Further introduction on my COPD.

[Saramana]

I am 91 and was a religious smoker for 35 years but stopped in 1977 but that didn't stop me from coming down with COPD at 89 (2015). Diagnosed as Stage 3, serious emphysema. Been on oxygen since 2016. Use O-2 at night and when I'm physically active, which is quite often. Leaving paradise, Florida, after almost 20 years, at the request of my family, to join them in MA at the end of August. I'll keep in touch to let you know how I get along with cold weather (tips on living in the north country appreciated). Regards to all listeners, Chuck

[Bluejeanlady4417]

I hope the benefit of being near family outweigh any misery from the harsh winter there.

[joeoconnell]

there are some with COPD who never smoked ... least that what's the big boys tell me

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to joeoconnell]

joe, I smoked but quit 17 years ago. My oncologist told me that my emphysema was pretty much a given simply because of second hand smoke. My parents smoked, I spent most of my young teen years in my grandmothers bar where they smoked. I have seen smoking go from being able to smoke in your hospital room, to having to go to a smoking room, then having to go outside. When I was young there were ashtrays in the stores.

[Ldycatcoach in reply to joeoconnell]

I never smoked nor was I around any second hand smoke. After being diagnosed with stage three in 2011, I stabilized a few years then had a rapid decline. I received a double lung transplant almost seven months ago. It's going to be interesting to see what the upcoming winter months are going to hold for me (prior to transplant, I spent most of them hospitalized). I'm in South GA, so they are relatively mild, but it seems like anything below 60 degrees, causes me problems. Good luck up north and stay warm. I am blessed to have my entire family near me here.

[LORBIC]

I never smoked but was around those who did as a child and later in life. I live in NH and winter is my worst time of year. If you go outside make sure you have a warm scarf around your neck and face. Make sure that your furnace filters are clean and I recently was told to make sure I have plants in the house.

[Feelingblessed2013]

I too smoked for about 35 years, quit about 17 years ago. Four years ago I was diagnosed with mild emphysema and stage 2 squamous cell lung cancer (I have been cancer free since).

From what I hear breathing issues with COPD can be as individual as we are. Both my parents had emphysema, my Mom lived in Florida for about 30 years, never needed her inhaler, except the one time she came back to Western NY to visit my Dad. My Dad was fine in winter, couldn't take the heat of summer months. I am not sure if it's the heat or the humidity (our temps have been mostly 70's to low 80's), but it has been very humid. Lately, any time I am active I get SOB. I am still new at this and still learning. But last winter wasn't too bad, except the really bitter cold days. I found out that covering my mouth and nose loosely with a scarf when outside, helped. I was told that it was because the scarf helped to warm the air before it entered my lungs.

So if you find that you have an issue breathing outside in the winter, try covering your nose and mouth with a scarf.

[Haggis12]

I never seem to have any problems in winter still walk every day except when it's raining when I went to St Maarten i didn't really need my meds my breathing was so much better.