I was diagnosed with COPD in 2005, and I've been on oxygen full time since 2006, when I had a bout of pneumonia. I am what is called a high-flow oxygen user. At rest, I need about 4 to 6 liters per minute. When I'm exercising, I need more than 15 liters.gt;gt; At first, I resisted using oxygen but eventually got used to it. Still, I really didn't like a lot of the problems that were associated with it. gt;gt;gt;I didn't like the oxygen tubinggt;gt;It is really dry here in Colorado where I live and having wind constantly blowing up your nose really dried out my sinuses. I would get nosebleeds, which were really more of an inconvenience than anything.gt;gt; There was also a bit of a vanity issue for me. Having plastic hanging from your face like that takes COPD from an invisible disease to something that is very visible. gt;gt; Then, two years ago I got a transtracheal device. They inserted it by using an instrument kind of like a paper punch and put a hole in your neck and slide a plastic tube through it.gt;gt; It is a much more efficient way to get oxygen; it has cut my intake by about one-third when I exercise. I don't have to deal with dry sinuses any more or any of the discomfort that comes with using the old tubes. I also have minor sleep apnea, and I don't have to wear sleep apnea equipment because the oxygen goes directly into my lungs.gt;gt;I love it. And a number of people I know have tried it, and I can't think of anyone who doesn't like it. Of all of the things I've tried to help manage the disease better, this is one of the best ones.gt;gt;gt;I created my own pulmonary rehabgt;gt;One of the other treatments that has really helped me is pulmonary rehabilitation, though I started it differently than most people. My insurance wouldn't pay for rehab, so I created my own.gt;gt; When I decided to begin rehab, I belonged to the YMCA. I did some Internet research and talked to the trainers at the YMCA. They helped me set up a program that is a combination of weights and cardiovascular exercises.gt;gt; They have a staff member who works with seniors, and the wellness director put it together after doing some research. I go there four days a week and take swim aerobics, a spin class, and a circuit-training fitness class.gt;gt; It was about me taking the initiative and working with them. They are there to help me, but they aren't going to chase me down to do it. Since we created the program, I have been encouraging the organization to reach out to people in its Silver Sneakers program. I've seen more people coming to the YMCA with their oxygen equipment, which is great. gt;gt;

gt;An important aspect to improving breathing and lifestyle if you have COPD (or any type of breathing impairment) is pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise. I have COPD/emphysema and was so exhausted just breathing; it was difficult to do any exercise.gt;gt; But I enrolled in pulmonary rehab and discovered that the effort is just way too simple for the amount of benefit you get from it.gt;gt; Through the program I learned how to control my breathing. You do upper-chest exercises and stretching and treadmill work. I couldn't walk over two minutes at 1 mile per hour on the treadmill—my legs were weak and my lung capacity was poor. But I went twice a week for about 40 to 45 minutes. gt;gt;I had to be able to walk six minutes to qualify for a transplant and I couldn't. After three months, I was able to walk six minutes and more. Even though I was still quite ill, this exercise greatly expanded my abilities to function in "normal" life. I have seen people who couldn't walk for two minutes, but after rehab they could walk for 20 minutes or more. I saw miracles happen there.gt;gt;gt;I had a lung transplantgt;gt;One piece of advice I have for people with COPD or any lung disease is to be proactive with their treatment. I received a lung transplant because of research and persistence with my insurance, primary-care doctor, pulmonary doctor, and transplant hospital.gt;gt;I was diagnosed with COPD in 2003. By then, I couldn't walk a flight of stairs without having to stop. I was put on various medications, including Advair, Spiriva, and albuterol inhalers, and after a bout with pneumonia in 2004, I was put on oxygen 24/7. My lung capacity (FEV1) was down to 11%. (A person with healthy lungs has an FEV1 of around 70%.) gt;gt;I was so sick that my pulmonologist told me I wouldn't likely be able to ever walk more than about a block. gt;gt;After I qualified for Medicare and purchased supplemental insurance, I started asking my pulmonologist about lung transplants. He said he didn't think Medicare would pay for it. I kept calling my supplemental health insurance company and National Jewish Health, which led me to the transplant services at University of Colorado Hospital. I got tested, and I believe that because I already had pulmonary rehabilitation and a transtracheal procedure, I met the requirements, which most people don't. Miraculously I was on a waiting list for a lung for only nine days. gt;gt;I had the surgery and my right lung was replaced. My donor saved my life and the lives of six others. He and his family are forever my heroes. Thirty days after the procedure, I was walking a mile a day and, at one point, was walking six to eight miles every day. Before this happened, if I was going to walk, something had to be out of gas. gt;gt;Now I lead a pretty normal life. I take antirejection medications in the morning and at night, and wear a protective mask when on airplanes or in hospitals. I no longer need O2, and maintain 95% to 97% oxygen saturation levels. My FEV1 is now 68%. gt;gt;I strongly suggest that you be proactive in your treatment—both for improved breathing and also to see if you would qualify for a transplant. It has been my experience that unless you are in a good pulmonary rehab program or actually being tested for a transplant, the exchange and availability of information is scarce. gt;gt;