I don't cough or have much phlegm but I just get out of breath so bad, that is my symptom. So I try and exercise daily and I also blow up Balloons every night for 20-30 min....if I get excited,scared or rushed, then I for sure I can't breath!!! Just got to keep trying 😁

It is a 100% true that exercise regularly and loosing weight helps a lot.
I go 3 times a week to Physical Therapy ( my Nat Health Insurance pays 52 treatments a year )
My COPD-Therapist gave me a program with special exercises which to follow.( without him)
And now i do my exercises with others in their gym.( 3x an hour every week).
And every 3 months i do the 6 min walk test with him and the push&pull test to see my “ progress “
I stopped working in 2020 as an operational maintenance manager on a Chemical plant.
To prevent me from getting Covid,and i was also a firefighter and First aid person,but i was made evacuation leader for the offices during a fire,but was not able to do my job and the tasks and responsibilities that came with it properly anymore.
And we had already a huge explosion and fire on Friday Dec 13th 1991 with 7 dead.
I did not want anybody getting hurt,because i could not do my job.
I had to make safety audits,but couldn’t because of COPD.
I was a member of SHE ( safety,health,environment).
We had the worst raw materials like Benzene and Toluene to make( among others) Benzoic Acid.
And this for:Coca Cola,Moderna,Johnson&Johnson,AstraZenica etc etc.
I got out of breath suddenly in 2018 on a company trainingday for “ old” firefighters(55+,no breathing apparatus anymore)
I think I inhaled Benzene as i did not smoke,and it was so suddenly.
And immediately Gold 3/4.
I do not cough or have slime,but always out of breath.
As i was only sitting behind my desk and computers or sitting in the control room,i developed Diabetes 2 as i weighted far too much,and ate only fast food
I also started losing weight and eating healthy ( veggies,eggs,lean meat like Turkey).
And i lost almost 20 kg.
I was in the hospital 4 times before with double pneumonia.
This was in 2018/19.
Ever since I exercise and eat healthy,i have not been hospitalized anymore.
I am 62 now,but even with Emphysema,i do not want to sit at home all day,so exercising and eating healthy works for me ( and i am sure it works for everyone,just try it).

The accumulation of phlegm. I was expecting the shortness of breath and fatigue but not expecting to have to deal with phlegm on a daily basis.

Actually, I have experienced most if not all of the previously mentioned symptoms, but the thing that amazed me the most was how beneficial weight control and exercise have been at keeping the COPD from progressing. I was told by my pulmonologist that medication would definitely make me feel better, but losing weight and a continuous exercise routine would double the improvement. she was right. I am 80 years old and over the last three years I have gone from 226 lbs. to 182 lbs. my goal is 175 lbs., and I have no doubt I will make it soon. I am 5' 7". I signed up for a 36-session program though Carda Health, which is 3 times a week for 12 weeks. I originally was prescribed this program as I was interested getting a valve insertion to make my breathing easier. I was told by my pulmonologist that I would be qualified if I were able to complete their exercise program. I not only completed the program, I canceled the request for the valve insertion surgery, and continued the exercise program for over a year now. The program is initially all sitting exercises, and the first 36 sessions are in your own home, but monitored by professional therapists by way of video transmission over a computer they supplied. They supply a heart rate monitor to wear throughout the exercises, and I had to take my blood pressure and oxygen levels before and after the routines. The exercises gradually increased in intensity and time spent as I progressed through the program. I intend to stay with it as long as I am physically able, and I don't see any end in sight. I was diagnosed with COPD back in 2016. I was told my lungs have 65% damage from emphysema. I live alone, and I have a housekeeper do deep cleaning once a month while I do the daily cleaning including laundry. I am still able to go to the grocery store and do my own shopping. I tend to shrubs and an outside flower bed throughout the summer. I have a lady friend that I socialize with going to live plays and concerts, plus dining out a couple of times a week. I don't know how much time I have left, but I am going to try to enjoy as much of that time as possible. The Lord has truly blessed me.

Breathlessness. How quickly & suddenly it can kick in. Breathing techniques really help to relieve panic and return calmness.