COPD360social welcomes new member Sharon C. who joins 59,144 current members of our community. Weโ€™re glad you're here!

Fritz45

Fritz45asked the question: Asthma/COPD overlap at 31

Hi everyone, My name is Nick - I'm currently in the process of getting a diagnosis (which I am very confident will be COPD). I have that discussion coming up here on Monday with my pulmonologist. I've fallen into a pretty debilitating depression since …

4 minutes ago

Randolph

Randolph

Breathlessness and little activity has me thinking about shooter to get around without anxiety .


Your experience and thoughts are appreciated?

2 hours ago

  • NewestOldest
  • Bill Clark - Community ManagerI assume you meant scooter???1 hour ago
  • RandolphHi Bill..
    Yes scooter but my pride and for the sake of getting some exercise i think i should delay this decision until absolutely necessary ....but quality of life suffers going out less 1 hour ago
  • Bill Clark - Community ManagerHaving a scooter has given me more mobility without question. For anyone with a mobility issue they can be helpful but with COPD there are some limiting factors.
    1. They have to be light and portable. If you can't breathe you aren't going to be able to lift a heavy scooter into a car or manage a scooter lift. Don't select one that must be disassembled in order to put it in the car.
    2. Battery life is important but the weight of the batteries is equally important. Many scooueters use larger (like motorcycle size) batteries and they weigh a bunch. Look for smaller batteries that are easily removeable and still offer a good power time.
    3. 4 wheel scooters are fairly stable but 3 wheel scooters are more manueverable especially if used indoors.
    4. Make scure the scooter can handle inclines. and handle gravel or grass. Generally the larger the wheels the better the terrain handling will be.
    5. Make sure the scooter can handle your weight. Most are limited by weight they can carry.
    6. Get one that can be servided (preferably locally). There are many cheaper ones in the market that are imported and don't offer service centers.
    7 Find one that offers baskets where you can place a concentrator or oxygen tanks and items you need to have with you.


    try googling light weight folding mobility scooters.
    59 minutes ago
Norwester

Norwesteranswered the question New guy intro

I had the same problem 3-4 yrs ago and my doctor suggested using my albuterol inhaler before starting as Jean mentioned. It works! Pursed lip breathing may help also before you leave the house.
Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RNJean IA State Captain also answered the question Amanda Atkinson, MSN, RNand 1 other also answered the question

3 hours ago

SherriAL

SherriAL

Iโ€™m new on here, diagnosed few years ago with COPD, have had asthma since I was a child, Iโ€™m now 71.  I was able to pretty much to anything I wanted , (walk,, bike ride, moderate exercise, etc.) until I had an โ€œexacerbationโ€ in December, than had Covid in January (took Paxlivid and was barely sick), since the exacerbation, Iโ€™ve had a lot more mucus buildup, more periods of SOB, more coughing.  My Pulmonologist just says this is how this disease works, can change overnight and never go back.  Iโ€™m on Trelegy, Albuterol as needed, Singular, Mucinex and Allegra daily.   Iโ€™ve discovered ANY weather changes affect me very negatively.  I live in the desert, about 6000 ft elevation, almost no humidity.  I run a humidifier and medical grade air purifier year round.  The winds lately have bothered me a lot, even tho Iโ€™m spending minimal time outside.  I do go to gym 3x week, work with a trainer weekly, and walk outside 1-2 miles when weather is perfect.  Some days I feel perfectly normal, youโ€™d never know I have COPD, other days I can barely breath.  Is all this normal?  Any suggestions on breaking up the mucus and control the coughing?  

4 hours ago

Randolph

Randolphasked the question: New guy intro

Hello freinds im Randolph and just joined. Ive been taking Trelegy for 10 years. I havent had exasperation past 2 years. I have no coughing or plegm. Im 63 yo and retired so i dont get much exercise llately other than short walks. my question is when I …

4 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Today is day four, then we have one more...day of fruit and vegetable colors, and their health benefits! ๐ŸŸขGREEN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES๐ŸŸขAs per the National Cancer Institute, cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale provide compounds called...

