How many times have you been told to “take a deep breath” or “just breathe” when you’re stressed? While these people mean well, they often don’t understand just how hard it is to take that deep breath, especially when you are living with COPD and other …

There are two conflicting theories about what is known as the "Hypoxic Drive", the urge to breathe.  For many years, the accepted knowledge was that a COPD patient who tended to retain Carbon Dioxide (Co2) should never be subjected to increased …

Hi everyone, i’ve finally decided to post something here after reading through q&a’s for a while, i think im just looking for some advice from people here who’s maybe had similar experiences. Thank you in advance if you read everything and even offer …

Hi, Just my experience. My symptoms increased massively straight after diagnosis (mild COPD), which when I think back now was probably anxiety, they did (thankfully) settle back down… My experience is that positive action is the only antidote or tonic …

Putting aside patients with COPD who may also have allergic asthma, do people with JUST COPD such as chronic bronchitis, fail (react) to the methacholine challenge? Im assuming not since a patient failing that challenge positively points to an asthma …

Hi JohnU1, Mucinex is often recommended for those who have excess mucus that they are having trouble coughing out. Many people find that it works well for them. I looked at the Ridgecrest Clear Lungs ingredients, and I don't know if this supplement …

I use Mothers Vinegar to gargle. It seems to help even better that regular cider vinegar.  You can find it in most grocery stores with any problem.

I am a petite 68 year old woman. About ten years ago in the ER I was told I had Emphysema via a chest x-ray and a diagnosis of hyper inflated lungs. I made an appt. with a pulmonologist, had 3 or 4 PFT within the span of two years, all were normal, CT …

Hi everyone! My wheezing has ramped up over the last few days. I have never had asthma but I do have emphysematous changes in one of my lungs and early background COPD changes. I find wheezing very stressful. Is it something you all live with every day …

hi Ive only been diagnosed about 3 months and at the time i only really noticed shortness of breath going up hills. I haven't really had any other symptoms. 4 months on i have shortness of breath most of the time , sitting still, lying down, walking etc …

I’m so depressed. I have had some pain under my ribs for a few months that comes and goes (left and right, front and on both sides). I just assumed it was to do with my GERD and have been waiting a few weeks to see my Dr to get a referral to a gastro. …

Hello, I hope I'm in the right place. I'm a 34 year old man. Quit smoking cigarettes on June 1st 2019. Started at the age of 16. So, 17-18 years of smoking. Picked up vaping instead in June. I quit vaping yesterday. I went to the ER last night because …

I am SO confused.... For the bulk of my life, my blood pressure has been utterly steady and boring.  120/80, no matter what else was happening with my body. In January, when I began seeing this new FP doctor, my resting blood pressure was …

@Richard DJ - you wrote: "I no longer have to take a blood thinner, like Eliquis". To not give the impression that an ablation means you can stop drugs, below is one overview from the StopAfib forum on that topic. "Some are able to stop a blood thinner …

Posted this on the wall then realised there is a questions section. Sorry for the duplication… I’m so glad I’ve found this site - I’ve been reading lots of supportive messages and fantastic advice. I’m not sure how to feel tbh. I have multiple ground …

Hi there everyone. I live in a hilly area. Every time I attempt to go for a simple walk, the huffing and puffing from all the hills really starts making a lot of mucus and obstruction in my airways. I then feel short of breath and my inhaler with spacer …

I'm afraid that Karen's right, aliingreenvalley. Medicare Advantage Plans are possible because the Federal gov't created them back in the early 80s to give people an alternative to standard insurance. My parents belonged to the one that was one of the …

My elderly mum has COPD and the last 4 months has been on a constant merry go round of steroids. Her stats are now above 90 but still exhausted by SOB and I can’t get her to find the energy to leave the house. Any ideas people, I’m new to this forum

This is difficult to write. A week ago I was in ER for what was diagnosed as a COPD exacerbation. I’m unable to get a pulmonologist appt. for 1.5 months so saw my PCP. Was put on O2 for nighttime use, iprat/albuteral nebulizer 4x/day, 40mg Prednisone & …

Yes, Jean IA... longer exhales are always good! PEP Buddy helps you optimize - get the most benefit possible - from exhalation. Basically, this device helps you do a better job of what you aim to do every day - get as much stale air out of your lungs as …

Since you found a pulmonologist who was able to fit you in to his/her schedule, if you like the MD, ask if the MD if they have a GP they can refer you to. That’s how I go my awesome GP, a referral from my pulmonologist!

I find that going from sleeping flat to sitting/getting up makes my oxygen level plummet. When I sleep in the easy chair I don’t experience the plummet but rather I stay at good oxy level. I want to sleep with my spouse, so I’m looking for the best split …

Hi, I am under investigation for respiratory issues which I have had for around two year or may be even more but it is first now when it impacts daily life that testing to find the reason began. one wierd thing is that breathingdifficulty is associated …

A peak flow meter administered by non-professional is pretty much next to useless and will not give you any honest information. A better purchase would be a pulse oximeter at this stage. What you need to do is get your anxiety in check, quit vaping and …

Hi All. currently assisting with care of and visiting a sick 86 year old parent with double pneumonia and heart failure who is in hospital... I'm assisting / visiting 4 to 8 hours a day... I have mild COPD aged 53 and have had pneumonia vaccine... This …