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Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿพ Fluffy Friday Meets Chronic Disease Day ๐Ÿ’™

Friday is Chronic Disease Day, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of my favorite traditions hereโ€”Fluffy Friday!

Living with a chronic lung condition (or caring for someone who does) can sometimes make the days feel heavy. Treatments, appointments, medications, and the ups and downs can take a lot out of us.

But then...there are the little things.

A wagging tail when you wake up.

A cat curled up beside you during treatments.

A bird singing from its perch.

A photo of a beloved pet that instantly makes you smile.

Our furry, feathered, and even scaly companions don't make our conditions disappearโ€”but they often help make the difficult days a little brighter. They remind us to laugh, to slow down, and to enjoy the moment that's right in front of us.

So for this Fluffy Friday, I'd love to see the companions who help brighten your journey.

๐Ÿถ Share a photo of your pet.
๐Ÿ“ธ If you don't have one now, share a favorite picture or memory of a pet that's been part of your life.
๐Ÿ’™ And if animals aren't your thing, tell us about something that helps lift your spirits on the harder days.

Sometimes the smallest momentsโ€”and the biggest heartsโ€”come with four paws, two wings, or even a gentle purr.

I can't wait to meet your special companions! ๐Ÿพ

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainThere is growing recognition about the financial burden COPD can & does pose to patients (called โ€œfinancial toxicity.โ€  This article about a study of it talks about it.  Ask your local Office on Aging about resources that may be helpful to you.  In addition, ask your provider and check online to see if there are programs to reduce drug costs if the copays are high.  It shouldnโ€™t as tough as it unfortunate is for many of us to navigate!



https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41911580/?utm_source=SimplePie&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&utm_content=127Qa_bQ61-IX7nYKXx_oaVVeaxJ8h1ckJukapBWqK-Zvv39Io&fc=20220523112311&ff=20260330233354&v=2.19.0.post6+133c1fe

Exploring the Impact of Financial Toxicity in COPD: A Qualitative Study - PubMed

Our findings are the first, to our knowledge, to describe the impact of financial toxicity in individuals with COPD. Financial toxicity in COPD is common and may adversely impact disease self-management, financial self-management, and psychological well-being. Additional research is needed to …

3 hours ago

NellyG

NellyG

Hello, and thank you for accepting me into this group. ๐Ÿ˜Š
I have COPD stage 2โ€“3, emphysema, and about 20% asthma. Today Iโ€™m feeling well, even though itโ€™s around 35ยฐC here in Ascona, Switzerland, where I live. โ˜€๐Ÿฅต
Wishing everyone a good day and looking forward to being part of this group!

8 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŸฃ๐Ÿ”ด๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ…EGGPLANT SALAD๐Ÿ…๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ”ด๐ŸŸฃ3 medium eggplant2 scallions, thinly sliced 1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes 4 small cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp. cider vinegar 2 tbsp. olive oil1/2 tsp. salt1/4 tap. pepper1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley Preheat the oven...

9 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from Hazel and Shelby! They are certainly the best of friends, and that's what youโ€™ll find here on 360Social -plenty of wonderful friends! Enjoy your day! ๐Ÿ˜€

13 hours ago

bency

bencyanswered the question Does anyone have constant Air hunger/sighing dyspnea

I have had times where I felt like I just couldn't get a satisfying deep breath and it can be exhausting. From what I've read, both COPD and anxiety can cause that feeling and sometimes they can even make each other worse. If it is happening all the time …
TJ69WildebeestMike99and 1 other also answered the question TJ69and 3 others also answered the question

17 hours ago

Melissa kelley

Melissa kelley

I was diagnosed through a CT that was being done to see how my nodule on my right lung was doing, if it changed in a ze, been a year and thank you Lord it hadn't changed in size but that is how I found out I had mild emphysema and that was after I quit smoking cigarettes and vaping synthetic weed, I was so stupid doing them vapes, I am 7 months smoke free but the thing was, the second week after my birthday in April is when I started having problems breathing

19 hours ago

Melissa kelley

Melissa kelley

I am feeling better knowing I can talk to other people here who are just like me, can I keep my mild emphysema mild for a lot of years? I am learning nutrition ideas and calories to keep my lung muscle strong and doing exercises too, I know about the pursed lip breathing because I had to learn it with my exiety plus it is the same nutrition I got with my combined hyperlipedia, double whammy right? But yes I am afraid of it getting worse and I plan on seeing a pulmonologist as soon as my medicaid is approved because I cannot afford my copays with just AARP Medicare advantage through United health, I am 56 and I need to learn more about the nutrition I need to keep up with the strong lung muscles, I am a slow learner because of a accident I was in at 3 years old and this is all new to me, I mean who would of thought you going to get mild emphysema at 56 right?,how do you guys do it, I have a rescue inhaler and I am gargle with salt water and drink a lot of water and eat the right stuff to keep the mucus thinned out so I can huff it out of my throat, that you for welcoming me here, it means a lot plus I pray to God every day, I could use some friends right now cause I feel so helpless and scared,

19 hours ago

Nancy2024

Nancy2024

I would like people who have recently used Othuvayre to give me their honest opinion of this medicine and any side effects they have had.

