??? for those with asthma

[teigyr]

LoriO, I test normal but have been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. For a while my doctor (primary care though she specialized in pulmonary medicine) would send me home with a ton of inhalers. I didn't like the way one made me feel (jittery) and never took the steroid one after reading the insert.

With me, I generally know what will set me off. If I'm not in shape and go out too hard (esp on a hill or something) and lose my breathe, it's gone. Same goes for swimming. Maybe I tend to take it easy too much but I haven't had problems in a long time. Smoky places, even the day after I've been there, will give me problems so I avoid them.

I take an allergy medication and also take benadryl if I'm feeling itchy or generally like there's something going on. Being overtired will increase allergies or reacting to the environment in some negative way.

Strange thing is sometimes baked goods or junior mints will do the same thing to me. Maybe it is the presence of a strong flavor? Also, oddly enough, sodas from a fountain (not a can or bottle) do the same thing.

It feels like there's a tickle in my throat that is so overwhelming my throat closes up. There are also times that it isn't THAT bad but I'll start coughing and coughing and all sorts of stuff comes out of my lungs.

I've also been told I'm allergic to cats. We have five of them Wouldn't give them up for anything.

I guess maybe have an inhaler "just in case". I've been ok with just relaxing and riding through the episode but I have wondered what would happen if it didn't get better. I haven't had an inhaler for years because I never used it.

I hope to hear how your doctors visit goes once he's back in the office

[LoriO]

Teigyr, I hear you about not taking meds if you don't have to and I prefer not to if I can help it.

If he does give me an inhaler it will be interesting to see how it will affect my workouts. My area is all hills and I often find myself really winded and struggleing to breathe but not yet into a full attack. I am really interested to see if there is any difference. I so often find that it is my breathing that gets me on the hills way before my legs start to really feel it.

I swear, I just turned 40 and I am falling apart!!!! I've been diagnosed with a thyroid issue, and now this. I guess I can take some consolation in the fact that my cholesterol levels are excellen....go figure!!

[Kalidurga]

I've also been told I'm allergic to cats. We have five of them Wouldn't give them up for anything.

Last time I saw my pulmonologist, I mentioned that my allergies had seemed to clear up a bit during the time between one cat passing away and the adoption of two new ones. He actually said to me "You should get rid of them now before you get too attached. Pets are the worst thing for people with asthma."

I was tempted to ask him if he'd get rid of one of his children if he found out he was allergic to it.

[OakLeaf]

BUT - how is it you hadn't been tested for cat allergy? Pet allergies are pretty much impossible to treat (because of the genetic variations between individuals), but if you're allergic to one inhalant it's likely you're allergic to others as well. Definitely see an allergist and get on immunotherapy!

[tulip]

Growing up I had pretty much chronic bronchitis and sinus problems and infections. I probably also had asthma, but the topic never came up. I was pretty miserable for years because I couldn't breathe.

Then I went to college, and got much better, except when I went home for visits.I couldn't bring my cat to college! Growing up on a farm, we had lots of farm cats and a few house cats. I'll take breathing over cats any day!

[RoadRaven]

Search for and check out the "pursuiters cough" threads and asthma/exercise induced asthma threads. There have been a few of them over the last couple of years.

I am a road racer get exercise induced asthma after a particularly hard time trial (a race discipline). Sometimes I have trouble breathing 'normally' for up to half ann hour after race end, and often have a dry cough for anything between 1-3 days after. i use no medication for this.

I do get asthma ocassionally also - particularly in summer during hayfever season. I also was given an inhaler to help my bronchials with a 4 week winter flu I have been battling.

[OakLeaf]

What really helped me with my very mild asthma was learning that asthma doesn't keep me from breathing air in, it keeps me from forcing air out. Since my asthma is so mild, I'd never seen a pulmonologist, so I learned this from a former riding buddy who has EIA.

Forget trying to inhale. The reason it feels like you can't get air in is because your lungs are already full (of spent air). Use those assistive muscles to forcibly exhale as much as you can. It's amazing how much better I breathe once I learned this.

[boy in a kilt]

This is also an old mountain climber's trick. It has a name but I can't remember it. All I know is it works well. I don't know why.

[LoriO]

What really helped me with my very mild asthma was learning that asthma doesn't keep me from breathing air in, it keeps me from forcing air out. Since my asthma is so mild, I'd never seen a pulmonologist, so I learned this from a former riding buddy who has EIA.

Forget trying to inhale. The reason it feels like you can't get air in is because your lungs are already full (of spent air). Use those assistive muscles to forcibly exhale as much as you can. It's amazing how much better I breathe once I learned this.

Excellent tip, Thank You !

[NbyNW]

You may also want to keep track of what kind of pollen is really active when you are having these symptoms. There are a lot of websites for that, and you can also link to pollen count trackers through weather forecast websites.

You might notice a pattern where you have a sensitivity to a particular type of pollen -- in my case, trees or ragweed. Those are days when I will either take it easy or stay indoors if I must work out -- go to the gym or the pool. Generally I feel pretty crappy when those allergens are plentiful, so I usually just stay inside and try not to push too much.

[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!

[makbike]

Good Point CycloKitty! My normal peak flow is 350 according to my doctor. I typically blow a 450 - 500. When my peak flow drops to 350 or lower I know my lungs are closing down and it is time to take action.

[OakLeaf]

You may also want to keep track of what kind of pollen is really active when you are having these symptoms. There are a lot of websites for that, and you can also link to pollen count trackers through weather forecast websites.

You might notice a pattern where you have a sensitivity to a particular type of pollen -- in my case, trees or ragweed. Those are days when I will either take it easy or stay indoors if I must work out -- go to the gym or the pool. Generally I feel pretty crappy when those allergens are plentiful, so I usually just stay inside and try not to push too much.

Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy.

Changed my life.

Also: have them look at the FEV1/FVC. Because it's a ratio, it works for everyone, and doesn't rely on demographic averages/medians to tell whether you're "normal" or not.

[skingsbury]

I also have asthma and high humidity seems to bother me more than anything else. I also have allergies and in the Spring and Fall I'm bothered, but high humidity has been bothering me all summer. I walk outside and feel like my lungs just close up. I can't breathe..... I haven't been able to ride outside much this summer because of the high humidity (Northeast). I'm hoping for a huge thunderstorm to bring in some low humidity. Does humidity bother anyone else out there?