COPD360social welcomes new member Dev who joins 66,291 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

A sister asking questions

A sister asking questions

My brother has COPD and congestive heart failure. His feet are swollen, deep, deep purple, and the veins are popping out. He is short of breath and tired. The last time he went to a doctor they said his heart was only functioning 14%.
He doesnโ€™t want to contact a doctor because he feels thereโ€™s nothing they can do until he has a surgery theyโ€™ve been suggesting which he canโ€™t afford.
Is he at the end stages?

3 hours ago

tintina

tintina

Hi,  im new to oxygen 24/7 and new to this community.  I have an inogen rove 6 (I've been carrying it around the house with me for the last couple of weeks) I have just ordered the 'inogen at home' unit,  lol i just found out that the hoses dont fit under the bedroom or bathroom doors, have to modify the doors, ugg.  I was wondering how others have set up their homes and what has worked best and what not so great.  I also have back up o2 tanks.  Thanks

4 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ‚ Cooler Weather Is Comingโ€”Are You and Your COPD Crew Ready?

Well, here we go again. The mornings are getting cooler, we're spending a little more time indoors, and cold, flu and respiratory virus season is starting to tag along. Apparently, nobody invited them, but they showed up anyway.

Flu activity is starting to increase, so October is a great time to think about prevention. If you haven't gotten your flu vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. And ask whether the RSV vaccine is recommended for you too.

Caregivers and family members, you're part of this team! Keeping yourselves healthy and up to date on recommended vaccines can also help protect the person you love.

This is also a good time to pull out your COPD Action Plan. Know your normal and watch for changesโ€”more shortness of breath than usual, increased coughing or wheezing, changes in mucus, fever, or needing your rescue medication more often. Don't wait for things to get really bad before contacting your healthcare team. Follow your Action Plan and know when it's time to call for help.

If breathing becomes severely difficult, you can't speak normally because you're so short of breath, you become confused, or your lips or fingertips look blue or gray, call 911 or seek emergency care.

Wash those hands, avoid sick people when you can, and if somebody is coughing their way through aisle seven at the grocery storeโ€”you do not need to investigate. Keep moving.

As we head toward the holidays, let's give ourselves and the people we care about the best defense we can. ๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ’™

How are you getting ready for cold and flu season? Have you gotten your vaccines, updated your COPD Action Plan, or is there something else you do every year to help stay healthy? Share belowโ€”you might give someone else an idea they hadn't thought of!

7 hours ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments4 comment(s)
  • Coach Brandon - Community Manager
    Youโ€™re so right, Lucinda. Sometimes it really does come back to the basicsโ€”what are we giving our bodies to work with? For those living with COPD, good nutrition can help support strength, energy, and overall health. And caregivers, that absolutely includes us too! We need that fuel to keep going just as much. Thatโ€™s what I love about Debbieโ€™s recipesโ€”theyโ€™re simple, full of good ingredients, and donโ€™t require making a huge production out of dinner.

    And donโ€™t forget our old friendโ€”hydration! Itโ€™s all part of building up that armor and taking care of ourselves. Thanks for the reminder, and thanks, Debbie, for keeping those great recipes coming! ๐Ÿ’™6 hours ago
  • DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainGee Brandon, you've given us great advice! And thank you, Lucinda!
    I advise folks to wear a mask when in a crowded place. Wear disposable gloves, as well. Lots of germs are floating around everywhere! ๐Ÿฆ 
    Keep hydrated! Stick to your medication schedule! And please, don't visit Aunt Marge if you know she has a cold. A phone call will do for now!
    Get those sweaters and blankets out. Think about making soup. Think of indoor activities to keep busy. Plenty of those! 
    And, don't forget to visit us here on 360Social! Always something good going here! ๐Ÿ˜€6 hours ago
  • DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainThank you, Brandon! Anyone who is interested in contributing a recipe or kitchen tip is more than welcome to post on the Eating Well blog! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ6 hours ago
LucindaS

LucindaScommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

This looks really healthy and delicious! ...

