Dry Nose, Dry Mouth, Dry SkinThe one thing I have learned about taking COPD medication is most will most likely dry you out. It could be puffers or a simple inability to breath easy and...reactions2comments
Ask the Advocates: Running ErrandsWe asked our COPD advocates to share their tips on running errands. Here is what they each had to say. Let’s talk about getting out and about! While we were...reactions47comments
Falling Down and Getting UpThis is the story of how I fell down, landed on my buttocks, and got myself back up again without help from anyone. Being home alone always makes me feel...reactions12comments
Breathing Issues and Frequent Illness in Childhood and Young AdulthoodDid you have breathing issues when you were young? I sure did. I remember having colds, bronchitis, and the flu all the time. My sister and I seemed to be...reactions20comments
Who or What Keeps You Going in Life?If you are like me, you probably have other things besides your COPD that you struggle with that may hinder your will to keep going every day. COPD is hard...reactions33comments
The Daily Agony of Living With COPDOne of the things that I have learned while dealing with COPD is that it is hard for others to understand what we live with every day of our life...reactions8comments
Having Long Covid and COPDLet's talk long Covid. Twenty days after our previous Covid test, my husband and I tested positive for Covid-19. This was the third time. When we tested positive, my husband...reactions1comment
The Silent Suffering: When COPD Meets Lack of UnderstandingEditor's Note: This article discusses domestic abuse and neglect, which may be distressing for certain readers. The cruelest part of having COPD is the people that refuse to understand. It’s...reactions13comments
Do You Belong to an In-Person Support Group?When I was first diagnosed with Alpha-1, I was interested in joining a support group. Would there even be one in my area? With Alpha-1 being a rare genetic disorder...reactionscomments
Community Shares: My Shingles SurpriseRecently, members of our community discussed shingles. Shingles symptoms are uncomfortable, and they can be more severe when combined with autoimmune diseases. It is always an unwelcome surprise when shingles...reactionscomments
Give Me StrengthPlease give me strength in this COPD world. This title really resonates with me. How often have I said those three words: “Give me strength.” If you stop and think...reactions27comments
A Day Out Leads to Ignorance and RudenessI had a doctor’s appointment; the day was lovely, with the promise of spring around the corner. I was happy to get out of the house for a few hours...reactions48comments
Inhaler Use in the Hospital: What to Expect and How It May Differ from HomeEditor's Note: Please note that each hospital admission is unique, and the following account represents only one perspective. When you come to the hospital, things will be different than at...reactions11comments
A COPD Patient Interviews MeI do not always bring this up. But in a conversation today with a patient of mine with severe COPD, I mentioned I had really bad asthma as a kid...reactions2comments
What I Thought Was Eczema Turned Out to Be ShinglesEditor’s note: This article was written by Health Leader Cora Lyn Sears and originally appeared on our partner site AtopicDermatitis.net. She describes her experience of having shingles while living with...reactionscomments
Navigating the Impact of GERD on COPDAccording to Google.com, GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Heartburn is the main symptom, but it also affects swallowing and causes food to get stuck in the esophagus. When you...reactions9comments
How Often Should We Change Our Hoses and Other Oxygen InformationJust recently, in one of the Alpha-1 support groups, questions have been asked about how often we should change the hoses on our oxygen concentrators. When reading some of the...reactions20comments
Spring Has SprungYearning, I so want to smell the flowers. Wildflowers are my favorites. Yet, nothing compares to the aromatic lilacs from those beautiful lilac bushes. I remember picking them up when...reactions7comments
You Don't Look SickI want to thank a few of you members from our forums who reminded me of how this feels. I think we all have been through this, but it would...reactions3comments
Using and Wearing Supplemental OxygenAt least once a day, I hear someone say how much they dread wearing supplemental oxygen. Some because their vanity dictates it, some because of prejudice, and others because, the...reactions3comments
