COPD360social welcomes new member TAMALA who joins 59,338 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

TonicDk

TonicDkanswered the question April Showers Bring More Than May Flowers: Self-Care Spring

Important words!, I love gardening too , and beeing with my granddaugther , self care is important.

50 minutes ago

Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RN

Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RNasked the question: April Showers Bring More Than May Flowers: Self-Care Spring

Happy Spring! While I love the changing of the seasons, and I especially love spring, sometimes it brings more than just sunshine and flowers. It seems like this time of year brings a lot of opportunities to be stressed. When I was younger, I might have …

2 hours ago

1fatfanny

1fatfannyanswered the question Anyone else newly diagnosed

Hi Caroline, Thereโ€™s a lot you can do to improve your outcome e.g. diet / exercise / smoking cessationโ€ฆ If you post the numbers from your spirometry here, there are world class clinicians who monitor the site and may give you the benefit of their …
das23DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain also answered the question das23and 1 other also answered the question

2 hours ago

das23

das23answered the question Mucinex/Guaifenesin and NAC

I use them both with no problem
Kristen Szymonik, BS, RRT, AE-C (Assistant Director of Education) also answered the question Kristen Szymonik, BS, RRT, AE-C (Assistant Director of Education) also answered the question

3 hours ago

Jingles

Jinglesanswered the question How do you manage the anxiety?

My internist prescribed 100mg of Zoloft. It is helping. My pulmonologist would not prescribe it, Though he agreed and refered me to my primary care doc
Kailuabreathing 1fatfannyTmM0930and 7 others also answered the question Kailuabreathing and 9 others also answered the question

6 hours ago

Mary K.

Mary K.answered the question No results yet

Yes... ((((hug))))) to you
Grandma05Kristen Szymonik, BS, RRT, AE-C (Assistant Director of Education)brydyand 2 others also answered the question Grandma05and 4 others also answered the question

7 hours ago

LannyV

LannyVasked the question: Mucinex/Guaifenesin and NAC

I have been reading a lot about the use of Mucinex/Guaifenesin and NAC being used to help reduce mucus. Can these 2 be used together or is it one or the other? In all the comments I have not seen where anyone was using both at the same time.

7 hours ago

Fritz45

Fritz45answered the question How bad are typical early COPD symptoms? (and struggling to cope)

I can keep you posted on my story. If you look at my post some of you sound similar to myself I'm 31. I freaked out also but this is how it was explained to me. I'm right now in the midst of a diagnosis - I wouldn't freak out about COPD until you know …
BrittishereMike Hess, RRT (COPDF Senior Director of Public Outreach and Education) also answered the question Brittishereand 1 other also answered the question

8 hours ago

Caroline s

Caroline sasked the question: Anyone else newly diagnosed

Hi guys... This us a bit scary for me. I've just been newly diagnosed through a spirometry test...basically just told 'Oh you have an obstruction...here's some printed information sheets to take home with you. 'I've no idea what to do next. Not being …

8 hours ago

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captain

Karen Deitemeyer - Florida State Captaincommented onTom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

Thank you Tom and Renee!! Your truck is awesome!! I hope you'll please keep us updated on Renee's lung transplant journey. ...

8 hours ago

Windshadow

Windshadowanswered the question Any experience with a trilogy vent?

My doctor prescribed me trilogy 2021/2022, I was 63yrs & my left lung was removed in Feb 2015, due to lung cancer. I inhaled the number of puffs prescribed and my right lung felt like it was on fire within seconds of inhaling & it. The severe …
DocslaveGuero..Lovesacowboyand 3 others also answered the question Docslaveand 5 others also answered the question

10 hours ago

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Ken Benson-California Lung Health Advocate and State Captain

Big thanks to the Veterans Administration, COPD Foundation for convening the EQUIP study team in Washington D.C. last week.
The VA realizes that it needs to do a better job of servicing their COPD veterans and our hope is this group will help to make that happen.


Big shout out to Sergio Martinez for making sure we all got where we were supposed to be and to Jean Rommes for the invite to join the group.



As a veteran and COPD patient I appreciate the opportunity to serve.

10 hours ago

  • das23I'll second that Ken..It's a privilege to be part of the EQUIP study tean. Thanks Sergio and Jean
    ----Dave S (alias das23)3 hours ago
Akeel

Akeel

Anyone know a good portable concentrator. Rechargeable battery type. I am aware of Inogen, but lookin for a more affordable option. My insurance still not approving. Thanks

11 hours ago

Keel

Keel

No too great. Usually bad this time of year. Think I need to move. 

12 hours ago

Who Me ?

Who Me ?commented onThe Future of COPD Research: Overcoming Current Barriers

Thank you for this article, it says a lot. The COPD disease is as it progresses is very depressing. No one seems to catch this except the patients.Even just a little light in the tunnel is helpful. The fact that the FDA maybe approving a new drug...

12 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captaincommented onTom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

Thank you, Tom and Renee! You are very much appreciated. It's people like you that make our world a better place! ๐Ÿคฉ...

12 hours ago

das23

das23commented onTom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

Thank you Tom for sharing yours and Renee"s story and thanks for spreading the COPD message with your truck----------Good lookin' truck!!๐Ÿ‘...

13 hours ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article Tom the Truck Driver Drives COPD Awareness

This article was written by Tara Shedor, MA.

