COPD360social welcomes new member Blowe who joins 65,704 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community ManagerGood morning, everyone! โ˜€

I hope you had a chance to enjoy at least a little bit of the holiday weekend, whether that meant spending time with family, relaxing with a favorite pet, watching fireworks from a safe distance, or simply enjoying a quiet moment at home.

Now it's Monday... and we've got a brand-new week ahead.

If your breathing feels great today, celebrate that. If it's one of those mornings where everything seems to take a little more effort, that's okay too. Every day doesn't have to look the same.

As we settle into July, remember that summer can still surprise us. Even when temperatures are a little kinder, humidity, poor air quality, and overdoing it can sneak up on us.

๐Ÿ’™ A few gentle reminders:
๐ŸŒค๏ธ Check the weather and air quality before heading out.
๐Ÿ’ง Keep water nearby and stay hydrated.
๐Ÿ’Š Take your medications as prescribed and don't wait until you're struggling.
๐Ÿ˜Œ Pace yourself. There's no prize for doing everything in one day.

Most importantly... be kind to yourself this week.

Whether you're living with COPD, bronchiectasis, NTM lung disease, caring for someone you love, or simply cheering others on, know that you're an important part of this community.

I'm glad you're here, and I'm looking forward to sharing another week with you.

๐Ÿ’ฌ What's one thing you're looking forward to this week? Big or smallโ€”I would love to hear it.

๐Ÿ’™ If today feels like a fresh start, wonderful. If it feels like you're picking up where you left off, that's okay too. Either way, I'll be here, cheering you on, one breath and one day at a time.

33 minutes ago

Blowe

Blowe

Good morning everyone. Hope you all have a great day. 

13 minutes ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Monday Morning Music
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)
Simon and Garfukel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xhJcQEfD5s

51 minutes ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸฅฃKALE AND QUINOA SOUP๐Ÿฅฃ2 cups diced onion1 1/2 cups diced carrots 1 cup diced celery with leaves2 tbsp. olive oil 2 cups diced zucchini1 large red bell pepper, diced3 cloves garlic, minced7 cups vegetable brothOne 28-ounce can crushed...

2 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Monday! You can bank on the fact that 360Social is a wise, smart way to spend your time! Keep on smiling friends! ๐Ÿ˜€

6 hours ago

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Caroline West Virginia State Captain

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  I was able to sustain my oxygen saturation as I made coffee and returned to my seat at my breakfast bar.  No supplemental oxygen needed.  I will put my oxygen on to sleep, but please do not ever give up and do the things that we say will help which is to eat well, exercise, get enough rest and keep a positive mental attitude.

6 hours ago

Oxygen tank Man

Oxygen tank Man Only short 5k this Sunday surport by lovely wife Marie. Beach race on the Yorkshire coast

7 hours ago

Oxygen tank Man

Oxygen tank Man

Over 4800ft climbing 17 hours change 5 oxygen tanks. 

7 hours ago

Oxygen tank Man

Oxygen tank Man Did my first ultra marathon last Saturday 47 miles. First man in the world to carry oxygen tank in ultra marathon and the oldest. Waiting for Guinness book of records to comfirm the record. 

8 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

Hello, friends! 
This morning I rescued a pretty little zebra finch! 
(IFKYK) People know me, and they call me about animals. So, I got a call. A person had a 6 month old zebra finch. They had the finch for 3 months, and decided they didn't want to take care of her anymore. 
Went and picked her up. The rest is history. She had no name, so I named her Rhoda Zimmerman. No pictures yet. Don't want to scare her.

18 hours ago

COPD239now

COPD239nowanswered the question Check-in: How Summer Heat and Humidity Can Affect COPD

I use a hand held fan, not just in the hot weather it also really helps when your struggling to breathe. It really does work extremely well.
Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainAurieland 5 others also answered the question Jamie Jarrard (COPDF Sr. Communications Specialist)and 7 others also answered the question

22 hours ago

Totally Terri

Totally Terri

Spent yesterday at urgent care AGAIN. Already had two rounds of steroids and antibiotics in less than a month so the doctor wouldnโ€™t prescribe more. Just coughing up crud. Literally made an entire Walmart order of facial tissue so I can have it everywhere. Donโ€™t see my pcp until the 9th. Sheโ€™s only in the office twice a week. Anyway exhausted after the neighbors did big illegal fireworks until 1 AM. No respect for the sick, the elderly, the very young, or pets. Ugh. 

1 day ago

Wildebeest

Wildebeestanswered the question Does anyone have constant Air hunger/sighing dyspnea

You might have a breathing pattern disorder. That can be inmproved. I would suggest maybe seeing a respiratory physiotherapist before writing this off as anxiety, which I find is a very useful catch all for medics when they don't really have a clue. I …
Mike99Young98 also answered the question Mike99and 1 other also answered the question

1 day ago

sammie49

sammie49

Ok so, in 2015 age 38 I had full lung function test and was told my lungs at the time were 68. I'm now 49 and have just had full lung test and been told my lungs are 79 and I have copd. Is it possible to determine rough prognosis from this as thats all they have told me until my next appointment in a weeks time

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Sunday, everyone! Wishing all of our friends a lovely day! 
May you find many of life's simple pleasures! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

