COPD360social welcomes new member Nina619 who joins 66,414 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerDo you care for a friend or family member with severe COPD and have experience with their nebulizers and handheld inhalers?

If yes, you may able to share your experience in a virtual focus group.

You may be paid for your time.

To learn more and see if you qualify, contact Sergio Martinez at 866-731-2673, ext. 210โ€ฏor email copdpprn@copdfoundation.org

3 days ago

TimD

TimDHi Everyone!

Interested in contributing to research in a quick but meaningful way? Take a short survey to share your journey to diagnosis and how your condition has affected you. Your input can help us to better understand the path to diagnosis and identify opportunities to improve it for others.

Please complete the survey here: https://copdfoundation.jotform.com/262805493917063

2 weeks ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

For those of us who have Medicare - I ran across this very helpful section of the Medicare.gov website.  If you enter some information it will compare all possible plans in your geographic area and let you know which are the best for you in your particular circumstances.  I entered my current plan, then my doctors, my meds, and it made the decision I had already made - to continue with my current plan.  But I was curious if it would agree, and was happy to see that it did.


www.medicarepocketprotector.com



1 hour ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

โค Happy National I Care About You Day! โค

If there's one thing I've learned from being part of COPD360social, it's just how much it means to know that someone genuinely cares about you.

Living with COPD isn't always easy, and neither is caring for someone you love who has it. There are good days, tough days, and days when you just need someone who understands what you're going through.

And that's what makes this community so special!

We've got some pretty incredible people here. Patients, caregivers, family members, and friends who show up for one another every day. Whether it's a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, a little encouragement, or a good laugh when it's needed most, there's a whole lot of heart here.

But caring is also about what we do to help one another live better. And that's something we're pretty proud of at the COPD Foundation!

Beyond the friendships and conversations, we're here to share trusted information, education, resources, and support to help you better understand COPD, make informed decisions, and find ways to live better, breathe better, and thrive. Because caring isn't just something we say. It's something we work to put into action every day.

And somewhere along the way, people who started out as strangers have become some pretty wonderful friends. โค

So today, I want to thank all of you who make this community what it is. Whether you're living with COPD, caring for someone you love, sharing your experiences, or simply being there when someone needs a friend, you matter, and you're appreciated.

That's what a community of caring is all about!

Let's spread a little extra kindness today. Is there someone here who's made a difference in your life, helped you through a tough time, or simply made you smile? Give them a little shout-out! โค

2 hours ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Sharing a picture of last night's sunset. 
It was a lovely end to a beautiful Autumn day in Wisconsin.  I fear we are nearing the end of our days of 60+ degree temps so I'm taking advantage of every gorgeous day.  And the moon was nearly full last night.  I was so focused on the sunset, I missed it as it passed the horizon, but I got a few photos later.
... Challenge:  Can you find the sun dog on the photo below?

4 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, friends! Today is a good day to take some time out for "me" time! Sit down and relax! Reflect on the wonderful things in life! Simply enjoy the day! ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿงก

10 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question Is low 80โ€™s SAT a good to hospital thing?

The low 80 reading is a dangerous level. Do get here to the ER or emergency care clinic.
Sean P. SmithKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainHIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question Sean P. Smithand 2 others also answered the question

16 hours ago

Sean P. Smith

Sean P. Smithanswered the question Moderate emphysema found on LDCT - will it likely progress?

It is great news to hear your dad works hard at cardio! That is so much better then most when diagnosed. I can only add two other items. First, talk to the pulmonologist about a referral to a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The rehab program will be …
Caroline West Virginia State CaptainKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainDebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captainand 2 others also answered the question

17 hours ago

Jim Martin

Jim MartinFall colors starting to come into view here. Picture taken in the last week.

18 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainanswered the question Bad breathing and heavy chest while on Prednisone?

I'm glad your nebulizer gave you some relief! 😊
Becky BeeSOB2026DaBoomerand 7 others also answered the question Becky Beeand 9 others also answered the question

20 hours ago

Derek Barkaway

Derek Barkaway

I am 80years of age, and had COPD, for  the last 20 years, It was in September this year on Holiday, when I first noticed that I was getting blocked up,  when I got home a friend suggested ACV lemon & Honey in warm water!   So I went and got ACV,  Iโ€™ve used not every day,  and has cleared any congestion very quickly,  the wife said you arenโ€™t coughing any where near as much as you were, I see the respiratory Nurse at my surgery every year, but if I feel worse, I can just ring up and ask to see her.

20 hours ago

Dabladel

Dabladel

Hope you are well.

23 hours ago

Bergs

Bergsasked the question: Is low 80โ€™s SAT a good to hospital thing?

Mum has declined in last 2-3 days - her SATs are low 80โ€™s. She lives with a doctor who doesnโ€™t seem to concerned but when I googled to try and understand it says itโ€™s a medical emergency. Wondering if to push for them to call palliative care or …

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question Hyperinflated lungs

I agree with Karen.
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

1 day ago

Robear

Robear

Hello to you all. 65yo guy with advanced centrilobular emphysema, based on latest ct scan from this week. Had been getting more breatless for years, but a recent surgery under full anesthesia seems to have made me worse. At any rate, now trying to use 02 at night and have been careful to monitor pusleox etc., but last two weeks I have been waking up to pee and once that is done, I go into a full blown rock-chested shutdown. Cant get anything in or out, body starts to buzz/tingle, panic begins set in. I discovered that speaking some words seems to help kickstart a recovery, but it is always a close thing. Feel like passing out or stroking out before I get to rude breathing again. Why the sudden change and increase in these terrible episodes? I wonder if I am eating to much for dinner, but these events tend to happen several hours after I eat. 
This is a lot of info and random, but trying to come to grips with new downward events. Have a good Saturday all.