1 day ago

Longford

Longford

Humidity 

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Cognitive and physical limitations affect inhaler use in COPD

Ability to use inhalers correctly, breath-holding after inhalation can significantly improve treatment benefit

Miami (July 9, 2026) - Cognitive function, hand dexterity, and breathing ability play an important role in helping people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use their inhalers correctly, according to a new study. The study is published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.

Inhaled medications are commonly prescribed for people with COPD; however, studies have shown inhalers are frequently misused. This misuse can lead to inadequate medication delivery and an increase in COPD symptoms.

The multi-center INHALE (Impairments that Affect Correct Inhaler Use in COPD) study evaluated 503 people with COPD across 9 U.S. clinical sites to understand whether impaired cognitive function, manual dexterity, and inhalation ability contributed to inhaler misuse, as well as whether inhaler technique affected bronchodilation. INHALE is led by the COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium.

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

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

ANother awesome and easy recipe!! Thanks Debbie!!...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŸกPARMESAN BAKED YELLOW SQUASH๐ŸŸก2 medium yellow squashGarlic salt to tasteFreshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Place an oven rack in the center position of the oven. Preheat the...

1 day ago

ktm390

ktm390

I'm having a good day I wish everyone to have the day with air in their lungs and to try to be ok without being ok as far as limitation its unfortunately something i have to adjust to its ok to get angry its ok to be sad use this forum to sound off we understand and want to support you 





1 day ago

netmouse

netmouseanswered the question Can anyone interpret these latest blood tests

I think this needs a discussion with the medical doctors overseeing this patient.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainYay! It's Thursday! 
Wishing all of the wonderful people here on 360Social a pleasant, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

bency

bencyanswered the question Hello by a New Community Lover

Thank you all for the warm welcome! I really appreciate the kind words and friendly atmosphere. I'll definitely check out the resources under the Learn More section and look forward to learning from everyone's experiences and joining the discussions. …
das23Caroline West Virginia State Captainbrydyand 1 other also answered the question das23and 3 others also answered the question

1 day ago

ALouise

ALouiseasked the question: Can anyone interpret these latest blood tests

Can someone interpret these latest blood results and a prognosis with declining BIPAP or ventilator and choosing comfort care. Heโ€™s sleeping alot and experiencing confusion. PCO2 greater than 100 normal range 35-45 Ph level 7.27 normal 7.35 - 7.45 …

1 day ago

ChrissyLu

ChrissyLu

Is there a way for me to filter parts of the group members' conversations based on specific key issues,(dealing with anger, exhaustion, etc.?)  Since I last shared with the group, we've had a couple more ER visits; plus drive-arounds to get this dr to sign this paperwork to get the insurance to approve this medication/machine, etc.  I know you all have gone thru this.  My husband is working to grasp his dx. My dad was great at understanding medically-based anger; me--not feeling it.  The anger from  the person with the diagnosis is horrible, [as you already know] & I realize I cannot do enough to calm the anger.  I know it's not my husband's fault he has COPD; but it's not mine either; yet I don't feel I have the patience to do this   after having done this once with my mom, who is still alive,. Thanks to group suggestions, I've started getting a couple hrs help/week, have accepted my home's "reality 101" design, have reached out to a mental health counselor , & am addressing my own significant medical needs.  Today my husband & I talked with our financial advisor on how to update our DNR paperwork, etc. & I think that's what triggered today's anger.  This is not going to go away for any of us in this group, and neither is our love for our particular "patient".  How do other members in this group deal with this perplexing situation?  To repeat my question at the beginning of the post-is there a way to filter conversations such that I could find those related to a certain topic? (anger/self-care/griefing/exhaustion)?  Thx ahead of time for any responses.  I wish all of you the best in your respective journeys..

2 days ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question When to treat a flare up?

