r/COPD

Ive made 2 previous posts regarding my spirometry results. Report note added to test was “mild obstruction with lung volumes upper limit of normal” . I had an appointment with a respiratory nurse to discuss results. Who basically told me the results didn’t look like typical COPD due to large lung volumes (PEF 141%, FVC 125% and FEV 109% with a fev1/fvc ratio of 0.72 and mfef75/25 69%, all results were within zscore criteria apart from the fev1/fvc being 0.06 out), high and improving fitness levels and symptoms being more linked to upper airways. She then arranged an appointment for me to see a GP to see what the next steps were. Whilst waiting to be seen by GP “mild COPD” was added to my online health record. So a couple of days ago I finally had my GP appointment and challenged the diagnosis to which he apologised and said this was added because all he read was “mild obstruction” and didnt know anything about my background (symptoms, lifestyle, fitness levels, etc) or the actual individual numbers on spirometry. After discussing my race times, symptoms (air hunger, post nasal drip, throat related symptoms and a history of childhood asthma and acid reflux) and low smoke exposure of 3.5pack years (ish) we then looked at the spirometry results, he basically said the “results are very mild” “strong lung volumes bringing the ratio down is plausible”(both my PEF and FVC in the top 1% for my age and height) and could also be a “few differentials causing symptoms - mild asthma, post nasal drip, silent reflux”. He reassured me that this isn’t progressive lung disease and advised me to take antihistamines and omeprazole for a month to see if there’s an improvement. But no follow up or ongoing investigation regarding my lungs. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar and if I can finally relax 😂 thanks.

It's getting to the point where I have to return 90% of what I buy from Amazon, Target, Costco or Walmart because everything smells so strongly of tide and downy (or Gain!). I am so sick of Downy Butt contaminating everything from vitamins to new clothes. P&G changed all their detergents and fabric softeners in 2025 to make the scents much stronger, and now everything their laundry products are stored near just plain stinks.

I'm a caregiver to a person who is remote and home bound, so we have to use these major retailers. I can't shop elsewhere for everything, these are my main or only choices. CVS and Walgreens have also become problematic, everything from there smells and tastes like laundry products. It's so gross! No way is this safe. We are not supposed to eat laundry detergent, and I don't want to eat food that tastes like laundry detergent either.

The fragrance contamination doesn't wash out of brand new fabrics, even after weeks of trying everything. We are fragrance free because we all have asthma... One in twelve people does too. Plus tons of people have allergies, MCS, autism, Lyme, and other medical conditions and disabilities that cause severe fragrance intolerance are affected. These are not small groups of people.

It's crazy that we can't get anything from any of these major retailers now because of these intense laundry smells, and they don't go away or air out, even with time.

We are getting asthma attacks when we open most amazon (or target, walmart, even costco) packages, the smell is so strong and doesn't air out. I wish all these major retailers would refuse to sell tide, downy, and gain because those products now make everything stored near them stink and taste like chemicals. Nothing gets these smells out now!

Costco used to be safest, but now they sell so many of these laundry scent beads and scented laundry products that everything really reeks. It's not fair to have new things arrive already smelling contaminated like Downy Butt. Nasty!

Not looking for medical advice.

So I went to my first sleep doctor appointment today. I made sure to tell him that my o2 drops to 80 when I'm asleep, heart rate drops to 40, I wake up choking/gasping for air, and feeling like I'm drowning and legitimately can't get air in almost every night. He has me scheduled for my sleep study in 3 days. He said I'll most likely end up with a CPAP machine.

MY QUESTION: Will my CPAP machine really make me wake up feeling more rested? I walk around completely exhausted all the time but I just push through it and honestly I thought it was related to my pots. Can this machine really change my life for the better? And what are all of your real world experiences?

Just a question does anyone here have emphysema that still get their hair dyed ? I really want to get my hair done but i guess i been scared into not doing it because the fumes can trigger shortness of breath i read others say . Me personally I have not experienced this, but I do have a good nose and smell everything strongly. So I don't know if I should go ahead and do it, or what precautions should I take If I do have a reaction. I do have emphysema its severe but im not on oxygen yet . I would just like to hear if anybody has went and got their hair done And was fine

hey guys !

i am part of a team in my school, hoping to design a novel invention to improve the lifestyle of those with COPD. we wanted to ask, what specific lifestyle issues do you struggle with due to having COPD? we’re hoping to understand how the condition interferes with day to day life, and insight from people who have the condition would be extremely helpful. i’d really appreciate if you could give us some of your time to help our research! :)

Hi, my mum got diagnosed yesterday with stage 1, borderline stage 2 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. She is a smoker of over 40 years, heavy drinker. She has said she is going to quit smoking and get fitter. Does anyone have any tips or advice for this stage, anything I can be doing to make it easier for her?

My mom is 74 and Stage 4. She had a flare-up a little over a month ago, and they removed 6 of her 9 zephyr valves. She's been living with me since that flare-up.

She had a follow-up appointment on Friday, and she was feeling really great early in the day. The day was tough on her; however, she was quickly exhausted. She was asleep by 7:00 that night.

She continued to have issues breathing throughout the weekend. She was so weak last night, that she asked me to sleep in her room. I did.

