COPD360social welcomes new member Fran17 who joins 66,035 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Happy National Senior Citizens Day! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ’™

George Burns once said:

โ€œBy the time youโ€™re 80 years old, youโ€™ve learned everything. You only have to remember it.โ€ ๐Ÿ˜‚

There may be a little more truth in that than some of us would like to admit!

Today is National Senior Citizens Day, and while our COPD360social family spans different ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, today gives us a great excuse to celebrate the experience, stories, humor, and hard-earned wisdom that come with a few more trips around the sun. โ˜€

One of my favorite things about this community is how much we learn from one another. Sometimes it's about COPD. Sometimes it's a trick for getting through a tough day, managing oxygen tubing, remembering medications, or conserving a little energy. And sometimes it's simply knowing when to say, โ€œYou know what? That can wait until tomorrow.โ€ ๐Ÿ˜„

So let's have a little fun today.

What's one thing getting older has taught you that your younger self probably wouldn't have believed?

Or, if you're feeling especially brave...

What's something you've learned over the years that you now have trouble remembering? ๐Ÿ˜‚

Here's to experience, laughter, good stories, and continuing to learn from one anotherโ€”no matter what number happens to be on the birthday cake. ๐ŸŽ‚๐Ÿ’™

20 hours ago

Misty Green COPDF Research

Misty Green COPDF ResearchAttention-Caregivers
and Patients


Take the
Survey: Exploring the Unmet Needs of Patients with Serious Respiratory Illness
and Their Caregivers
Whether you are a person living with a respiratory illness
or caring for someone who is, your perspective makes a real difference. Living
with these conditions can be challenging, and the voices of patients and
caregivers are important. By taking part in this survey, you help others
understand what kinds of care and support matter most. The information you
share will help doctors, nurses, and health leaders improve respiratory care
around the world.

The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete, and
itโ€™s best to finish it in one sitting.

Take the survey: https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=LLLEYFNX8D44D7D4

22 hours ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captainanswered the question What Medicare questions do you wish were easier to find answers to?

Can you also mention what the annual maximum out of pocket cost is under some traditional insurance plans and how that changes when people have Medicare as their primary insurer.
Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question

2 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Saturday, friends!
May your day be peaceful, calm, and simply wonderful! ๐Ÿ’œ

4 hours ago

GAnne

GAnneanswered the question Is there s new drug coming out,I heard it was

Yes my pulumnary dr explained that to me today, I am already on dupixent. We discussed that and the new on coming. I already had high esinophils at 450 when I started dupixent.
HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain also answered the question

13 hours ago

GAnne

GAnneasked the question: Is there s new drug coming out,I heard it was

Is there a new drug, its a biologic. Should be out by the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027

17 hours ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Happy Fluffy Feathery Friday.
This Wood Duck is a wonderful reminder that some days it's okay to take it easy and enjoy the day.  

18 hours ago

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Director of Education)asked the question: What Medicare questions do you wish were easier to find answers to?

What Medicare questions do you wish were easier to find answers to? We're building a new Medicare information website and want it to answer the questions that matter most to our community. What Medicare-related questions have you had about coverage, …

21 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸฏHONEY ROASTED APRICOTS๐Ÿฏ12 large apricots3 large sprigs rosemary 6 large sage leaves1 strip orange peel, about 1 inch wide3 tbsp. honey1/2 cup orange juice Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.Cut the apricots in half; remove pits.Place the halves,...

23 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Fluffy Friday from William Bruce, my youngest kitty! ๐Ÿ–ค
This little guy wishes everyone a pleasant, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State CaptainHad a fun interview for a radio program locally, with a board member who is a retired RT with over 30 years of experience practicing in CA & HI about our 20th Annual COPD Education Day, Friday, 9/4/2026! It's FREE and open to the public on zoom as well as live in Honolulu. There's still time to register at www.hawaiicopd.org/hawaii-copd-event-registration/. More information is on the flyer and at www.hawaiicopd.org/19th-annual-copd-education-day/. 


Sure hope you can join us--it will be a fun and informative event! Sorry, we can't give food, demos & giveaways for folks who don't come in person, but you can hear and the presentations! The zoom portion will run from 9:45am Hawaii Standard Time to 1:15pm. (That's 3:45pm Eastern Daylight Time to 7:15pm Eastern Daylight Time.) Sorry for such vast 6 hour time zone differences, but that's our wonderful nation, with Daylight Saving Time!

