About those lungs

[makbike]

Is it possible you suffer from exercise induced asthma? I would suggest you talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing and see what they think.

[Bklynmom]

I did - Dr. said no because it goes away on long climbs. I will ask again.

[Kathi]

I have EIA as well as asthma triggered by things car exhausts, cold air, smoke, etc. For the EIA I was using a Maxair rescue inhaler before exercising but I still struggled on short climbs. I thought I wasn't strong enough to climb the hills but no matter how much I climbed I didn't get any better so I thought I was "normal".

All spring and summer I seemed to have trouble breathng, I was riding slower and if my heart rate got higher than 150 I was short of breath. I knew something was wrong but thought I had lost my aerobic conditioning because I skied all winter instead of spending some on my bike.

I recently went on Advair full time. What a world of difference! I can clilmb and really inhale the air into my lungs. No more huffing and puffing. My heart rate averages are up, my speed is up, I can't believe that what I had accepted as "normal" for many years wasn't normal at all.

When I climb I now pay attention to my breathing and am learning what it is like to "inhale" fully with deep breaths.

BTW, my Dr. told me there are tests that can be done to determine EIA.

[Bklynmom]

OK and thanks for confirming what I thought - my son suggested the Advir too - guess he should go to medical school!

I have the 250 Advir and was taking it twice a day - are you on the same? Do you also take Zyrtec - I was on it this spring too.

I will also ask the Dr. about the EIA test - good advice, much appreciated.

lisa

[Kathi]

OK and thanks for confirming what I thought - my son suggested the Advir too - guess he should go to medical school!

I have the 250 Advir and was taking it twice a day - are you on the same? Do you also take Zyrtec - I was on it this spring too.

I will also ask the Dr. about the EIA test - good advice, much appreciated.

lisa

Yes, Advair 250 2x a day. I take Singulair and use my Maxair inhaler 20 min. before I ride. My Dr's pa told me that the serevent in the Advair helps EIA. I've also noticed that I don't respond to any of my other triggers while I've been on the Advair.

I use the Singulair because it helps me with allergies.

Yesterday, I went hiking at 9,500 ft and just bopped right along. It was so easy and I could easily climb without huffing and puffing.

I too was warming up for at least 20 min. but now that I'm on the Advair I don't need the warm-up.

[Bklynmom]

Karen-
I absolutely notice a distinct change after mile 5, then everything seems to get going, legs, lungs, etc.

More than 10 min at a rest stop seems to be a problem for me too - takes me a while to get back up to speed.

Is this an age thing? I'm 48.

Lisa

[Starfish]

I'm 41, and I find I need more warm-up than I used to. Although, truthfully, I always have needed a good warm-up. I am NOT a sprinter. Not in any way, shape or form. I seem to take awhile to get really going, but then, when I do, I might not go fast, but I can go long.

I find that if I don't get a really good warm-up, and I try a hard effort too soon, I never really do hit my stride for a ride nearly as well as when I warm up more slowly.

That said, I am finding that now, in July, my HR does not go nearly as high (nor do I gasp for air in the same way), as it did in February on the same early hills in any given ride.

I don't have asthma. For me, I think it is a combination of fitness level and age.

[Kano]

Karen-
I absolutely notice a distinct change after mile 5, then everything seems to get going, legs, lungs, etc.

More than 10 min at a rest stop seems to be a problem for me too - takes me a while to get back up to speed.

Is this an age thing? I'm 48.

Lisa

Well, maybe an age thing -- I'm 49, and nothing is quite as quick as it used to be! Heck, my ride starts are much like my mornings: the snooze button is my bestest friend, and gets well used! And yeah, I think my body decides I must be finished riding if I stop for any length of time too!

Karen in Boise