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Anyone out there have problems with asthma? It seems to really be affecting me when I ride especially on hills. The more I exert the worse it gets. I was trying to do a 20 mile ride and had to get sagged in at 12.5.:( Is there anything I can do other than using my inhaler that will help me with this problem?
Hullo Gromit,
Yes! I keep an albuterol inhaler in my saddlebag at all times. I usually take one hit before I head out, and that usually tides me over for 20 miles or so. In colder weather I may have a little tougher time.
I live in L.A., and while the weather is great, the air quality can be an issue. One thing that has really helped me is yoga, believe it or not. I had a really wonderful instructor teach me some "asthma specific" poses and breathing routines about 3 years ago, and I think they've really helped. Of course, the results are not immediate, they occur over time, with regular practice, but yoga can play a part in managing your asthma.
Google "yoga for asthma" for more specific info. And good luck!
I have exercise induced asthma. If I am very careful to control my breathing and heartrate, I can usually avoid any serious attacks. Going up hills I always go down to a low gear and focus on breathing slowly - no sprints for me! :eek:
Cold air and dryness make it worse for me, so I always try to drink water and if it's cold out I try to either breathe through my nose or through a balaclava.
I too suffer from asthma and have most of my life. Are you using any type of medication to control your asthma? Have you talked to your doctor about how your lungs are responding while you cycle? If not, I would urge you to schedule an appointment and share with them what you are experiencing. Asthma is not something to play around with nor something that should be ignored for it can and does kill on a regular basis.
There are many medications that can be used to bring things into balance and prevent your attacks. I use two inhalers (albuterol and Q-Var) on a daily basis and take singulaire and allegra as well. The combination of these drugs has kept me from having an asthma attack for nearly two years. It has taken several tries to find the right combination of drugs to keep things in check. I am blessed to have a doctor who willl work with me and listen to me when I go in for my six month check-ups. It is so nice to ride and not have to struggle with my lungs closing down and fight for each small breath of air my body requires.
I hope this helps.
I also have wicked asthma. Some seasons are worse than othes. I hit my inhaler about 5 minutes before I ride, especially if it's cool out. I make sure I'm using my other meds religiously.
However, sometimes it just happens. That tight, scratchy feeling. Then the cough. When I do that I just follow the advice of Mae West "put you lips together and blow". Purse your lips (like you're blowing out a candle), and blow steadily out with every exhalation until the feeling subsides. If you can slow your pace a bit at that point, it will help too. This is a technique we teach people with COPD. The big problem with asthma isn't that you can't get air in, but that you can't get CO2 out. Pursing your lips creates a back pressure in the lungs, helping to force the CO2 out of the base of your lungs. Inhale slowly and repeat. You really have to focus on the breathing at that point, and avoid the panting/coughing panic that accompanies the attack.
If I know I'm getting to a point where I'm really going to be sucking wind (ie, working hard) I just start blowing slowly. It seems to prevent those 'oh, God, I'm peeing my shorts' coughing fits that go with my asthma attacks.
Good Luck:)
Thanks for all the replys. :) I do have an albuterol inhaler and I use it before riding. Mine is more of exercise induced than anything else. I will try your suggestions.
Grom,
My trainer/coach dude said that he believes people
A) Don't warm up slowly enough
B) Don't train at high heart rates very often
So when you get on one of those hills, without a long warmup and you send your heart rate up 20-30 beats quickly, boom, your lungs freak out. What he suggests is a good long warmup, and don't attack the hill. Let your heart rate build slowly.
I have exercise-induced wheezing, but thankfully never what I think you'd call a full-blown attack. I always keep the albuterol with, especially on cold/dusty/bad air quality days, but the goal (if it's only exercise-induced) is to train the lungs so you don't need the inhaler.
Sometimes if it's cold, I'll do a puff before I leave the house, but then really focus on keeping the heart rate low (115-130) for about 10 minutes before ratcheting up to my normal ride pace (140-150).
I have to agree. I have asthma also and I meet with a pulmonary specialist at least once a year. Albuterol alone will not control your asthma. I was on Advair but the serevent was making me sick so switched to Pulmacort everyday and I haven't had any problems. Hills still suck the life out of me and I find I run out of oxygen way before my legs quit. I put a triple crankset on and you can change your cassett so you can spin up the hills. If I still run out I stop for a few minutes to recover and then start up the hill again. I'd see a doctor first and foremost though to make sure your asthma is under control.Quote:
Originally Posted by makbike
I had asthma for years and years, but it just went away a few years ago. The only thing that I can figure out is that I bought a house that has absolutely no carpet--only hardwood floors. All the apartments I've lived in had carpet, which holds all sorts of nasty stuff--mold, allergens, dust...
