COPD360social welcomes new member Liz K who joins 64,243 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐ŸŽง Have you checked out our COPD Foundation podcast library yet?

Itโ€™s a wonderful way to stay informed, hear from experts, and connect with real experiences from across our community. Whether youโ€™re a patient, caregiver, or simply someone wanting to learn more about lung health, youโ€™ll find thoughtful, easy-to-understand conversations waiting for you.

Our newest episodes -- along with many past favorites -- offer a wide range of topics, including:

Spotting early signs of flare-ups
Helpful guidance on what to watch for, when to take action, and how to stay ahead of changes in your breathing.

Real stories from those using oxygen therapy
Encouraging conversations that share day-to-day experiences, practical tips, and the comfort of hearing from others who truly understand.

Insights from doctors and respiratory therapists
Clear explanations about treatments, self-management strategies, and the science behind lung health, all shared in a supportive way.

Womenโ€™s lung health and lesser-known conditions
Discussions on topics like Alpha-1, how symptoms may differ, and why getting the right diagnosis matters.

Intimacy, relationships, and emotional well-being
Honest episodes exploring how chronic illness can affect connection, communication, and the personal side of life.

โœจ These podcasts are designed to inform, empower, and remind you that youโ€™re not alone. If youโ€™re ready to listen, catch up on past episodes, or discover a new favorite, you can explore them all here:

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Podcasts-Events.aspx

COPD Health Podcast Series | COPD Foundation

The COPD Podcast is a new health podcast series dedicated to raising awareness for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and helping guide those affected by the condition so they can live their best lives.

9 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainanswered the question Glue

What are you using the glue for? Have you tried a hot glue gun? For craft projects, I used a hot glue gun frequently, several years ago. The glue sticks did not have a strong odor back then.

10 minutes ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Is 500 mg daily of Turmeric Safe?

I used 500mgs. but I never noticed any difference so im not sure it really does much, at least in my case.

19 minutes ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Heat source

I am rural & heat with propane. other than being stupid expensive I havent noted any issues with it. That being said, power outages here are frequent & long! the furnaces while they use propane, dont work without electricity so everyone around …
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

30 minutes ago

Dinna25

Dinna25asked the question: Glue

Hi all I have got to use Glue most Glues have fumes anybody suggest a safe one thats less likely to irritate lungs. Was using Super Glue but have been advised against it, although I have not had any adverse reaction to it. Its a hobby i have done for …

58 minutes ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

The air inside buildings, which is crucial for health, comfort, and productivity, often contains higher pollutant levels (like VOCs, mold, CO, dust, radon) from household products, activities, and outdoor pollution.  This in turn impacts occupants with headaches, fatigue, allergies, or serious diseases. Improvement relies on ventilation, cleanliness, and controlling pollutant sources like smoke from tobacco and other sources, chemicals, and moisture.

1 hour ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Heat source

Hey everyone, this question doesnโ€™t have anything to do with meds, itโ€™s a question of heat source, we have had 2 2 Snowfall in the last week, my husband and myself get quiet worked op what we would if we lost power. We have all electric, we had our …

4 hours ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Ohtuvayre

Thank you Tom
Tom.E also answered the question Tom.E also answered the question

4 hours ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Ohtuvayre

is anyone taking Ohtuvayre, if so did you have any side effects of mood changes

7 hours ago

Keir123

Keir123answered the question PFT findings -air trapping, any comments?

Thanks everyone. I think re the monitoring, I'm probably somewhere in the middle - I do O2 sats often (often hang around 97/98, but sometimes 93/94 without apparent rhyme or reason), I have a spirometer but I've never used it for fear of worse results! I …
JazzybeanWildebeestKarinaDKand 2 others also answered the question Jazzybeanand 4 others also answered the question

7 hours ago

Linda Sulewski

Linda Sulewskiasked the question: Is 500 mg daily of Turmeric Safe?

I've been researching various supplements to help with my joint and back pain. I have thoracic scoliosis plus Gerd (which both affect my breathing) and cannot take Advil and Tylenol doesn't do it for me. I'm on Trelegy, Prilosec, Fosinopril, Crestor, …

10 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ”ดCRANBERRY SMOOTHIE๐Ÿ”ด1 medium banana, broken into chunks20 frozen cranberries 6 frozen strawberries 1 3/4 cups pure cranberry juice 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. grated fresh gingerPlace all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.Enjoy...

12 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainMay your Monday be pretty as a picture!
Have a magnificent Monday, friends! ๐Ÿ˜€

16 hours ago

Bob Haller

Bob Haller

Hello! I am new to this site but not new to COPD. I was officially diagnosed about 15 years ago and was warned I was on my way to emphysema long before that. I am finally at the point where enough is enough. I am tired of NOT being able to do what I want or anything for that matter. I have asthmas as well and diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and many other things. It is time to fight back but I have no energy ever. When I do get energy and do something it costs me for several days after being sore and exhausted. Having trouble keeping my O2 at or above 90% where the Dr. wants me to be. Just frustrating to me. I hope I find what would help me on here. I already read the information section and have learned more in 1 day than I have ever. Right now my biggest issue is breathing in the cold weather. Scarfs etc create anxiousness for me. I am looking into pollution respirators right now. Does anyone know if these help in the cold by warming the air some before breathing it in? Thanks in advance for any help given.

