COPD360social welcomes new member Nelsonda45 who joins 66,356 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Brittany Irish COPDF

Brittany Irish COPDFMedicare Open Enrollment is open today through December 7!

Reviewing your Medicare coverage can help you prepare for the year ahead.

We have resources to help you understand your options, plan for health care costs, and navigate prescription coverage.

Explore resources, including:
- A Medicare enrollment checklist
- A guide to understanding Medicare coverage
- A tool to estimate and compare costs
- Webinars and a podcast about Medicare and chronic lung conditions

Take the next step toward understanding your coverage.

Explore our Medicare resources: https://copdf.co/Medicare2026

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, everyone! Wishing you a pleasant, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ˜Š

7 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Karen, the contrast of the dark bread and the cream cheese is so nice. Yum! ...

7 hours ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

Debbie thank you for being my ftitnd ๐ŸŒน

11 hours ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

Oops Coach Brandon!  My New Zealand spelling.  Thank you for being my friend๐ŸŒน

11 hours ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

Hello Das 23, how are you going?

11 hours ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

I was trying an accept friend from Coach Brendan.  Not sure if I have achieved this correctly.  I am not up to speed with your amazing website.  For example I don't know how to post messages on the wall!  Lucy K Wellington New Zealand 

11 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

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

I've never made Boston Brown Bread, but absolutely LOVE it. But - I buy the canned version. I spread cream cheese on it and could eat 1/2 of the can all by myself. at one sitting. ...

18 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Happy Wear Something Gaudy Day! ๐Ÿฆš๐ŸŽฉ๐ŸŒˆ

Today's the day to pull out those wild colors, crazy patterns, oversized hats, and anything else that makes people stop and say, "Well, that's certainly a LOOK!" ๐Ÿ˜‚

Sometimes wearing something a little outrageous is just plain fun! It can make people smile, spark a conversation, or give us all a good laugh.

But you know what isn't gaudy? Wearing oxygen.

Whether it's a portable oxygen concentrator, a tank, or tubing across your face, there's nothing embarrassing about using something that helps you breathe easier and enjoy life.

I know that being out in public with oxygen can sometimes make people feel self-conscious. People may look, and little kids may stare or ask questions. Often, they're simply curious. And while you certainly don't owe anyone an explanation, sometimes those little moments can open the door to understanding.

I hope you'll never feel that your oxygen is something you need to hide. It's not a fashion statement. It's something that helps you keep doing the things you enjoy, and that's worth celebrating!

Now, if you want to wear a giant feathered hat, a bright striped shirt, plaid shorts, and flip-flops WITH your oxygen, well, that's another story! ๐Ÿ˜‚

So tell us, what's the gaudiest thing you've ever worn? Or better yet, do you have a picture? We'd love to see it!

Let's have a little fun today! ๐Ÿ’™

23 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends! Wishing all of you an awesome day! Make the best of every moment! โœจ๏ธ 

1 day ago

Sean P. Smith

Sean P. Smithanswered the question Everyday Life with COPD: What's Worked for You? What Are You Still Trying to Figure Out?

Sure things are little harder for us, but it just makes the good stuff that much better! First recommendation is if you haven't been to pulmonary rehabilitation call your pulmonologist TODAY. Rehab will teach you how to take better care of yourself. …
Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question

1 day ago

happy alice

happy alice

Lately i've been struggling more...out of breath quicker and with more severe breathlessness.  What's the next step? I'm currently on Symbicort and Incruse + Albuterol..have any of you improved with a prescription change?  Is it time to consider daily low-dose steroid? Has that helped you?
I'm 74 and diagnosed with emphysema 10 years ago.

1 day ago

JeanO53

JeanO53I stopped watching baseball a few years ago, but still excited about this...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŸซ๐ŸŸซ๐Ÿ”ธ๏ธBOSTON BROWN BREAD๐Ÿ”ธ๏ธ๐ŸŸซ๐ŸŸซ1/2 cup cornmeal 1/2 cup rye flour1/2 cup whole wheat flour1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. salt2 tbsp. maple syrup1/3 cup dark molasses1 cup whole milk1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup golden raisins Preheat...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from my orange boy Pumpkin Pie, aka Punkie! ๐Ÿงก Wishing everyone a very orange-y day! ๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธ

2 days ago

Shokji

Shokji

I read that there is a clinic in Germany that treats you having you inhale healing factors collected and concentrated from cultured umbilical cord stem cells. Anybody who has either gone through this treatment ? and/or wants to comment on this is welcome. 

2 days ago

Shokji

Shokji

Glad to be here as a care giver for my older brother with breathing issues. 

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Happy National Grouch Day! ๐Ÿ˜ 

Well, well, well! To all the grumblers, moaners, eye-rollers, and professional complainers out thereโ€ฆ congratulations! Today is YOUR day!

Go ahead, let out that groan, throw in a grumble, or give someone your best Oscar the Grouch impression. You've officially got permission to be grouchy today! Not that some of us needed permission. Ha!

But all kidding aside, we all have those days, don't we?

