Can't breathe

[eclectic]

Hooray for starting to cycle and coming on TE! just think you were wandering around w/ a peak flow of 350 and didn't even suspect anything was amiss.

620 WOW I can only imagine numbers like that. My doc said for women it should be 5 to 600 I'll be excited when I hit 450!

Once again thanks for keeping us posted

[emily_in_nc]

I just got the peak flow meter gizmo - and so far the highest I can get it is ~350. My bf wanted to try - and he got to like 620. I'm really jealous. No wonder he always drops me when we go up hills.
I started the ASMANEX this afternoon. Denise mentioned it might take a couple weks to kick in. Can't wait!

I also blow ~350 on my peak flow meter. I feel fine on the bike except when I climb a longer endurance-type hill (not a short jammer), and then, watch out. Huff-puff, high heart rate, breath breath breath, and fall way back. The friend (female) I ride with is way ahead of me, and never seems to be breathing hard at all. I have been blaming being small (5'2.5") and having small lungs, and I guess that is part of it, but not all of it, in all likelihood.

My husband blows a huge number on the peak flow meter (he does not have asthma), so I had the same realization as you - no wonder he is such a mountain-goat climber (climbing is actually his strength and my biggest weakness). Anyway, I go to my doc later this month and am going to definately bring this up. Albuterol doesn't seem to make much difference for me on rides (it helps if I wake up coughing in the night). It does increase phlegm production also, as you noticed!

Emily

[btchance]

It sounds like your doc is covering everything, and hopefully everything will straighten out. For what it's worth, your symptoms sound exactly like mine started out. For me, it's more air quality and allergies, and I can tell you that having a doctor who pays attention to your symptoms is invaluable. For the first year, my doctor just went with the "albuterol helps, you have asthma" method. No lung function tests, no maintenance therapy, no nothing except for the albuterol.

Then I had a period this may where I could not walk without getting extremely short of breath and had difficulty breathing at rest which the albuterol wasn't getting rid of, and after arguing with him, I finally was given Advair (I was freaking out b/c I had a tri coming up in one week). Then he gave me instructions on how to use it in a way that was completely different from how it is supossed to be used, probably because he didn't think I had a problem as my lungs sounded normal. Well, I went ahead and used it according to the regular dosing, got cleared up by my tri, and after it ran out, he refused to refill it because "I didn't need it." Well, after I moved I switched to a family doc who had done a fellowship in sports medicine and is a triathlete. I was immediately put back on Advair, had PFTs done (the values were low normal, but she was concerned because they weren't as high as they should be with someone who is fit). She then put me on a treadmill, did more PFTs, then gave me the albuterol, did another PFT, and surprise, suprise, confirmed that I did have asthma.

Aaahhh, some doctors are great, some are frustrating, but it sounds like you found a good one. Let us know how everything else goes. (and sorry this is so long, I just feel like talking (or typing ) today.

[chickwhorips]

I'm really jealous. No wonder he always drops me when we go up hills.

hmmm... i wonder if this is part of my problem with the bf (besides he's in much better shape) i never see him out of breath, yet i die.

[emily_in_nc]

I had my doctor's appointment last week and discussed asthma and my peak flow with her. She thinks that for my age, height, and activity level, my peak flow could easily be in the 370-400 range instead of my usual 320-350 range. She has written me an Rx for Advair to try which I'll fill tomorrow.

So, I'll be interested to see if this helps and will report back. I wonder how long it might take to see any difference? I am mountain biking tomorrow night and Wed. night, but that might be too early to tell anything. Anyone know??

Thanks!
Emily

[mary9761]

you might be surprised how quickly you'll notice a difference once you start using you inhaler.

[Denise223]

Hi Emily!

I'm on Advair too, and have been since it came out..... (I think it has been for at least 2+/- years....) Here's the link to their website:

http://www.advair.com/

I really think it's going to be approximately 10 days (to 2 weeks) before you feel any relief. (if I can remember way back when....)

One thing I will stress is using an inhalor the proper way.
Did your doctor's office (? nurse, medical asst.), show you how to use an inhalor with a 'dummy inhalor'? (perhaps you are also on Albuterol as well, and know how to do this?)

