COPD360social welcomes new member Phyliss Davis who joins 65,481 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ’™ Happy Best Friends Day! ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿพ

Best friends come in all shapes and sizes.

Maybe yours is a spouse, sibling, child, neighbor, or caregiver who checks in and helps you through the tough days. Maybe it's a friend from our community who understands exactly what you're going through and is always ready with a kind word or encouragement.

For some of us, our best friend has four legs, a wagging tail, and a special talent for knowing exactly when we need a smile. ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿฑ

And let's be honestโ€”there are days when our favorite inhaler, nebulizer, oxygen concentrator, or rescue medication feels like a pretty good friend, too. ๐Ÿ˜Š

Life with COPD, bronchiectasis, or NTM can be challenging, but having someoneโ€”or somethingโ€”we can count on makes a world of difference. Best friends help us laugh, listen when we need to vent, celebrate our victories, and lift us up when we're struggling.

Today, we'd love to hear from you:

โค Who (or what!) is one of your best friends?

Feel free to share a story, a photo, or simply give a shout-out to someone who helps make your days a little brighter.

Happy Best Friends Day from all of us at COPD360social!

7 hours ago

Bob puff dragon

Bob puff dragonHope all is well with everyone on this Monday, a day that usually sets the tone for the week to come.

6 hours ago

Geevee

Geeveeasked the question: Breathing, yoga exercises

Breaching yoga exercises, many are there ,but the easy and effective one pls .is Bramhari useful?

7 hours ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State CaptainMonday Morning Music.
Wishing you an inspired week..
"Joy" Apollo 100             
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=2vhZX_joco8

YouTube Music

With the YouTube Music app, enjoy over 100 million songs at your fingertips, plus albums, playlists, remixes, music videos, live performances, covers, and hard-to-find music you canโ€™t get anywhere else.

7 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

A good way to use of the last Cheerios left in the box! Also a good way to encourage children to eat salad. A good substitute for croutons!...

7 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸคฉSALAD WITH A SURPRISE๐Ÿคฉ4 cups torn Romaine lettuce leaves2 Honeycrisp apples, diced1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1/4 cup thinly sliced celery 3/4 cup Cheerios cerealBalsamic VinaigretteIn a large bowl, toss together the...

8 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHave a marvelous Monday, friends! Today is only the beginning of a magnificent week to come!
Keep those positive vibes going strong! We love to see smiling faces here on 360Social! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜ƒ

13 hours ago

hastyRetreat

hastyRetreat

I had a PET scan last January, came out negative for cancer.
Pulmonologist wants to do navigational Bronchoscopy after n  o change on this 5 month CT scan.  Please chime in if anyone has had one and if it was an easy experience or hard. Iโ€™m scared.
Thank you so much.

1 day ago

Keze

Kezeanswered the question Age 33 Diagnosed with COPD

Sounds like you are maximizing what you have. Most importantly, stop smoking. (Easier said than done)! Get tested for Alpha1 to ensure you donโ€™t have a genetic component. You can go to alpha1.org and order yourself a free test. Results will come to you!
Catch22Liza MDavid Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )and 7 others also answered the question Catch22and 9 others also answered the question

1 day ago

JeanO53

JeanO53

I probably shouldn't say this outloud, but I think I've figured out my issues with sleep.
.. This past week, I've been asleep before 12 midnight and have gotten at least 6 hours of sleep, averaging 7 hours over the last 7 days.  It's still a work in progress.  It's been quite simple actually.   When I start to feel tired and yawn, I begin the process of shutting down - lights out within about 15 minutes.  No more pushing past feeling tired.  Whatever I'm doing or reading will be there tomorrow, or maybe won't even matter tomorrow
.. This might sound like a "duh" to some, but this has been a big accomplishment for me!!  As with most things, listening to what the body is telling me is the smart thing to do.  โ˜บ     Now, here's to being consistent. 

1 day ago

Ginger100

Ginger100

Hiya everyone!!


Some advice please. 


I cant exercise due to a serious bqck injury i sustained.So to keep my lungs as healthy as i possibly can,i do 30 mins everyday of the following. 