Totally Terri

Totally Terri

My pulmonologist finally admitted he had no idea how to help me THEN PROMPTLY DROPPED ME after years of my being his patient and two weeks ago tons of blood, urine, and even biofire sputum came back negative.  Heโ€™s talking about a lung biopsy. I am on blood thinner and have a history of PEs so Joe Blow doctor at everyday hospital is NOT doing that to me.   I vaped nicotine for four months in 2014 until I got phlebitis. In the 80s, I hung out w the cool kids which you guessed it smoked!!  Even though I didnโ€™t. I have been in and out of urgent care and ER repeatedly.  I have been told to go to Cedars or UCLA. I was told today in urgent care after xrays I am full of โ€œold damageโ€. That my lungs have been โ€œshredded to fluffโ€. Even though I am running a fever, the doctor didnโ€™t put me on a third round of steroids and antibiotics this month. He checked to make sure I had no clots and had not had a heart attack. I didnโ€™t and hadnโ€™t. Anyway my pulmonologist turned my file back over to my medical group w every code for lungs ever. COPD ASTHMA OVERLAP AND EMPHYSEMA being the big ones.  I am on Stiolto at night. Air Supra for emergencies. And Levabuterol three times a day for now.   I am very scared. I am on 2 liters of oxygen 24/7.  Have been since being hospitalized w pneumonia in January. Had bronchitis in October.  I got prior authorization to get RSV vaccinated. I am 55. Scared to do it.  Know itโ€™s a dead virus. Just scared. My rheumatologist said to do it. Heโ€™s had people hospitalized in intensive care w RSV. I am obese. I am hoping I qualify for the 18 months of $50 a month GLP1s. I gave up my CPAP. I barely qualified for it and the struggling to exhale no matter how I adjusted it made me feel like I was going to die. I was told perhaps a bipap would be appropriate in the future. 

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question Does anyone else get leg cramps from their meds?

I had a patient who swore by a dab of dry powdered Colemanโ€™s mustard on the tongue instantly relieved her leg cramps when swimming. She kept it in waterproof container on side of pool when swimming.
GAnneKim HDebbieB.-Connecticut State Captainand 5 others also answered the question GAnneand 7 others also answered the question

1 day ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Wildfires + Apartment Search

Good luck finding somewhere safe, where you can feel comfortable
brydy also answered the question brydy also answered the question

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Local Safeway had St. louis ribs (already prepared & hot) for $5 per rack of like 6 ribs!  We had some for breakfast with some toast. Yum!  Also got a top sirloin steak @$5/lb, one for cooking in near future and one for possible freezing. 

1 day ago

Young98

Young98asked the question: Does anyone have constant Air hunger/sighing dyspnea

Ive been dealing with a constant urge to take deep breaths, sighs, or yawns and im wondering if this is a common symptom of copd or more of an anxiety thing.

1 day ago

brydy

brydy

Turns out eating our veggies, in particular kale & spinach might actually help lungs be healthier! Maybe Debbie has some good recipes for us. I just steam kale very lightly & put it in my blender shakes water & all. heres the study from Australia. 


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916526001334?via%3Dihub

1 day ago

Mike99

Mike99asked the question: Wildfires + Apartment Search

The wildfire smoke has returned to Chicago. Even though the aqi is less than last year, it is a painful time. I am struggling to find a suitable, affordable, and nice neighborhood apartment where I feel comfortable. Unfortunately, due to the lung …

2 days ago

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐ŸŽ†๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Happy Fourth of July from all of us at COPD360social! โค๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

Today is a wonderful reminder to celebrate the people, moments, and freedoms that bring us together. Whether you're spending the day with family, friends, neighbors, pets, or simply enjoying a quiet moment at home, we hope your day is filled with smiles and special memories.

As you're celebrating, remember to celebrate your health too. July heat, humidity, smoke from fireworks, and poor air quality can make breathing more challenging for those living with COPD, as well as caregivers who are helping loved ones enjoy the day.

A few friendly reminders:
๐Ÿ’ง Stay hydrated.
๐ŸŒณ Take breaks in the shade or enjoy the air conditioning when you can.
๐Ÿ’Š Keep your inhalers, oxygen, or medications close by.
๐ŸŽ‡ If fireworks or smoke tend to bother your breathing, there's nothing wrong with enjoying the show from indoors or watching one on TV.

The best celebrations are the ones where everyone gets home feeling their best.

However you're spending today, we'd love to celebrate with you! Share a photo from your Fourth of Julyโ€”your family, your favorite meal, your decorations, your pets dressed for the holiday, or simply the view from your porch. Every celebration is welcome here.

Thank you for making COPD360social such a caring, encouraging, and supportive community. Wishing you a safe, comfortable, and Happy Fourth of July! ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐ŸŽ†

2 days ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Does anyone eat a protein bar, shake, to gain muscle after walk

I forgot to tell you I walk 1.5 to 2 miles a day every day and do strength with bands snd 2 lb weights maybe 3 times a week and some strength excerise. I also had a torqued esophagus in March it was dilated to 57. Still have reflux which can also come …
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

2 days ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Does anyone eat a protein bar, shake, to gain muscle after walk

When you drink water all day and nothing else and walk, you lose weight is anyone doing a protein bar or shake afterwards? What do you do?

2 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.