COPD Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

I'm 83, smoked a lot until 55. Right lung lobectomy at 69. COPD diagnosed at that time 14 years ago. Hanging in there, no oxygen yet. Looking for herbal supplements. Investigating mullein at this time

Hi, everyone!
I'm a former smoker and quit in 2017. In 2019 a cancerous lung nodule was found incidentally. At that time I was suffering from shortness of breath. In 2022 I had a lobectomy of the right middle lung. I had 6 month lung scans and then graduated to an annual scan. This year (2026) another cancerous nodule was found in my upper right lung. After 3 radiation treatments I'm cancer free.
I have severe emphysema and use a daily inhaler and nighttime oxygen. I consider myself really lucky. But! My shortness of breath worsens and my mind is getting really muddled. I'm scheduled for a blood gas test to see how much co2 is in my system. By the way, I'm 72 and a gardener and avid flyfisher.
Thank you! Best, Sandy

Really having shortness of breath with simple things. What have people found for relief? Or, is the way it's going to be.
Sandy

I smoked a pipe until about 45 years ago and simply forgot about it. Within a few months my walking reduced to a few metres, I am now sitting in a chair. I can just about get into my wheelchair. At the moment I take no mediation. I have began to have a mucus cough. Mentally I am having difficulty coming to terms with my condition, possibly because it has progressed so quickly. My wife is a wonderful help but she is unwell. Iam85.

@berthague I would strongly recommend seeing a pulmonologist. They can help you live a better life with an inhaler, medication and oxygen for home use and travel.

Jerry Here from Florida,
Got COPD from too many bouts with pneumonia after covid. Always had some scar tissue in my lungs from some unknown childhood disease. Doing my daily morning nebulizer with Albuterol. Also do Wixela Inhub and Spiriva, and my rescue inhaler several times a day. Rehabbed to the point where I can struggle through a nine hole round of golf if I use a cart. Can't walk far without help. Love my standup walker and electric tricycle. Coming off prednisone that I used for several months at 10mg/daily. Down to 5mg/daily. Very tired and irritable. Still working out at the pool and local gym-very easy!! Elliptical for 12 minutes-weights 10 minutes, treadmill 10 minutes and pool walking for 30 minutes. 82 but trying every day. Now going to start physical therapy for lower back pain. Don't know where it's from. Sleeping with elevated bed. Only the tough, or thickheaded survive! Anyone else have trouble getting off prednisone?

I was diagnosed with COPD 8 years ago. My most recent and new pulmonologist did the 6 minute walking test and said I was stage 4. Has me consulting with the lung transplant team. I don’t cough and I don’t have phlegm. I was admitted twice in the past 6 weeks for an exacerbation. I’m getting a second opinion. It is hard to breathe at times but I’ve been inactive for a bit.

Hi, my name is Theresa and I’ve posted exercises on another lung/COPD Mayo Clinic site shown as Sweetsoul. I’m 81 and on Wednesday will be released from Hospice, which I joined in August 2025. I have been in and out of Hospice Care since 2021. This is my 4th or 5th Hospice Treatment. Don’t give up hope.
Key is: your thoughts become your reality! Get rid of negative thoughts. Everytime you start thinking, I can’t, tell yourself, you can! believe it, keep doing it and eventually your body will start responding.

1. Think positive don’t allow negative thoughts.
2. Upon awakening say, ‘There is nothing wrong with me!” Say it out loud, believe it! Say, “I love my body and am so grateful for everything it does for me.” Start talking to your body softly, lovingly and it will respond. (This is reprogramming the brain). It works and I’m proof it works.
3. Make certain you are breathing from your belly, not your chest. Put your hand on your stomach, inhale, stomach should move. Now do the same to your chest. If your breathing from your chest you need to practice breathing from your belly.
4. Now that you are breathing from your belly. Take a deep breath then do a hiccup breath, both at same time. You inhale, then immediately inhale again and when you exhale you need to exhale ALL the way until there isn’t any breath left. You will immediately notice a difference in your next breath. It’s a wonderful feeling, especially if you are very short of breath or hyperventilating.
5. This is a bit more challenging but the results are tremendous. At least it’s what it has been for me. After you’ve done step 4 you are going to take a deep breath and hold your breath to count of 50. When you exhale you need to exhale ALL the way til there’s no air left. Do this exercise for 10 minutes.
Please don’t get discouraged with number 5. If you need to start at a lower number that’s what you need to do. Keep building your count. Trust me you won’t regret it.
Sending love and light 🤍🩷

@berthague
Please try this breathing method

@ravenup At first I thought that the video was an ad for some product, but it's not! Yes, I already knew most of what he was saying, but he put everything together in a meaningful, helpful way. I'm very glad I took a few minutes to watch! Thanks again for posting this!