COPD360social welcomes new member trucknjosie who joins 66,278 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿ“ป Come in, COPD360socialโ€ฆ do you copy?

Today is National 10-4 Day! In CB radio lingo, โ€œ10-4โ€ means message received.

And with COPD, some messages are too important to ignore.

Sometimes the message comes from your body:

๐ŸŸข Breathing feels like my usual today. โ€” 10-4. Keep doing what works.

๐ŸŸก Iโ€™m more short of breath, coughing more, more tired than usual, my mucus has changed, or Iโ€™m needing my rescue medicine more often. โ€” 10-4. Message received. Check your COPD Action Plan and follow the steps you and your healthcare team have set for worsening symptoms. Donโ€™t wait for things to get much worse before reaching out.

๐Ÿ”ด Iโ€™m having severe trouble breathing, canโ€™t catch my breath, feel confused or unusually drowsy, have chest pain, or something feels seriously wrong. โ€” Thatโ€™s an urgent message. Follow your Action Plan and seek emergency medical help when symptoms are severe or life-threatening.

Fall can send us messages, too. ๐Ÿ‚ Colder temperatures, changing air quality, respiratory illnesses, and weather changes can all be reminders to stay prepared.

And sometimes we need to send the message. Tell your caregiver or healthcare team clearly: โ€œSomething has changed. This is what Iโ€™m noticing, and this is when it started.โ€

The COPD Action Plan gives us a roadmap, but the first step is recognizing the message.

๐Ÿ“ป Listen to your body. Notice changes. Speak up. Know when to act.

When COPD sends you a messageโ€”10-4. Message received.

This is general educational information and isnโ€™t a substitute for medical advice. Follow your personal COPD Action Plan and instructions from your healthcare team.



Over and out. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Downloads.aspx#MyCOPDActionPlan

COPD Foundation Educational Materials

The COPD Foundation educational library has a variety of useful booklets, flyers, and tools that you can download to help you learn more about living and thriving with COPD โ€“ everything from the basics of lung conditions to specific topics such as exercise and exacerbations (flare-ups).

6 hours ago

Mark Luttmann, COPDF Research

Mark Luttmann, COPDF ResearchCARDINAL COPD Study

Cold season is unavoidable. But if youโ€™re living with COPD, you donโ€™t have to just wait and hope for the best. The CARDINAL study is researching a potential treatment to help reduce the effects of rhinovirus (the common cold) on people with COPD.

See if you or a loved one may qualify: https://copdcardinalstudy.com/join

Join the CARDINAL Study to Advance the Future of COPD Care

Discover if a clinical trial aiming to reduce the impact of cold and breathing symptoms in people with COPD is right for you.

3 days ago

thehlk

thehlk

Hi, everyone! I had my PFT about a month ago and it was pretty ok, so I am trying to take your advice and just LIVE! Iโ€™m back to work at school, and taking my antidepressant - the crying has gone down considerably, but still having a lot of anxiety. At this point I know it is somewhat irrational. I am fine right now. And anything can happen over the next 10 to 20 to 30 years. Not sure why I just canโ€™t shake it off. I tried to set my classroom up to try to keep a bit of a distance between me and the kids. I may set up an air purifier and a fan blowing out into the hallway. I want so badly to be able to keep my job! But not at the expense of continuing to get bronchitis every year! Hope everyone is doing well. ๐Ÿฅฐ

20 minutes ago

das23

das23answered the question Found out what is wrong with me.

Good luck JHutton94. Glad you got some help here

3 hours ago

JHutton94

JHutton94asked the question: Found out what is wrong with me.

Turns out at some point I had had a subendocardial heart attack and have heart failure as a result. Taken several years to get a diagnosis. It's frightening really. It would be at any age for sure but at 31 it's even more frightening. Thanks for the …

8 hours ago

JacqieH

JacqieH

Im trying to get it together after being  hospitalized for a copd exacerbation.

12 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, everyone! Wake up with a positive outlook! Today is going to be one of my best days ever! I am sparkling, glowing, and shining! 
When you look in the mirror, you can say I am beautiful on the inside and on the outside! 
๐Ÿ˜Š โค ๐Ÿชž 

15 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Has anyone been involved in stem cell treatments? I understand there is no hard evidence.

