COPD360social welcomes new member Simo who joins 66,000 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy terrific Tuesday, friends! 
I hope your day will be peachy-keen!
๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿงก

1 hour ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

WOOHOO! We have reached 66,000 members! ๐Ÿคฉ

2 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Are long haul flights advisable

Your uncle needs to ask his provider. Some patients who normally donโ€™t need O2 need it for altitudes, including flying where the cabin is pressurized to 5000-8000 feet, especially in longer flights. A High Altitude Simulation Test (HAST) can help …

7 hours ago

Nikola

Nikolaasked the question: Are long haul flights advisable

My uncle has copd. He does not need oxygen. He wants to take a long haul flight. Is it advisable and will he need any additional support ie nose spray as well as inhaler

8 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question any 57 yo with 21% FEV

Try the pulmonary rehab. I learned so many valuable tips that help in my daily life.
brydyJeanO53 also answered the question brydyand 1 other also answered the question

11 hours ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Immunizations and COPD: A Preventive Tool That Starts with a Trusted Conversation

This post was written by Tralisa Willis, MEd, CHWI.

Immunizations can play a fundamental role in managing the quality of life of a person living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conversations with medical providers regarding the importance of vaccines for illnesses such as influenza, pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections can have a great impact on vaccination uptake.

Alongside smoking cessation, evidence-based treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation, physical activity, and individualized action plans, recommended vaccines can help reduce the impact of preventable respiratory illnesses.

Health care providers play a critical role in helping patients understand how vaccinations support their overall lung health.3 A strong recommendation paired with clear, respectful communication can help patients make informed decisions and feel supported throughout the process.

14 hours ago

MLT0715

MLT0715asked the question: any 57 yo with 21% FEV

Hi everyone, Iโ€™m 57 years old and recently had a spirometry test where my FEV1 dropped from 30% down to 21% (GOLD Stage 3/4). I haven't had any recent flare-ups, colds, or changes in my mucus, and I'm not on supplemental oxygen. My Alpha-1 test came …

17 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainโ€‹ - are you OK?  Do you have power?  I read where some 130,000 are without power on your island.  

19 hours ago

JeanO53

JeanO53

Do you think we'll get 6 more members today?  Tomorrow?    Get ready to celebrate!  ๐Ÿ’ฅ ๐ŸŽ‰

19 hours ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

โ™ป A Little Thrift Shop Thinking for Monday...

Apparently today is National Thrift Shop Day, and it got me thinkingโ€”not everything worth passing along has to fit in a shopping bag.

Sometimes the best things we can give someone else are the things we've picked up along the way.

Maybe it's a breathing tip that made your day a little easier. A trick for getting through the grocery store without wearing yourself out. Something you learned about oxygen, traveling, medications, or pacing yourself. Maybe it's simply a piece of advice someone once gave you when you really needed it.

That's one of my favorite things about this community. We take what we've learnedโ€”sometimes the hard wayโ€”and pass it along. Someone else picks it up, makes it their own, and maybe their day gets a little easier because of it.

So, in honor of Thrift Shop Day, let's do a little reuse, renew, and pass it on.

What's one tip, trick, or piece of wisdom you've picked up along your COPD journey that you'd happily hand down to someone else? ๐Ÿ’™โ™ป

19 hours ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

21 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question How long do you live with severe emphysema

Like Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain, Iโ€™ve lived over 26 years with severe emphysema and plan to live a lot longer. Itโ€™s important to work closely with a good medical team, learn all you can and take good care of your overall health. The more we do, the more we CAN do
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

22 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

โœด๏ธCOFFEE SMOOTHIEโœด๏ธ1 medium banana, sliced and frozen1/2 cup brewed coffee, chilled1/2 cup milk of your choice1/4 cup rolled oatsSpoonful of nut butter of your choicePlace all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy,...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy magnificent Monday, everyone! 
Pour yourself a cup of coffee, take a seat, and join in the conversations here on 360Social! 
Have a marvelous Monday, friends! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

Jenel

Jenel

๐Ÿ˜ญ. In the hospital with COPD /bronchitis 

1 day ago

Jenel

Jenel

I am trying to figure out how to find a way to strengthen my lungs. I quit everything I start, need to looks like 40 lbs, bad knees and back. COPD and I want to get better but I just kinda quit. My lung.compacity is at 74% I get chronic bronchitis had asthma since I was 7. I just don't know how to start when I gave up already. I really don't want to die or get where j can't do anything.. 

1 day ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captainanswered the question Ohtuvayre ??? Any feedback would be helpful!