1 day ago

Abeba

AbebaFrom Heartbreak to Action: A Pathway Forward

Dear COPD360 community,

Thank you for the heartfelt responses to Destaโ€™s story. Your question โ€” โ€œWhat can we do?โ€ โ€” is where hope begins.
In my region, non-smoking women carry the highest burden of COPD โ€” mainly not from tobacco, but from a lifetime of cooking over woodfires. For them, a spirometer is a rumor and home oxygen remains out of reach.
I joined this community to find partners in creating real change. Many of you have the resources, voice, and connections to turn awareness into action.
Here is how we can work together:
1. AWARENESS THAT REACHES THE KITCHEN
Help create local-language materials to teach families about the link between woodsmoke and lung disease.
2. ACCESS TO CLEAN COOKING SOLUTIONS
Partner to bring safe, affordable stoves to high-risk villages.
3. DIAGNOSTIC DIGNITY
My university hospital has no pulmonary unit or spirometer, despite high respiratory disease burdens. We need equipment and training.
4. RESEARCH TO DRIVE ADVOCACY
I plan to study COPD in non-smoking women, documenting fuel use and lung function. Local evidence is vital for policy change.
5. OXYGEN AS A HUMAN RIGHT
Many women remain in the hospital simply because they cannot access oxygen at home. If anyone has connections to oxygen-access projects suited for rural or low-resource settings, I would welcome a conversation If you have expertise, organizational ties, funding leads, or simply the will to help โ€” please message me or comment below. I am ready to collaborate.
Even sharing this post spreads visibility.
Desta asked, โ€œLet me go home. โ€Together, we can help bring her โ€” and thousands like her โ€” home to breath, dignity, and life.
(Image credit: John Doe / CC BY 4.0)

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday! 
Remember, you can always make your own sunshine! โ˜€
Keep a smile on your face, and you'll always be in the right place! ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

Wildebeest

Wildebeestanswered the question What causes short sharp pains in the right lung?

I get this in my left lung. It has happened for years. The pain makes it hard to take a full breath in. It usually lasts for a maximum of 5 or 10 minutes and then vanishes as suddenly as it arrived. Sometimes I can tolerate the pain enough to force a …
brydy also answered the question brydy also answered the question

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends! I hope you all have a wonderful day, filled with sunshine and joy! ๐Ÿ˜€โค๐Ÿ’š

2 days ago

Faithlynn

Faithlynn

Hello everyone new to this all and trying to understand this copd 

2 days ago

Dinna25

Dinna25answered the question Can COPD be cured/reversed?โ€‹

Shar_bear0608 Welcome, A month / 5 weeks ago I was afraid just like you have said, but try not to be. I personally have found that the exercises reduce the sob, I am fully aware we are all different and copd effects us all different. I am no expert …
Caroline West Virginia State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

3 days ago

ZaydeBob

ZaydeBobasked the question: What causes short sharp pains in the right lung?

I'm in the midst of a long exacerbation (23 days and counting). This afternoon, I started having short duration, sharp pains in my right lung. I'm still waiting for my pulmonologist to get back to me. Besides the acute bronchitis, I still have a sinus …

3 days ago

john87

john87answered the question Has anyone here used OnlineGenericMedicine in India to purchase their inhalers?

WARNING: THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM FROM INDIA!!! They stole my money. They scam everyone, just look them up on Google. Nobody receive their order. All the reviews are fake.
Sundowner37Jean IA State CaptainSDMand 1 other also answered the question Sundowner37and 3 others also answered the question

3 days ago

EbonySuede

EbonySuede

Karen Deitemeyer, it was a pleasure to have met you the other day and thanks for all the hardwork and advocacy you do

3 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerMy Hearts & Pawprints Fluffy Friday โ€” this is my sweet Maks.

He joined our family during a difficult time, a therapy dog gifted to my mom when she moved back to Arkansas after her husband passed. And somehow, he ended up bringing comfort to all of us.

Heโ€™d wait for me when he knew I was on my way โ€” watching, dancing when he saw my car, howling with joy, guiding me into the driveway, and wrapping me up in his version of a hug.

We were blessed to have those years with him. A truly special soul. Lucky to share his memory.

3 days ago

Dr SK Chhabra

Dr SK Chhabra

Thank you. Pleasure to be here. I am a Chest specialist from New Delhi

3 days ago

ZaydeBob

ZaydeBob

Hi Folks,  I was diagnosed with COPD 3 years ago.  I started using Breztri 2 years ago and it really helped reduce the frequency and duration of my exacerbations. However, I'm now on Day 23 of one despite having been on Doxy for 12 days and prednisone for 22 days. I'm still coughing constantly. I'm very short of breath and weak. These are also new symptom manifestations. I think my COPD has progressed. My pulmonologist is not ordering a new lung function test, as it has only been 9 months since the last one. 
Delsym and Mucinex are helping somewhat.

My weakness is partly caused by Thrombocytopenia. My platelet count has slowly dropped since February and is now at 92,000. The docs still don't know the cause of it. I have to wait a week after finishing the prednisone before they can do more lab work and give me a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Are there others here with Thrombocytopenia?

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โœด๏ธFESTIVE RICEโœด๏ธ1 1/4 cups water1 cup Basmati rice 2 1/2 tbsp. olive oil, divided 1 lime zest strip, 1 inch wide3/4 tsp. salt, divided 1 cup whole raw almonds 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped1/4 cup dried cranberries 2 cups fresh...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainJump for joy!!! It's Fluffy Friday! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Freckles Joy and Hazel Madeline are so happy to see their Mommy coming in to clean up their toys. Time to clean out all the mangled toys to make room for the new ones Santa is sure to bring! ๐ŸŽ… ๐Ÿ˜‰

3 days ago

Shar_Bear0608

Shar_Bear0608asked the question: Can COPD be cured/reversed?โ€‹

Does COPD have a cure? Can it be reversed? Can I do everything I used to do before my diagnosis (exercise/running/yoga)? I think ever since my diagnosis Iโ€™ve become very scared to do physical activities thinking I will get out of breath.

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.