I still carry my albuterol with me, but I have not used it in several years.
another asthma sufferer here. I can't use any of the steriodal inhalers, they roughen my vocal chords to the point I lose my voice and as a singer, that's bad! I do take Singulair and Claritin and I have albuterol for the really bad days. Most of the time if the climb gets so bad I can't breathe - I just stop and catch my breath. Or, I just turn around and have a wicked awesome descent and try the hill another day. I figure riding a bike is just about the best thing in the world for my lungs - ok...that and living above 5000 feet! ;)
This is my first year of cycling. I have exercise induced asthama. I use albuterol. Never before has my lungs bothered me as much as this winter. I grew up in Northern Michigan where temps with windchill factored in would be around minus 30 - 40 on a regualr basis. Skiing was never an issue.
I don't know what's different, but my lungs couldn't take it this winter in Ohio. Refused to go to the doctor but had an unproductive cough that would take over my whole body. I got tired of hearing from all my freinds and cycling buddies to "go to the doctor" and finally went (six weeks later). She said since I'm a mouth breather, I've been sucking in all that cold air and my lungs were really agitated. Put me on 5 days of prednisone to clear it up. Worked like a charm. Said to just use my albuterol before cycling and during attacks but did not see the need for a maintenance inhaler.
Ladies, I was glad to read your posts and to discover that I'm not just a wimp. I do all the things that have been suggested and agree with all of them. Now that my asthma is under control, I can enjoy biking. But I still can't sprint up those hills. Training has helped me: the first kilometer of our after-work ride is directly out the drive way and uphill. Slowly, over the years, it's gotten easier and easier. It's just hard to be patient.
PS Finally the weather is warmer in Frankfurt. I went for my first ride of the season on Saturday. Heaven!:D
I also cover my mouth when the air is cold. That way the air I'm breathing in isn't quite so chilled. That seems to help a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeniRoosen
All hail that nagging rib-breaking cough! *shaking head*
Another asthmatic here. haven't had major issues in years, since I moved back east from AZ where i was tethered to a nebulizer 4 times a day (in between teaching aerobics). I do notice I have to warm up well, although I don't usually do a good enough job of this. I have no trouble climbing (I mean trouble with the asthma), but I always spin up hills. The cold air does bother me, so I try to breathe in through my nose, not mouth breathe. I don't ride a lot in very cold weather, but sometimes, in the 40's it bothers me. I x country ski, and I am fine, too. I bring my ventolin inhaler with me on rides, etc, but I've only used it once. My main issue is that i get bronchitis every fall and that does me in. It goes on and off thru the winter. In 04 i had pneumonia after my tour to Vermont. I went to a pulmonary doc who gave an open ended prescription for 2 different antibiotics so i wasn't running to the dr. every week. It helped derail the cycle. I also use a homeopathic nasal rinse that really works to stop the sinus infections.
Another rider here, with exercise-induced asthma and I sympathize with you all who have asthma.
I got re-educated by the Intermountain Asthma and Allergy Specialists here in Salt Lake City recently after having my meds and asthma for about ten years and coming to their office for the first time since we moved here....
Here is what I learned:
A lot of patients are inhaling NOT the medicine but the propellant in their inhalers, after the meds run out. :mad: The inhaler can feel like it has plenty of stuff left in it, but IT DOESN'T!:eek:
My new doctor taught me how to put the inhaler, tank and the plastic holder all, in a wide glass of deep water.
(1) if it's FULL, it will sink to the bottom and float horizontally..... (make sure the little plastic holder around the little metal tank gets water in it too, tip it over until water gets in it.)
(2) if it floats at a 45 degree angle, it's still usable but getting LOW.
(3) if it floats on TOP or at less (shallower) than a 45 degree angle, it's ALL propellant and should be tossed!
The other two things I learned from this great, older, experienced and very much "I'm on your clock, not mine during the appointment" type of doctor, was:
Are you using a spacer chamber with your inhaler AND are you taking the medicines in the inhaler correctly?
Without a spacer (and if you can, get one that whistles if you INHALE TOO FAST OR TOO HARD), because your meds go on the back of your tongue or mouth but NOT down your lungs if that's happening!