Today, she seemed to be slightly better in the morning, but by the afternoon was worse than she'd been. She had a strange delusion that she was very confused and upset by. She had never had one before. We took her temperature, and she had a fever of 100.4, so I called her nurse. She suggested we call an ambulance, which I did.

When she was admitted, her C02 was 119. They have her on a BiPAP machine, which is slowly lowering her CO2 levels. She is sleeping soundly, but occasionally she will wake up, and I have to remind her of what the BiPAP is and that she needs to keep it on.

My worry/concern is: will the elevated CO2 cause permanent brain damage? Has anyone had an event like this and come back home from it? I don't want to catastrophize, but I also want to be realistic.

I have severe emphysema diagnosis at the age of 40 . I quit smoking but my parents whom I live with that I happen to take care of before diagnosis smoke in the room next to me . I have a blanket for a door because there is not a real door and can't get them to get one . Im just venting because its very frustrating that I'm trying to protect my lungs and they smoke in the house . No matter how many catscans i've had and proof that i've have emphysema they dont think im sick .They dont have lung issues at 70 and they think im just exaggerating my diagnosis. . I just want to know if anyone eles is in the same predicament I am with second hand smoke . Right now my anxiety is tooooo bad to even get a place of my own and really cant afford it . Im just really lost on what I can do .

As my COPD progresses, I find myself mouth-breathing more and more. Consequently my mouth gets extremely dry and has a terrible 'metallic' taste. I'm scared of what my breath smells like to others and do my best to avoid close contact!
I'm looking for a strong lozenge that could help with the terrible taste and dryness, dragon's breath, and is formulated for dry mouth?
Using mouthwash throughout the day, rinsing with water, Altoids, Hall's, etc don't work well or last long for me.
Has anyone encountered a product that addresses these issues, tastes good and doesn't break the bank?

Hello my deep breathing collegues, I m on copd since the last Stones concert in Berlin, 2017/2018.

I m now stage 4, what are you doing on making your life beautiful?

So far i am fine but i feel the pressure of 7000 feet altitude and would like to get down near sea level. If any of you have done that, did it make a difference? A physician's assistant told me below 4000 will make a difference and before i pull up stakes and go pioneering on the other side of the country i would love to have a conversation about it.

I remember lower altitudes seem a little muggy as the air is thicker .. ? but i lived for 3 years on Maui and it was heaven. It was pre copd but only by those 3 years lol and the Hawaiian Islands are iffy because of VOG volcanic fog, and in some parts of some of the islands, mold.

Hey guys ,

My father in law lives with me and has severe Copd, and was just treated for lung cancer via radiation. The doctors are waiting to see if it has shrunk at all for another 2 months. We see his doctor and pulmonologist every month or so.. they prescribed him an inhaler and oxygen concentration device which does keep his oxygen at 92. They won’t prescribe him a portable one.. and the VA has been fighting with us tooth and nail to not give him one.. even though we’ve drivin 5 hours to see the only doctor they have to check his oxygen levels to see if he can be prescribed one. His oxygen levels without the concentrator drops to low 80s and even 70s sometimes. I bought him a 3k dollar Inogen portable concentrator that seems to be doing ok keeping his oxygen levels up when he’s out.. but I have to put it on 3 liters and kills the battery in a few hours.. so we gotta be quick when he’s out. Anything else I should be doing to help? These VA doctors are almost worthless… one of there nurses even said “he’s lived a good life”.. WTF. I’m worried that when he sleeps he doesn’t breathe through his nose enough.. that may be me just being too worried though ?

I have asthma/copd overlap syndrome. I've seen specialists, been evaluated and re-evaluated, am on a nebulizer and multiple inhalers. I am fairly regular as far as when I need to use my nebulizer. And this is my problem.

During the day, I need my nebulizer every 2 hours. I'm guessing it's because I am active and breathing a lot. At night, my breathing is shallower. And I wake up every 3 hours like clockwork, needing a breathing treatment. I'm not getting a good night's sleep. Nobody has suggested a CPAP machine. I have been on o2 overnight in the recent past, and it made no difference.

A month ago, I moved to a different county. (Not by choice.) Now I have to start all over, with new medical insurance, new doctors, new specialists. My old doctor told me that I am near a hospital with one of the best pulmonology departments in the state. Hoping my insurance will cover it. But until then, this lack of decent sleep is getting me down.

Hello so my mom has had copd sincr i was little i cant remember how long but its been awhile we were told she had only a month long to live yet shes still standing which im glad and greatful. Shes in her lateish 60s?.

I dont know i just- how do i know when shes declining and getting the that ending point? She had a bad fall and has a bruise on her arm from 2 days ago cried yesterday then she started puking again and shes crying in bed. I dont know what to do and she doesnt like the doctors and i can't force a grown woman to check things out.

Idk i just.. i wanna be prepared she lived so long to the point i dont know how much time i have left which yes we never know how much we have left with people but you get what i mean. If anyone can tell me some signs to watch out for that be great. I wanna be there for her and support her since my dad has work and i stay home mon refuses to have a nurse visit her so im kinda her "nurse" where i call my dad or ambulance depending how severe the situation is.

So yeah sorry if this is the wrong place but the internet isnt giving any helpful advice and im not prepared for any just incase moments.