Sport Induced Asthma

[mayanorange]

For the past 2 or 3 months I have had episodes while I am on the bike, of heavy loud breathing, chest tightness that happen suddently. I always thought they were panic attacks. i usually stop, have a good cry, breathe and eat sweets before I go again after 10 minutes.

Hmm, I had a similar episode yesterday- I was attempt to chase down the group I was riding with up a hill and getting frustrated and breathing hard, then crying, then it turned into couldn't catch my breath, which turned to bigger panic, more crying... I have a history of panic/anxiety but then my allergies are really flaring the last few days, so I wrote it off, but I guess if it happens more I should get to the doctor for an asthma check? I have had the crying from frustration and low blood sugar before (DH has finally learned to wait up for me), but the not catching my breath once I stopped was new. Do they have tests to see if it's asthma and not panic? It's not the first time I've suspected mild asthma, especially related to allergies...

[uforgot]

I had never heard of this until I read another thread here on TE. I went to my doc and she prescribed an inhaler. I had to do some test to check lung capacity also, and it turns out I have a greater capacity than average. I have never been able to run. Now I can. I can't believe what a difference it makes. It is only when I exercise, so I only use it before I run. Something to be aware of: she said I needed to check my insurance because she prescribed an inhaler. It may make a difference in my coverage.

Edit: I have no allergies, so the doc thought it was unusual, but not unheard of, and when the inhaler made an immediate difference, I knew I was on to something. She said it typically happens to people who have allergies.

[ny biker]

Asthma is an immune system problem, just like allergies are. But I also don't have any allergies to the big triggers like pollen and mold.

[Pedal Wench]

Do they have tests to see if it's asthma and not panic? It's not the first time I've suspected mild asthma, especially related to allergies...

Yes they do. Basically, people without asthma will not respond to asthma meds. People who do, will. They test your lung function, then give you a puff of meds and see if there's a difference.

One doctor mentioned that untreated asthma can lead to emphyzema (spelling?) later in life, so it's important to treat it if you have it.

[ZenSojourner]

Yes they do. Basically, people without asthma will not respond to asthma meds. People who do, will. They test your lung function, then give you a puff of meds and see if there's a difference.

One doctor mentioned that untreated asthma can lead to emphyzema (spelling?) later in life, so it's important to treat it if you have it.

I've been told I have exercise induced asthma, but you know what? I never had it before I had walking pneumonia last year, then pleurisy, then bronchial spasms. And the inhaler they gave me does nothing but make me dizzy for a few minutes.

I just struggle with it til it goes away, don't know what else to do.

[Crankin]

ZenS, it is not uncommon to get EIA after a bout of pneumonia. I have had allergies since childhood and asthma started in, in my thirties. It hasn't been an issue in years, but every once in awhile it kicks in when I am cycling or running in the cold. Funny, that x country skiing doesn't seem to trigger it.
I am not sure why you "just let it pass," because asthma is nothing to joke about. What type of inhaler do you have? If it's albuterol, yes it can cause you to get shaky for a little bit, until you get used to it. Many asthmatics take a different type of inhaler that's more of a preventative daily, and use the albuterol as a rescue inhaler, or before exercise. I know that learning to breath fully through your nose, instead of gulping air through your mouth, when riding, especially climbing, has helped many on this list.

I've had pneumonia twice and many bouts of bronchitis (though not recently, thankfully). It took me months to get my aerobic conditioning back, especially when I was teaching aerobics... I had to swim, slowly, for two months before I could start teaching again. And that's when I was young!
Please, use your inhaler before you ride, or go back to the doc and see what else they can do for you.

[bmccasland]

ZenS - having difficulty breathing while riding may be "normal" for you, but it IS NOT NORMAL. Trust me on this, I've been there. I went undiagnosed most of my life. I always knew I couldn't run and breathe at the same time. People just told me I was out of shape. No, I was out of air. It really angers me how I got poo-pooed. It wasn't until I was bike riding on the levee, in my 40s with some folks that actually cared and had a really hard time breathing - I mean struggling to breathe at 12 mph - resting, then riding back to the office, with an escort, at 10 mph, which was all I could manage without my breathing getting out of control.

Breathing like a freight train is not normal.

Fortunately I had a doctor that took me seriously AND exercise was important to him. Not moving was not an option as far as Dr. R was concerned. I take an inhaler twice daily and another one before I ride, or any form of hard exercise.

Do you hurt around your sternum or upper chest? I wasn't prepared for how much asthma attacks HURT.

Please, see a doctor. Find one that takes you seriously. There is a breathing stress test they can do to you. I have normal resting lung capacity, not so normal under stress.

[Caroline]

Called the doc and explained the receptionist that I have had trouble breathing and breathing loudly while cycling lately, that I have never experienced that, leading to what I thought were panic attacks. She said I should come tomorrow morning as an emergency patient

I have a 10 miles TT tomorrow evening ... maybe I ll get a prescription before the race.

[mayanorange]

Caroline, glad you're getting that sorted! Good luck with the time trial!