Taking a spacer with an inhaler on a bike ride might sound bulky but they make some that also hold the inhaler inside it so you can take it out and plug the inhaler into one end. Also some collapse into smaller sized and can be pulled out to full expansion size when you use them AND they hold the inhaler inside when not in use.
Next, take JUST one puff using the spacer, and WAIT five minutes....DON'T RUSH THAT SECOND OR THIRD PUFF!! Too many patients I learned, put two puffs in the spacer chamber and inhale it all at once....WRONG!! It needs at least five minutes between puffs for the full correct effect to be seen.
Also, do you have a peak flow meter? This is a little plastic flat device that opens up and you blow in it three times with the arrow pulled to the bottom and it shows what your breathing ability is for that day, in or out of your "good" range or in the "yellow" caution range or "red" for the "Go to your doctor" range.
The amount of inhaler you take depends on that reading. Bad days, more puffs, and good days maybe NO puffs.
Also, I take Singulair (before bedtime is best he said) and a decongestant at night, too with the Dr's suggestion. Advair gave me fits and Serevent alone gave me problems also. But Flovent was great for me along with the Albuterol.
Flovent treats the inflammation of asthma and the albuterol is a vasoconstrictor/bronchodilator that opens up the bronchioles (lung spaces) larger to let more air in.
I learned that NOT all asthma meds work for everybody, and I found also that the Asthma therapists or Inhalation therapists at the local clinic in Wisconsin, didn't know squat about what they were doing -- they had set my "good" level on the PF meter way too high!!! Consequently I was overdosing daily! It was 150 points lower in reality, not as high as they had set it for me.
I agree with all the others about warming up and getting your lungs used to going up hills, and also that you do need a yearly or twice yearly check in with a pulmonologist or a good asthma/allergy doctor. I use both because I also have pulmonary hypertension caused by untreated sleep apnea.
My doctor also told me that keeping my environment as carpet-free, pet hair-free, smoke and dust-free was the best way to assure less lung problems. In our Rv, problem solved!!!
Asthma can be managed but not cured. Weight has a lot to do with it also. When I lost 90 lbs, all my asthma symptoms disappeared!
Good management includes regular checkups, taking and using your inhalers and meds correctly, checking your breathing with a peak flow meter and charting your monthly breathing with a daily chart, to see patterns of ups and downs in your asthma, that may be related to stress, climate, activity and/or environment.
Best of luck to you and we're all with you, you can ride with asthma, but you have to manage it first.:rolleyes:
I to have asthma. Wow there are a lot of us. I have ad asthma since I was little but never got tested till this year (I am 37). I have allergies too. When i bike it hits me more then any other time. The Dr wanted me to do they daily inhaler and take and allergy pill and keep my fast acting inhaler around for emergency's. But I don't have it all the time. I just do what works for me. My pulmonolagist suggested taking a puff off my fast acting inhaler 15 minutes before i ride. That works for me I also take an allergy pill every night before I go to sleep. So far so good. Everyone is different you know. I hate having to take something but maybe someday I won't have to anymore.
Oh and drinking wine makes my asthma act up too.
I feel like I am at an AA meeting "Hi, my name is Rat, I suffer from asthma too". It is nice to not be alone, and read that someone else knows how to deal with this!
I did my frist century this weekend. It took me 9 hours, WITH the rest stops. I was very discouraged, as was my hubby. He kept saying "What is wrong with you? Are you OK? Are you getting sick?" Both of us were frustrated with my inability to ride. It was a very hilly course, and about 2,000+ higher elevation than here.
We both sat around afterwards trying to evaluate if I was coming down with the kids' crud or why my ride was so off. It wasn't till I started coughing that I realized what the problem had been. Why can I not recognize it when it is happening? I was just diagnosed last year. I run, a lot, and it usually takes someone so is running with me to mention something about my breathing before I realize what is going on (hubby has never been with me when I had an attack, so he didn't recognize it either). It is very frustrating to say the least!
Thanks for the great advice you guys gave here. I will try to remember this stuff and use it!
Brandi,
Your asthma acts up with the wine because wine contains sulfites, a common allergen for asthmatics. I stopped drinking wine for about 10 years and then suddenly, around five years ago, I no longer had the symptoms. You can find wines without sulfites, usually from organic growers. Be careful. You can go into full anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction. I am sure if you search on the Internet, you can find the sulfite free wine.
Its not just the wines either. I had quite the experience with an unpasterized beer! Since I'm allergic to Mold etc and beer is a fermenting process, needless to say I don't drink beer anymore. A lot of my asthma symptoms are triggered by things I'm allergic to so if you have allergies you probably need to treat those too and not just the asthma.