Living with COPD, caring for someone you love, or just dealing with life's ups and downs can sometimes leave you feeling tired, frustrated, or plain fed up. And you know what? That's okay!

One thing I love about our 360social community is that you don't have to show up with a smile plastered on your face. You don't have to pretend everything is wonderful when it isn't.

This is a place where you can be yourself, even on your grouchiest days!

Sometimes there's a lot more behind someone's grumble than we realize. Maybe it's a rough breathing day, a sleepless night, worry, or just having ENOUGH! And sometimes, having someone who understands, listens, or makes you laugh can turn that day around.

Believe me, I can be a grouch myself! I try not to make a career out of it, but I have my moments.

So whether you're feeling like sunshine and rainbows or Oscar the Grouch guarding his trash can, you're welcome here! That's what makes this community special. We don't have to have perfect days to be here for one another.

Now, what brings out YOUR inner grouch? Slow drivers? Someone interrupting your nap? A phone that won't stop ringing? Or someone asking what's wrong when you're just minding your own business?

Come on, let's hear those grumbles! Maybe we'll get a few good laughs out of them, too.

Happy National Grouch Day, my friends! Even if you're not in the mood to be happy about it.

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Thanks, Karen! Plenty of choices for side dishes, too! ๐Ÿ˜Š...

3 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

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

This sounds delicious!! I think I even have all the ingredients :-)...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โ™ฆ๏ธBALSAMIC HONEY CHICKENโ™ฆ๏ธTwo 5-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast halves1/2 tsp. garlic salt1/8 tap. freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. canola oil1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp. honey1/2 tsp. dried basilSprinkle the chicken with garlic...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainOh, what a wonderful thing                To wake up and hear the birds sing
I get out of bed, filled with peace and joy
I'm so happy to be alive-Oh, boy!
Simple things are the best, indeed
The simple things that all of us need.

3 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainI came across this TED video about inhalers which, although aimed at asthma, also talks about COPD. One of the things that I found very interesting was that my husband's cousin was also told by his doctor to smoke special "asthma" cigarettes, which are mentioned in this TED video as the cigarettes that Marcel Proust had to smoke in order to control his asthma. I'm glad we know better now and have better medications.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hgEorF0vyY&t=12s

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

Good evening, friends!
I saw my pulmonologist today for a follow-up visit. I am very pleased, as was the doctor. Excellent general health! Lungs were clear! He said the clearest they've been in a while! Oxygen saturation 98. Blood pressure great! Weight great! I even gave him a tip to pass along to his patients. Wearing loose clothing can be very beneficial. Sweatpants or pajama bottoms. Bulky shirts. This type of clothing does not restrict breathing. Dress for comfort...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Hi Tara! Yes, I do recommend adding the wheat germ. See if you like it. You could always eliminate it next time. I like the many health benefits wheat germ offers! ...

3 days ago

Denise24

Denise24

Hello all! I am new to this site and look forward to being in community with you.
I would like to ask โ€œ how did you know you needed oxygen?โ€ if you use it. I am not asking for medical advice but your experience.
 I have inflated lungs with a flattened diaphragm and believe Iโ€™m experiencing symptoms of low oxygen even though my oximeter shows otherwise. I have become very lightheaded to the point of  feeling Iโ€™m going to faint &/or kind of unsteady on my feet and my fingertips sometimes turn pale purple. I went to the ER back in late Sept, thinking they would perform ABG. They did not but took lots of other blood tests, X-ray and ct with results โ€œeverything looks okayโ€ and a reminder to eat smaller meals and a respiratory therapist bringing me a spirometer and quickly showing me how to use that for a breathing exercise. 
I was thinking of reaching out to my pulmonologist (last appt was end of Aug) but I just donโ€™t know.
Thank you for sharing!

3 days ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

I want to thank all of you wonderful people who read my column.  My column on Voltaren was one of the most read columns of September.

3 days ago

Tara Kloehn, COPD Foundation

Tara Kloehn, COPD Foundationcommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

I LOVE making my own granola, Debbie!! It's one of the only food preps I do... but it keeps so well in jars in the cabinet! I've never added wheat germ to mine-- do you recommend?...

3 days ago

Sean P. Smith

Sean P. Smithanswered the question Suicidal

You have yourself to live for. Please I am asking you to reach out to your doctor or even a friend or relative. Just somebody to talk to. Hell, reach out to me if you have to. That is what we are all here for - one another. COPD is a journey - not an …
Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainJeanO53and 2 others also answered the question Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainand 4 others also answered the question

3 days ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Good morning 360! I received this email and thought I would copy and paste it here, if anyone might be interested.
This is an automated email from Patient Advocate Foundation's TotalAssist Fund Notification System.
โ€ขChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Fund
โ€ข Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Fund
โ€ข Small Cell Lung Cancer Fund
โ€ข Lupus Fund
These funds are now open at PAF TotalAssist. You can apply at TotalAssist.org 
Please note: This email does not guarantee funding. Funding is limited, and disease fund statuses may change quickly. Assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to each foundation's eligibility criteria. Please contact the listed foundation to learn more.

4 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.