1 day ago

Bob Steich

Bob Steich

I have been diagnosed with COPD. I worked for the DOE at Oak Ridge, TN. I was also diagnosed with Asbestosis. I just work out there for a couple of years. They admit to exposing me to asbestos but told me I did not work there long enough to have contracted COPD. Doe anyone know how long it takes to be subjected to the contaminates to contract COPD?

1 day ago

cleanUSAsilicone

cleanUSAsilicone

Has anyone found a 100% silicone cannula made in the USA


1 day ago

  • Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State CaptainI asked Gemini that question, and here's the response (but be sure to double-check, since AI can be unreliable at times):

    Aithre Aviation: Aithre is a US-based company that manufactures a 100% Silicone Nasal Cannula. It uses pure medical-grade silicone tubing that can be disinfected in boiling water, retains extreme softness without stiffening, and uses standard dual-prong fittings.


    Oxyllow System / Sleep Easy Tech: Offers soft nasal cannulas constructed with flexible medical-grade silicone headset loops and tubing designed for oxygen therapy, shipped directly from their US facility.Specialty Hydrogen / Oxygen Therapy Suppliers: Online merchants such as Hydrogen for Health sell 100% silicone, kink-free, reusable oxygen cannulas via storefronts like eBay and direct specialty sites.


    Hope this helps.

    21 hours ago
chrls54

chrls54

How am I doing today?    So far so good

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Insurance barriers may limit access to virtual pulmonary rehabilitation for people with COPD

New research suggests need for expanded telehealth coverage of programs

Miami (August 20, 2026) - Insurance coverage is a significant barrier to accessing virtual pulmonary rehabilitation programs for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study in the July 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.

COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. People with COPD show improved outcomes when treatment includes a combination of pharmacotherapy, patient education, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise and educational program supervised by health care professionals who teach people how to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Programs are offered both in-person and virtually.

1 day ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article The COPD Community Looks Back on the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article was written by Kalli Mago.

In March 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic changed the world. This new respiratory illness brought unique challenges and concerns for many people with COPD and other lung diseases.

Since then, more than 7 million people have died from COVID.1 Today, COVID vaccines are widely available. These vaccines help slow the spread of disease. Just last year, more than 20 million Americans received the vaccine.2

Five years ago in August 2021, the first COVID vaccine received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Now, the COPD Foundation is looking back at how COVID affected people with COPD.

In this blog post, we share the stories of a person with COPD and a doctor. They talk about the challenges of the pandemic, the impact of the vaccine, and lessons learned.

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸฅฃGNOCCHI SOUP๐Ÿฅฃ1 tbsp. olive oil1 medium onion, diced2 celery stalks with leaves, chopped2 large carrots, peeled and chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning 4 cups vegetable broth One 15-ounce can cannellini beans,...

1 day ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

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

My medical team is my primary care doctor/internist and my lung doctor (pulmonologist), plus his staff and APRN (nurse practitioner), plus the community pharmacist. Because Iโ€™ve been using supplemental O2 since 2008 for altitude and 2016 for exertion, …
BuscatKaren Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain also answered the question Buscatand 1 other also answered the question

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy thankful Thursday! 
Good morning, friends! What are you thankful for today, and every day?
I am very thankful for this community! It is a part of my day, every single day. ๐Ÿ˜Š

2 days ago

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

HIcopd - Hawaii State Captain

Well, survived an 89 hour power outage!  I am SO glad I bought power bank in 11/2022 when Costco had them in stock locally. It is able to keep my POC powered throughout the night, even when we have no electricity. I was able to recharge my power bank during the day at family members who had power and sleep plugging my POC into it. 


I have no O2 tanks, so this was my way of having sufficient O2 for sleeping. I didnโ€™t have a recording oximeter but my reading was 95% when I fell asleep and I slept great so I think I remained adequately saturated. 


Anyway, with extreme weather events, storms, fires, floods and tsunamis for, itโ€™s good to contemplate good options for having backup power if you need any. Even folks who arenโ€™t on O2 may want to be able to charge their phone, watch, earbuds, radio, other electronics.  Definitely better to plan and acquire such items BEFORE there is urgent need. Folks like me who have old phones also benefit from having a power brick to recharge with. Haha!

