Life Tethered to a Concentrator - a Column by Caroline Gainer

In observing Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I’d like to offer some insights into some symptoms we may overlook. Depression and anxiety, for example, are common for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — as I learned through personal experience. In my case, I had…

Once upon a time, before chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) took my breath away, I had a pet robin named Oscar. He had a damaged wing, which might have been caused by the way he came into my life. Oscar arrived one evening in the mouth of my big…

When I was young, I envisioned myself as memorialized in history for my outstanding accomplishments, but recovery from depression has made me fall in love with the ordinary. The onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) changed my life goals, and I’ve developed a new appreciation for the…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Sleep issues haunt many of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As I mentioned in last week’s column,…

Note: This column discusses depression, including thoughts of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Resources for help are listed at the end of the column. This column also describes the author’s own experiences with various medications, including Lexapro (escitalopram) and trazodone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult…

Trying something new doesn’t always yield good results, which is why those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need to vet any new device we may wish to try. I did my due diligence before trying out an exercise tool that has fascinated me for several years:…

March is a difficult month for me. I can relate to Bill Withers’ song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The bleak winter months in southern West Virginia get me a little (or a lot) down. Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) struggle daily to “Keep on the Sunny…

A friend asked me if there is still time to get this season’s flu shot. That got me thinking about the issues that come with the shift from winter to spring and summer for those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). First, about that question on the…

The moment I reached the top of the stairs with an oxygen saturation of 92%, I was filled with elation and relief. Although this saturation level would be considered below normal for most people, I was excited. As I stood there, not needing to catch my breath, a wave…

I remember how hard it was to keep cars, or any other outdoor metal object, clean and looking good when I lived in the steel town of Weirton, West Virginia. That ongoing struggle reminds me of my ongoing battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the late…