COPD360social welcomes new member Shari DeSotel who joins 63,837 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿšซโš  Be Cautious with QR Codes!

QR codes can be a quick and easy way to find information, but not all of them are safe. Scammers have started placing fake QR codes on posters, flyers, or even over legitimate ones โ€” leading to phishing sites or malware downloads.

Here are a few tips to help keep you safe:
๐Ÿ”น Only scan QR codes from trusted sources. If itโ€™s not from your doctor, pharmacy, or a reputable organization, skip it.
๐Ÿ”น Check the URL before clicking โ€” if it looks strange or unfamiliar, close it immediately.
๐Ÿ”น Avoid scanning random QR codes on public bulletin boards, parking meters, or advertisements.
๐Ÿ”น Donโ€™t enter personal or financial information after scanning a code unless youโ€™re sure the site is legitimate.
๐Ÿ”น When in doubt, type the website address manually or ask a trusted friend or caregiver for help.

Technology can make life easier โ€” but itโ€™s always good to stay cautious. ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ป

Letโ€™s keep our community safe and informed! ๐Ÿ’™

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday! Today is a day of friendship! Everyone here on 360Social can make plenty of friends! 
There are squirrels, birds, deer, and lots more critters to make friends with. When you see a wee bird out in the yard, you've made a new friend, plus realized that this little thing is actually a big thing! When you discover how wonderful this day is, please do let us hear all about it!!! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

5 hours ago

Motherof321490

Motherof321490asked the question: Can Covid cause emphysema characteristics on CT

so I was a smoker for 13 years then quit for a couple years then have smoked off and on for 5 years. I had covid several weeks back and got a chest ct 2 weeks after due to some continuing SOB and it showed a couple small 2-3 mm pulmonary nodules which …

15 hours ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question 45M - How to control crippling fear?

Fostair ( similar to Symbicort) contains a LABA ( long acting beta agonist) - one of the side effects is increased heart rate. This is linked to its mechanism of action ( the adrenergic system activates as part of the flight or fight response.... heart …
Keir123Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State CaptainGAnneand 1 other also answered the question Keir123and 3 others also answered the question

21 hours ago

Kmcnamara68

Kmcnamara68

Good morning all. Is there anyone here that is still working or were able to work to retirement? I don't have a physical job, I sit at a desk, look at computer screens and talk on the phone. Idk, I was very well controlled and physically active until flare up about a week ago. I tried to do too much around the house yesterday and I'm still paying for it

22 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends! So happy to be here, wearing a nice smile! ๐Ÿ˜€
Enjoy your day, everyone! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

I just got off the phone with CVS Caremark Specialty Pharmacy.  I had called them and left them a message to call back about my switching from one biologic to another because of side effects of intolerable muscle/joint pain.  I wanted to know whether the two auto-inject pens were similar or we needed special training because they were so different we would have difficulty in switching from administering one to administering the other.  


My local pharmacist suspected it should be similar.  The CVS specialty pharmacy also said it should be VERY similar.  They said if we have problems, they could arrange for a nurse to come to our house to help demo how to use it properly.  I said we will try on our own and if we have issues call about having them have someone help us for our 2nd administration 4 weeks from our using the new biologic.

1 day ago

Ken Hodges

Ken Hodges

I am well today starting a new program for pulmonary rehabilitation hoping and praying for good results

1 day ago

T Town

T Townanswered the question Not typical - Heartbroken - Lack of answers

I really don't have any symptoms. Very mild SoB with stairs but goes away when I exercise. Other than that it really is just my 02 levels. I've tried many inhalers and nebulizers including Spiriva. None helped at all and some actually made things worse. …
45yrcopdasthmaHIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainDebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainand 6 others also answered the question 45yrcopdasthmaand 8 others also answered the question

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

It's a nice comfy cozy meal! I hope you can dig up your recipe, Karen! Should be interesting to see the difference!...

2 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

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

I have made something similar to this in my crockpot - I'll have to find that recipe. I had forgotten about it. This one has a few more ingredients, but sounds delicious!!...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

PORK CHOPS WITH APPLE CIDER GLAZESix 6-ounce boneless center cut pork chops Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 tbsp. butter3 cloves garlic, minced1/4 cup cider vinegar 2 cups apple cider 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp....

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from my sister's house to yours! ๐Ÿ˜Š Jason and baby Miyagi would like to wish all of you a pleasant day! ๐Ÿฅฐ

2 days ago

Flamingo lady

Flamingo lady Happy fluffy Friday from sparkle the baby guinea pig ๐Ÿ˜

2 days ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question New Member

Quitting is one of the hardest things that I have ever done, but I did it, and so can you. Don't smoke, exercise, eat a well balanced diet, get plenty of rest, keep current with your vaccinations, and you will be doing all that you can to slow the …
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )Richard DJKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 2 others also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )and 4 others also answered the question

2 days ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Advice, is it likely I have Chronic bronchitis?

This sounds like sequential respiratory infections. Please see health care provider and get evaluated. In the meantime - control what you can (diet, exercise, vaccinations, exposures). Chronic bronchitis in someone your age does occur- but it pretty …
Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain also answered the question Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain also answered the question

2 days ago

Tammy88

Tammy88commented onShort of Breath After Eating

So, my understanding is that most people lose weight with COPD? I am average weight now. I don't want to get to be too thin. That scares me. ...

