COPD360social welcomes new member Izear who joins 66,364 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Brittany Irish COPDF

Brittany Irish COPDFMedicare Open Enrollment is open today through December 7!

Reviewing your Medicare coverage can help you prepare for the year ahead.

We have resources to help you understand your options, plan for health care costs, and navigate prescription coverage.

Explore resources, including:
- A Medicare enrollment checklist
- A guide to understanding Medicare coverage
- A tool to estimate and compare costs
- Webinars and a podcast about Medicare and chronic lung conditions

Take the next step toward understanding your coverage.

Explore our Medicare resources: https://copdf.co/Medicare2026

5 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โšช๏ธโšช๏ธEASY MASHED CAULIFLOWERโšช๏ธโšช๏ธ 1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch pieces1 cup chicken broth 1 tsp. salt 3 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into chunks 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme Freshly ground black pepper to taste In a Dutch oven,...

4 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Tuesday, friends! 
It's always nice to see you here on 360Social! Thanks for making our day so wonderful! ๐Ÿ˜Š

8 hours ago

das23

das23commented onHow Severe Is My COPD?: Test Results vs. Symptoms

Thanks Kalli. Great information...

15 hours ago

das23

das23answered the question Follow-up - Drugs not carried by Medicare

Thanks for the follow up netmouse
Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question

15 hours ago

netmouse

netmouseasked the question: Follow-up - Drugs not carried by Medicare

This is follow-up to the recent post about my surprise when I found out that Advair Discus was no longer covered by any Medicare plan in my zip code. There are generics. The plans seem to cover these generics. In my plan, I get the generic drug at $0 …

18 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Happy Monday, 360social Friends! ๐Ÿ‚

Here we are, already more than halfway through October! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Christmas won't be far behind. I'm still trying to figure out where September went!

With the holidays getting closer, I wanted to share a little reminder about something that's easy to put off but really worth taking care of.

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, there's still time! It generally takes about two weeks after getting vaccinated for your body to build up protection against the flu. So now's a pretty good time to get that taken care of before the holiday gatherings begin!

It's also worth checking with your healthcare provider about RSV, pneumococcal (pneumonia), and COVID-19 vaccines to see what's recommended for you.

We all know how quickly a little sniffle or cough can sometimes snowball into something much bigger, especially when you're living with COPD or another lung condition. Anything we can do to give ourselves a little extra protection is worth considering!

And caregivers, don't think you're getting out of this conversation! โค We're so busy looking after the people we love that sometimes we forget about ourselves. Staying healthy matters for you, too!

Vaccines can't prevent every illness, but they can help reduce the risk of serious illness. Add in a little handwashing, some common sense, and looking out for one another, and we're off to a good start!

We've got a pretty special community here, and I want us all to enjoy the season ahead, make some memories, and stay as healthy as we can.

Here's to looking out for each other and keeping those holiday germs from getting an invitation to the party! โค๐Ÿ

19 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainanswered the question Can anyone interpret results

Please, do not go by what Dr. Google says! Do you have a primary care physician you can see? I am hoping our David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation ) will see this. He may have some kind of idea.
AfterLyfe93 also answered the question AfterLyfe93 also answered the question

23 hours ago

JeanO53

JeanO53I saw this beautiful creature yesterday swimming on Lake Michigan near Grant Park's beach.
It's a Mute Swan, so considered invasive. Hmmm... I enjoyed seeing it anyway.
.. With COPD, some days can be more difficult than others.   And then I am reminded - There's a line in a Beth Nielsen Chapman song that goes...    ๐ŸŽถ"How heavy the empty heart, how light the heart that's full" ๐ŸŽถ
 Wishing you all full hearts today  ๐Ÿ’™

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article How Severe Is My COPD?: Test Results vs. Symptoms

This article was written by Kalli Mago.

If you are living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may wonder how severe your condition is. COPD is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. Understanding how severe your COPD is can help you make better choices to protect your lungs for the future.

When you were diagnosed with COPD, your health care provider might have told you what "stage" your COPD is. This number between 1 and 4 is based on your spirometry test results. It can help you understand your condition more.

While knowing your number can be useful, it doesn't always tell you everything about your condition. Sometimes, people have "mild" COPD according to their numbers, but their symptoms can be more severe. Other times, the opposite is true. You could have "severe" COPD but still feel fairly well most days.

