One of the topics that I am often asked about is the COPD Action Plan. I refer to this document daily to determine what I will do that day. The action plan lets me determine if I am having a green, yellow, or red day. The plan also gives me instructions about how I should proceed with my day depending upon what color I assign to the day.

Several years ago, I did a session in which I was interviewed by Jane Martin on the use of the action plan. I told Jane that my action plan said that if I was tired more than usual for more than one day that I should consult with my doctor. When I made the presentation for Stephanie Williams, I said that my plan said that I was to consult with my doctor if I was more tired than usual for 2 days in a row.

Another discrepancy in my stories is that when Kristen Willard asked me if both my pulmonologist and my general practitioner both used my action plan, I said that I did not remember. After visiting the interview with Jane Martin again I now remember that at first, they both had my action plan, but a year or so into the journey with COPD my general practitioner asked me if my pulmonologist was going to manage my COPD and I said yes. He and I have not discussed the plan since, though he is the one who has given me the antibiotic prescription that I keep on hand.

OK, so do you have a logical explanation as to why there is a difference in your number of tired days? Well, I am glad that you asked, because “Yes, there is an explanation.”  The COPD Action Plan is a living or changing document. I have instructions to keep some over the counter medications to use as I rest that first tired day. If this medication does not solve the issue, then I am to call my doctor and begin the antibiotics and sometimes also a round of Prednisone. The plan has been changed to meet the changes in my personal journey.