The COPD Foundation was delighted to recently be introduced to Tom of Pennsylvania who is using his time on the road to raise awareness about COPD and inspire our community. The following is an interview with Tom who shares his story about how he became an advocate for those with COPD through supporting his wife, Renee.

Who is your wife and how did she first become diagnosed with COPD?

My wife's name is Renee. She is 60 years old and will be 61 on April 25. She was diagnosed with COPD about 10 years ago. At that time, I had no idea what it was. She started having trouble walking and went to the doctor and the doctor diagnosed her with emphysema. She continued smoking, and only about two years later, she started having a lot of trouble breathing. I didn't know what to think. I used to smoke. I had never heard of COPD.

How did things progress for Renee?

They told her she should go on oxygen at night. She had this little tank. Then, eventually, they told her she needed to be on oxygen during the day. I was thinking, โ€œreally?โ€ So, she had to be on oxygen all the time. Then next thing you know, it was one liter and then it went to two liters.

As time went on, I slowly started to witness how it was affecting her. She wasn't able to do her normal things in life such as walking distances. At that point I really started to research COPD. For the last 5 years, she became disabled from working, and the disease started to really take control of her abilities to do pretty much anything.

Then, last year, we started all the testing that's needed to qualify for a double lung transplant. This past Tuesday on April 9, she finally made it on the listing. I am scared for her and I'm sure she is also.

16 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

๐Ÿฅ„BROWN RICE-COCONUT PUDDING๐Ÿฅ„2 cups water1 cup short grain brown rice1/4 tsp. salt1 cinnamon stick1 1/2 cups coconut milk, divided 1/2 cup raisins1/2 tsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. vanilla extract2 tbsp. brown sugar1/4 cup toasted slivered almondsPlace...

18 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainGood morning, friends! Today is going to be a GOOD day! I am prepared. I have my medication schedule written out. I know what I am going to prepare for my meals. I am going to accomplish some chores. You, too, can do the same! Making a plan is a good idea! Enjoy your day...YOU GOT THIS! ๐Ÿ˜€

23 hours ago

Grandma05

Grandma05asked the question: No results yet

Had my spirometry Tuesday still waiting results. I was also fitted yesterday with a 24 hour heart monitor the drs are covering all basis. Also had chest x ray. The nurse doing my test was absolutely lovely and so reassuring. Will update when results are …

1 day ago

das23

das23answered the question How much excercise/being active do I need

Sounds like your doing well with what you're doing. Unless a doctor tells you otherwise -- do as much as you can--that's what I do. I'm able to hike a few days a week and I also go to a gym and use machines a few days a week. Keep up the good work!! --- …
Mary K.Mike Hess, RRT (COPDF Senior Director of Public Outreach and Education) also answered the question Mary K.and 1 other also answered the question

1 day ago

Mary K.

Mary K.

Hi fellow members! Im here because i was off 02 for 5 days then all of a sudden needed ot 24/7 again. I use a bipap when I sleep and wake up at 94. The longer i am on the bipap, the better my 02 is. There is no rhyme or reason!   ;(

1 day ago

Chemical Map

Chemical Map

Hello Everyone!  I have a question about anxiety and COPD.  I am feeling more anxiety regularly.  Are you on any sort of Rx to help with this?  If so, what?

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainPart of getting through your day is planning your meals. I have a pot of my yellow squash simmering as I do laundry and other household chores. My mind is focused on only good things.
Mind over matter. No time to think of negative things. Positive outlook rules! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

1 day ago

Anxious Sequoia

Anxious Sequoia asked the question: How much excercise/being active do I need

Hhello everyone I been wondering this but how much excercise should i be doing per day or what does staying active mean? I ride my stationary bike 45 mins a day dn walk my dog 2x day with resistance training every other day. Outside of that I'm mostly at …

1 day ago

Mike Hess, RRT (COPDF Senior Director of Public Outreach and Education)

Mike Hess, RRT (COPDF Senior Director of Public Outreach and Education)Hey, everyone! I live in southwestern Michigan. We had an outbreak of severe thunderstorms in our area that spawned a few tornadoes, including one that traveled as close as about two miles from my house. Fortunately, our family is safe and we were one of the lucky ones that didn't have much property damage. However, there have now been 13 consecutive days with at least one reported tornado in the US, and a total of 437 confirmed tornadoes since the beginning of the year. More will be coming, as will other types of severe weather and emergencies.


There's no time like the present to review (or create) your household's disaster plan! You can use the COPD Foundation's Disaster Preparedness Plan (https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Downloads.aspx#DPP) to help you get started so that you are ready to go with your medications, equipment, and other necessities if disaster strikes. A little planning now can make a BIG difference later!

COPD Foundation Educational Materials

The COPD Foundation educational library has a variety of useful booklets, flyers, and tools that you can download to help you learn more about living and thriving with COPD โ€“ everything from the basics of lung conditions to specific topics such as exercise and exacerbations (flare-ups).

1 day ago

Mike Hess, RRT (COPDF Senior Director of Public Outreach and Education)

Mike Hess, RRT (COPDF Senior Director of Public Outreach and Education)answered the question As 36y male will I be able to see my 70s

Not much to add here, honestly. Life expectancy is incredibly hard to predict, no matter what you may read elsewhere on the internet. There is constant research into improving current therapies and developing new ones, so I'd recommend taking each day as …
Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainbrydy also answered the question Phyliss DiLorenzo NJ State Captainand 1 other also answered the question

1 day 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.