Coughing Attack??

[Eden]

I do not have EIA - but I do have an allergy (cedar trees - which I've only really discovered now that I've been living in the PNW) that causes me some similar symptoms. I get a nasty hacking cough - like cough until I want to puke cough......

The cough is from the constant post nasal drip - and you did say its not unusual for your nose to run, so I'd say that it may be a good possibility that you either have an allergy or you could have non-allergic rhinitis, which is to say the stuffy drippy nose, without the itchy eyes, from other causes - like cold air, changes in humidity etc.

[li10up]

I do have a stuffy nose year round. I get quite a few sinus headaches but not as many as before I had my deviated septum fixed. So at least things aren't as bad as they were. I don't have the typical allergy symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes. But I do get sticky eyes every now and then and just take an antihistimine. I also had a really bad case of heartburn about 5 minutes into the ride as well that lasted for about 15 miles. I didn't think allergies could induce such a violent coughing attack. I'm thinking it might be asthma because I just can seem to keep up lately. My lungs always give out before my legs...and after two years of riding (almost 3000 miles this year) regularly I don't think it is a fitness issue...especially since my performance is degrading. My heart rate is higher than normal even on the flat stretches. Heck...I don't know what's going on!

[Eden]

Could be a combination of many things. A decrease in performace along with the higher heart rate even sounds like possible over training. You may need a rest to let your body sort itself out and repair.

Trust me - allergies can cause violent coughing - I've been there, bent over double coughing until I think I'm going to puke or my eyeballs are going to fall out and I have absolutely no asthma - doc said I have the best lung function he's seen in a long time - the coughing was all from the post nasal drip.

[ChickWithBrains]

I meant to ask this in your earlier threads... have you been tested for TB?

[spokewench]

Don't know what it could be given your recent health problems, but what you describe can happen to me - I have exercise induced asthma. There can be several triggers: exercise, pollutants, allergies, nasal drip, cold symptoms, etc.

spoke

[NorCalGal]

Sounds like good advice from everyone and you have the ongoing medical tests and such, and I'm not sure if what I has to share will be helpful or not, but I had no idea I had allergies and asthma/EIA until I was tested earlier this year. I never had those things when I lived in Southern California, but after 14 years in NorCal, I guess I got 'em.

I'm allergic to just about everything in the air and home environment around me, and am on an allergy immunology program now. But the biggest difference in my life has been using an inhaler before I exercise. I used to get so out of breath and go into such coughing spasms that I would wet myself (sorry ...TMI...or is there such a thing as TMI on this site??? ) Four years ago when I was training for a marathon, I kept wondering when the breathing was going to get easier. It never did! Now I can ride and run without those sorts of breathing problems.

The other good thing for me was Allegra every morning, which has stopped the post nasal drip, and an asthma medication that helps the ongoing irritation in my lungs. I don't like the thought of having to take/use meds every day, but boy, what a wonderful difference it has made in my life!!

Good luck. I hope all turns out well for you.

[li10up]

About 4 weeks ago I had a cold. Three weeks ago I had a sinus infection and took antibiotics for it. It cleared up and for the last two weeks I've been clearer than I"ve been in a very long time. No stuffiness, no runny nose (except when exercising). But for the last two weeks I keep feeling like I have to clear my throat all the time and I've never had to do that before. It was kind of scary how "cut-off" my throat felt from the mucous build up. I hadn't really thought much about it until the coughing spell last night. Thanks for the input everyone. I'm starting to think that my allergies, the heartburn, exercise and the colder air all contributed to the "attack". Asthma or something else? That will be a question for my dr. too...but I don't get to see him for another month.

Edited to add: No, I've never been tested for TB.

And: Eden, I was off the bike for two weeks...wouldn't that be enough rest if I was overtraining?

[coyote]

I also had a really bad case of heartburn about 5 minutes into the ride as well that lasted for about 15 miles.

Just an FYI: Post nasal drip can irritate the esophagus and give you heart burn type symptoms.

It is good that you are having all the tests done. I'm sure it must be frustrating not having any answers.