Buteyko breathing 
4,7,8 box breathing 
Wim hoff breathing 


I sometimes wonder if these are actually even helping. I do feel better after i have finished them though. 


The question i would like to ask is.


 What are the best pulmonary exercises i can do to maintain my lung health?
What pulmonary exercise helps improve or maintain your  fev1? Some advice would be amazing? 


Thanks for reading 


 

1 day ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments4 comment(s)
  • das23Agree...Check with your doctor. The breathing exercises are good. Add PLB-pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing. Hope your back heals soon1 day ago
  • Ginger100Hi brydy and das23 thanks for your feedback.


    Unfortunately the back injury ill be having a risky spinal surgery that might work for but might not. Zo bottom line i cant do any aerobic exercises anymore.I can walk and do hydrotherapy but they hardly give me a workout. I use to be very sporty im a really good level swimmer and use to go to the gym on a regular basis. 
    I went to pulmonary rehab on the nhs but after 1 appointment because i dont meet a copd diagnosis as yet although my ratio is the lower end of normal.They couldnt put me on a rehabilitation course with an air physio which was really disappointing. 
    So i just want to discover as many breathing exercises as possible to include in my tool box as such.I was hoping  for suggestions on what has really helped other members within the group. 1 day ago
  • das23I use a device called -EXPAND-A-LUNG...Check it out on Amazon1 day ago
DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, friends! 
Lots of positivity and peace are flowing your way. When they arrive, suddenly a great big smile will appear on your face! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ Enjoy your day to the fullest! 

1 day ago

Caretta

Caretta answered the question Cheapest place to buy trelegy?

My husband called Trelegy manufacturer; they told us how to apply for the drug once we had a total of $600 for all OOP drug costs. So we ended receiving about 4 mos.free. Deductible much higher this year but once your Dad reaches 2100 in drug costs all …
cellar muddleagedbrydyand 5 others also answered the question cellar and 7 others also answered the question

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainWishing everyone a pleasant Saturday! Please take some time out to do something you enjoy! So many options to choose from! Relaxing in your favorite chair, sitting on the porch watching the world go by, going shopping, working in the garden, doing a crossword puzzle, maybe visiting a neighbor... The choices are unlimited! We would love to know what you've got planned for your Saturday! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Check-in: How do I prepare for a natural disaster with COPD?

I have my sisterโ€™s house, up the hill from mine that I can evacuate to if needed. I bring my POC, chargers, all my batteries & cords and a Duracell 500 Power Block (weighs about 13#). I can charge devices or my POC for 8 hours with the block. There …
das23Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainDebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain also answered the question das23and 2 others also answered the question

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

I remain shocked at not seeing ANYONE else in NYC, Scandinavia nor Tokyo with O2 (except one person in ER in NYC).  It makes me sad that people with supplemental O2 arenโ€™t out and about.  Iโ€™ve been traveling an entire month and honestly expected to see a few folks on O2.

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

I have a new travel tip for anyone flying with medical gear (itโ€™s only taken me too long to figure this out). 


Pack all medical equipment, cords & batteries serrated from your other items so when itโ€™s time to separate them out at security, you can just pull them out and put them into separate bins for scanning. 


I didnโ€™t do this and it was a hassle for me and security at the checkpoints. This time (on our way home) I did it!  I put the POC in a separate featherweight backpack. All the cords & external charger in a separate featherweight backpack, the batteries in a waist pack and the other charging cords in a mesh bag. 


I secured the rest of my suitcase so itโ€™s very easy to pull out the featherweight backpacks from middle of it. Everything else is tied or fastened down and nothing is loose. 


Fingers crossed that this makes security easier than ever!

