Frequency of flareups for COPD enough to have to go on anabiotic’s

I guess I just assumed everyone is in AZ… summer is tough in AZ also…. I keep the air on all year round for my husband… what I can tell you from previous experience that three flareups in three months is extreme… I am just confused why you think you don’t need your O2.. we’ve always been told that oxygen is your friend…

Instead of antibiotics, my doc has put me on a biologic because of exacerbations. It has been pretty good so far but now we are going to discuss switching biologics because of a side effect (aching joints that is worsening over time).

I was concerned about antibiotic resistance, potential hearing loss and heart issues which can be side effects of maintenance antibiotics.

The year before starting the biologic, I had 3 exacerbations and also blood eosinophils >300. Since starting biologic, no exacerbations! Inflammation levels as measured by blood tests appear a bit lower as well.

@pinnochio820, would a mask help? I wear a mask when I do yard work or dusting inside. I know I get horrible hay fever in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a trade off for the beautiful greenery. Every year is worse, more pollen, and now the mild and mildew from living on the coast. Which may be a problem for you in Florida. Do you have a dehumidifier? My last house had mold behind the furniture when I moved and I got mold poisoning trying to clean my furniture and the walls.
Anyway, my COPD and asthma have been getting worse every year. I stopped smoking almost 28 years ago (after smoking for over 23 years) and it didn’t seem to make it better. I use a maintenance inhaler, an emergency inhaler, and should be using my nebulizer more often (the motor scares my cats).
Even if you can’t see the mildew and mold, it’s in the air.

I should wear a mask. It makes outside work very unpleasant at 95 degrees and 98 % humidity. Inside is better with the AC on. Humidity is generally below 50%, depending on what temp I set it on. I have contemplated a dehumidifier fir several years just so I don't have to keep my thermostat so low.
Pollen is always a problem. I live in the country and am fighting foliage all year round.

@bobarb
I live in north central Florida.
I don't need it while I am sedentary such as watching television, etc. I keep up with my sats and HR. It also gives my nose a break from the cannula.
I am addressing the multiple flares with my pulmonologist next week. It could have been/be and underlying infection that wasn't knocked out with the first rounds. When I started the antibiotics, my ability to funtion was night and day (as my husband put it). I'll see how I do after this round and go from there (finishing antibiotics today).
I might be one that need to be on prophylactic temporarily, but I will leave that to my pulmonologist. There are so many factors involved in figuring out the best plan for each individual. Srart with the standard and modify as needed.

@hicopd
Which biologic are you using?

Best of luck to you… Sounds like you’re on top of things and best of all you speak to your pulmonologist.

Sorry… I don’t know what a biologic is… therefore I am sure my husband is not on one.

I was taking Dupixent from Nov through September but now we are talking about switching me to Nucala (due to side effects). There are others as well.

These are injections that are administered at home or via your MD. They work to reduce inflammation by attaching to specific receptors in your body. The two I listed above have been approved for treating COPD with higher eosinophil levels in your blood. Mine are >300.

I asked our pulmonologist about to Dupixent… he said my husband is not a candidate and it would not help him… So no biologic.