I have to agree with DebbierB. I take 4 medications daily and a fifth one when needed. To the average person, this makes no sense, but COPD is a different animal. At first when I was prescribed Singulair and then another antihistamine, I thought that I …
DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainDusty4Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainand 9 others also answered the question DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainand 11 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿคฃ ITโ€™S NATIONAL TELL A JOKE DAY! ๐Ÿคฃ

All right, 360socialโ€ฆ I feel like this is one of those holidays we really shouldn't let go to waste. ๐Ÿ˜

Today's assignment is simple:

MAKE. US. LAUGH. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Let's face itโ€”COPD isn't funny. But some of the ridiculous stuff that happens while living with COPD? Oh, we've got material. And caregiversโ€ฆdon't even pretend you don't have stories. ๐Ÿคฃ

Ever been clotheslined by oxygen tubing in your own house?
Had your concentrator suddenly make a noise that had you wondering whether to call the DME company or NASA? ๐Ÿš€
Walked halfway across the room before realizing your oxygen tubing had other plans?
Or had one of those moments where you just looked at each other and thought, โ€œWellโ€ฆadd THAT to the list.โ€ ๐Ÿ˜‚

Sometimes you've just gotta laugh.

Not because everything is easy. Not because COPD magically takes the day off. But because a good laugh can sneak into a hard day and give us exactly the little break we needed.

So today, let's hear it!

๐Ÿ˜‚ Got a joke?
๐Ÿคฃ A ridiculous COPD moment?
๐Ÿ˜œ A caregiver story you've been waiting for an excuse to tell?
๐Ÿ™„ A joke so terrible we may regret asking?

Bring. It. On.

And yes, Dad jokes are allowed. I'm not saying they're encouragedโ€ฆbut this is a judgment-free community. Mostly. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Happy National Tell a Joke Day, 360social!

Let's see if we can get this whole place laughing today.

I'll be waiting in the commentsโ€ฆand preparing myself for the groaners! ๐Ÿคฃ

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, friends! Wishing everyone a bright and cheery day, filled with sunshine and smiles! ๐ŸŒž๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

We are pretty luckyโ€”most of the wind and rain is on Kona side of Big Island. Coconut leaves are falling and a hazardโ€”on roadways and anywhere they are. 

2 days ago

Judy L

Judy Lasked the question: How long do you live with severe emphysema

how long with severe emphysema do you live

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

To those who are following this, we are getting awfully close to that 66,000 mark! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

2 days ago

Scooter12

Scooter12

Thank you for my membership. As a new member I am happy to find information on existing treatment as well as new options. I find experiences of others also helpful. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more.

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ˜Œ Happy Relaxation Day!

Well, would you look at thatโ€ฆ Relaxation Day landed on a Saturday. Somebody planned this one right. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Living with COPD, bronchiectasis or NTMโ€”or caring for someone who doesโ€”can sometimes make it feel like there's always something that needs your attention. Medications, treatments, appointments, airway clearance, oxygen, choresโ€ฆ and that little thing called life squeezed in between.

So maybe today we give ourselves permission to loosen our grip on the to-do list just a little.

โ˜• Sit a few extra minutes with your coffee.
๐ŸŽถ Put on some music you love.
๐Ÿ“– Read, watch something completely mindless, or take a nap without explaining yourself.
๐ŸŒณ Find a comfortable spot outsideโ€”or enjoy the view from your favorite chair.
๐Ÿพ Spend some quality time with your four-legged relaxation coach.
๐Ÿ’™ Or simply slow down, breathe comfortably, and enjoy a few quiet minutes that belong entirely to you.

Relaxation doesn't have to mean a spa day or a tropical vacation. Sometimes it's just saying, "That can wait until tomorrow."

And you know what? It probably can. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Whether you're a patient or caregiver, I hope you can find one small way to give yourself a little grace today.

So, 360 familyโ€ฆ what's YOUR favorite way to relax? ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ›‹๏ธโ˜•๐Ÿพ

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends! Here on 360Social, we are one big happy group! We fight our battles together.  Together we are better! ๐Ÿซ 

3 days ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

I'm excited and a little nervous - I finally have a date set for my pulmonologist to insert the Zephyr Valves.  September 11th - Ithat date has some bad vibes, but I'm hoping this year it will be a fantastic day.

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainanswered the question Why is my saline solution dripping out of my nubulizer cup?

Have you tried calling the manufacturer?
cacJeanO53HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainand 1 other also answered the question cacand 3 others also answered the question

3 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53

 You know that saying... "It's not the heat, it's the humidity" Yep! It's so true.
It's been very humid in Southeastern Wisconsin for the past week. We've ranged from 70% to 100 % on rainy days. It's 80% humidity, dew point at 69 = Heavy air = Breathing is not easy in these conditions.  Ugh!  ๐Ÿ˜ฃ
... Yesterday, I went to get my hair cut in an air conditioned, low humidity space. It was amazing how easy it was to breathe. I ordered a good larger dehumidifier this morning; hope to have it up and running tomorrow.   Predictions are that our weather and air should improve next week.  ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿ™  

3 days ago

LizAbeth

LizAbeth

All my life i have been right handed but now as I gracefully age its both hands I use on and off, tending towards ambidextrous.  One of my parents was  left handed.  

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๏ธEASY RICE SALAD๐Ÿ”ธ๏ธ๐Ÿ”ถ๏ธ5 cups cooked Basmati rice, still warm2 shallots, diced1 large red bell pepper, diced2 celery ribs with leaves, diced 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/2 tap. salt1/4 tsp. pepper5...

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.