Running Rat, I think I'd take hubby with me when you have your next Dr appt with a pulmonary specialist. Sometimes they need to hear it from someone else. I was very discouraged when my doc said your lungs are damaged so you're never going to have great lung capacity. You can improve though as you get in shape. My DH has learned I'm never going to be as fast, or strong and he's just going to have to wait for me at the top of hills while I suck air. When he wants to hammer he goes with the guys, when he rides with me its at my pace and he knows its going to be slower.
Running Rat, having had asthma for 55 years, I'd like to congratulate you and everyone else who is biking in spite of it. When I first moved here to Germany (13 years ago) and wanted to seriously bicycle, I could only go 3 mph because I could barely breathe. The correct medication made all the difference in the world. And you will learn to pay attention to your breathing and recognize when you are in distress. This is important.
Like Surlygirl's husband, mine has learned to wait for me...well, actually, he goes down the hill and up again at least once in the time I struggle up. When we are on a biking vacation, he rides with me most of the time, but I also give him time by himself to pretend he's Lance Armstrong. Now we are both happy.
But for all of you newly diagnosed asthmatics, I cannot stress enough that asthma is nothing to fool with. I nearly died and had been hospitalized several times before the newer medications were available.
So, take your medication as directed (the short term inhaler where ever you go), and, if you continue to have problems, go to your doctor. If he/she doesn't take you seriously, find another doctor!
Meanwhile, more power to us all!
You know, hubby and I get crap from people all the time about our 'extreme exercise'. I have been diagnosed with asthma after taking up marathoning and he has been diagnosed with reactive-hypo-glycemia. Not a fun thing to deal with! Although everyone who doesn't exercise around us is blaming our adventures on our new diagnosises (is that a word?) I feel it is because of what we do that we have been able to catch the illnesses and work on controling them before they got out of hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barb, USA
Oh, my, you have hit one of my hot buttons! We get crap, too. In Germany there's the saying "Sport ist Mort" - sport is death! But it's people like us that will have the last laugh because the others will be gasping on the sofa from cardiovascular disease while we "extreme" people are still riding.Quote:
Originally Posted by Runnin Rat
There are two books which are/have been on the New York Times Bestseller List "Younger Next Year (for men)," and "Younger Next Year *for Women," which basically say what we already know: you can stay "younger" if you eat properly, exercise regularly (the authors recommend 30 min/day 6 days a week), keep your brain active, and keep your attitude positive. The authors tell us that you can even reverse some of the effects of ageing. Think young.
The authors are Chris Crowly (over 71 and an avid cyclist) and Henry S. Lodge, MD (47).
By the way, I also have hypoglycemia. It took several years, but by eating regularly in small portions, and eating properly (very few simple carbs), I can now exercise without too much danger of bonking. I take peanut butter on whole wheat for a snack.
We all know people who are 40 going on 70, and people who are 70 going on 40. I intend to die on my bicycle in my 90s. Maybe I won't make it that long, but I'm going to feel good trying.
Barb, you are a mess :D Just teasin. We are just learning about all this new stuff, and trying to get him regulated, then keep him that way. Unfortunately, HE is male, so accepting that he really has something VERY wrong with him is hard for him to accept and deal with. He lets himself get 'off' as we call it, then he is impossible to live with (mean and ornory) and he doesn't see how bad he is. There is no reasoning with him once he is 'off', so we have to talk to him with great care until he is back to normal again. He is getting better, but it is like living with Jeckel and Hyde sometimes. It is amazing what this illness can do to such a mild manner person!Quote:
Originally Posted by Barb, USA
You're right, Runnin Rat; I am a mess. I have migraines, too.
Hypoglycemia all has to do with blood sugar and the consequences of it's being too low. So the idea is to keep it level. That's why small meals often help. When you eat sugar(simple carbs: all white stuff including potatoes), your body responds with a big burst of insulin, but then for hypoglycemics, it's too much. Caffeine will also stimulate the production of insulin. So at first a coke works, and then there's a big crash.
You could google hypoglycemia and then once you know how to handle it, you can make sure the proper snacks etc are around for your hubby. Then your life will be happier, too.
They really do need extra care, but most of the time they are worth it. (If not, you can get another or do without. Sometimes that's preferable. I was single (again) ten years before I hooked up again with one of the sweetest men in the world.)
But in all fairness, I get grumpy, too, when I need to eat or have eaten the wrong thing. He just can't help it and really doesn't want to be that way.
