Wearing a face mask with COPD: How do you cope with it?

@Courtney_J It's been hard for me. I already struggle with breathlessness, but with the mask at first it was even worse. My doctor recommended "practicing" wearing it at home where I'm comfortable and that did help. I at least don't have that feeling of panic when I put it on. I also made sure to get one that's moisture-wicking, because once it gets a bit wet from my breath it makes it even worse. I try to my best to wear it and make my trips out of the house and things quick so I can keep it on and not have issues.

I try not to go out to where I have to use s make.   When I use a mask I use the kind the dr office gives us. Not the fancy kind everyone wears.  They are to heavy and thick.   I can bearly breath with any make on.  I think when I go to see the dr we should not have to wear a mask. With stage 4 Copd. It’s just wrong.

I manage wearing a mask when I have to. No, I don’t like it, but I believe if everyone would wear one it would help.  I only go out when I have to.  Mostly, I’m home.

After working in a hospital for 36 years we had to be specially FITTED for a face mask or we were told it would not be useful! Your thoughts on that PLEASE!-PAUL

I use an Inogen which means my air intake is through filters on the machine, which is carried near my hip, so I am not getting any air through the mask. When I exhale most of the air goes out the cannula, too, so I am breathing very little on anyone else.

I do notice where my machine is at all times when I am around others, to keep it from being breathed on by others so I could get the virus through my filters.

Still, I wear a mask every time I go out to set up an environment where we all wear masks all the time, outside of our own homes and cars.

It is so important for all of us to support each other and protect each other. We really need for others to wear masks around us, so we should be just as careful to wear masks to protect others, whether we are showing symptoms or not. At this point, any of us could be contagious.

Wearing a mask is good to do with my copd i cant seem to get enough air even on my oxygen  and it seems that i wear out easier wearing my mask.i only go out when i must and i live alone  so my phone is my only contact 

I always wear a mask when I venture outside my home. I also wear my oxygen. Sometimes I do get breathless, I just stop and breath for a while and then continue on. I try not to go out often and when I do, I try to get all I need with one trip.

I finally realized that the intake air for my portable oxygen concentrator is in the side of the machine, not through mynose, and I exhale into the cannula, too. So actually the mask is superfluous.

But I wear it anyway to encourage others to wear theirs, and to not have to explain the workings of my concentrator all the time. It also could be that some of exhaled air in particular goes into the environment. I know that I could be a Covid carrier even if I have no symptoms. I don't find wearing a mask at all of a problem. I m thrilled when everyone I run into all day long is wearing a mask, too.

Now I do have a serious problem as a hearing aid wearer. I have already lost two hearing aids while taking off masks, and now I am using one each of two different sets of hearing aids. (One was donated to me by a friend whose wife died of cancer.)

I am afraid of losing one of my remaining hearing aids, too, and I don't have the money to replace either one.

Some days it's hard for me to wear a mask with my breathing but I try to get through it anyway, even if it means leaving a store or wherever I am to go outside and take a breather. I think some of my trouble is "stress" or "panic" induced from having something over my nose and mouth. The disposable masks are easier for me because they're not as thin. Stay strong everyone, there's light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine!

@Courtney_J i REFUSE TO WEAR ONE, COVERED BY LAW...IF THEY MAKE ME LEAVE, i WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THAT PLCE, THEY BROKE THE LAW !!!