1 day ago

mark33philippines

mark33philippines

im mark 33 male from ph,its so hard when u had this copd,i cant sleep well,its very hard when u had this condition to normaly work,:( how can i buy medicine if i dont work,buts its very hard to. work when u had this

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ‚CARAMEL DIP๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ‚An awesome dip that's perfect for the fall season. Some tasty dippers are: sliced apples, sliced pears, graham crackers, and vanilla wafers!8 ounces cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar1/4 cup...

1 day ago

Willylife

Willylife

How are you feeling today?

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday, friends! 
Start out your week with a positive outlook! Wishing everyone a productive, pleasant day! ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

thehlk

thehlk

Hi, everyone. I just wanted to tell you all how much I appreciate you. I was feeling a little anxious and weepy this evening, so I came here to my feed to re-read all the positive and encouraging messages you have sent. Itโ€˜s so easy for me to slip back down into โ€œbad placeโ€œ with my thoughts. Since I had my PFT, I decided to tell my daughter about my health. I was afraid she would panic. Sheโ€™s in nursing school and already has a touch of health anxiety. She took the news quite well, thankfully. It has been such a relief to get that off my chest. I felt like I was lying by keeping it from her. She is proud of me for quitting smoking โ€œfor real this time.โ€ There were many years of half-hearted attempts to get here! Anyway, thank you again. Iโ€™m sure Iโ€™ll be back soon for more emotional support! โ˜บ

1 day ago

AfterLyfe93

AfterLyfe93asked the question: Can anyone interpret results

Curious if this is copd or if anything here is worrisome. If so is any of this reversible? I'm in the process of quitting smoking now

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday from my sister's kitten Bonkers Gordon! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, everyone! Wishing you a pleasant, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ˜Š

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Karen, the contrast of the dark bread and the cream cheese is so nice. Yum! ...

2 days ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

Debbie thank you for being my ftitnd ๐ŸŒน

2 days ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

Oops Coach Brandon!  My New Zealand spelling.  Thank you for being my friend๐ŸŒน

2 days ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

Hello Das 23, how are you going?

2 days ago

Lucy k

Lucy k

I was trying an accept friend from Coach Brendan.  Not sure if I have achieved this correctly.  I am not up to speed with your amazing website.  For example I don't know how to post messages on the wall!  Lucy K Wellington New Zealand 

2 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

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

I've never made Boston Brown Bread, but absolutely LOVE it. But - I buy the canned version. I spread cream cheese on it and could eat 1/2 of the can all by myself. at one sitting. ...

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Happy Wear Something Gaudy Day! ๐Ÿฆš๐ŸŽฉ๐ŸŒˆ

Today's the day to pull out those wild colors, crazy patterns, oversized hats, and anything else that makes people stop and say, "Well, that's certainly a LOOK!" ๐Ÿ˜‚

Sometimes wearing something a little outrageous is just plain fun! It can make people smile, spark a conversation, or give us all a good laugh.

But you know what isn't gaudy? Wearing oxygen.

Whether it's a portable oxygen concentrator, a tank, or tubing across your face, there's nothing embarrassing about using something that helps you breathe easier and enjoy life.

I know that being out in public with oxygen can sometimes make people feel self-conscious. People may look, and little kids may stare or ask questions. Often, they're simply curious. And while you certainly don't owe anyone an explanation, sometimes those little moments can open the door to understanding.

I hope you'll never feel that your oxygen is something you need to hide. It's not a fashion statement. It's something that helps you keep doing the things you enjoy, and that's worth celebrating!

Now, if you want to wear a giant feathered hat, a bright striped shirt, plaid shorts, and flip-flops WITH your oxygen, well, that's another story! ๐Ÿ˜‚

So tell us, what's the gaudiest thing you've ever worn? Or better yet, do you have a picture? We'd love to see it!

Let's have a little fun today! ๐Ÿ’™

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends! Wishing all of you an awesome day! Make the best of every moment! โœจ๏ธ 

3 days ago

Sean P. Smith

Sean P. Smithanswered the question Everyday Life with COPD: What's Worked for You? What Are You Still Trying to Figure Out?

Sure things are little harder for us, but it just makes the good stuff that much better! First recommendation is if you haven't been to pulmonary rehabilitation call your pulmonologist TODAY. Rehab will teach you how to take better care of yourself. …
Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question Caroline West Virginia State Captain also answered the question

3 days ago

happy alice

happy alice

Lately i've been struggling more...out of breath quicker and with more severe breathlessness.  What's the next step? I'm currently on Symbicort and Incruse + Albuterol..have any of you improved with a prescription change?  Is it time to consider daily low-dose steroid? Has that helped you?
I'm 74 and diagnosed with emphysema 10 years ago.

3 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53I stopped watching baseball a few years ago, but still excited about this...

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.