Member of the asthma club too!
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.
Exercising inspite of asthma
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Originally Posted by Runnin Rat
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.
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.
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.
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You go all you "medical wrecks on wheels!" Yeehahhhh!
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!!