8 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŸก๐ŸŸกSO EASY PUMPKIN PUDDING๐ŸŸก๐ŸŸกOne 15-ounce can pumpkin purรจe One 12-ounce can low-fat evaporated milkOne 5.1-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix1 tsp. pumpkin pie spiceAdd all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth and thick. Transfer...

15 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy terrific Tuesday, friends! ๐Ÿ˜Š
Keep those positive vibes flowing! You are doing a great job! 
Never give up! Just keep on going! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

19 hours ago

Jillibean M

Jillibean Manswered the question Trelegy-Anyone notice a change in their voice on this medication.

After about 5 months of the hoarseness i got in to a ENT dr who stuck a camera in my nose and down my throat. Such a weird feeling! Because if you swallowed they had to pull out and back in. You could see the red/swollen voice folds. I read paragraph and …
Macey8DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainGAnneand 5 others also answered the question Macey8and 7 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)commented onSigning Up for Medicare: What You Need to Know

It is super confusing!!! No matter how much I research, I always learn something new. I hope you're doing well, Caroline!...

1 day ago

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)commented onSigning Up for Medicare: What You Need to Know

Thank you, Karen! That's a great plan. I feel like no matter how prepared you are, there's always more to know.Thinking of you!!...

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŒป Happy National Do Something Nice Day!

What a perfect way to start the first Monday of a new monthโ€”and a new week.

I try to believe that doing something nice doesnโ€™t need its own special day. But maybe today is a good reminder to go just a little bit further.

Because sometimes, the little things arenโ€™t little at all.

Thatโ€™s especially true when COPD is part of life.

Maybe thereโ€™s a new member here on 360social who is scared, overwhelmed, and trying to make sense of a new diagnosis. A simple โ€œWelcome, weโ€™re glad you found usโ€ can mean more than we realize.

Maybe a longtime friend here asks a question. Share what helped you. Check back later and ask how theyโ€™re doing.

Maybe itโ€™s a caregiver who has been taking care of everyone else and could use someone asking, โ€œHow are YOU doing?โ€

Or maybe today has absolutely nothing to do with COPD. Let someone merge in traffic. Bring in your neighborโ€™s garbage cans before the rain. Give someone an extra tip. Make somebody laugh. Call a friend. Sit beside someone who could use the company.

Kindness doesnโ€™t have to be big to matter.

And I want to turn this around for a second, too.

Thank you. ๐Ÿ’›

Thank you for all the little things you do here on 360socialโ€”the welcoming comments, shared experiences, answers to questions, caregiver support, check-ins, and simple reminders that nobody has to figure all of this out alone.

You do nice things for one another every single day, and those things make my days better, too.

So, as we start a new week and a new month, letโ€™s pass a little of that goodness along.

Whatโ€™s one small thing you can do today to make somebodyโ€™s day a little better? ๐ŸŒป

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŠ๐ŸฏSPICED ORANGE DRINK๐ŸŠ๐Ÿฏ2 cups orange juice2 whole cinnamon sticks, plus 2 for serving2 whole cloves1 tbsp. honeyPour the orange juice into a small saucepan. Add 2 cinnamon sticks and the cloves. Place the saucepan over medium heat until it...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday! Bring on the coffee! โ˜• Is that what I hear so many of you saying? ๐Ÿ˜ƒ Well, alright, alright!! โ˜•
Today is one of those days where everyone is a winner. Enjoy! ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question Found out what is wrong with me.

JHutton94 I am glad that you were able to get a diagnosis and help.
das23 also answered the question das23 also answered the question

1 day 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

2 days ago

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).

2 days 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 …

2 days ago

JacqieH

JacqieH

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

2 days 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 

2 days 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

3 days 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

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

3 days 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...

4 days ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

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

4 days 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

4 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

4 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....

4 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

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.