As someone with COPD; lung cancer and long COVID after what Jean had to say; there really isn't much to add. I can't stress enough getting in touch with your pulmonologist as soon as you feel something coming on. Mine has (I've been with him for over 15 years) has a standing order for me of taper dose prednisone and two different antibiotics that I rotate between. As soon as I feel sick or see green phlegm I get a refill and contact him in case he wants to get x-rays.

I also am on stage four of COPD. I take trilegy I try to put in 5 to 2000 steps or more per day and I do breathing exercises and so far this has helped me but if you feel something coming on call your doctor right away..
be safe stay positive

Emphysema and copd are the same. Treat of medication is the same. I have all your symptoms, all I do is gentle exercises sitting in the chair, and I do a few minutes of taking breaths in and out. Always make sure you have an emergency pack in your house it contain prednisone of 6 pills for 6 days and reduce to one, and doxacillian. Antibiotic it works best for the lungs. And long covid cannot do anything with that. Just take every day as it comes

Get yourself a good pulmonogist. COPD/ emphysema same thing. You don't have two separate things, you have one disease that goes by too many names. The main thing is getting a specialist that can treat your symptoms. I am completely done with all of the different COVID diagnoses as I don't trust them.

Like COPD, the COVID diagnosis is mostly "unspecified" during medical treatment. But some consensus has finally arrived with an IDC code for "Long-Covid". That is important in developing treatment protocols for the long term. Some of those treatments may well benefit our traditional lung ailments as well. That is my Hope.
In the US, our respiratory damages can be documented well enough to receive financial support in the form of Disability insurance for the "younger" (less-than-retirement aged) persons. One is not penalized for leaving the workforce early simply by inability to work due to medical condition(s).
Here is an article which focus on the aspects of financial and health losses for those with the varied effects of LC:
https://responsumhealth.com/covid/long-covid-di...#
Having formerly been hospitalized for ARDS because of my COPD, many kudos to you for your Nursing service. Wishing you better in 2023!