10 hours ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Thursday! Keep on smiling, and shine on! Yes, you are a shining star! ๐ŸŒŸ

14 hours ago

Gerryb

Gerrybanswered the question Just Breathe: Finding Your Breath During Stressful Times

Thank you
Kristen Willardjennifer nulphRogelioand 2 others also answered the question Kristen Willardand 4 others also answered the question

17 hours ago

Bobo76

Bobo76

Hi im new ive had copd since 2022 i have just been put on trimbow 

22 hours 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 Questions to ask Pulmonologist

Not much else to add...we are seeing a lot more "early emphysematous changes" on CT scans in the era of lung cancer screening CTs. As mentioned, the spirometry test will shed a lot more light on your situation, as you can have these structural changes …
RedPowerJupiter brydyand 1 other also answered the question RedPowerand 3 others also answered the question

1 day ago

Xmdc54X

Xmdc54X

Well I feel like I am standing in front of an AA meeting. My name is Mike and I have had severe COPD since 2009. I went through pulmonary rehab, and purchased a treadmill while I was in PR as I still worked full time and knew I would need it. I walked daily for years about 30 minutes a day after work. EXCERCISE IS KEY. Use it or lose it. Jean Rhommes (sp) helped me to see the importance of excercise.


Now it is 2024, I am 69 and I am still hanging around though not quite as spry..lol In 2013, at 58 years old, my Dr told me to take disability and stop work. I guess I was fortunate. I did my own SSDI application and since I was a grant writer I had a few advantages knowing what made government employees lives easier and used them to my advantage. I filed online on Friday and was contacted by the state review officer on Tuesday of the next week and he told me about how many times I used Compassionate Allowances For COPD in my application and included the test results to back them up. He said there is no sense reviewing the application and when I would be able to take a spirometry test by their contracted Dr. to make sure all was right. I said any time so they set it up for that Friday and I was approved the same Afternoon when they received the Dr's report. basically one week to apply and be approved due to Compassionate Allowance for Breathing Problems.


I am now on 02 24/7 and sleep on a Trilogy Respirator at night. I just got out of the hospital with a mild case of COVID, my Pulmonologist said it was most likely mild due to my being up to date on all the shots and boosters. I just had to satay in the hospital 2 nights and came home.


Well thats a good to stop for a while, going to take a short nap and rest awhile. Today was shower day and that usually is pretty tiring. Looking forward to meeting everyone and learning all I can.


Mike

1 day ago

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota Hope this finds everyone well and enjoying Wednesday!!  Have a good day!! 

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Hello, friends! We've reached the middle of our fruit and vegetable colors week. Are we having fun yet?! ๐Ÿฅณ๐ŸŸกYELLOW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND LEAFY GREENS๐ŸŸขMany yellow and green vegetables are a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin-phytochemicals...

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHello, and happy Wednesday! What a nice feeling it is to wake up and greet the new day! Lots to look forward to and enjoy! 
Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends! ๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

Ratcoon

Ratcoon

Sad today . my heart has been racing for a couple of months making it hard to even get out of bed. Started a calcium channel blocker even though my blood pressure was low. Been through so much in the past 7 years and blame a lot of my current condition on chemo and radiation. Im a fighter but its getting harder. Going to continue to do my best to show im not going out without a fight

1 day ago

RedPower

RedPowerasked the question: Questions to ask Pulmonologist

Hi everyone, I see my pulmonologist today for the first time after my CT scan has shown โ€˜early emphysematous changesโ€™ and โ€˜early background COPD changesโ€™. Just wondering if you have any suggestions on things I should ask him? Iโ€™m keen to hear his …

1 day ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

Here we are, back for a second day of talking about fruit and vegetable colors, and how they benefit our health. ๐ŸŸ ORANGE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES๐ŸŸ You are probably wondering why some foods are orange. It's the alpha and beta carotene that give them...

