Hope for COPD

WHAT IS A SPOONIE??? I used to look at people so differently.  Especially, the people parked in the handicap parking spots. I didn't really see them.... Never really thought to much about them. When I did think of them, it was to help them load their van with the groceries they bought, or let them know the door in  back  was still open. But a part of me, was jealous that they got special treatment. Now... I look at them, HARD. That is now my special parking place! Then I look at myself...  I don't look sick.  Sure, I have gained weight due to my illness. But, there is nothing on the outside that screams I need this parking place. I have no wheelchair, no crutches, no service dog, I have all of my limbs. Now, I just look like I am too lazy to walk any further.  I know. Some of you may know. We have a secret.  Within our able looking bodies, hides a serious disability. One that takes our breath away, limits the amount ...

How much does it cost to have Severe COPD, severe arthritis, carpal tunnel, chronic pain (unexplained), and illness associated anxiety? For 2014-2015 Medications $11959.43 Dr. Visits $1620.18 (specialists and primary) OTC medications, vitamins, and supplements $798.37 Travel to specialist $681.49 (gas, tolls, parking, and meals) Grand total of $15059.47 NOT including oxygen concentrator or nebulizer rental.  Thankfully most of that is covered for me. Over 24 MILLION people in the US have COPD... 15 million don't even know it yet! As the numbers rise, the likelihood of YOU getting COPD rises... If you are short of breathe, get tested. Don't work too hard or too much, breathe CLEAN air. Work for a better way to live, work, and breathe.  Sadly, outdoor air pollution cannot be avoided. But with much effort by many, it might be reduced.

SUPPORT GROUPS When I was first diagnosed I didn't know much about COPD.  I knew it had to do with not breathing well. It was, in my opinion, a senior aged smoker thing. How could someone my age, some HEALTHY and ACTIVE, who only smoked a half a pack a day or less, HOW could I get this??? I was in my 30's! Thinking back, I had it in my twenties, and just didn't think anything of it. It was an occasional breathlessness. As a kid, I was never an athletic girl. Always the last one picked in gym class. I didn't like playing in any sports, or anything physical. But, I  did love  walking for hours  at  the forest preserve, and was always there when the weather was good! HOURS, not minutes, of walking the trails. I would say hiking, but not quite. So, I had COPD. Stage 3 at that point. But, what does it all mean? The woman who first diagnosed me accurately, told me something scary.  "Getting sick just one time, might be your last."  She was...

A huge part of having COPD is the horrible exacerbations we have. If you are newly diagnosed you may wonder, what exactly is an exacerbation? Well, we cough... More than we should. COPD exhibits differently in each of us. An exacerbation, is when we cough excessively and produce phlegm. Coughing up phlegm is actually a good thing for us to do, as some of us over produce it. This can be an embarrassing event. While working as a retail manager, and speaking with customers, this happened often. VERY OFTEN. Coughing up more than a Kleenex could hold, a handful of phlegm. Gross. Now, I said that is is healthy for us to do this, but you must look at it. Yes, look at the phlegm you coughed up. Keep track of the color. The color is telling you what is going on in your body. Is it clear? Then you are fine. White, okay no problem. Gray? That is okay too. Also, keep in mind that if you just drank something with color, like a glass of red wine or soda... It may be scary to see blo...

The apps listed here are not COPD specific. They can be used for many different illnesses.  My personal favorite! That is why I included it again.  MediSafe Meds & Pill Reminder ANDROID https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.medisafe.android.client&hl=en iTUNES https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/medisafe-meds-pill-reminder/id573916946?mt=8 I LOVE this app! This is what I use to remind me to take my medications on time every day. It has many features that make it one of the best apps I have tried for this purpose. It will even remind you of refills, and remind your health partner to remind you to take your meds! You can use it for multiple people, and it has a great notification sound of shaking a pill bottle! MediSafe is a beautiful, visual and easy-to-use pill reminder and medication management app. It will help you take your medicine on time and safely. It also allows you to help your family members with their pills. --->...

When you are diagnosed with COPD, your Doctor will ask if you have any questions. If you are anything like me, I might have one or two. But, without a complete understanding of the illness, it is hard to know exactly what questions to ask. Of course, your doctor cannot spend the time to explain EVERYTHING to you. So there are many things you can do on your own to learn about this.  No, I don't expect you to understand everything you read. BUT, you will gain a much better understanding if you do some reading, and watch some videos. We are living in an amazing time, where information is out there and free for use to learn.  Plus, I am a strong believer that you have to be your own health advocate. Of course, I do not want you to barge into your physicians office acting like you know more than they do. Some general practitioners admit that they don't feel confident about their knowledge of COPD. I think it is best to learn all you can, so that if they are not admitting this,...

  Do you know what this image is?  THIS is  a cell nuclei that has been stained to reveal IL-33. It is a type of signaling molecule found in very high levels of COPD patients! It signifies the presence of a viral infection, past or present. I am really excited about this news! Since being diagnosed with COPD I have researched everything I could, to learn as much as I can about this disease.  My first Dr. Told me that I was getting sick because I smoke.  I thought, how does a cigarette put bacteria in my lungs? It is made of tobacco, not bacteria!  New research has shown that there is the viral infection.  This viral infection causes and overproduction of mucus. Which causes inflammation of the lung tissue. That process can cause what we know as an exacerbation. This news could mean new research into therapies that will help COPD patients manage their disease much better. Some of you may already know that I will be researching an...