2 days ago

Tammy88

Tammy88

Doing ok so far today.  I've been more short of breath the last few days. Not sure if its another flare up or what.

2 days ago

JTMD173344

JTMD173344asked the question: Advice, is it likely I have Chronic bronchitis?

Hi, M28 - 4 months quit smoking - not diagnosed. Checked sputum every day after having bronchitis a year back that ended up bringing up flecks of blood. Scared me! Chest X-ray all clear. Checking everyday made me realise I had a mild smokers productive …

3 days ago

JTMD173344

JTMD173344

Hi, M28 - 4 months quit smoking - not diagnosed. Checked sputum every day after having bronchitis a year back that ended up bringing up flecks of blood. Chest X-ray all clear. Checking everyday made me realise I had a mild smokers productive cough - sputum amount about the size of pinky fingernail in morningโ€ฆ Quit smoking 4 months ago after becoming more aware of COPD - once quit phlegm turned brown then it lessened and lessened until after a month of being quit it went - I didnโ€™t cough for 3 months. Got a Peak flow meter to monitor lungs - scores went up from 600-620 at the start to 720 (650 norm for my height and age) Went on holiday recently and ended up ill, someone a couple rows in front on the plane hacking and coughing awfully - Iโ€™d been burning the candle at both ends for a month so no surprise I got ill - had noravirus/food poisoning a few weeks before so immune system probably a bit shot. Well I had a sore throat and then next day my nose was pouring and it was on my chest, fever you name it, rubbish holidayโ€ฆ didnโ€™t realise it was possible to have that much snot and phlegmโ€ฆ well on Monday itโ€™ll be 3 weeks ago since I got over the fever etc. and Iโ€™m worried because my phlegm hasnโ€™t really improved, thick stuff in the morning and clear stuff constantly through the day, is this a sign of chronic bronchitis? Like itโ€™s nearly a month since I got ill and itโ€™s still there and more than I had even when I was smoking, had a blood test and shows still have a virus, seems Iโ€™ve picked up a cold the past week as well as itโ€™s affecting my nose and ears now and chest not so much just still got the phlegm from the first illness. Either that or it just never fully went because I didnโ€™t rest properlyโ€ฆDoctors arenโ€™t concerned at all,I have anxiety as well which doesnโ€™t help. Surely if I had Chronic Bronchitis/COPD my phlegm wouldnโ€™t have disappeared after I quit smoking?? I canโ€™t keep my mind of it

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โœด๏ธCATALINA FRENCH DRESSINGโœด๏ธ1/2 cup vegetable OR canola oil1/4 cup ketchup 3 tbsp. cider vinegar 2 tbsp. sugar1/2 tsp. paprika1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. saltPlace all ingredients in a blender. Blend until emulsified and creamy. Store in an...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHurray for orange! So many wonderful friends here on 360Social! Wishing all of you a splendid day! ๐Ÿ˜€
๐ŸŸ ๐ŸŸ ๐ŸŸ GO ORANGE!๐ŸŸ ๐ŸŸ ๐ŸŸ 

3 days ago

witchyme

witchyme

Having a flare up๐Ÿ˜ž

3 days ago

Desoto

Desoto

Very tired and more short of breath. Did activities yesterday and some basic house chores today. Took a short nap but am still tired. Is this normal?

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainGood afternoon, friends! 
I went to see my eye physician today for my annual eye exam.
I cannot stress enough the importance of having this exam. If you haven't done so already, please consider having an annual exam! Remember, the eyes ๐Ÿ‘€ have it! Literally...
I was told I had the beginning of cataracts in both eyes last year. This year, the cataracts have gotten much worse. My eyeglass prescription has changed alot, as well. 
My doctor says I will need to have cataract surgery in a few years. 

3 days ago

Keir123

Keir123asked the question: 45M - How to control crippling fear?

Hi all, Happy to have found you.I donโ€™t yet have a COPD diagnosis but Iโ€™m anticipating one soon.I smoked (not cigarettes that much, but pretty heavily marijuana with tobacco) for about 10 years from 15, then more sort of social smoking for the next 10 …

3 days ago

VirginiaD

VirginiaD

Hi everyone.  I am new to the group.  I am 74 years old and have been diagnosed with COPD and emphysema.  I am on one pump and a ventolin for rescue.  Most days I feel breathless but I do lots of excersices but most important, I am a singer/entertainer and I continue to perform a few times a week.  Singing is my salvation as it really works the lungs and after a good hour of singing I feel great.  I have been referred to a resperologist clinic but I will only be going in December.  So we'll see what develops from that as they will be doing more testing.  I live in Ontario where winters are rough but I honestly love walking outside in the  winter.  I make sure to go outside everyday no matter what.  I was a smoker but stopped on my 40th birthday, a long time ago.  But the damage was done. Also, I used to entertain in bars and clubs for 20 years back in the day when everyone smoked in the clubs and of course, the smoke went right up to the stage.  I am still very grateful that at this point in my life I can still do most things without discomfort.  I feel it's coming though as in the last few months I have seen some changes in my breathing.  I am hoping that this group will keep me positive and that I can help others stay positive.  

3 days ago

ARH64

ARH64asked the question: New Member

Recently diagnosed with Chronic Emphysematous Changes. Found out yesterday. Scared that I cannot quit smoking and in general. Started Chantix this morning. Any advice out there? Is it progressive even if I quit smoking? Thanks in advance.

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.