I hope he realizes what a good woman he has to put up with all his ego nonsense.:)
We just got back from a 30 mile ride. I love to bike!
I liked that "I want to die on my bike when I'm in my 90's." My husband and I have said the same thing. We both have medical "things" and that does not stop us. My husband had 2 stents put in last year and was riding 5 days later. A month after that we were on a tour in Europe and climbing 15% hills. Despite the fact that he has cardiovascular disease because of the crappy genetics on both sides of his family, THEY all told him to "never ride your bike again." Well, if hadn't been riding and exercising regularly, he would have never been aware of the symptoms of his blocked arteries. He would have just had a heart attack one day when he got off of the couch. I've had allergies, asthma, and various weird viral/autoimmune issues for years. I just live through it. It's a lot better now than it has been in years and I am 52. It's getting to the point that I don't have much in common with my non cycling friends. I make a special effort to still be friends with them, but they really don't understand why I have to ride,
I do drink organic wines now. there are some good one's too. they can cost a bit more but worth it if you like wine. And I live on the central coast so there are alot of wines around here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin
Join the club - I am cycling for my health. I also have asthma, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, morbid obesity, and a dozen other things...I know if I don't exercise and lose this weight, I AM A DEAD WOMAN!!:eek:
My genetics also suck and that's even more reason to keep on trying to get my b_tt off the couch and get moving. It's too easy to slow down, stay put and die...but not worth it to give up!!
:mad:
Back in 1989, I broke my right leg in three places, dislocated the knee and put it through the heel of my right foot, broke all the foot heel bones. :confused: ..and was told I'd never dance, wear high heels or walk normally....WRONG!!! The leg and foot that bother me now, are NOT the one I badly injured, it's the other one that had to help out the injured leg for a year...but I do wear heels, and do everything the docs told me I couldn't do!!:D
Cycling is a life-saver for so many of us who have medical problems -- we are the "medical wrecks on wheels" who bike for life! I may not be going strong right now (sprained my right knee) but as soon as it's healed, I'm on my new bike and going strong later on!! :D
I may be old, fat and out of shape but this lady's gonna get her b_tt in gear and lose that weight and get healthy or die trying!:rolleyes:
Rock on ladies!!
Dear Robyn,Quote:
Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin
I'm sorry I missed your posting. I got caught up in work:eek: I told my non-cycling friends that I'm going to make biking my work and teaching my hobby. Some of them are so nice, though.
Good for your and your husband. It's because you bike that you are getting healthier. Isn't it great? You'll enjoy reading "Younger Next Year," then, the book I mentioned in a previous post. It will make you want to do more to be healthier and eat better.
Yes, you are never too old. Barb
Dear Mmelindas,Quote:
Originally Posted by mmelindas
I love the "medical wrecks on wheels". I admire you so much. I sound totally healthy when I hear your story.
I hope you'll not only bike for health but bike for fun, too.
It's great we have this forum to encourage one another. And it's great that TE has the bike clothes to make us feel sporty.
Good biking, Barb
Yea, teaching is now my hobby and cycling is my job. Seriously, though I still love going to work, but I don't do a lot of the extra things i used to (after school committee work, etc). I would never want to be one of the "old lady" teachers I have always made fun of for being so unprofessional. But, my activity level earns me a lot with both my students and my younger colleagues. I don't know how much more of a "healthy" lifestyle I can get, Barb...I've been exercising for close to 30 years, ten of them as an aerobics instructor. It's just been in the last 5 years that i have gotten into being outdoors more.
Next year is going to be my last year of teaching. I never thought I'd stop at such a young age, but my priorities have changed (i.e. the bike). I am thinking of becoming a personal trainer, so I can have flexible hours and still work. Since I pretty much went directly from the delivery room, back to work when my kids were born (by choice), I feel like I want to play...
Dear Robyn,
What a great idea to be a personal trainer. Goddess knows there are enough people who need them. And with your experience in sports and teaching, you would be great. That's the nice thing about the States (as opposed to Germany): you can change careers as long as you are competent. Here you have to get all the credentials that take at least two years to get...even to work in the bookstore!
It's also great that you have the courage to make the switch. Go for it!
Barb
:cool: I don't do anything that's not fun, Barb! If it's not fun, I try to find a way to make it fun, so I can enjoy doing it! :D Yeah, I love riding bikes.... I get to scope out all the neat stuff in our RV park and meet new friends.
It sure makes me feel good about myself when I ride, even if it's only for 15 minutes. Hang in there and you will succeed! :D