COPD360social welcomes new member Greg Thibodeau who joins 64,271 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Happy December, 360social!

Weโ€™ve officially entered the season of twinkly lights, cozy blankets, and wondering how it's already dark at 4:30 pm. But even with the holiday hustle, this month is a great reminder of everything we can do -- COPD or not.

Sure, we might pace ourselves a little differently, but look at us:
๐ŸŽ„ Still conquering the cold one carefully planned outing at a time
๐ŸŽ Still showing up for each other with support, humor, and the occasional โ€œDid I really just do that?โ€ moment
โ›„ Still finding ways to make the season bright -- inhalers and all

Letโ€™s celebrate the wins this month, big and small:
โœจ Wrapped a gift? Victory!
โœจ Chose rest over stress? Gold star!
โœจ Managed to avoid glitter while decorating? Youโ€™re basically a holiday wizard.
โœจ Stayed warm, hydrated, and breathing easier today? Thatโ€™s the best gift of all.

December isnโ€™t about limitations -- itโ€™s about doing things in our own style. And this community does that beautifully.

Wishing everyone a month of gentle laughs, warm moments, successful pacing, and zero surprises involving fruitcake! ๐Ÿ’™๐ŸŽ„๐Ÿ˜„

1 day ago

JeanO53

JeanO53answered the question Dry mouth

Between inhalers and supplemental oxygen, I struggle with dry mouth as well, It's ongoing. I drink lots of water throughout the day and always have a lozenge, cough drop or gum handy. I use TheraBreath lozenges most of the time, plus Jakeman's peppermint …
HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question

23 minutes ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Flying first time with POC

Yes, always ask EACH airline you are flying on what their requirements are (preferably before buying your ticket), so you donโ€™t have any surprises. There are forms that each airline can require and you can be refused boarding if you donโ€™t have correct …
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainJeanO53das23 also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captainand 2 others also answered the question

1 hour ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Dry mouth

Foes anyone else have issues with their inhaler giving them dry mouth. I have been using act dry mouth for years but just donโ€™t seem to work. What are some other to use ThankGAnnes

1 hour ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question LLN OR 70%

Follow Karen;s advice.
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

3 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question Anyone Have AFIB and COPD

Hi Jack, I am sorry that you are having issues with AFIB. I also have AFIB and COPD. My pulmonologist and my cardiologist work together to find what works best for me. You may have to fire one of your physicians until you find 2 that will work together …

3 hours ago

jackie 82

jackie 82answered the question Problems with blood pressure medication

Hi Caroline, this is so true: โ€œWhat the heart likes, the lungs do notโ€ I have been suffering for 15 months now, trying to get heart meds and lung medications that work together. Perhaps one day I will tell this story here; it may help others coming into …
Caroline West Virginia State Captaindas23 also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

5 hours ago

jackie 82

jackie 82answered the question Retaining CO2

You may wish to inquire about the APAP breathing apparatus, designed to assist COPD patients experiencing CO2 retention. The Non-Invasive Ventilator (NIV) is covered by Medicare; however, a prescription will be required. Acclimating to this device can …
Memaw1965PamRKandy State Captain of South Dakota and 3 others also answered the question Memaw1965and 5 others also answered the question

5 hours ago

jackie 82

jackie 82asked the question: Anyone Have AFIB and COPD

Hi Folks, I am a long-time COPD patient, having endured this condition for 25 years. Recently, my heart has also become a significant concern. I was cautioned that this is often the trajectory for individuals with chronic COPD; the heart tends to falter …

6 hours ago

HeRaisesThemFromThePit

HeRaisesThemFromThePitasked the question: LLN OR 70%

Hi, I recently had a pulmonary function test and Iโ€™m hoping to get some clarification. I am a 49-year-old Caucasian woman, 167 cm tall. My PFT results were: FEVโ‚: 90% predicted FVC: 103% predicted (I have practiced yoga breathing exercises for about 20 …

6 hours ago

Dinna25

Dinna25answered the question Rescue pack

Hi all dunno what yesterday was about but all good today. Back on track with training maybe not quiet so hard. Thank you all for your advice
Caroline West Virginia State CaptainbrydyDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 2 others also answered the question

8 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerI want to take a moment today to share something meaningful about our friend and longtime community champion, John Linnell. Many of you knew John from his years of advocacy, humor, wisdom, and the steady kindness he brought to every corner of COPD360social and the broader respiratory community. His impact reached far beyond our Foundation, touching people all over the world.

The European Lung Foundation (ELF), where John served as a patient advocate, shared the following message about his passing and the special way they plan to honor him:

โ€œWe were very saddened here at ELF to hear about the death of John Linnell, one of our patient advocates who recently contributed to the core outcome set for pneumonia trials.
To honour John's memory, we plan to create a memory wall on the ELF website, similar to the other memory walls you can view. This will be a space to celebrate John's life and the impact he had on our community.
If you would like to contribute a memory or message for John's wall, please send it to me. Your stories and reflections will help us pay tribute to John and the impact he had.

