I think the basic rule is what's my Oxygen Saturation? Get an Oximeter everyone! If you can't breathe get to the hospital. After awhile you get to know your own body and can tell what's going on. For me it's allergies and I'm having inflammation with no fever. Fever, and you have an infection. Usually when you go to the hospital they treat you for both inflammation, with Prednisone, and for possible infection with an antibiotic. The important thing is don't wait.

I depend on the advice nurse for my health system. My problem was that when I had breathing difficulties, I also had thinking difficulties. I would be in a panic and through questions we could figure out the next step. I had a tendency to wait too long before going to the hospital. I am getting smarter about my copd.

An exacerbation is a worsening of your usual COPD symptoms that requires medical intervention (antibiotic, prednisone, hospitalization, etc.) to recover from.

For me I struggle lose my breath and sometimes body betrays me and usually not always close to the loo.
My pulmonologist finally had me on Breztri..the government finally approved it for VA! It has helped quite a lot.
I was taken off Spiriva, and simbicort, only have rescue Inhaler as needed and nebulizer if needed. Try to see if you can get the Breztri
Hugs!🥰

Pattib4 thinking difficulty is a sign of low oxygen. It could be an exacerbation, or low oxygen at night. I hadn't seen the pulmonologist since before the pandemic and last week I finally saw her. I have to have a stress test (treadmill) to check my heart and an overnight oxygen test. It's a device on the hand you get to bring home. You bring the device back the next day for reading.