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainHappy Tuesday, friends! There are so many reasons we have to enjoy our day! Wishing you a pleasant, easy breathing day! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainWould you like to learn how to make this? Hop on over to the Eating Well blog to find out! ๐Ÿ˜€

2 days ago

Kristen Szymonik, BS, RRT, AE-C (Assistant Director of Education)

Kristen Szymonik, BS, RRT, AE-C (Assistant Director of Education)asked the question: Just Breathe: Finding Your Breath During Stressful Times

How many times have you been told to โ€œtake a deep breathโ€ or โ€œjust breatheโ€ when youโ€™re stressed? While these people mean well, they often donโ€™t understand just how hard it is to take that deep breath, especially when you are living with COPD and other …

3 days ago

Community Announcements

Community Announcementsadded a new article COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium Releases Guidance on Mitigating Infection Risk During Nebulization

Document Focuses on Health Care Settings and Home Environments

MIAMI (April 15, 2024) – A guidance statement from the COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium (CNC) on the safe use of nebulized therapies in health care settings and home environments has been published in the March 2024 issue of CHEST, a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Nebulizers are commonly used to deliver inhaled medications to people with respiratory illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These devices are especially important to individuals who may not receive the full benefit of medication delivered by handheld inhalers.

There is currently a lack of evidence on the safe use of nebulizer therapies and the increased risk of transmitting disease, particularly in the current COVID-19 environment. The CNC’s goal is to understand infection risks that may be associated with nebulizer therapy use, so that guidelines are developed to ensure the safety of people receiving nebulizer therapy, as well as those around them.

3 days ago

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Manager of Public and Professional Education)

Jonnie Korinko (COPDF Manager of Public and Professional Education)answered the question Dad with severe/end stage ins up COPD

Hadkm, I am sorry to hear that you and your family are going through this difficult time. I believe it would be helpful to meet with the palliative care coordinator to gain a clearer understanding of what to expect next and to learn about your …
brydyBrittishereJupiter and 1 other also answered the question brydyand 3 others also answered the question

3 days ago

1fatfanny

1fatfannyanswered the question How do you manage the anxiety?

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 downโ€ฆ My experience is that positive action is the only antidote or tonic …
TmM0930Jean IA State CaptainMarkN.and 5 others also answered the question TmM0930and 7 others also answered the question

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

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

This week we're going to talk about the colors of fruits and vegetables. Please feel free to leave comments or post a recipe!๐Ÿ”ดRED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES๐Ÿ”ดRed plant foods such as tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene. Lycopene is a phytochemical...

3 days ago

DebbieB.-Connecticut State Captain

DebbieB.-Connecticut State CaptainWishing everyone a Monday that is brilliant, colorful, and filled with reasons to smile! ๐Ÿ˜€

3 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53This morning's sunrise...

3 days ago

barbiesfamily

barbiesfamily

My sister is not very old. She has copd and just got her out of hospital.  She has no air flow in lungs.  They pumped her full of stuff. She can not even leave her room very much.  I don't even know what to do. I am going to start going over to her home and start cleaning it so I can help her.  She is unable to do much of anything.  social security is denying it and not sure if anyone has advice on how to help her.  

4 days ago

  • NewestOldestClick to View All Comments4 comment(s)
  • Jean IA State CaptainYou can help her appeal the SS decision. It might be worth it to get an experienced Social Security attorney.3 days ago
  • Christina H RRTHi barbiesfamily โ€‹. I am sorry to hear that your sister has been unwell. I love your idea of helping her to tidy/clean her home. Those acts of kindness go a long way to help someone live with COPD. I would recommend your sister have some in-home physical therapy to build her strength and if that goes well, she could transition to a pulmonary rehab program. These programs do a lot to help those manage COPD and other lung conditions better. If any other family and friends with to assist her, ask your sister if she has any other odd jobs (like picking up groceries, taking out the trash, doing laundry) that she might need help with until she is back on her feet. Thinking of you and your sister and praying things improve. 2 days ago
  • barbiesfamily Oh thank you. I did speak to PCP today and they are willing to help.  Also, she is not on oxygen and sats in the 90's to 80's they told her there is just no air movement.  The pulmonary nurse was not very nice and screamed at her stating she is in the final stage and nothing more they can do for her. That she is in the final stages.  She was referred to Pulmonary rehab.  I did contact an attorney group, apply for medicaid, applied for VA benefits, and everything I could think of.   I will keep coming back for encouragement.  I will say her home is very bad but I just go and do one room at a time and scrub until the home is clean. She was embarrassed to ask for help and the home has been neglected and so I am renting a dumpster and getting rid of all the stuff.  That way it will be more manageable.  Thank you all and I did buy her a pulseox, shower chair, walker and more.  Thank you again.  2 days ago
TmM0930

TmM0930

I'm coughing and tired again

4 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.