The longer you wait to get help, the more the exacerbation can dig in and hang on. That's one of the major reasons to let your doc know ASAP so you can get meds and nip it in the bud before it gets a really good hold on you. There are a number of action plans you can use; the ALA has a really good one. Google it and take a copy with you the next time you visit yur pulmonologist. If you don't have a pulmo, you need one. Would you let your PCP deal with all your heart issues? Lungs are no different, and actually more important because PCPs usually know less about them than hearts.

To answer your question, sometimes they can hang on for a long time; coughs that last forever it seems like, or the sniffles that won't let up. Your best bet is to begin to do some regular exercise and build up your stamina. Start very slowly, but do some exercises every day: walking and weights. That will help you get over it.

Have Doc appt. today--need to figure this out--in SC we were high of 50 yesterday--I stayed in.....53 today ( heat wave !! ) it is 64 in my house right now--kicking heat to 66--that to me is comfy

Here's the link: https://www.lung.org/assets/documents/copd/copd...

I dont deal with exaserbations. My dr. told me the minute I feel it, she'll call in a prescription and I do.

Think you mean Exacerbation ?? They are horrible. Had several last week--finally realized it was when I walked outside where it was so damned cold !! 67 degrees here near Chas., SC today but cold front moving in tonight or tomorrow......