Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can bring challenges with breathing, energy, mobility, and daily routines. Oxygen equipment, medications, flare-ups, and environmental conditions can add more demands.

Recently, we asked MyCOPDTeam members which challenge currently has the biggest impact on their daily life. Their comments showed how often breathlessness and fatigue affect independence, plans, and even seemingly simple activities.

More than 8 in 10 respondents chose breathing problems or low energy. Members frequently described having to slow down, rest, or rethink activities they once did without much thought. Oxygen equipment and the emotional effects of reduced independence also stood out in the comments.

COPD-related challenges can vary from person to person and from day to day. The experiences shared below reflect individual members’ perspectives. Your healthcare team is the best source of guidance for your personal situation.

Breathing problems or low energy were by far the most commonly selected challenge. Members described symptoms that could affect everything from walking and talking to getting through ordinary tasks.

For some, breathlessness could be severe even with basic activity. One MyCOPDTeam member shared: “The constant feeling of lack of oxygen. I can’t walk or talk without gasping for air.”

“The constant feeling of lack of oxygen. I can’t walk or talk without gasping for air.”

 

— A MyCOPDTeam member

Others described having to limit how long they could stay active. One member said, “It is having the stamina to keep doing something for any period of time before you have to stop because you are out of breath and energy. Just getting in and out of the car is enough some days.”

For people who use supplemental oxygen, the equipment itself can add another layer of effort. One member explained: “Low energy and struggling to have the energy to walk and lug the portable concentrator. It feels like I’m carrying a gallon of water on my shoulder and it causes me to wear out sooner.”

Breathlessness and fatigue can make even familiar routines take more time and energy. Pacing activities, taking planned rest breaks, and using breathing techniques recommended by your healthcare team may help.

If shortness of breath is new, worsening, or limiting everyday activities more than usual, let your healthcare provider know so they can review what may be contributing and whether your COPD care plan needs adjustment.

Other common themes included:

• Difficulty walking
• Weakness
• Reduced stamina
• Trouble completing household tasks

About 12 percent of respondents chose flare-ups or day-to-day symptoms. Members described wheezing, changes in oxygen levels, weakness, and environmental conditions that could make symptoms harder to manage.

One member described watching for signs that symptoms were changing: “Deciding if it’s time to start doing my nebulizer. Wheezing is when I know I’m getting a flare-up.”

For others, changes could feel less predictable. One MyCOPDTeam member described “low oxygen levels that drop unexpectedly even sitting,” adding that this could also happen while sleeping.

If breathing symptoms suddenly worsen or feel different than usual, contact your healthcare team about what to do. If you’re struggling to catch your breath or speak, call 911.

Other common themes included:

• Heat and humidity
• Smoke and other environmental irritants
• Weakness during everyday activities
• Low appetite and weight loss due to exhaustion

Only 2.5 percent selected treatments, oxygen, or pulmonary rehabilitation as their biggest challenge, but comments showed how much work these routines can require.

One MyCOPDTeam member described keeping up with multiple parts of treatment: “I use three treatments daily, one being a nebulizer two times a day, and sometimes it’s hard to stay on schedule with all three. But I do!”

“I use three treatments daily … and sometimes it’s hard to stay on schedule with all three. But I do!”

 

— A MyCOPDTeam member

For people who use supplemental oxygen, simply leaving home may involve extra preparation. Another member explained, “It’s like packing a diaper bag when you were young with children before you could leave the house. Have to calculate how many tanks I will need. Load them up. Depending on how long the trip, all inhalers and portable nebulizer.”

If keeping up with COPD treatments or oxygen equipment feels complicated, talk with your healthcare team. They may be able to help you develop a routine for medications and nebulizer treatments, plan for oxygen needs when leaving home, and make sure you understand how to use and maintain your equipment.

If you use supplemental oxygen, follow your prescribed flow rate and ask your healthcare team before making changes.

The “something else” comments also showed that COPD can affect emotional well-being and relationships as well as breathing.

One MyCOPDTeam member described the frustration of feeling unable to participate fully in family life: “The isolation to me is the hardest. … Not being able to run around with my granddaughter gets frustrating.”

“The isolation to me is the hardest. … Not being able to run around with my granddaughter gets frustrating.”

 

— A MyCOPDTeam member

Another explained how the strain was affecting a close relationship: “I find myself getting increasingly angry and irritable and lashing out at my husband. ... It has been building up over the years. I hate it, and it isn’t fair at all to my husband.”

If COPD is affecting your mood, relationships, or sense of connection, consider talking with your healthcare team about emotional support as part of your care. Staying connected may also help, whether that means checking in regularly with family or friends, joining a support group, or finding activities you can participate in at your own pace.

If feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or isolation are becoming hard to manage, a mental health professional may be able to help.