1 day ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments5 comment(s)
  • JazzybeanRobearโ€‹ I also have emphysema and can relate to the nighttime experiences you describe. After some similar episodes a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and given a c-pap machine. It's made a huge difference in my life. So if you have not gone down that road might be worth it to consult with a sleep specialist. Another thing I notice was your questioning of eating too much for dinner. Again same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. I eliminated all carbonated drinks and also no alcohol ever with dinner or any other time. While I was enjoying just a few sips of wine with dinner, (I Loved a good glass of wine) stopping it all together has made another huge difference. So two things you may look at is possible sleep apnea, eliminating all alcohol if you have not already done so and finally I try to watch how many carbs I eat for dinner. Dinner is tricky, I try not to overeat and that also seems to work. The thing with emphysema as you probably know is the gas/oxygen exchange. Anyway, these are some things I have tried that worked. As I said, I know about the middle of the night wake ups and it's scary. For me if and when it happens Pursed lip breathing helps, it also helps to cut down on the panic. I have another appointment with the sleep clinic in Dec. I am trying to convince them that I want to try a bi-pap but no luck so far. I have had two overnight sleep tests and as my oxygen levels don't go down below 90 on the test the doctor keeps telling me I am fine. 
    I hope you get some relief. Keep searching for answers that work for you. Doctors are not always helpful.1 day ago
  • RobearThank you all, some sound ideas here. Karen, I dont use oxygen except at night, and that only recently. Oddly, that is when the weird episodes started, and i had been suspecting i was hyperventilating, but not sure how to tell.1 day ago
  • Caroline West Virginia State CaptainIt sounds like you have a sleep issue, so a sleep study seems like a good move.1 day ago
DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, everyone! Wishing all of you a bright and cheery Fall day! ๐Ÿ‚

1 day ago

Aliciak1977

Aliciak1977asked the question: Hyperinflated lungs

Has anyone got a diagnosis from an xray, which showed slightly large lungs and a flattened diaphragm?

1 day ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

There's an interesting new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association that shows a link between lung health and cardiovascular disease. The study found six proteins circulating the blood that linked inflammation in the small airways of the lungs to narrowing of the blood vessels in the heart.   "While these findings need independent confirmation, the study provides valuable new insight into the high incidence of heart disease in people with COPD, and will help scientists develop better ways to improve care for people living with COPD".

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.125.046201?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

1 day ago

MazzyBee

MazzyBeeasked the question: Moderate emphysema found on LDCT - will it likely progress?

Hello, this is my first post here. My dad (74) gets a CT screening for lung cancer every year because he is a former smoker who quit 15 years ago. This year, the radiologist's report noted "Moderate upper lobe predominant pulmonary emphysema." We …

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŽƒMARSHMALLOW POPCORN๐ŸŽƒ"A messy, but delightful Halloween treat!"8 cups popped popcorn 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup butterOne 10-ounce package mini marshmallows Halloween sprinkles Candy eyeballsCover baking sheets with waxed paper....

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from my sister's cat Cricket Smudge. It looks as though she wasn't pleased with her catnip banana toy. Maybe a catnip mouse would've been a better choice! ๐Ÿ˜
Have a fun day, friends! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

2 days ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Arnica

Theres some research that indicates citrus bioflavonoids strengthen capillaries & work to prevent steroid induced bruising. it wont heal existing ones rly so ointments etc for those but might be worth looking into them as prevention after cking with …
Tom.EJeanO53das23 also answered the question Tom.Eand 2 others also answered the question

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โšก๏ธPOWER SNACK MIXโšก๏ธ1 cup multigrain Cheerios cereal3 tbsp. mini dark chocolate morsels 3/4 whole raw almonds 1/3 cup dried cherriesIn a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Portion into 1/3 cup servings. Store in airtight...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Thursday, friends! 
I know that I am grateful for all that I have in my life. Let's do our best to focus on all the good things! We are truly fortunate! ๐Ÿ˜Š ๐Ÿงก

3 days ago

Hippie Heather

Hippie Heather

I am new to this so I just wanted to say hello!

4 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Join us today for our COPD Support Group meeting, on zoom and live, 10-noon Hawaii Standard Time, 4-6pm Eastern Time. More info & registration link  at www.hawaiicopd.org. 

4 days ago

Tom.E

Tom.Easked the question: Arnica

Arnica has been around for awhile to help speed up healing of skin bruising that comes with steroid use. I've been using Dermend but recently switched to Arnica Gel made by Miricale Plus and sold on Amazon. I find it a bit better than Dermend especially …

4 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿš—โšก Great Scott! It's Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday AND Back to the Future Day!

Good morning, everyone!

Well, how about this for a Wednesday? We're taking a little trip through time!

Who remembers Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and that famous DeLorean from Back to the Future? Can you believe that movie came out in 1985? Just think about how much our world has changed since then!

And that includes lung health! We've come a long way in understanding and treating COPD, Alpha-1, bronchiectasis, and NTM. There's still plenty of road ahead, but research keeps moving forward, and so do we!

Now, here's where our Wednesday fun comes in!

If you could hop into that DeLorean, where would you go? Would you head back to a favorite place from years ago, revisit a wonderful memory, or take a peek at what the future might look like?

Share a picture from your corner of the world! It can be an old favorite, something beautiful outside your window today, or a place you'd love to visit someday. No time machine required!

That's what makes these Wednesdays so special. We get to travel a little through each other's pictures, stories, and memories, all without leaving home.

And as we look toward the future, I hope we keep moving forward together, learning, supporting one another, and never giving up on better tomorrows.

So, fire up that flux capacitor, grab your camera, and let's see where Wednesday takes us!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Where are we going today? ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ“ธ

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.