COPD360social welcomes new member Rebeka who joins 66,104 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿก Hey there, 360social โ€” and a special hello to our newer neighbors!

Itโ€™s been a little while since weโ€™ve done this, so I thought today was a good day to simply say welcome. Weโ€™re really glad youโ€™re here. ๐Ÿ’™

Maybe you just joined and arenโ€™t quite sure where to start. Maybe youโ€™ve been here for a while but havenโ€™t posted yet. Or maybe youโ€™re perfectly happy reading along, learning, and getting to know everyone from the sidelines.

However youโ€™re here, youโ€™re welcome here.

I like to think of 360social as a big neighborhood filled with some pretty great neighbors. You can sit on the porch and watch whatโ€™s going on, give us a wave, or holler out a big โ€œHowdy!โ€ and chances are somebody is going to holler right back. ๐Ÿ˜„

And when you๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝre ready, jump in. Ask a question, join a conversation, share something youโ€™ve learned, celebrate a good day, or tell us when youโ€™re having a not-so-good one. There are patients, caregivers, family members, and friends here who understand how much it can mean to talk with someone who simply gets it.

Youโ€™ll also find plenty of trusted information and resources here. If youโ€™re looking for something and canโ€™t find it, please ask. Seriously. Thereโ€™s no prize for figuring everything out by yourself. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Whether you post every day, comment every now and then, or quietly read from the back row, youโ€™re part of this community.

So, if youโ€™re new around here โ€” Howdy, neighbor! ๐Ÿ‘‹ Welcome to 360social.

Pull up a chair whenever youโ€™re ready. Thereโ€™s a place for you here. ๐Ÿ’™

1 day ago

thehlk

thehlkHi everyone. I had my first PFT this morning. Iโ€™m not exactly sure how to interpret these numbers. It seems as though my numbers are high, but ratio borderline? My ct scan says mild emphysema. I had a video pulmonology appointment a couple weeks ago and she said โ€œThe emphysema is so tiny I had to enlarge the image to see it.โ€ Not sure what this means for me in the future. Pulmonologist also ordered pulmonary rehab along with PFT. I donโ€™t really have any symptoms, so do I need to do that at this point? I just donโ€™t know!

2 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

3 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

You're welcome, Brandon! This hummus is unique. Plus, it's healthy! ๐Ÿซ›...

6 hours ago

JeanO53

JeanO53The Great Blue Heron Spin Dry Dance...
On Sunday, I watched a Great Blue Heron take a "water bath". And then fluff & flap and finally spin dry.
This is a collection of photos showing the Spin Dry Dance.  (Hope this works!)
.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MenZ2-rWLQs

6 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

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

Debbie, this sounds so good! I already love hummus, but using green peas sounds like such a fun twist. I can just imagine how fresh and bright the flavor must beโ€”and that color makes it look even better!Thanks for sharing it, Debbie! ๐Ÿ’š...

7 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŸข๐ŸŸข๐ŸŸขGREEN PEA HUMMUS๐ŸŸข๐ŸŸข๐ŸŸขOne 16-ounce package frozen petite green peas, thawed and drained 1/4 cup olive oil1 large clove garlic, pressed2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Set aside 1/4 cup of the...

9 hours ago

Kaseykat

Kaseykatanswered the question How to keep my very long oxygen cord from getting tangled and kinked

I use my on the go oxygen concentrator through the day. It had got to where it was hurting my shoulder. So I found a little cart that you can put it on so I can just pull it or push it around with me. My battery lasts 6.5 hours and then it takes a hour …
HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) also answered the question HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

10 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Thursday, friends! It's all in your mindset. How you think. What your outlook is. So go ahead and set your mind to "Yes, I CAN"! There are so many things you can do. Every small accomplishment is actually pretty big! Take pride in your accomplishments! Enjoy your day, and keep on smiling! ๐Ÿ˜€

13 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question PFT Results, could this be early COPD?

CaptainCrunch Yes, WV is a beautiful state. I love it here.
Wildebeestdas23 also answered the question Wildebeestand 1 other also answered the question

18 hours ago

Kaseykat

Kaseykatanswered the question Check-in: How does COPD affect personal hygiene?