Hereโ€™s the link about the FDA approval. https://www.ampulmonary.com/copd/article/22974642/fda-approves-study-of-inhaled-stem-cell-therapy-for-copd
Sean P. SmithPatrick MooseUpstate NY Mikeand 3 others also answered the question Sean P. Smithand 5 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captain

Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainanswered the question Advair HFA anyone?

I have COPD and asthma and have used Advair in the past. I also use Combivent Respimat (currently as a rescue inhaler) and Breztri is my maintenance inhaler. I have severe COPD, however.
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends! Wishing you a day filled with things you enjoy the most!

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captaincommented onOxygen Access For Life

 In September, I beta tested a POC that is about the size and weight of an Inogen Rove6 that produces similar amounts of O2 PLUS 1.2 liters/minute of continuous flow. This is a development I find personally exciting as I need continuous flow O2 for...

1 day ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

I am good. I have been in holiday.  Lucy k from Wellington New Zealand 

1 day ago

The Merritts

The Merrittsanswered the question Has anyone tried the Carda Health at home rehab ?

I found this company online myself, searching for physiotherapy near us after my husband received his Bronchiectesis diagnosis. Getting medical approval from his pulmonologist took months but all Carda Health staff were patient and diligent. Once …
Splash4175 also answered the question Splash4175 also answered the question

2 days ago

John-boy

John-boyanswered the question I have COPD and a lung infection. Is it common to get these infections two or three times a year

Iโ€™m 72 and was diagnosed with COPD last year. As of yet Iโ€™ve not had a lung function test. My symptoms usually start with a sinus infection which soon travels to my lungs. Heavy congestion with the coughing up of yellow, beige or green phlegm. I usually …
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question

2 days ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captaincommented onSigning Up for Medicare: What You Need to Know

Thanks Jonnie, I hate insurance. It seems they try to be as confusing as possible....

2 days ago

das23

das23

Remembering our friend Ed ( edpe77 ) who we lost 5 years ago today.  Ed helped us all live  a little better with COPD. I'm sure he's up there still cranking out those puzzles ๐Ÿ™โœŒ

2 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onSigning Up for Medicare: What You Need to Know

Thanks Jonnie - Excellent article! I just received my "Annual Notice of Change" for my Advantage Plan and there definitely are quite a few changes, so I'll be comparing it to the other plan offered in my area this year. In the past the one I...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

PEANUT BUTTER-PUMPKIN SPREAD1/4 cup creamy peanut butter1/4 cup canned pumpkin purรจe 2 tbsp. maple syrup 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice OR cinnamonIn a small glass bowl, mix together the peanut butter and pumpkin purรจe, stirring until...

2 days ago

KazB

KazB

Glad I have found this community. My dad is end stage emphysema and refusing to go to hospital even although the doctor and respiratory nurse have tried to guide him on that route. Hasn't washed for months, barely eating and fluid intake has dramatically decreased the last few days. Doctor has prescribed anti-biotics and steroids (again), but doesn't think he has an infection especially as he showed no improvement on them two and a half weeks ago. He fell on Saturday night and is struggling to get to the toilet now. I just feel helpless with no other way to turn now.

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainFluffy Friday Flashback! โšกโ˜„๏ธโšก
In memory of Murphy, aka Furry Murray! Murphy passed away several years ago. He was a Maine Coon mix. 
A man was abandoning 2 kittens out in the rain when he was moving out of his condo. My sister happened to be outside at the time, because she lived there. Baby Murphy climbed up my sister's leg, out of fear. He didn't know how to be outside in the rain. Of course, my sister kept Murphy. Soon afterward, my sister moved into her house. Murphy's sister was given a good home with a co-worker of my sister. 
Murphy was my sister's favorite cat ever! 
GO ORANGE! ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿงก๐Ÿงก

2 days ago

John-boy

John-boyasked the question: I have COPD and a lung infection. Is it common to get these infections two or three times a year

it seems that I get a lung infection twice a year minimum since Iโ€™ve being diagnosed with COPD.

