COPD360social welcomes new member Josadero who joins 64,834 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

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

We wanted to share Jean Rommesโ€™ obituary with our community so those who knew and cared about her can learn more about the life she lived and the many people she touched.

Jean meant a lot to many here, and she will truly be missed. Our thoughts continue to be with her family and loved ones.

You can read her obituary here:

https://www.kalefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jean-Rommes?obId=47468640

Obituary information for Jean McMartin Rommes

View Jean McMartin Rommes's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿ’ฌ Community Question: How do you know when your COPD is getting worse?

One of the most helpful things about our community is learning from each otherโ€™s real-life experiences. When members share what they notice and how they handle it, it can help someone else recognize the signs earlier and know when it may be time to reach out to their doctor.

Weโ€™d love to hear from you:

๐Ÿ‘‰ How do you know your COPD may be getting worse?
๐Ÿ‘‰ What symptoms worry you the most when this happens? (More shortness of breath, extra mucus, coughing, chest tightness, fatigue, etc.)
๐Ÿ‘‰ How do you explain it to your doctor when you feel your COPD is getting worse?

Your insight could really help another patient or caregiver who may be experiencing these changes but isnโ€™t sure what they mean yet.

โฌ‡ Please click the link at the bottom of this post and share your answer directly in the Q&A discussion so others can easily find and learn from your experience.

As always, share only what youโ€™re comfortable with - but your voice may make a real difference for someone else.


https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Questions-and-Answers/How-do-you-know-your-COPD-is-getting-worse.aspx

How do you know your COPD is getting worse?

What symptoms worry you the most when this happens (for example, trouble breathing, more mucus, coughing, chest feeling tight, etc.)? How do you tell …

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿง„CANNELLINI BEAN SALAD WITH ROASTED GARLIC VINAIGRETTE๐Ÿง„1 bulb roasted garlic, peeled 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tbsp. lemon juice1/2 tsp. salt1/4 tsp. dry mustard 1 1/2 tbsp. thyme leaves 1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped rosemary leaves 1/4 tsp. lemon...

56 minutes ago

BrandyLynn

BrandyLynn"Fluffy Friday!". This is my late Fredrick (I lost him a year and a half ago). The best trail-buddy a girl could have ever asked for. He was a working roping horse from Montana and was a rock solid, true-blue boy. He came to me in his retirement at a young-ish age after being worked hard. We did light, leisurely trail rides, but then I fully retired him in 2016 when I noticed his arthritis. Then, he became my little pasture puff (spoiled mind you) for the rest of his days (years). This picture... whenever we would ride, I would dismount and walk beside him for a portion of the way home. On a different note, spring is right around the corner, and the horses shed their winter coats obviously. This is the only time of year that I have a reaction to all of the grooming and fur. I breakout in welts, cough, etc... Never worried too much about it. Now, with COPD I am worried, but as a horse mama know that I can't slack on this task. Do you suppose an N95 mask, and washing self and clothes right away, would make it okay? Not sure I can articulate how much fur horse shedding season brings, but N95's are tough, ha! 

4 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainI have a birthday wish I'd like to share.
It's filled with happiness and extra care.
It's for someone special who's a friend to us all.
Whenever you need him, he's always on call.
Happy, Happy Birthday dear Brandon-YES, YOU!
Enjoy a slice of your cake, or go ahead and have two! ๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿฐ

5 hours ago

  • Coach Brandon - Community ManagerDebbie, thank you for the wonderful birthday wish - that really made my day!  If I could, Iโ€™d be passing around cake to all our 360social friends so we could celebrate together.  And donโ€™t worry, Iโ€™ll make sure to honor your advice about having two slices!! ๐ŸŽ‚24 minutes ago
DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from two of my sister's pets! Miss Cricket Smudge and Mr. Jason Alexander would like to wish you all a very pleasant day! ๐Ÿ˜€

5 hours ago

  • Coach Brandon - Community ManagerThese two turkeys look like theyโ€™re loving the spring weather and the fresh grass coming in. They seem pretty relaxed about it too! Jasmine and Jagger say thatโ€™s the perfect way to spend a Fluffy Friday. Who else has a furry or feathery friend enjoying the day?12 minutes ago
Gilmour

Gilmourasked the question: COPD questions

Hi, I am trying to figure out if I have COPD and what, if anything, I can do about my situation. I am 53 now and am under medication for hypertension. I was a heavy smoker (20 a day) from 1990-2004. I stopped completely after that (I might have …

10 hours ago

Richard DJ

Richard DJanswered the question Roflumilast-Any feedback much appreciated.

I have had a lot of trouble with mental effects from Roflumilast. That is why I went to 250mg every other day. That seemed to work along witht the fisetin I take after a meal to greatly slow down the phlegm problem. However, since I had my coronary …
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question

16 hours ago

Tara Shedor, COPDF Communications

Tara Shedor, COPDF Communicationscommented onA Tale of Too Many Options

 Hi Phyliss! You can share Mike's blog with this link: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Praxis/Community/Blog/Article/1937/A-Tale-of-Too-Many-Options.aspx...

19 hours ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captaincommented onA Tale of Too Many Options

 Is there a way to get rid of the comments below??? I would really like to share this excellent blog with others, but having those comments below is really off-putting. There has to be a better way of managing this....

22 hours ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Building Patient Knowledge, Buy-In, and Self-Efficacy with Inhalers and Nebulizers

This post was written by Kalli Mago.

Medication is central to managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but as most health care providers know, prescribing the right medication is only half the battle. The real challenge is helping patients actually use their prescribed devices properly. When it comes to inhalers and nebulizers, studies consistently show high levels of non-adherence, with rates ranging from 23% to 93%.1

Obstacles to Adherence

There are many reasons patients may struggle to follow their prescription. For example, sometimes the prescription itself is the problem. Providers should consider the patient's symptoms, preferences, financial situation, coordination, and dexterity when deciding which device is best. This blog post provides a more in-depth look at how to navigate different device options with your patients with COPD.