I always play music while Iโ€™m taking a shower. I find that the music distracts me from thinking about breathing. And I donโ€™t get that panicky feeling. Also Iโ€™ve been wanting to get a terry cloth robe so I could just put that on and I wouldnโ€™t have to dry …
JasleenCaroline West Virginia State Captainevery breath also answered the question Jasleenand 2 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Just a reminder that today at 4:00 PM Eastern is our 360Social Support Grup/Harmonica Play Along meeting. The topic this month is Medicare.
https://copdf.co/360-social

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ“ธ Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday!

Well, here we areโ€”the first Wednesday of September! ๐Ÿ‚

We're starting to inch toward fall, although depending on where you live, Mother Nature may have missed that memo completely. ๐Ÿ˜‚ Some of you may already be seeing cooler mornings and a few leaves starting to change. Others may still be standing outside thinking, Yep...still summer. โ˜€๐Ÿคฃ

So today, let's keep Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday simple and have some fun with it.

๐Ÿ‘€ What caught your eye this week?

That's it. No rules. No award-winning photography required. Heck, you don't even have to leave the house!

Maybe it was a beautiful sunrise, a flower still hanging on to summer, a deer in the yard, a hummingbird buzzing around, or a cloud that looked like something completely ridiculous. Maybe it was a squirrel doing something that confirmed once again that squirrels are absolutely up to something. ๐Ÿ˜‚

It could be beautiful. Peaceful. Weird. Or something that made you laugh and think, I've got to get a picture of this.

That's what we want to see!

Look out the window, step onto the porch, or check that camera rollโ€”we all know there are about 4,000 pictures hiding in there. ๐Ÿ˜‚ Share something new, old, or something you just haven't had a reason to share yet.

That's what I love about these Wednesdays. What seems like an everyday sight in your corner of the world might be something the rest of us have never seen.

And for a few minutes, we get to travel around and see a little piece of everybody else's world without packing a suitcase or wondering why our luggage ended up three states away. ๐Ÿ˜‚โœˆ

So come on, 360social family...

๐Ÿ“ธ Show us what caught your eye!

Beautiful, funny, strange, peaceful, completely randomโ€”bring it on.

I can't wait to see where you take us!

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ˜†GO AHEAD AND BE A BRAT!๐Ÿ˜† โžก๏ธSLOW COOKER MEALโฌ…๏ธDo you have some bratwurst leftover from your Summer grilling plans that didn't quite make it to the grill? Here's a great way to use them! One 20-ounce package bratwurst 5 potatoes,...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHello, and happy Wednesday! Wake up with a positive outlook to carry you through the day! With a CAN-DO attitude, you will go far! 
Have an awesome, easy breathing day, friends! ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

Tara Shedor, COPDF Communications

Tara Shedor, COPDF Communications created the event Let's Talk Cough: Unpacking What it's Like to Live with Chronic Cough

People with chronic cough are the experts on what itโ€™s really like to live with chronic cough. Your experience helps the people who research, develop, and regulate targeted medicines and treatments. โ€œLetโ€™s Talk Coughโ€ is a rare opportunity to share your …

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Sure, Karen! It's something different to have for a change! ๐Ÿ˜€...

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ’™ National Forgiveness Day

โ€œForgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a permanent attitude.โ€

โ€” Martin Luther King Jr.

Forgiveness. That's a pretty big wordโ€”and sometimes a really hard one.

Living with COPD, being a caregiver, or just dealing with everything life can throw at us means we all carry some things. Hurt, frustration, anger, regret... and probably a few things we wish we could go back and do differently ourselves.

But forgiveness doesn't mean saying what happened was okay. It doesn't mean forgetting, and it doesn't mean you have to let someone back into your life. Sometimes it's simply deciding you don't want to keep carrying the weight of it.

And believe it or not, letting go of some of that can be good for us. Forgiveness has been linked to less stress, better emotional well-being, and even some physical health benefits. It can also make it a little easier to lead with kindness and empathy toward others.

I think we see a lot of that right here on 360social. We don't always have the same experiences or see everything the same way, but we can listen, give each other some grace, and try to understand where someone else is coming from.

And don't forget to save a little of that forgiveness for yourself.

