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Enjoying the outdoors with COPD

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Dazzle64

06/07/2021 at 3:02 AM

Dazzle64

Last activity on 11/20/2024 at 3:40 AM

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1 comment posted | 1 in the COPD Forum

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Hi, I'm Lisa. I live in in Florida where the humidity is present almost all year round. I have to stay indoors most of the time and I have a nice back yard I can't enjoy most days. I can't take the cold either. Kinda wondering if any one on here are dealing with the same issues and how are you dealing with them? I can't use a pool due to other issues so that's no option for me sadly.

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Courtney_J

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06/07/2021 at 6:54 PM

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Courtney_J

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

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@Dazzle64 Hello Dazzle64, thank you for opening this discussion. I'm sorry to hear you aren't able to enjoy the outdoors, I can't imagine how frustrating that must be in such a beautiful place like Florida! ☀️🌴 Let me tag some other members who can possible share with you!

Hi everyone, how are you doing? Do any of you also find that outdoor weather - be it the cold, the heat, the humidity, or even the dryness - affects your COPD? If so, how do you manage this? Have you found any way to enjoy the great outdoors or other outdoor activities you love?
@Tamara‍ @ger365‍ @anniecarmine2009‍ @Linda1965‍ @Lisaisme3‍ @widowbragg‍ @Barb41‍ @SusanBaker‍ @mberardesco1166‍ @Mod1203‍ @1jody256‍ @lwallace0628‍ @Margo66‍ @Andejohn‍ @Wassilla‍ @Abbeysgirl72‍ @Universe53‍

Feel free to share here!

Take care,
Courtney

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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity US

Enjoying the outdoors with COPD https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/over-50-3415 2021-06-07 18:54:11

Classycathy

06/07/2021 at 8:40 PM

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Classycathy

Last activity on 01/11/2022 at 11:26 PM

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I was diagnosed with COPD about 2 yrs ago. I used to love being outside gardening, walking my dog, and going to outdoor concerts. This has almost came to a complete stop. No more gardening or concerts. I live in Kentucky where it's hot n humid in the summer but our winters don't get as bad as they once did. Humidity almost feels like it's killing me. No more windows open during Spring or Fall. Fall months aren't as humid but still too hot for my breathing. Just walking short distances with my dog is a chore bc breathing is next to impossible.

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Cathy

Enjoying the outdoors with COPD https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/over-50-3415 2021-06-07 20:40:36

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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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Enjoying the outdoors with COPD

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