??? for those with asthma

[Kalidurga]

When I've had an attack, it's always felt as if there was a heavy weight on my chest, like a brick or something, making it difficult to expand my lungs. And there's always been the coughing.

I'm on Advair 1x per day, and when I head out for a strenuous ride on the bike I use my Albuterol inhaler a couple miles into the ride. With these meds, it's been a couple of years since my last serious asthma attack.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I got asthma (I guess that's how you would put it) from getting sick with pneumonia/bronchitis about 10 years ago. Whenever I cough alot, it starts up. I have an albuterol inhaler with me somewhere all of the time (in the glove box or in my purse) and every year I seem to toss it without using it. Except when there is thick smoke (aka forest fires like this year and last year), or when I get sick and I cough alot or if I really really push it hard. Humidity seems to make it harder to breathe but only if I start coughing does it start up.

I got into a conversation with a respiratory therapist (sp??) at a dinner one night (coworker's spouse) and she said there are tests you can do and I guess some kind of breathing training you can do to help it...but mine isn't that bad...

I personally hate using albuterol. It's a last resort for me. But I know when to use it- I find if I can stop the coughing by either drinking something or sucking on a cough drop, I can usually avoid it getting to the elephant on the chest feeling. Oh how I hate that!!!

It's been really humid here the past few days...maybe talk to the doc about that? Might be something else?

[makbike]

Best way I know to describe an asthma attack is to say is like trying to breath through a straw with the end pinched shut. Typically after an attack I cough a lot of junk up out of my lungs. I'm glad I have my inhalers and oral medications for I seldom have attacks now that we (doctor and I) have figured out the best combinations.

[LoriO]

Thank you all so much! I will be calling the DR back and see if I can get an inhaler for next time this happens. I've never had this happen before until last year and it only seems to occur when I am really pushing to get up a hill.

BTW, I really like the pinched off straw analogy, really good description of how it felt.

It is really scary when you can't breath!!!

[makbike]

It is scary, LoriO. The best thing you can do is stay calm and breath. I'm not sure which is worse, that attack for the breathing treatments you must take during an attack.

[LoriO]

It is scary, LoriO. The best thing you can do is stay calm and breath. I'm not sure which is worse, that attack for the breathing treatments you must take during an attack.

That is exactly what I've done, just stop and breath until things ease up again. My years of working EMS and being a 911 dispatcher have come in handy at least for something I am very good at staying calm in an emergency situation.

Seriously, thanks again to all of you. i will be calling the DR tomorrow to try and get an appointment scheduled.

You know what, I have another question. For those of you with Excersize induced asthma. Do you just not do anything until you find you are having an episode and then use an inhaler or do you use the inhaler before you ride/workout to prevent it? Just curious.

[kelownagirl]

You know what, I have another question. For those of you with Excersize induced asthma. Do you just not do anything until you find you are having an episode and then use an inhaler or do you use the inhaler before you ride/workout to prevent it? Just curious.

When it was a problem, I took 1-2 puffs before I rode. Later, only if it was going to be hilly, then only if it was cool or damp. Now I rarely use my inhaler before I ride but I carry it with me if it;s cool or damp out in case I have trouble. Oh, and I use it if I'm racing (or practicing racing).

[Blueberry]

When the weather is likely to trigger mine, my doc really wants me using it before I ride....about 30 minutes before. Cold weather is much worse for me.

CA

[bmccasland]

Another EIA rider here....

I take Flovent 220 mg 2x per day and Seravent before I ride - I believe that Advair is a combo of those two meds. For the most part I don't have breathing troubles if I'm a couch potato - although temporarily the post-Katrina New Orleans air quality changed that, but the air quality has improved. Just no smoke filled bars for me

High humidity or really cold air does seem to cause more problems. And high humidity in these parts is pretty difficult to avoid. Seems no rhyme or reason to whether or not I can tolerate the humidity from day to day, which drives me bonkers. Yesterday was not a good day, my lungs hated me. Bronchial passages still hurt. No one told me how much having an asthma attack would hurt for hours afterwards!

Your doc can request a stress test in a lab - they put you on a stationary bike, and ride you into an asthma attack. The lab tech where I had the peak flow test told me about it, she was questioning why I wasn't having that particular test instead of the quick peak flow. She did say she's had cyclists bring in their own bikes - not sure if they had the trainer or you need to bring that too. Anyway, you might ask your doc to set you up for the test, and then check with the lab about the bike - or do they do the testing on a treadmill? (running would drive me to an attack sooner)

Good luck!

[Pedal Wench]

I had a doctor who was of the opinion that untreated asthma contributed to emphasyma late in life. So, even though mine is exercise-induced, I take qvar every day.

That is exactly what I've done, just stop and breath until things ease up again. My years of working EMS and being a 911 dispatcher have come in handy at least for something I am very good at staying calm in an emergency situation.

Seriously, thanks again to all of you. i will be calling the DR tomorrow to try and get an appointment scheduled.

You know what, I have another question. For those of you with Excersize induced asthma. Do you just not do anything until you find you are having an episode and then use an inhaler or do you use the inhaler before you ride/workout to prevent it? Just curious.

[Cyclo Kitty]

Triggers are important to identify and can be subtle. My doctor is iffy on whether or not I have asthma, but you can not wheeze and have it. I cough, and it's mostly EIA, but in cold, damp weather, laughing hard can set off an attack, as can anxiety.

Yoga can be helpful for managing asthma (good for breathing and your core). My doctor recommended yoga, but also gave me symbicort to use daily (as needed) for maintenance, albuterol for attacks.

Our pediatrician says that once you have a diagnosis, if you are using your albuterol inhaler 2X a day or 2X a week call your MD. Managed asthma means only occasional albuterol use. Something to bear in mind while you get it under control.

One thing about people who ride a lot & peak flow meter standards: if they're doing a standard battery of tests, they use a range based on your age and height to determine "normal" peak flow. Thing is, if you're fit, it should be more than average (can be way more), so what feels awful to you could be just barely below normal. A savvy PA caught that, and that's how I finally was able to breathe again on the bike.

Good luck--not being able to breathe is awful!