COPD360social welcomes new member NansDaughter who joins 65,332 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerWeโ€™re remembering someone very special to so many throughout the COPD community โ€” Pamela DeNardo.
May 15, 2026

Pam was part of the COPD Foundation family from the early days and helped shape so much of what this community became. She was a passionate advocate, a caring supporter, and a true friend to many across the COPD community.

After being diagnosed with COPD in 1999, Pam chose to use her experience to help others feel less afraid and less alone. Through advocacy work, speaking engagements, and her years with the COPD Foundation Information Line, she helped countless patients and caregivers feel heard, understood, and supported.

Pam believed deeply in the importance of connection and community. Along the way, she built meaningful friendships throughout the COPD Foundation and here on COPD360social that touched many lives.

I was grateful to learn from Pam and work alongside her for several years. She shared stories, wisdom, humor, and encouragement that truly meant a lot to me. She was one of the great ones, and she will absolutely be remembered.

We are deeply grateful for everything Pam gave to this community throughout the years, and she will be greatly missed by many friends throughout COPD360social and the COPD Foundation family.

Thank you, Pam, for your kindness, advocacy, friendship, and support.

2 days ago

DLB

DLBanswered the question Anyone else using silicone instead of vinyl cannulas?

I know this is an old post, so hope it connects with you and the group. I too am looking for a silicone one. Hating the stinky ones and really question inhaling these off gassing chemicals with lung issues to start with. Something is just wrong with this …
das23LisaG820seablue2uand 3 others also answered the question das23and 5 others also answered the question

1 hour ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

PTL from whom all blessings flow. I have been able to do without my oxygen since 1 pm today. The power went out, and when I got up, my oxygen went to 88, so I said to myself, "Well, let's see if this stabilizes. "  It did.  I have been moving slowly, but am doing well

5 hours ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )Look who I found at the American Thoracic Society meeting in Orlando!  Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainโ€‹  She'll be a featured patient speaker in the morning!

6 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainGood afternoon, everyone.
So many of you knew my beagle Freckles Joy, who had just turned 5 years old.
Sadly, Freckles passed away at 9:00 this morning. She had a brain tumor. 
Please remember her for the playful, fun-loving girl she was before this happened. 
Lots of tears here. ๐Ÿ’”

7 hours ago

Old Joe

Old Joeanswered the question Brinsupri

Thank you to all for the responses! Unfortunately, Brinsupri is not covered by my insurance and is approx. $8,000/month.
GAnneTom.EDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question GAnneand 2 others also answered the question

10 hours ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Inflammation in COPD: What You Need to Know

This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.

COPD symptoms do not always stay the same. Some people notice that their breathing gets worse over time. Others have flare-ups that happen more often or feel more serious. If your symptoms seem harder to control, inflammation may be one reason why.

Inflammation is part of your body's immune response1. It helps protect you from infection or injury. However, in COPD, inflammation in the lungs can become long-lasting and may damage your airways over time.

Understanding what is happening in your body can help you take the next step in your care.

11 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿฅณ Happy No Dirty Dishes Day! ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

Now this feels like a holiday we can all get behind.

Whether your โ€œdirty dishesโ€ are stacked in the sink, sitting in the dishwasher waiting to be unloaded for the third day in a row, or theyโ€™re the mental kind we all carry around sometimesโ€ฆ today feels like a good reminder that not everything has to be tackled at once.

Living with COPD, bronchiectasis, or caring for someone with a chronic condition can already use up a lot of energy. Some days, just getting through the day is the accomplishment. And honestly? The dishes can wait sometimes.

Maybe today is about:
๐Ÿซง Using paper plates without guilt
๐Ÿซง Letting someone else handle cleanup
๐Ÿซง Taking a few extra minutes to sit and catch your breath
๐Ÿซง Clearing out a little mental clutter along with the kitchen clutter
๐Ÿซง Or simply laughing at the mystery container in the back of the fridge weโ€™re all pretending not to notice

So tell usโ€ฆ whatโ€™s YOUR strategy for surviving the dish pile?
Do you power through it? Avoid eye contact with the sink? Bribe family members? Declare it โ€œfuture youโ€™s problemโ€? ๐Ÿ˜„

And if your energy is low today, remember โ€” taking care of yourself counts as productive too! ๐Ÿ’™

13 hours ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State CaptainMonday Morning Music.
It's a Beautiful Morning - The Rascals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJqjlFGZxtE

14 hours ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragonThinking these days more of the past,,not the present or the future.Anyone else there too? I swear if my mind was an elevator l would be stuck in the parkade most days.Must be triggered by the present situation l guess but last night's dream was my very first smoke,a Sweet caparal unfiltered in my treehouse probably 60 years ago.Does not hurt l guess to go back and remember where you come from to see how to got to where you are.
Have a great day all..

14 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday! Wishing everyone out there in 360Social Land a wonderful, easy breathing day! Smiles all around! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

19 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿซ’THE ULTIMATE OLIVE DIP๐Ÿซ’8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup mayonnaise One 9-ounce jar pimento stuffed green olives, drained and diced. (Save 1 tbsp. of the olive brine)1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. black...

