Assuming that you're already getting the infusion therapy (and if you're not, talk with your pulmo about that), the best thing you can do for yourself is to begin, with your doc's approval, a daily exercise program. You need to be doing at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity and strengthening exercises for upper, lower and core muscle groups. Talk with your doc about the possibility of a Pulmonary Rehab program. Other than that, you can take the same meds that the rest take. Some will work better than others, but none of them will raise your FEV1. The other thing you can do is get your weight as close to normal as possible. That might give you a few extra points.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member, my pulmonologist said that my emphysema/asthma was "moderate." A previous doctor said it was mild. I was just diagnosed in late 2016, so I'm still learning. Maybe my FEV1 was higher because I used my breathing meds before I took my breathing test. I didn't know if that was the right thing to do or not. I wanted to ask my pulmo a lot more questions, but she was in and out in a flash. Especially about meds. I don't thnk these help me all that much. Sometimes I think they might make me feel worse. I just don't know. I guess I'm sick and just have to accept that. Once in a while a feel pretty good, but never for long. I am trying to lose weight, but I'm not terribly overweight at 6-0, 207...I've been doing pulmo rehab. I just wish I could breathe just a little better.

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A MyCOPDT...

Generally, exercise by itself makes your lung function much more efficient so you feel better, have more endurance and stamina, and may raise your FEV1 a bit, but not a whole lot. Weight loss is usually what can raise your FEV1 by anything substantial. I find it interesting that you are taking meds that are usually prescribed for people who are in the moderate to severe range, not the mild range where you are with an FEV1 of 71%. Why are you intent on getting your FEV1 to 80%? That won't necessarily make anything easier for you.

That said, depending on where you live, either humidity, cold or the dew point can make a big difference in how well you breathe on any given day. You need to begin to pay close attention to things like bad breathing days and try to figure out what's causing it. If you can do that, it will help you to know when it's caused by the weather or a poor night's sleep or some other thing you can identify, or if it's the beginning of an exacerbation/flare.

You need to know what your yellow and red flags are for exacerbations and what to pay attention to, and having a bad breathing day where you're more SOB than usual is one of those yellow flags to really pay attention to and see if it morphs into increase in other symptoms as well. Put together an action plan with your pulmo so you know what to do when those red flags occur.

Hi, @A MyCOPDTeam Member, my (fairly) new pulmonologist told me that I COULD raise my Fev1. Is that possible? Or was she just trying to give me a positive thought? I saw her a few weeks ago and she said my Fev1 was 71 percent. But today I had a terrible breathing day. I'm doing pulmonary rehab and taking long walks, playing golf, doing yard work. But today I really felt crappy. Was she pulling my leg? She said she thought it as possible to get m Fev1 to 80 percent. I use Symbicort and Spiriva Respimat, with Ventolin. I often don't use the Ventolin, but today I used it several time.

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A MyCOPDT...

Swim......I do underwater laps.....and I don't breath until I get to the other end of the pool.... If that's not possible you can start by doing deep breaths and expelling by pursing the lips together after holding for a count to 10....Build it up...but let it out in short bursts.......Walking (and start slowly unless you have been exercising. ) You are so young, you've got a lot going for you...so say strong, breath deep and smile. Laugh out loud.....hard belly laughs...These are so good for you.. and I have been reading where there is a new therapy where people are going to harmonica classes. Makes perfect sense. If you can't do that....clean a coke bottle (the glass ones) and start blowing across them....You can also get those plastic flutes from amazon or any school supply store...and just start blowing and moving your fingers. Enjoy the group and don't feel lonely we are all in this together....Take care and let us hear from you...Blessings...