While most (70-80%) exacerbations are related to infections (half viral, half bacterial), the rest are related to irritants or other unknown factors. For the later, antibiotics have no real effect. Typically, we treat these exacerbation events with …
brydyWildebeest also answered the question brydyand 1 other also answered the question

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Managerโž— Happy Math 2.0 Day! โž•

Some math problems just can't be solved with a calculator... especially when COPD or caregiving is involved! ๐Ÿ˜„

Here's a little "COPD Math" to celebrate the day:

๐Ÿซ Oxygen tubing + one office chair = An unexpected tug-of-war.

๐Ÿ’จ One nebulizer treatment + your favorite TV show = Time well spent.

๐Ÿ” One missing inhaler + five minutes of searching = It was on the kitchen counter all along.

๐Ÿพ One curious pet + oxygen tubing = Instant obstacle course.

๐Ÿ˜‚ One good laugh + friends who understand = The best medicine for the soul.

โค One encouraging comment + this community = A reminder that none of us has to do this alone.

Now it's your turn!

If you could write your own "COPD Math" equation, what would it be?

Maybe it's...

โ˜• Coffee + a quiet morning = A great start to the day.

๐ŸŒ… Sunrise + fresh air = A moment of peace.

๐Ÿค— Grandkids + hugs = Pure joy.

๐Ÿถ Dog walks + lots of sniffing breaks = Worth every minute.

There are no wrong answersโ€”just everyday moments that add up to life.

I'd love to hear your funniest, sweetest, or most relatable "COPD Math" equation in the comments! โž•๐Ÿ’™

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ“ธ Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday: SCUD the Drama... Share the Fun! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ’™

Wednesday is SCUD Dayโ€”a day to let go of unnecessary drama and enjoy a good laugh. And honestly, I think we could all use a little more of that!

So for this week's Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday, let's take a break from the serious stuff and share something that made us smile.

๐Ÿ“ท Show us your corner of the world with a photo that's...
๐Ÿ˜‚ Funny
๐Ÿพ Adorably goofy
๐ŸŒป Unexpected
๐Ÿ˜„ Heartwarming
๐Ÿคช Or just wonderfully "only this could happen to me!"

Maybe your dog stole your chair...
Maybe a bird is giving you "the look"...
Maybe your flowers grew in a funny direction...
Or maybe you caught a family member doing something they'll never live down. (Bonus points if they gave you permission first! ๐Ÿ˜„)

The goal today is simple:
๐Ÿ’™ Share a smile.
๐Ÿ’™ Share a laugh.
๐Ÿ’™ Share a little piece of your world.

Sometimes the best way to deal with life's challenges is to pause, appreciate the little moments, and remind each other that joy can pop up in the most unexpected places.

So... what's happening in your corner of the world today? I'd love to see the funny, the beautiful, the unexpectedโ€”and everything in between! ๐Ÿ“ธ๐ŸŒŽ

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉโšซ๏ธโšซ๏ธEASY BLACK BEAN DIPโšซ๏ธโšซ๏ธ๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉTwo 14-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained 3/4 cup salsa4 garlic cloves, minced2 tsp. lime juice 1 tsp. cumin1 tsp. water1/8 tsp. salt1/4 cup minced cilantro Add everything except the cilantro to the bowl...

2 days ago

bency

bencyasked the question: Hello by a New Community Lover

Hello everyone, I'm excited to join the COPD Foundation community and wanted to introduce myself. I enjoy being part of supportive communities where people can share experiences, learn from one another, and offer encouragement. I'm here to learn more …

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Wonderful Wednesday, friends! Open up your heart and let the sunshine in! ๐ŸŒž Enjoy your day, and keep those positive vibes going strong! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

2 days ago

BlueSky

BlueSkyasked the question: When to treat a flare up?

Hello, stage one copd and asthma overlap, newish diagnosis so still learning. I have had a flare up of symptoms after being close to a petrol spill outside of my workplace. Despite noticably wheezing the doctor could hear nothing unusual with the …

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Happy newsโ€”our Governor signed two bills many of us have fought for many years to get passed:  
1.  Banning disposable electronic. smoking devices and
2.  Only FDA approved Electronic Smoking Devices can be registered & sold in our state. 
We are very pleased that these laws can help reduce all the electronic toxic waste from disposables and hopefully reduce the #s of youth who get addicted!

2 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainanswered the question Why do my symptoms return after stop using prednisone

Jalee, you didn't mention that you were on an antibiotic - is it possible that you have an infection? You may want to see if you can get an earlier appointment. Please let us know how you're doing.
Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State CaptainJaleePat from Illinoisand 3 others also answered the question Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainand 5 others also answered the question

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.