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Are your COPD symptoms worse in the morning?
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fosterl65
fosterl65
Last activity on 11/21/2025 at 2:32 AM
Joined in 2018
2 comments posted | 1 in the COPD Forum
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My symtoms aren't that bad in the morning because I wear a CPAP at night. I'm just a little slow waking up. I do have some mucus I bring up in the morning that is normally in my throat. By the time I bring that up and have my cup of coffee, I'm feeling much better. .I'm on 4 liters at rest and 5 when moving around. I hook my oxygen into my CPAP at night at 4 liters. I've been on cpap for a lot of years and oxygen for 8 years
Annfriday
Annfriday
Last activity on 02/22/2026 at 10:48 PM
Joined in 2020
Mine is very bad on the morning
Rhea60
Rhea60
Last activity on 07/02/2025 at 8:11 AM
Joined in 2024
5 comments posted | 4 in the COPD Forum
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My symptoms are not too bad in the morning, I just have to cough out the mucus! My symptoms seem to be worse in the late afternoon. I have adjusted my inhaler routine until then as I only take my Trelegy inhaler once a day, otherwise I use the albuterol one in the morning!
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Rhea
pkwebb1
pkwebb1
Last activity on 03/29/2026 at 6:43 PM
Joined in 2025
Patient, Rheumatoid arthritis since 2025
Other condition: COPD
17 comments posted | 2 in the COPD Forum
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Yes, they are, and even awaken me during my sleep time, because I often forget my nightly of 2x daily maintenance inhaler dose. I have a rescue inhaler now bedside in case this happens.
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Pamela K Webb
Gordon
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Gordon
Last activity on 03/29/2026 at 6:12 PM
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Having been diagnosed with COPD/Emphysema for over 20 years my most irritating symptoms have been the coughing, flem and mucus at times. Having multiple conditions and doctors to deal with and newly developed issues with the respiratory system called chronic recurrent pleural effusions, the accumulation of flem and the coughing became quite severe. this was particularly in the morning upon waking and late in the evenings. Recently after a hospital stay for the effusions I was given a heavy dose of antibiotics which helped to clear the mucus and flem somewhat. A few weeks later I was able to get the lighter dose Z-Pack at the local Urgent Care. The week or so after that I was back in the hospital for another effusion draining and received another prescription of the heavy dose antibiotics (Augmentin) upon discharge. The mucus and flem has all but left. After years of chronic sinusitis, flem and green mucus from the sinuses, It's all but cleared up. My ENT Dr. discharged me a year or so ago after my last sinus surgery, even though I complained about the green discharge that was continuing from the sinuses.
So for me, I have found that there are also other environmental issues drive sinus and upper respiratory problems that are on top of the COPD/Emphysema. The key is recognizing that and getting the appropriate treatment. My doctors are always reluctant to prescribe more antibiotics to me and want to push the lesser, Z-Pack dosages. That and having good Hepa filtration on the home HVAC systems, annual cleaning of the air ducts, Hepa room air purifiers, and Hepa filters on the oxygen tubing before the cannula. Now if I could just find a doctor or doctors who can treat the cause of my chronic recurrent pleural effusions and not just treat the symptoms.
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Gordon Harvey
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CarolSchmidt
@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
@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
@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!
See the best comment
cbholder3
@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.
See the best comment
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Somya.P
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Somya.P
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Last activity on 04/02/2026 at 1:27 PM
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Hello everyone!
How are you doing today? 😊
For many people with COPD, symptoms like breathlessness, coughing, and chest tightness tend to be more severe in the morning. This can be caused by overnight mucus build-up, inactivity during sleep, or even the effects of certain medications wearing off.
Do you find your COPD symptoms are worse in the morning?
What morning routines help you manage your symptoms and feel better throughout the day?
Have you worked with your doctor to adjust medications or treatments to target morning flare-ups?
@doncourter @Beckyhand @rambosk @Gordon @Redhead @Kathy55 @fosterl65 @Lovaann @nellmillett @bwestcott @dameese @Karensue @DeniseBaham @LadyRooster @vivy48 @thistime2 @smccann @Naniem @Torrey2020 @BarbaraCarroll @Bweeze848 @Rickster64 @cody100dog @connielee260 @sukie1821 @Dmonske @sabrinapeel @ETHELI @Buster123 @Mamabeavs @Barewalk @Jackiehaney @garyminkle @gommer1 @Kelley2020 @thelma69 @Dazzle64 @BourbonRooster @lilmare11 @dee450 @AButler920 @Annfriday @Austintresa69 @Sreese78 @Magdamaria2 @croissant @Flossey57 @curtdennis-msn.com @Curtofrank1 @ErmaWoods @aetcher11 @TheBlkPheonix @carm0619 @Lindatony @Kathy2430 @DonaldEaton @Ekonya @Marlenea @JeanSala @It'smeJean @terryhatch @DonnaJarvais @AdelineDellaMenefee @Sans5127 @Ghidorah9 @lvirgilio @Rebel45086 @Buzztoyota59 @DCHAMBERLAND @Wendyjo73 @Sueellen @michaelc0303 @JohnDeere1st @Tamgat @Louise59 @Minky50 @Moon_goddess4all @dlefferts @Chris54 @dencal @Vegasrose @LyallK @Pattyh @curt2502 @Sunflower1 @eddiejazz @Rvoss618 @Will65 @Bretsboy @ncchick60 @Joedy1950 @Uniqueonne @Elizabeth @Warekellee @dmq1952 @jenneighbs @Rhea60 @Beadlady @Tenamarie @Lenardshortdc
Let’s share tips and strategies to improve mornings with COPD. Your insight could help others start their day with more comfort and ease. 🌅
Take care!
Somya from the Carenity team 🌼