COPD360social welcomes new member Dunn Gary who joins 66,266 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

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.

1 day ago

das23

das23commented onSigning Up for Medicare: What You Need to Know

Thanks Jonnie...

5 hours 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....

5 hours 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

6 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

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

Correction - other plans - plural....

7 hours 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...

7 hours 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...

7 hours 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.

10 hours 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

11 hours ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Advair HFA anyone?

Advair HFA can be used in COPD- I have used it in several patients.

23 hours ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question I have COPD and a lung infection. Is it common to get these infections two or three times a year

This sounds like exacerbations- these can lead to bad things ( hospitalizations, heart attacks, etc. ). You need to talk to your health care provider. It would be helpful to hear more about you ( age, lung function, symptoms, etc. )

23 hours 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.

1 day ago

John-boy

John-boy

I am coughing up greenish phlegm 

1 day 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.

1 day 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 …

1 day 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!

1 day 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˜€...

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Managercommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

Wow, itโ€™s been way too many years since weโ€™ve made this! I love the idea of doing it in the slow cooker too. We make Rotel in ours pretty often, and this would be another really nice one to have simmering away as we move into the cooler weather....

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

SLOW COOKER SPINACH-ARTICHOKE DIP9 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and well drained14 ounces artichoke heart quarters, well drained8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese1 large clove...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Thursday, friends! Orange is such a vibrant color! It always seems to bring brightness, sunshine, and smiles into our lives! 
Enjoy every moment of this wonderful day! ๐Ÿงก๐ŸŒž๐Ÿงก

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainInteresting article about a new biologic that's done well in Phase 3 clinical trials:


 "Tozorakimab Cuts COPD Exacerbations by Up to 34% in Phase 3 Trials"

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/tozorakimab-cuts-copd-exacerbations-34-phase-3-trials-2026a10010g0?ecd=wnl_edit_tpal_etid8749234&uac=153334SK&impID=8749234

Tozorakimab Reduces COPD Exacerbations

Replicate phase 3 trials show the IL-33-targeting monoclonal antibody reduces moderate and severe exacerbations regardless of blood eosinophil levels or smoking status.

1 day ago

Mikecopdpatient55

Mikecopdpatient55answered the question Iโ€™ve just been diagnosed with hyperextended lungs, moderate Centrilobular & Paraseptal emphysema

Hi Tomo, just wanted to follow up with you from 11 months ago. Hopefully, you are still on here. Curious to hear what the doctors have said about your nodules? Hope everything went well!
DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainTomobrydyand 2 others also answered the question DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainand 4 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist) created the event BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break - Thursday, October 15, 2:30pm Eastern

BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break - Thursday October 15, 2:30pm Eastern. A group for those in the bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease communities. Register here: https://copdf.co/Bronch-NTM-support **Note: We are meeting on Thursday, October 15, …

1 day ago

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist) created the event OxyTalk Social Hour - Wednesday, October 14, 4pm Eastern

OxyTalk Social Hour - Wednesday, October 14, 4pm Eastern. A group for those on oxygen therapy. Send any questions ahead of time to oxygen360@copdfoundation.org. Register here: https://copdf.co/oxy-talk

1 day ago

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist) created the event COPD360Social Hour & Harmonica Play-Along: Wednesday, October 7, 4pm Eastern

COPD360Social Hour & Harmonica Play-Along- Wednesday, October 7, 4pm Eastern. A group for everyone in our COPD community to make friends, catch up, and answer your most pressing questions. Bring your harmonica for a Harmonicas for Health play-along …

1 day ago

Tomc7361

Tomc7361

Hey everyone; I hope youโ€™re doing well.
Iโ€™m concerned, and I need opinions from fellow patients. 
Please excuse any confusion, because I havenโ€™t slept well for over a week.
Iโ€™m 56, former smoker, but not for nine years. I welded and worked in dusty areas intermittently.
I try to run and walk a couple of miles every other day, but I havenโ€™t for months, because Iโ€™m working overtime.
I was vaping THC, a couple of puffs 3-4x/ day, when I caught a chest infection consistent with Covid.
It lasted a few days, with very little congestion. No more vaping.
As I got well, my chest tightened and I began having breathing difficulty at night:  Waking up with my chest tight, panicking, sweating.
I went to the ER early this morning.
BOC 99% untreated when I came in.
I was told my heart looked good even for a young man.
Then they did a chest xray. No spirometry, no exercise/O2, just a chest xray. The nurse said I have long lungs, which I knew. Context:  I donโ€™t wheeze, even during extreme exertion, my O2 levels during a run year before last were 98, and I now have almost nine years of intermittent exercise logs.
 I quit smoking after a chest infection with the same symptoms, but worse, when I was 47.
The Dr ( not a pulmonologist) came back in, looked me in the eye and said โ€œYou have COPD.โ€
I asked him if he could be mistaken, and he said no.
I looked online, and the information I found said that diagnosis of COPD during or immediately after a chest infection with inflammation is not accurate, nor are chest xrays the standard.
Iโ€™m scared and I donโ€™t feel that he should have given me a diagnosis today.
My question is, in your opinion, how likely is this to be a misdiagnosis? 
Wouldnโ€™t my BOC be lower?
Please help me; I am in shock.
Thank you in advance.



2 days ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Is going blind worth it? (Advare experience)

Every medication has the potential for side effects. Cataracts are related to aging ( and steroid exposure, whether inhaled or systemic, increases the risk of cataracts). Cataracts are easily treatable-- you must be living somewhere this is not the case …
Dinna25Puzziedas23and 7 others also answered the question Dinna25and 9 others also answered the question

2 days ago

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

David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )answered the question Montelukast and mental health

Everyone is different, of course. I have used this in many people with allergic tendencies. It only seems to work 1/3- 1/2 of the time. I have not had patients complain about side effects or stop du to side effects.
Dinna25OtterJamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)and 6 others also answered the question Dinna25and 8 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.