Breathing problems after a ride...

This has happened to me a couple of times. My SO and I went to a sponsored group of rides over a 4-day period this past week. The weather was hot, but not humid. I'm very healthy and in pretty good shape & didn't feel that this particular ride was any harder than some of the rides we do every week. At about 3 miles out from the end of this 50-mile ride I started having breathing issues. My lungs felt restricted, and I was unable to get air. Naturally, the more I had trouble, the worse I got. As we didn't have a paper bag to breathe into (it was kind of like hyperventilating, but different), I (stopped riding, of course) put my hands over my mouth, to try to slow the gasping, and after a few minutes could breathe again. I was a bit shaken, but ok to ride. We finished the ride, and at the end, when I got off my bike, it started again.
I don't think I'm of the age range to start with asthma, but it felt like that...

Any ideas? Anyone ever had that happen before? Do you think it's something the doc should check out?

I have never experienced anything like that but it really sounds scary. I would probably see a doctor especially since it isn't an isolated incident. I don't know anything about asthma but I would imagine anyone of any age could develop it, it's just more likely in certian age groups.

It's not that common to develop asthma after childhood/young-adulthood, but it certainly happens, particulary to people who already have allergies/hayfever/etc. The drugs they give you for it generally do the job very well for mild/moderate asthma. And even if it's something else causing the problem, don't you want to find out so you can deal to it?

I'd agree with tlkiwi, sounds a lot like exercise induced asthma. I have it and when it hits, that feeling of constriction (like slow suffocation) just SUCKS!!! I have meds I use now before physical activity so I haven't had an episode in a long time. Best bet is to write down the sequence of your symptoms while they're fresh in your mind and get to your doc. Asthma sucks but not participating in your favorite activities sucks more.

My bet is on EIA, or exercise induced asthma. I have it, as do a large part of the population. For me, weather affects my tolerance of it as well. When I ride on really hot days, or really brisk cool days it seems worse. You need to go to your doctor right away, though, so you don't have a problem again and no med to help. Usually, they will give you an albuteral inhaler to use about 20 minutes before exercise-for me makes all the difference in the world on breathing AND performance. But you should take it with you on long rides in case you have an unforseen problem. Do you cough a lot with exercise, or after laughing hard? Can't quite seem to clear your lungs when riding??

My doctor told me I had EIA, BUT the other Dr. told me I had Vocal Cord Disfunction (VCD) it has the same symptoms as asthma but one differenece - asthma you have trouble getting air OUT VCD you have trouble getting air IN. He said it is most common in young women who are physically active and women in their 40's who are active. I use an inhaler when I need it but it helps but by realizing what is happening and stopping and relaxing I can usually prevent it, I have it less often now only when I am going up a really steep hill and my breathing gets very heavy. Check it out on the internet, is is almost always diagnosed as asthma.

I fell early this year after a bike ride and had an "attack" I was riding up a hill so my breathing was hard and when I fell I guess it made me worse, I was alone and couldn't get air in, the first dr. immediately said EIA, did the breathing tests - NO problems but "sometimes that happens" - should have known something wasn't right then! Good luck, and find a good dr. both of the ones I saw were asthma/allergists in the same practice, I don't trust doctors much anymore - they want to label something b/c it seems to be what you might have :confused: after reading up on VCD that seems to be what I have, no real treatment for it tho.

This does sound like exertional asthma to me--and well worth looking into. And get a good lung x-ray--just to rule out some minor collapse of the lung.

I also have asthma and you need to see a doctor. Asthma if left untreated is life threatening. I carry albuterol on every ride. You don't want to be somewhere miles from help and have an asthma attack. Please see a doctor about your symptoms.

Thanks,you guys. I will have it checked out.

Do they monitor ozone levels in your area?

Ozone is highest on hot days - and causes breathing problems.

I know I have the same problem.

A couple of times now.... when I am riding really hard and it's really hot/humid... I can get to where I can't get any air in and my throat feels constricted.

It's scary... but I just slow down and try to get my heart rate down.

Yea, I should go to the Doctor and ask about it... but it has only happened twice... and my insurance has a $500 deductible on it before they start kicking in. I'm broke as hell... so I only allowed to go to the Doctor in an emergency situation.

If you can't get to a doctor, at least carry some Primateme (sp?) Mist. It's an over-the-counter asthma treatment that isn't nearly as good or effective as a prescribed inhaler, but it's so much better than nothing.

That is an emergency situation! I have asthma that is under control, but i have had all of those symptoms in the past. I do not ride outside when it is very hot and humid/ with bad air quality. It doesn't happen very often, but I always have my inhaler with me. Asthma can be life threatening. There are tons of new meds that stop the inflamation before it becomes a problem. You have to take them daily, not just in emergency situations. Please...go to the doctor.

It sounds very similar to what I get in summer when I get hayfever anyways... I get hayfever/excercise induced asthma

Now that I'm aware of it, I know what to look for in myself.

Sorry Pedal Wrench but I have to strongly disagree with you on the use of Primatene Mist. You can google dangers of Primatene Mist and deaths that may be attributed to using over the counter asthma medications. If you have asthma you need to see a pulmonary specialist and get the right medication and correct dosage. In most cases preventing an asthma attack is much better than trying to stop one already in progress. Asthma can be life threatening!

Yikes - sorry, SurlyGirl! I didn't know that it was bad stuff - I've only used it twice, in an emergency asthma situation (one time at the top of Mt. Elbert, with no choice but to hike down, and the other halfway up from the bottom of the Grand Canyon, with no choice but to hike up!) I had forgotten my albuterol both times, and my BF had the Primatene in our first aid kit. They helped, but nothing like the real meds do. I thought if she was having real asthma symptoms it might help until she could get to a real doctor for a diagnosis. Didn't know. I'll do my homework, and remove the bad stuff from our first aid kits!

I love this board - I'm always learning so much!

I also have asthma and that's what it sounds like to me. I would see a doctor to be sure though. There are many triggers, exercise, allergens, etc. I have all of them. Mine was adult onset also as I never had asthma (that I'm aware of) as a child. I carry my inhaler with me at all times! I also let ride leaders etc be aware that I am asthmatic and have medication with me. Hot days are a REALLY bad time for me. Humidity is rough as well and here in Indiana we usually have BOTH during the summer.
Good luck and keep us updated to what you find out. If you do in fact have asthma, you'll likely be given an albuterol inhaler (rescue inhaler) and some sort of inhaled steroidal preventative medication.

Pedal Wench, if you can, have your doctor write you out a perscription for two albuterols at once. I tell them I like having one in my purse and I leave one in my bike bag that I never take out. You could put your spare in your emergency kit so you always have one with you. I would just hate to have you get into trouble. ;)