For the day you didn't get everything done. For needing help. For losing your patience. For something you wish you'd handled differently. Or simply for having a bad day.

Maybe today isn't about fixing everything. Maybe it's just about putting down one little piece of something you've been carrying.

A little more grace, a little more understanding, and a little more kindnessโ€”to others and to ourselves. ๐Ÿ’™

2 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onEating Well: From Debbie Bโ€™s Kitchen to Yours

I just might try this - thanks for the idea!...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿช„โœจ๏ธSPECIAL KIELBASA๐Ÿช„โœจ๏ธThis kielbasa is something special, indeed! Serve over rice or egg noodles, or as an appetizer for a potluck dinner, or holiday gathering, or tailgating party! ๐ŸŽˆ 2 pounds kielbasa, cut into 1/2-inch pieces1 cup...

2 days ago

Jasleen

Jasleenanswered the question โ€‹Check In: Being Your Own Lung Health Champion

From a caregiver perspective, one thing that helps is keeping a simple note of questions, routine changes, and anything that seemed easier or harder during the week. It makes appointments less stressful because you are not trying to remember everything …
Sean P. SmithHIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainCaroline West Virginia State Captainand 3 others also answered the question Sean P. Smithand 5 others also answered the question

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Tuesday, friends, and good morning! 
As I always say, the little things are the best things! They are bigger than big! So, take comfort in them, as they bring you joy! 
The birds outside in your yard. Finishing the final chapter of a book you've been reading. Trying a new recipe and enjoying what you've prepared.  A surprise phone call from a friend. Your first sip of an iced coffee. 
There are so many little things that bring so much happiness! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainWear a GOOD mask when using potting mix! 


 https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-retirees-garden-warning-after-common-backyard-mistake-ends-in-10-day-coma-had-no-idea-222950949.html

Aussie retireeโ€™s garden warning after common mistake ends in 10-day coma: 'Had no idea'

The warning is simple, but according to one Australian couple, it's often overlooked.

2 days ago

CaptainCrunch

CaptainCrunchasked the question: PFT Results, could this be early COPD?

Hello everyone, I've been having some issues lately where I've been getting really dizzy if I exert myself or if I talk a lot, and dealing with some shortness of breath too. I vaped for ~5 years (quit a year and a half ago), so I asked my PCP for a PFT …

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

โ˜€ Good Monday morning, 360social!

Can you believe weโ€™re already saying goodbye to August? I swear I was just talking about us starting August, and somehow here we are knocking on Septemberโ€™s door. ๐Ÿ˜‚

For some of us, maybe that means we can finally start looking forward to a little less of that heavy summer heat and humidity and a little more of that cooler fall air. ๐Ÿ‚ I know my lungsโ€”and probably a few of yoursโ€”wouldnโ€™t complain about that!

But before we get too far ahead, letโ€™s just start with today.

Try telling yourself a couple of times this morning:

โ€œToday is a good day.โ€
โ€œThis is going to be a good week.โ€

Does it magically fix everything? Nope. We know better than that. Some mornings are harder than others, especially when youโ€™re managing COPD or caring for someone you love.

But sometimes setting the tone for ourselves can make a little difference.

I do this with my two pups. Iโ€™ll tell them, โ€œYou know what, buddies? Itโ€™s going to be a great day.โ€ Now, whether they understand me or are just waiting for breakfast is debatable. ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿพ But I think I need to hear it as much as they do.

So however this Monday found you, make the morning yours. Start small, give yourself some grace, and do what you can with the day in front of you.

Hereโ€™s to a new day, a new week, and a brand-new month waiting right around the corner. ๐Ÿ’™

I hope itโ€™s a good one, 360social!

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ…๐Ÿ…TOMATO RELISH๐Ÿง…๐Ÿง„4 medium ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped into 1/2-inch pieces1 small onion, finely chopped 1 large clove garlic, crushed 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning Place all ingredients in a...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday! 
May you blossom in the sunshine, decorating yourself with smiles! 
๐ŸŒž   ๐Ÿ˜€

3 days ago

Clo111

Clo111

Has anyone had experience of a Trelegy Ellipta tapering plan? 

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.