osei

Hi , Folks , Yesterday was  a clean energy day.
We hope the globe does a major shift from the huge carbon print on the Ozone to a massive use of Clean energy sources to make  the World more Greener for a much more  Cleaner air quality everywhere on the Globe.

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question I feel like Iโ€™m water logged, what else can we drink

Soups are a nourishing form of hydration. Fruits are as well, especially watermelon. Cucumbers are also hydrating. You can put sone fruit in your water to make it more interesting. Hot chocolate is also nice. I generally just have beverages (mostly …
Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State CaptainCaroline West Virginia State CaptainGAnneand 1 other also answered the question Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captainand 3 others also answered the question

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainWishing all my friends a very happy Tuesday! Let's share a cup of coffee and some good conversation. What a great way to start our day!  โ˜• ๐Ÿ—ฃ

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Today, saw my local lung doc. Their office will resubmit my pre-auth for Nucala. It was rejected because no office notes. Now that Iโ€™ve seen my lung doc again, they can add notes and re-submit. 


I got the doc to sign my forms to fly with my O2 equipment. I was also happy that we are all in agreement Iโ€™m doing great and much too healthy to contemplate a lung transplant in near future. 


I forgot to ask about replenishing my Rx for my upcoming overseas trip. I guess I can ask my other doc whom Iโ€™m seeing 4/1. 


Anyway, when I got home, after some effort, I figured out how to send in the forms to the respective airlines (they sure donโ€™t make it easy). 

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

I find myself leaning on comfort food during this cold weather.  Pinto beans over johnny cakes and potato cakes with ham.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

As we used to say... "They cut like butter. "...

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

I've made something very similar to this - the chops just fall apart, they're so tender....

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

CROCK POT PORK CHOPS WITH GRAVY4 bone-in pork chopsSalt and pepper to taste 1/2 tsp. paprika1/2 tsp. garlic powder1 tbsp. olive oil One 10.5-ounce can cream of mushroom soupOne 10.5-ounce can cream of chicken soup3/4 cup beef broth2 cups sliced...

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

It is colder than blue blazes here in Southern WV.  I thought that I would add some of our colorful language to the forecast.  It is windy, and I have at least 3 more inches of snow.  Thankfully, we did have a minimal amount of ice accumulation on trees.  

1 day ago

baileymccrary

baileymccrarycommented onProgress for Oxygen Access: SOAR Act Updates

I agree, I think the hearing went well and was a great opportunity to get SOAR front and center! :) Thanks for tuning in, Karen!...

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onProgress for Oxygen Access: SOAR Act Updates

Thank you Bailey, for the update and detailed explanation of the next steps that have to happen to bring the SOAR Act into law.I watched the subcommittee hearing and it was very interesting - all of the bills were well presented, and I felt that Mr....

1 day ago

Hoagie

Hoagie

๐Ÿ˜

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

Sounds like a great drink to warm up our members who are dealing with the awful awful cold this week....

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โฌœ๏ธ๐ŸŸซEASY HOT CHOCOLATE๐ŸŸซโฌœ๏ธ8 ounces milk of your choice 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tbsp. sugarPlace the cocoa powder in a large mug. Heat the milk in the microwave in a glass measuring cup for about 1 1/2 minutes,...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday, friends! Grab a mug of your favorite warm beverage, and cozy up here, on 360Social! Stay safe and warm, everyone! ๐Ÿ˜Š

2 days ago

Meg51429

Meg51429

Hello my name is Megan. 
I quit smoking last October and had to have back-to-back intubations and surgeries. Ever since then I have had a horrible chronic cough, severe mucosal dryness in my sinuses, nose,mouth, lungs, skin, and eyes, trouble breathing, chest heaviness, shortness of breath, and severe head congestion. 
I have had lots of tests and am eeing lots of doctors but I'm still waiting to see a pulmonary specialist and a rheumatologist. I I'm using humidifiers. I do lung exercises, controlled coughing exercises, stretches, I drink a lot of water. I stopped any caffeine or alcohol or drying products. I use lozenges, sugar-free cough drops, have tried medications and all types of things that I can find. The only thing that helped a little was some steroids, but they made things even drier for me and that is only a short-term solution anyway. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't think this is something I'm going to be able to live with. I can't sleep or work and I can hardly function. I feel like I'm struggling to breathe. I've been to the hospital multiple times, and the doctor's office. They say everything is normal but I am in agony.

2 days ago

Rรฉjean

Rรฉjeananswered the question Alternate meds

This could potentially help you, I was willing to try anything. After a month of taking NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) capsules, I stopped coughing up mucus and my wheezing stopped, it's been 5 years now taking one tablet twice a day with food and an …
GAnneRickrHIcopd - Hawaii State Captainand 1 other also answered the question GAnneand 3 others also answered the question

2 days ago

Rรฉjean

Rรฉjean

This could potentially help many of you with COPD, willing to try anything, as I was. After a month of taking NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) capsules, I stopped coughing up mucus and my wheezing stopped. I've been taking it for 5 years now. As expected over the past year, I've felt increasingly tired, otherwise I only have a dry cough, which Ricola easily relieves.
I have been taking one tablet twice a day with food and an equivalent amount of vitamin C. I buy Natural Factorsโ€™ NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) online at Amazon or at my local health food store.
After a few years, I believe re-posting again is worthy for those who are new here.After 2 years coughing up mucus and my wheezing worsening, I came across a lung specialist online discussing NAC, highlighting that it's one of the most underestimated and under-utilized natural food supplements, and she was right.
If you have similar issues, I genuinely recommend trying it for a month.

2 days ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Progress for Oxygen Access: SOAR Act Updates

This article was written by Bailey McCrary.

On Thursday, January 8, the House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss 10 bills. These bills all focused on how patients could get care through Medicare. One of these bills was the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, the COPD Foundation's top priority bill about oxygen access.

We were excited to see the SOAR Act included in this meeting. Before the hearing, the COPD Foundation sent a letter to the subcommittee to support the bill. We also signed a joint letter with other oxygen advocacy groups and helped spread the word about the hearing to lung health supporters.

During the hearing, Thomas Ryan, president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare, spoke in support of the SOAR Act. He answered questions from lawmakers and explained why Medicare needs to change how it pays for oxygen services. These changes would help patients get the care they need to live full and active lives.

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.