Quote Originally Posted by cherinyc
Gosh - and I thought all this cycling was going to make me healthier. Why do I feel like I am falling apart all of a sudden.
Have faith you are not falling apart Just think you have been running around w/ 55% output. You will feel so much better w/ proper treatment.

I was at 65% and did not realize how bad I was, you just get used to not being able to breathe. I told my riding partners "lookout if I ever am able to breathe!" (the last 2 days on new meds have been great and now they are looking out!)
My peak flow on Sunday was 380 - 400 where it always has been for the last year on a good day, today it is 430, best it has been in years Yippee I know it will just get better and better now !

The albuterol is doing its job if it is loosening everything up.
Albuterol is not to be over used so be sure to take the other med as prescribe I assume it is some type of preventative but I really don't know.

I ran the full gamut of tests last summer, allergy test both prick and blood, lung xrays, cat scan, a breathing test where I sat in a bubble like machine then another that measured specific output using some type of gas.
Glad I had good insurance!

The verdict "yup you have allergies and asthma". I knew that from the get go To be fair the doc was ruling out any other more serious lung diseases.

I feel so much better now and although the meds are about $120 per month after insurance it is worth it! AND I can ride up hills faster than I have ever done

Side benefit, I no longer get heartburn. Apparently heartburn is a side effect of asthma, go figure

Thanks for updating us and let us know what else you find out