COPD is a debilitating disease and it takes the fun out of so many things we used to enjoy. Simply breathing is tiring. We don’t look sick but routine activities have become a chore. It’s a common situation where family and friends simply don’t understand why we don’t want to go for a long walk, or visit the museum we used to enjoy or go out for dinner…the list goes on and on.

Then there is the commercial for ‘Breathing Stuff’ with the idea that if we would simply ask our doctor for some ‘Breathing Stuff’ we’d be able to go dancing or play golf or go bowling. I even saw an instance where a man with COPD was helping a relative restore a boat. He was sanding the deck of the boat with no sign of a dust mask or other protection for his already damaged lungs.

There is no sign of anyone in any of the commercials with an oxygen tube running to their nose. In my world, with only a few rare exceptions, everyone using ‘Breathing Stuff’ is also requiring supplemental oxygen.

Immediately upon seeing the commercials friends and relatives demand to know why the patient is not asking the doctor for some ‘Breathing Stuff.’ The individuals with COPD are often accused of not even trying to help themselves.

‘Breathing Stuff’ is an expensive medication. It is not generally used as a first line of treatment for people with mild COPD. Even when it is prescribed, the response varies a great deal. Some get an immediate favorable response while others may take weeks. Still others get no help at all from this medication and other cocktails of medications need to be used.

Some individuals even experience negative side effects.

Most, but not all of us with COPD were smokers. We often face the attitude of “Well, you brought this on yourself,” and we even get this from some practitioners of medicine. Add that to the impression from the commercials that we could have a normal life if we would simply get some ‘Breathing Stuff’ and it’s discouraging at best.

Also, most of us are under the care of a specialist who knows the benefit of ‘Breathing Stuff.’ The exceptions might be people who live in remote areas where there is no easy access to a specialist. If they’re part of our support group, or any other support group, then they already know about ‘Breathing Stuff.’ From my standpoint, this particular set of commercials does far more harm than good.

I would feel much better if the commercials would show a few people using oxygen and maybe say that ‘Breathing Stuff’ might help us engage in more activities.

Richard L. Brown

Louisiana, Mo.