2 days ago

Sean P. Smith

Sean P. Smith

You know I don't get on this a lot. But I have to say it really is a great space to read and talk about what we deal with daily.  
People that know me know I tend to be bull headed and fix that GOD D@$& PROBLEM NOW.  Actually I have learned to step back and listen more to people I am trying to help. The old me would be "Okay, this is what you are going to do and don't stop." Now I ask how they are feeling, what their fears are and let that person know I am here to help - whether it is just letting them vent or to ask what I can do to help.
I am fortunate my medical team listens and makes suggestions but also flat out tells me what I should do. 
I hear stories from other COPD patients that their doctors or even respiratory therapists only mention in passing about pulmonary rehab. That doesn't make sense to me! For me I did a lot of digging on my own but I had doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and physiologists who guided me and answered questions. Even right now I have a rehab nurse and rehab physiologist reviewing an eight week workout plan I developed to get me back to Gym Rat status.
Besides getting the government and medical industry more attuned to what we need, it should be a given that anytime a pulmonologist, nurse or therapist speaks to a new one of us they should tell them about the COPD Foundation. 
Honestly, it would make their job a lot easier and give the patient an automatic support system. 
And by the way, thanks for letting me vent!

2 days ago

Nancy2024

Nancy2024

Claudia,  how are you?  I had asked a question about the medication Oktuvayre.  Have you used it or do you know anyone in this community who has and what is their opinion of it.  It's a medication that you use with a nebulizer.  I would greatly appreciate any info you or anyone can give me.  Thanks so much.


Nancy

2 days ago

  • Claudya G.Hi Nancy,

    Yes โ€” there are quite a few patient reviews for Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) now, including some from people with severe/stage 4 COPD. I checked the newer reviews, including ones posted in 2026.

    According to Drugs.com , there are more positive reviews than negatives....

    Drugs.com currently shows about a 7.8/10 average, with 62% of reviewers reporting a positive experience.

    Here is one review...Taken for 6 months to 1 year August 20, 2025 For COPD "I started using Ohtuvayre
    in December. I noticed a reduction in my dry cough almost immediately.
    After a few days, I could take a deeper breath than before using it. I
    feel that I can breathe better.."

    I personally have never used it..but it is a very popular medication, and patients that I have spoken to use it and say it has made a difference in there breathing..


    Hope this answers your question.. You can search for answers from other patient experiences from COPD360social by clicking below and typing Ohtuvayre:


    https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Questions-and-Answers.aspx
    COPD360social Questions and Answers | COPD Foundation

    COPD360social Questions and Answers is the one stop shop to share thoughts and ideas, receive and provide support as well as ask the community about …

    2 days ago
Coach Brandon - Community Manager

Coach Brandon - Community Manager

๐Ÿ“ธ Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday โ€” World Photo Day Edition! ๐ŸŒŽ

Well, would you look at that โ€” Visit My Corner of the World Wednesday landed right on World Photo Day! ๐Ÿ“ท๐ŸŽ‰

I think that means we have absolutely no choice but to fill this place with pictures today. ๐Ÿ˜„

And for this one, there are no rules about what counts as your corner of the world.

Got a sunset that made you stop in your tracks? Letโ€™s see it.

A vacation picture youโ€™re still talking about 15 years later? Bring it on.

A beautiful flower, a favorite fishing hole, the view from your porch, somebody you love, or a four-legged family member who is completely convinced the camera was invented specifically for them? ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ˜‚

Or maybe you have one of those pictures that you're just plain bonkers over. We definitely want to see that one!

Thatโ€™s the magic of photographs. They let us hang onto little moments โ€” and when we share them, somebody else gets to step into our world for a minute too.

COPD and other lung diseases may change how far we travel or how quickly we get there, but they don't get to decide whatโ€™s worth noticing. Some days your corner of the world might be an incredible view from miles away. Other days it might be the bird outside your window, your morning coffee, or something that made you laugh from your favorite chair.

It all counts. โค

Around here, we help each other through the tough stuff, but we're pretty darn good at celebrating the good stuff too. We cheer each other on, laugh together whenever we get the chance, and sometimes a picture from one person's little corner of the world is exactly what someone else needed to see that day.

So grab your camera โ€” or start digging through that camera roll with 4,782 pictures you swear you're going to organize someday. What picture are you sharing? ๐Ÿ“ธ ๐ŸŒŽ โค

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐ŸŽAPPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL๐ŸŽ1 tbsp. butter2 cups cubed Honeycrisp apple3 tbsp. light brown sugar, divided, plus more for sprinkling1 tsp. cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling1 cup old fashioned oatsPinch salt2 cups water1/4 cup warm milk for...

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.