COPD360social welcomes new member funnyface who joins 64,255 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.

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.

3 hours 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


3 hours 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

10 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHello from Smudgie Wheat! Before cleaning his face, I decided to try a holiday hat on him. Here he is! โค๐Ÿ’š

11 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainanswered the question Glue

As far as wearing a mask goes, check out RZ Mask. Go to their website. They may have a mask that's right for you. I wear one all the time. Been wearing one for 10 years now.
Dinna25 also answered the question Dinna25 also answered the question

12 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‹WARM HOLIDAY PUNCH๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‹ ***SLOW COOKER RECIPE***Punch:4 cups apple juice OR apple cider 4 cups pure cranberry juice 1/2 cup pineapple juiceJuice of 1 lemon1/4 cup sugar2 tbsp. brown sugar 1 cinnamon stick Few whole clovesFew star...

12 hours ago

ZaydeBob

ZaydeBob

I think it is Day28 of this exacerbation and I have had no improvement. I kept a cough log yesterday for 4 hours and realized I'm coughing about 1,800 times a day. I still haven't heard back from my pulmonologist. I called last Thursday. I completed two 12-day rounds with prednisone and one round of doxyclicline. 


I am very concerned that my COPD has progressed, and this is the new me. In addition to the cough, I am weak, short of breath doing daily chores. I also was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) in February, which is contributing to the weakness. In the past two years, Breztri (2 puffs twice a day) helped shorten the frequency and duration of my exacerbations. I did a search online to see if it ever loses its effectiveness, but couldn't find anything.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

13 hours ago

Memaw1965

Memaw1965answered the question Retaining CO2

I have COPD plus CO2 RETAINING. I have the Bi pap machine. I hate that thing..I wish they would just do a blood transfusion. I have panic attacks on the Bipap machine. 3yrs still going.Breathing walking.Just do what you can.Iam also on on 2l of oxygen …
PamRKandy State Captain of South Dakota tlaneand 2 others also answered the question PamRand 4 others also answered the question

17 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy terrific Tuesday, friends! 
Wishing you a pleasant, easy breathing day! Keep on smiling! ๐Ÿ˜€

18 hours ago

JeanO53

JeanO53

Finally got my flu/'COVID vaccinations today.  I usually don't wait so long, but time got away from me this year.
I had a dental appointment this morning, so I scheduled the shots at a nearby CVS (inside a Target) .  
Bonus!  They gave me coupon for $10 off a purchase of $20 or more.  

1 day ago

lazy t

lazy t

I have had a minor cold, a little coughing, but the last two days, I have been out of breath and my chest feels heavy when I breathe. I was listed as stage three years ago and have been getting along fine. this heavy feeling in my chest is new and rather worrisome.

1 day 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.

1 day 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 …

1 day 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 day 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 …

1 day ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Ohtuvayre

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

1 day ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Ohtuvayre

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

1 day 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

1 day 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, …

1 day 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...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerWishing everyone a relaxing finish of a wonderful weekend as we start our new week! 

2 days 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.

2 days 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)

2 days 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˜€

2 days 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

3 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

3 days ago

Faithlynn

Faithlynn

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

3 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

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.