With very many thanks,
Clare โ€

ELF has also created a dedicated page where you can view the memory wall for John and read the heartfelt reflections already being shared.


Visit the memory wall: https://europeanlung.org/en/memory-wall/

John gave so much of himselfโ€”his time, his insight, and his heartโ€”to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered. If you would like to share a memory, a message, or simply a few words about what John meant to you, youโ€™re welcome to reach out directly using the instructions from ELF.

To share a memory, you can email Clare Williams from ELF at the email: clare.williams@ersnet.org

Letโ€™s come together to celebrate the friend, advocate, and bright light he was to all of us.

10 hours ago

bleuj2j

bleuj2j

Okay Then..... Happy Holidays.

13 hours ago

bleuj2j

bleuj2j

10:41 am Florida time.

13 hours ago

bleuj2j

bleuj2j

is anybody here today Dec 11th 2025?

13 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŸข๐Ÿ”ด๐ŸŸกSPINACH TOMATO EGG BITES๐ŸŸข๐Ÿ”ด๐ŸŸกA great way to start your day! ๐Ÿ˜€1 cup cottage cheese8 large eggs1/4 tsp. salt1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. finely minced garlic 1/2 cup fresh spinach, sliced 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, dicedPreheat...

16 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Thursday to a wonderful group of people! I hope you're all having a good day so far!
Easy breathing and lots of smiling is the way our day is bound to be!!! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜€

20 hours ago

SunnyJ

SunnyJasked the question: Flying first time with POC

I was just diagnosed with moderate emphysema. No daily 02 yet. I took a flight simulation test that resulted in need to fly with POC supplemental oxygenโ€” I love traveling and have flown to Europe every year for many years and so I feel devastated to have …

1 day ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State CaptainMy corner of the world was expanded during the Covid years.  Long solo drives to interesting places.  This pic is from an adventure in Joshua Tree National Park.  

1 day ago

Tara Shedor, COPDF Communications

Tara Shedor, COPDF CommunicationsToday's Oxytalk Social Hour has been cancelled. We'll see you in the New Year! Questions about oxygen therapy or our monthly social group? Contact Mike at oxygen360@copdfoundation.org

1 day ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Is 500 mg daily of Turmeric Safe?

I have not heard of specific issues with Tumeric ( but also not much in the way of benefits). Have you tried TENS? The newer units are inexpensive, have multiple options, and have worked pretty well for my patients with musculoskeletal problems. I even …
brydy also answered the question brydy also answered the question

1 day ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Glue

I'm not sure masks would help against these types of fumes (they would go right through). Improving ventilation in your work space is probably the best option ( fan blowing fumes away from you. In "professional" settings people use ventilation hoods that …
DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainDinna25 also answered the question DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State CaptainFrom my Neck of the Woods

Winter wonderland.  View from my kitchen window yesterday.

1 day ago

Dinna25

Dinna25asked the question: Rescue pack

Hi all Iv got up with the lurgy thumping head throat really sore off food. Dr wont give rescue pack cause my chest and lungs are clear. Is this right? I have bought the chemist lol, and resting plenty of fluids. No exercise today just cannot do it. …

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŸค๐Ÿ”ดโšช๏ธSIMPLE PEPPERMINT BARK๐ŸŸค๐Ÿ”ดโšช๏ธ6 candy canes9 ounces dark chocolate chips1/2 tsp. peppermint extract Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.Place candy canes in a gallon size plastic zipper bag. Seal the bag closed. Place on the...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Wednesday, friends!
May today be merry and bright
Your thoughts be positive and light
A smile to be seen by all
Standing up proud and tall! 

1 day ago

Viper

Viper

Hi Iโ€™m a 63 year old male veteran and I have COPD. Iโ€™m not sure what to think or do.


I was diagnosed 3 years ago and have been using Albuterol via a nebulizer and a rescue inhaler. I also use an add on called Otuvayre (ensifentrine).


Iโ€™m not coping with my diagnosis well even though itโ€™s been three years. Maybe because I need to find people who are in the same boat.


The first positive step is I found this forum.


I think Iโ€™m just doing this post so I can find people who I can share my ups and downs with.

2 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53

Today is a work day for me- Iโ€™ve been working on my laptop all afternoon, mostly responding to and sending follow up emails.  I stopped and looked up and it was completely dark outside.  I yawned and thoughtโ€ฆ Wow, the day really flew by.  I wondered what time it was.  My watch said 4:30.  It feels like 9:00 pm. Ugh ๐Ÿ˜ฉ 
Iโ€™m definitely someone affected by the lack of sunshine and blue skies.  Iโ€™m hoping for a day with sunshine ๐ŸŒž at least one day this week, otherwise Iโ€™m ready to hibernate for a few weeks.  ๐Ÿ˜ด
I knowโ€ฆ gotta keep on keeping on ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™€๏ธโ€โžก


2 days ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Heat source

Im glad you are getting a generator Ganne, its one of those things that you will be grateful for when/if the power goes out. I know the whole home generators are very expensive & require an electrician to put in switches etc but if its something u …
GAnneDebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question GAnneand 2 others also answered the question

2 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.