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COPD in the summer: How do you manage it?

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Courtney_J

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07/02/2020 at 4:55 PM

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Courtney_J

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Last activity on 08/08/2022 at 11:09 AM

Joined in 2020

1,340 comments posted | 30 in the COPD Forum

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Hello everyone,

How are you today? emoticon cute Now that summer is here, I thought I'd open a discussion for us to talk about COPD in this sunny season! emoticon sun

Do you find that your COPD is worse in the summer months? Does the summer heat, allergens, air polution or humidity aggravate your asthma? What do you do to cope? Do you have any tips for managing triggers in the summer? Feel free to share here!
@CUMMINGS‍ @Smokie58‍ @robertwbrennan123‍ @Aunshineday12‍ @Maryspr‍ @chief310‍ @hmccu2224‍ @deborah72164‍ @Raysue‍ @Gingerghent‍ @ConnieH‍ @zoobiedo‍ @Health2020‍ @Lillyw‍ @dlmcmahill‍ @shayes18‍ @ssilver56‍ @alan112‍

Take care,
Courtney

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copd_healing

07/03/2020 at 4:23 PM

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copd_healing

Last activity on 07/03/2020 at 4:18 PM

Joined in 2018

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@Courtney_J I live in an area that has MAJOR humidity in the summer so just the air outside is oppressive. I try to stay inside in the AC when I can. I can't really go to outside events because it's too much for me. At least this year I won't be missing out since they've canceled the July 4th parade. It sucks, but I need to breathe so I have to make a choice.

COPD in the summer: How do you manage it? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/copd-in-the-summer-how-do-you-manage-it-2161 2020-07-03 16:23:40

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CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

@KathyA‍, please read what I wrote above on using oxygen. I am so, so, thrilled to have portable oxygen that gave me more of my life back. I was told in 2011 when I lived in San Miguel de Allende at 6,400 ft altitude that I needed to go on oxygen, but all I saw around town was one woman with the heavy metal canisters in a cart behind her, and that looked terrible. I moved back to near sea level and put off needing oxygen all day for another seven years, just a Bipap at night.

Finally I was huffing and having to stop every few feet even near sea level, but I still didn't want to be lugging a heavy canister behind me. I ran into an old friend who was always really active, ballroom dancing, hiking, fly fishing in rivers. And there she was with an Inogen in a backpack, doing everything she'd always done!

She showed me all about hers and the total package with machine, extra 8-hour battery, two battery chargers for house and car, carrying case, and extended warranty, was around $3,300!

Finally I saved enough for it and have loved it every minute since. I started on 2 for almost a year but had to go to 3 for every day. I switch to 4 liters a minute several times a day when I still get winded bad, and have gone up to 5 for stair climbing. I worry that I will need to go higher than 5 eventually, but I hope by then there will be sronger machines developed that go higher, though then the $500 batteries only last a few hours before needing recharging, instead of 6-8.

The portable ones now are breath-operated--you have to be breathing into the nose cannula for them to work. And my BiPap at night requires continuous flow, which the big oxygen machine Medicare covers provides, so I need both machines. Some day they may all be continuous flow and still portable.

There are cheaper, refurbished units available from the Inogen factory, too. After 1 1/2 years mine started sending strange messages and I called the factory and they sent a new one out the next day! I sent them the old one back no charge. So I am pleased with service, too.

Hope this helps you accept your machine. I am so, so happy I got mine and wish Medicare paid for everyone who needed one.(I understand in a few cases they will pay for one now, but not my particular Cigna Medicare Advantage plan.)

I bet when you go to your reunion you won't be the only one on oxygen! And everyone will be so old! The ones who are already dead and not there are the ones to think about--how many of them had COPD? Fourth leading cause of death in the US before Covid, so now we're fifth. Be glad for all the help you can get! I hope you have a wonderful reunion!

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cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

@Thakera Yes, even on Medicare it was $400+ a month. My Pulmonologist arranged for me to get it with no copay from GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, you can look up their assistance program at https://www.gskforyou.com/ Hope it goes okay for you, I am just in the process fo renewing mine for next year.

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

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CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

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cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

See the best comment

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COPD in the summer: How do you manage it?

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