2 days ago

brydy

brydyanswered the question Breathing Pattern Disorder

I have asthma & copd but nobody has mentioned BPD, however from hyperinflation of the lungs my diaphragm has flattened & does not work as effectively. over time we take shallower breaths & rely on accessory muscles as you describe. …

3 days ago

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist) created the event OxyTalk Social Hour - Wednesday, June 10, 4pm Eastern

OxyTalk Social Hour - Wednesday, June 10, 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

3 days ago

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)

Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist) created the event BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break - Wednesday, June. 10, 2:30pm Eastern

BronchandNTM360social Coffee Break - Wednesday, June 10, 2:30pm A group for those in the bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease communities. Register here: https://copdf.co/Bronch-NTM-support

3 days ago

Wildebeest

Wildebeestasked the question: Breathing Pattern Disorder

I'm diagnosed with both COPD and asthma. I have static and dynamic hyperinflation. I am physically unable to take a full inhale using diaphragm alone. My pulmonary consultant has not diagnosed a BPD. A physiotherapist who I have consulted to get help …

3 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53answered the question Wildfire Smoke and our lungs

Thanks for the info netmouse! I'm in Wisconsin, we had Air Quality alerts the last two days because of the wildfires in Canada. I wasn't aware of it yesterday until later - I was out with my camera in the morning and started feeling sick after about …
netmouse also answered the question netmouse also answered the question

3 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager๐Ÿฉ๐Ÿพ Fluffy Friday Meets National Donut Day! ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฉ

Happy Fluffy Friday, everyone!

Today also happens to be National Donut Day, which feels like the perfect excuse to combine two things that can make us smile: sweet treats and our fluffy companions.

Whether your furry friend is a dog, cat, bird, rabbit, or another beloved sidekick, we'd love to see them today! Share a photo of your favorite fluffball and tell us:

๐Ÿฉ If they were a donut, what kind would they be?
๐Ÿพ Sprinkles and full of energy?
๐Ÿซ Chocolate-glazed and always getting into mischief?
๐Ÿ“ Sweet and gentle with a strawberry glaze?
โ˜• Or maybe they're the classic donut that goes perfectly with your morning coffee?

Living with COPD can bring plenty of challenges, which makes those little moments of joy even more important. A wagging tail, a gentle purr, a goofy face, or a quiet cuddle can brighten a difficult day and remind us to slow down, smile, and enjoy the moment.

So let's fill today's Fluffy Friday with:
๐Ÿ“ธ Pet photos
๐Ÿฉ Donut-inspired pet personalities
๐Ÿ˜Š A few laughs
โค Plenty of smiles

No pet? No problem! Feel free to share your favorite donut, a pet memory that still makes you smile, or simply stop by and say hello.

We can't wait to see your fluffy friends and hear what kind of donut they'd be!

3 days ago

netmouse

netmouseasked the question: Wildfire Smoke and our lungs

I read the year-ago post on how wildfire smoke can affect us. I had what seemed stronger symptoms after the Canadian smoke rolled through the northeast states in 2023. My window was open at night; I woke to a residence full of smoke. A recommendation was …

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿฅ„EASY LIMA BEAN SOUP๐Ÿฅ„16 ounces dry large lima beans8 cups water2 tbsp. olive oil 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped 2 leeks, the white bulbs only, chopped2 tbsp. minced shallot2 stalks celery with leaves, choppedTwo 32-ounce cartons...

3 days ago

netmouse

netmouseanswered the question Need help please

I am so sorry you and your father are facing this. Since your dad explicitly said he wants to keep fighting, tell the hospital staff immediately that you want an Ethics Committee consult and to speak with the Patient Advocate. Their job is to mediate …
David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )WildebeestJazzybean also answered the question David Mannino, MD (Chief Medical Officer, COPD Foundation )and 2 others also answered the question

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from my girl Hazel Madeline! We wish you a pleasant, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ˜Š

3 days ago

Kalli Mago (COPDF Communications Coordinator)

Kalli Mago (COPDF Communications Coordinator)asked the question: Check-in: How do I prepare for a natural disaster with COPD?

June is National Safety Month. One important way to stay safe is to prepare in case of an emergency. In 2025, the U.S. had 23 weather-related disasters , which caused almost 300 deaths. 1 Even more people were hurt or lost their homes. Many lost access …

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.