There are so many elderly people I see that just open their mouths & press on the inhalor - I can't imagine that any medication is getting into their lungs ! I feel so badly for them. If they are shown how to do it, they soon forget. (this goes for people even in my age group as well).

What dose did your doctor start you on? (I know there are 3 strengths for Advair). I really hope that you improve greatly with Advair !

If you want any help at all on how to properly use your inhalor, please feel free to PM or e-mail me, Emily.

Have a peaceful evening.

Denise

[laughlaugh18]

So, I'll be interested to see if this helps and will report back. I wonder how long it might take to see any difference?

I noticed results with Advair immediately. I had exercise induced asthma as a kid that went away and then very kindly showed back up again when I hit my mid 40s When I started riding about a year ago, I was triggering an asthma attack pretty much every time I went out to ride. I've had an albuterol rescue inhaler for years (which I previously only had to use 2-3 times a year; my asthma was pretty mild), which I started using regularly because of my bike rides. My doc didn't like me using the rescue inhaler as a regular preventative, so he prescribed Advair for me. I find it makes a big difference. My lungs don't start going haywire nearly as quickly. Per my doc, I try to take a puff about 1/2 an hour before I ride.

As with all medical stuff, your mileage may vary

[ACG]

I've been reading this thread with some interest. I have noticed that I become winded. It is sort of like I'm pedaling at a good rate, maybe 18mph, but when I stop pedaling I am able to catch my breath. When I am pedaling I'm slightly winded, could this be asthma? I was thinking of getting a HRM, thinking I could use it to my advantage. After reading this thread I may just call my doctor.

[chickwhorips]

i always called my advair inhalor my purple bubble tape inhalor.

[eclectic]

i always called my advair inhalor my purple bubble tape inhalor.

That is exactly what they are like

I thought I was regressing on my new meds went for a ride last Wed and was exhausted, and couldn't breathe. After not being able to talk for 3 days and sleeping constantly for 5, I decided I probably had a virus of some type. Finally went for a 25 mile ride today. Went up my measuring stick hill to see how I am doing. Beginning of the summer 6.5 mph, 3 weeks ago 7 mph - today 8.2 Mph! ! ! Hooray I think the meds are really working

[chickwhorips]

eclectic good job! glad your feeling better also.

[emily_in_nc]

I got my Rx for Advair filled today. My doctor did not have a sample to show me how to use it, but the box came with a very detailed insert that I followed to the letter. Being an engineer, I'm big on details, so I made sure I did it right! I have used albuterol for years as a rescue inhaler, but this was definitely a little different! I certainly made sure to breathe in, very deeply, to actually get the medicine into my lungs!

I don't know if I just got lucky, but on my trail ride tonight, I definitely felt like my breathing was better. My average and max. heart rate were lower than the last time I did this same route, so I felt less taxed, and I felt really strong. It's possible that I had just had a good ride, but it's also possible that that Advair helped a little even with just one dose!

I had been using albuterol before every ride, but I skipped it tonight. My asthma is mild, but it definitely seems to come into play when I do intense exercise. I don't have asthma attacks per se, but I just huff and puff way more than anyone else, even on slight inclines -- and I am a very active person; I hike, jog, walk, kayak, lift weights, and ride, so I should not huff and puff quite as much as a complete novice, especially since I am not carrying excess body weight around. Tonight I finally didn't huff and puff more than a "normal" person. :-)

My doctor started me on the lowest dosage Advair: 100/50. Hopefully I can stay on this one as I want to use the least amount of medication necessary. I have been taking Accolate, a leukotriene inhibitor (pill), but it didn't seem to have any effect on me whatsoever. Albuterol helps, but it makes my heart race and makes me jittery, like too much coffee, so I am not crazy about using it. I didn't sense any of that with the Advair.

So, after just one ride, it's way too early to tell, but I am cautiously optimistic.

For those of you on Advair, have you had any side effects from it?

Thanks!
Emily

[Pedal Wench]

Were you told to gargle after you use the Advair? I heard that you have to gargle for 30-seconds to get the meds out of your throat. Is this true?

[chickwhorips]

i was never told about the gargling so i don't know. seemed to work fine without that.