New here, with a couple of questions.

It sounds from your description as if you have not previously suffered SOB very obviously, which on the whole is a good thing. You probably had what COPD sufferers call an 'exacerbation' or commonly a 'flare-up'. See here https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/copd/treatment/flare-ups

You will note on reading that British Lung Foundation text that the weather is a known factor, although more normally it is a chest infection.

You are also fortunate to have been offered a place on a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course. You will learn there a very great deal to your benefit - most importantly, that provided you stop smoking, exercise regularly, eat sensibly, re;ligiously observe your prescribed medication and avoid contact with crowds and other sources of infection, you may remain in good condition for many years yet.

Wishing you the best.

Hello and welcome 2greys. I have sent an encouraging response to you, which includes a link to a British Lung Foundation source which actually mentions a connection between COPD and the weather. But adding a link always causes a moderator to consider and release the post - which may take a few hours.

Hi 2greys and welcome

I've been diagnosed over 12 years.  I am not a meterologist but my lungs pretty much are

Weather conditions, air quality, pollutions levels, air borne pollutants, smoke, dust, pollen, temperatures extreme hot or cold, humidity, high winds my lungs react to all.

Strange you;ve not yet come across air quality and health on the meteorological site.  I check with met office site most days myself.

Congratulations on stopping smoking, the very best thing you can do for your lungs and health generally and great you have a PR course lined up.

With lung infections I can get a mucus problem and coughing, but when no lung infection I do not have mucus or cough,  My lung condition is emphysema.  I believe that the mucus and coughing occurs more with the chronic bronchitis of COPD or with another lung condition like bronchiectasis which actually doesn't come under COPD,

Good luck with the cadiovascular appointment,.

Look after yourself and your lungs, the PR course can help you achieve the best possible for the future when you apply what you will learn.

Best wishes V

I went through all the stages of grief when I was first diagnosed. Nobody wants to learn about a disease, expecially one that interferes with breathing. That said, and many others will attest to it, there are plenty of years of sweet sweet life ahead of you.

Thank you for all the replies. I did read about weather and COPD on the BLF site, one of the reasons that piqued my interest.

I also know, all too well, about polluted air as I live in one of the most polluted of cities, Southampton.

The Met Office do carry a lot of weather info, but nothing about "Air Density" which is the focus of my attention as basic weather stats, ie pressure, humidity and temperature do have a bearing they are not the main drivers of what make a good or bad day. For example yesterday (density 0.0758) was an excellent day for me with very little breathing problems, today (density 0.0762) was almost as good but tempered by the air coming from a more Easterly quarter, thus more polluted. The density figures I am quoting are from my own weather station. Many more observational statistics are required to discount coincidences, but hopefully I am on to something with "Air Density". If I can prove this, then maybe the Met Office might take an interest. I personally class a good day as a day when I do not need to use any Ventolin, especially whilst active at work.

Nailing my colours to the mast, I think that this high air density will likely last out the week at least.

High pressure, low pollens, low humidity, and high air quality help immensely. I do much better on a high-pressure day. Cold, dry, winter air on a blue bird day works well for me.