3 days ago

John-boy

John-boy

I am coughing up greenish phlegm 

3 days ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Signing Up for Medicare: What You Need to Know

This article was written by Jonnie Korinko, MSRC, RRT, RRT-ACCS.

Medicare Open Enrollment is a good time to review your health plan. Each year, Medicare updates its plans. These changes may affect your coverage and what you pay.

Before Open Enrollment starts, your plan will send you a notice about any changes. Your costs, doctors, pharmacies, and covered services may change. Read the notice to make sure the plan still works for you.

Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can join, change, or leave a Medicare Advantage plan or drug plan. You can also switch to Original Medicare. Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.

3 days ago

TulsaOkie

TulsaOkieasked the question: Advair HFA anyone?

Anyone aquainted with mod asthmawith some copd? I extremely allergic. Combivent repimat , nope..Breztri nope air supra yes but not for copd. Advair hfa..using current they say not 4copd only asthma, but i read a study NIH dr alexander found efficy same …

3 days ago

Larp

Larp

Good but still donโ€™t know of substitute for Vaseline and aquaphor.  Saw dermatologist yesterday and she wasnโ€™t happy.  Aquaphor is constantly used.  My lips are a mess!

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Brandon, it's so easy to prepare! And, you can modify this recipe if you'd like! ๐Ÿ˜€...

3 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ’ฌ Okay, friendsโ€ฆ whatโ€™s on your mind?

Itโ€™s a brand-new month, so I thought weโ€™d start with a pretty simple question:

How are you doing โ€” and what do YOU want to talk about?

Maybe you have a COPD or lung health question thatโ€™s been bouncing around in your head. Maybe something has changed and youโ€™re wondering if anyone else has experienced it. Or maybe thereโ€™s a question you keep hoping somebody else will ask first.

Wellโ€ฆ you can be the one who asks. ๐Ÿงก

Thatโ€™s what this community is here for. We have patients, caregivers and families with years of experiences to share, and sometimes one simple question can open up a conversation that helps a whole bunch of us.

New here? Jump in! Been here forever? Jump in! And if you have something youโ€™d rather not ask publicly, send me a message. I can always put a question out to the community without sharing who asked it.

So letโ€™s hear it. What have you been wondering about? What should we be talking about more?

Letโ€™s make October about the things that matter to you. ๐Ÿงก

3 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Managerโ˜•๐ŸŒŽ Happy International Coffee Day! ๐ŸŒŽโ˜•

Wait a minuteโ€ฆ didnโ€™t we JUST celebrate coffee a couple of days ago?

Apparently coffee is so wonderful it needs another day โ€” and this time, weโ€™re going international. Ooh la la! โ˜•๐ŸŒ

Good days, bad days, busy days, slow daysโ€ฆ somehow coffee just seems to fit.

Hot coffee. Iced coffee. Flavored coffee. Espresso! Cappuccino! Coffee in a smoothie. Coffee in a milkshake. Coffee ice cream! And then there are those brave souls who pour a hot cup, forget about it for an hour, find it sitting there somewhere between warm and coldโ€ฆand drink it anyway. You know who you are. โ˜•

Patients love it. Caregivers love it. Doctors and nurses love it. And apparently the rest of the world is pretty fond of it too โ€” hence the โ€œInternationalโ€ part!

Sometimes itโ€™s not even about the caffeine. Itโ€™s the smell of coffee brewing, that favorite mug, sitting down for a few quiet minutes, or sharing a cup and a conversation with someone you care about.

So for International Coffee Day, I want to know:

โ˜• Hot or iced?
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Espresso or cappuccino?
๐Ÿฆ Coffee ice cream?
๐Ÿฅค Blended into something delicious?
๐Ÿซ Favorite flavor or special add-in?
๐Ÿ˜ฌ Or are you one of those mysterious people who doesnโ€™t like coffee at all?

As far as Iโ€™m concerned, there really isnโ€™t a wrong way to enjoy coffee.

So whatโ€™s in YOUR cup? โ˜•โค

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.