23 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ”ท๏ธ๐Ÿ’ COLD RICE SALAD๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ”ท๏ธ. Dressing:1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 tbsp. sugar1 clove garlic, finely minced 1 tsp. salt1 tsp. cumin1 tsp. chili powder 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Salad:3 cups cooked basmati rice,...

1 day ago

Wildebeest

Wildebeestanswered the question Has anyone had a upper GI endoscopy while having COPD?

I am stage 2. I had one a year or so ago with sedation. I was dreading it because I have a strong gag reflex but it was way less awful than I had feared. Hope it goes well.
GAnneDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )BrandyLynnand 2 others also answered the question GAnneand 4 others also answered the question

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Thursday! You have the power, the strength, and the courage to do well! You are an awesome person, and you CAN accomplish many things! Wishing everyone a happy, productive, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ™‚

1 day ago

BrandyLynn

BrandyLynnDebbieB, I couldn't find where to respond on your quesadilla recipe, but you inspired dinner last night! The only change I made is that I added breakfast sausage to the eggs, onion, green pepper, and cheese. So yummy! By pup was longing for a bite, but since it had onions in it, I couldn't share. Rest assured he got his own plain egg topped with cheese, haha! Spoiled baby for sure. 

1 day ago

Jennifer Amaral

Jennifer Amaralanswered the question How do you deal with the mental battle

Iโ€™m really sorry youโ€™re going through this. When the body keeps going through ups and downs like that, it can be very exhausting both physically and mentally. Try to take it one small moment at a time. Sometimes just focusing on the next breath or the …
45yrcopdasthmaJD85Anonymousand 3 others also answered the question 45yrcopdasthmaand 5 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Alaskan boonyrat

Alaskan boonyratanswered the question Best nebulizer - and mouth piece??

Ive used several makes of nebulizer machines.The main thing ive noticed is that the internal motor bearings and the ones on the rotating air pump arms tend to become losse in their brackets.This allows the inner and outer bearing race to spin together …

1 day ago

netmouse

netmouseanswered the question Personal question for ladies. I canโ€™t stand anything that is binding. So ladies this would be a bra.

If you already have a bra style you like, use extenders to make it looser around you. There are many cheap choices at Amazon or Walmart and such, like: 6pcs Bra Extenders, Elastic Adjustable Strap, 2/3 Hooks, Black, Apricot, White - Walmart.com
Tammy55JeanO53DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain also answered the question Tammy55and 2 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Pip99

Pip99

Horrible

1 day ago

Surf_for_Life

Surf_for_Life

Iโ€™m doing well, have been able to do more and not have an attack. Iโ€™m back to work and I am wanting to get back into my life long love of the ocean. 

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

I know that sometimes it feels like we are talking to the wind as we advocate for legislation or changes in policy surrounding medical equipment, but a call from Inogen this morning renewed my faith in the power of our voices.  The sales rep told me that I have a 30 day trial period with my new unit and that it can be returned and my money refunded if for any reason the unit does not meet my needs.


Keep advocating__it works.

1 day ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Has anyone used a smartvest?

It certainly works for some people (but not everyone, of course). I did have one patient where it worked but she had to stop because of side effects (rib soreness)
Sunny789 also answered the question Sunny789 also answered the question

1 day ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Will Novusetin or Longvida Curcumin help your phlegm and your brain

There was a lot of information in there! Inflammation is certainly a two edged sword-- important for processes like fighting infection and cancer surveillance, but also responsible for accelerated ageing, arthritis, COPD exacerbations, etc.
netmouse also answered the question netmouse also answered the question

1 day ago

Kintsugi๐ŸŒฟ

Kintsugi๐ŸŒฟHello Good People! 
I found this site earlier this Morning (early riser)
Last month, I was in ICU for 7 days. "Respiratory Failure with Hypoxia & hypercapnia".  Before, I was not using any oxygen.
My O2 saturation hovered between 93%-95%. I was diagnosed with severe emphysema two years ago. I have no wheezing or coughing & what happened was terrifying to me...
This is an introduction of myself to each of you.
May today a day you love to look at! 

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿฝ๐ŸฅšBREAKFAST QUESADILLA๐Ÿฅš๐Ÿฝ2 large eggs, beaten 1 tbsp. finely diced green pepper1 tbsp. finely diced onion1/2 cup shredded taco seasoned Cheddar cheese Two 6-inch flour tortillas2 tbsp. shredded Cheddar cheese SalsaIn a large non-stick skillet,...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Waterfall Wednesday! Let the goodness of today cascade down into your life, and bring you lots of joy! ๐Ÿ˜Š
This waterfall is in Kent Falls State Park, Kent, Connecticut. 

2 days ago

BrandyLynn

BrandyLynn

Quick question. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea as well as COPD. I just got and have only been using my CPAP machine for 8 nights (we will be friends someday, ha!). The last two nights I keep waking to these sudden, powerful bursts of air that come in about 5-10 quick bursts. What is that? It is startling. 

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Booโ€”CVS Caremark didnโ€™t process my biologic with the specialty discount card from the manufacturer so my copay went from $0 to nearly $800!  I called to talk with them and they promised to re-process it with the discount card and call me back.  Thatโ€™s a huge difference, and only the patient portion!  I told them that if they donโ€™t adjust it properly, I will have to speak with my doctor about switching to a different biologic but prefer not to, since this one is working well.  Copays are pretty steep if one doesnโ€™t use whatever discounts are available. 

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.