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ€ Happy Pack Rat Day COPD360social! ๐Ÿ€

Okayโ€ฆ time for some honesty. ๐Ÿ˜„

If youโ€™ve ever kept:
โ€ข an inhaler โ€œjust in caseโ€
โ€ข oxygen tubing that might still be useful someday
โ€ข 47 instruction sheets for machines you no longer own
โ€ข a drawer full of pulse oximeter batteries
โ€ข or enough reusable grocery bags to survive a small apocalypseโ€ฆ

โ€ฆyou may officially qualify as a certified Pack Rat. ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿ’จ

Living with COPD, caring for someone, or helping a loved one often means we hold onto things because theyโ€™ve helped us through tough days before. Sometimes itโ€™s medical suppliesโ€ฆ sometimes itโ€™s comfort itemsโ€ฆ and sometimes itโ€™s that one mystery charger nobody can identify but nobody dares throw away. ๐Ÿ˜…

So today, letโ€™s have some fun with it:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Whatโ€™s the most โ€œpack ratโ€ thing youโ€™ve kept around your house?
๐Ÿ‘‰ Is there an item you absolutely refuse to part with?
๐Ÿ‘‰ Or do you have a drawer, cabinet, or closet that has officially become a โ€œDO NOT OPENโ€ zone?

Bonus points if it involves oxygen tubing, nebulizer parts, coupons from 2009, or a snack stash hidden from the family. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Wishing everyone an easygoing Sunday filled with smiles, lighter moments, and maybe just a tiny bit of organizingโ€ฆ maybe. ๐Ÿ’™

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

My daughter has come for a visit for a few days.  Today we're going on a 6 hour Casino Boat cruise from Port Canaveral -  we won the tickets.  I've never done that and it should be fun.  And then tomorrow we're headed to Orlando for the ATS (American Thoracic Society) International Conference where I've been asked to be a patient speaker on a panel.  I'm looking forward to visiting the COPD Foundation's booth in the Exhibition Hall and a few others.  I'll be back home Wednesday evening.

1 day ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragonDeep unstruggled breathing for all today.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday to all of our friends! You are a beautiful, shining star. ๐ŸŒŸ Each and every one of you.
Keep moving forward, and shine on! โญ

1 day ago

JustCat64

JustCat64

Hello

1 day ago

TDBart

TDBart

Better today than I was doing the last couple of days. 
I think the shock of getting this diagnosis still looming heavy on my heart. I feel like I have been put on a island & dumped. 
It's my own doing, I totally understand that. I don't know why I am even so devastated by it. When I had to put down how many years I had been smoking I couldn't believe it had been 45 years. I used to say that when I lived past the age my mom was when she passed that then I will quit.21 years sure freaking went quick. 

1 day ago

kath.r

kath.ranswered the question "Severely Reduced DLCO"

Sounds exactly like me. Delco is at 34,% , but my oxygen is 93-95. I'm very sob.
AnonymouscreekgirlMinuteman3and 4 others also answered the question Anonymousand 6 others also answered the question

2 days ago

klh@chvwtx

klh@chvwtx

I'm doing OK. Just got my treadmill yesterday to start a walking program. As hot and humid as it gets here in southeast Texas I know I won't be able to do too many outdoor activities over the next 4 or 5 months with my COPD. I'm 72 and diagnosed in 2025. I live alone having lost my wife in 2019. I play golf until it gets too hot, bowl leagues 2 nights a week, do my own yard work, and take care of all the house chores. Looking forward to using the website as I start my journey with my treadmill.

2 days ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragon

Hope every one can have the best day possible,live love laugh and repeat.

2 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onThe Breath Gap: How COPD Affects Women Differently

Thank you for your openness about your stories of diagnosis and living with COPD. ...

2 days ago

Evelyn L

Evelyn Lanswered the question Ohtuvayre usage

I've been using ohtuvayre and trelegy for one year and my breathing is getting to be bad. Not sure what to do
Webbgirl028Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State CaptainJonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education) also answered the question Webbgirl028and 2 others also answered the question

2 days ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captaincommented onThe Breath Gap: How COPD Affects Women Differently

Thank you all for telling your storues. Great job! โค๏ธ...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends!
There's always a sign telling us that our day will be an awesome one! Enjoy your day! Keep on smiling, and do something you love! Goodness lies within us. Let all the goodness out and share it with everyone! ๐Ÿ˜Š

2 days ago

das23

das23commented onThe Breath Gap: How COPD Affects Women Differently

I'll second that--Nice jobs girls...

2 days ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question vented propane heat source

we checked on the whoke house generator, very pricey. We had hvac come out they will remove our old fireplace and put in a new one vented, we have a generator that will run a lamp and tv, so we are grateful to have what God is giving us.I wonโ€™t have to …
6ft PixieKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question 6ft Pixieand 1 other also answered the question

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onThe Breath Gap: How COPD Affects Women Differently

Thank you for telling your stories, ladies!...

3 days ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article The Breath Gap: How COPD Affects Women Differently

This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.

For many years, COPD was seen as a "man's disease", but that may not be the truth.1 Every day, more women are getting diagnosed with COPD, and the numbers keep going up.2 New studies are showing that more women than men have COPD.2

During National Women's Health Week, we are sharing how women may have a different experience with COPD than men. Women may have different symptoms and provider interactions. They face unique challenges, and their voices matter. We are also highlighting three COPD Foundation Captains, who are working to bring change and to raise awareness.

3 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Well, today was pretty interesting, for sure. I wore my POC (Inogen Rove6) as usual. Two different women commented on it and how much smaller and lighter than tanks. I agreed that they have some advantages but after wearing awhile just seem to get heavier. 


The other woman said her mom was just put on O2 and wishes her mom would use it & be out & about but sadly doesnโ€™t think her mom will. 


Both were curious about my POC and I happily shared. It allowed me to  keep up with H and my friends, as we are travelingโ€”NYC, Finland, Estonia and now Stockholm. Next Denmark and Norway and Tokyo. 

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.