Helpful asthma hints?

[OakLeaf]

If you're not getting treatment for your allergies, get started on that, since you say at least some of your asthma is allergic.

When you're climbing, focus on the exhale - you probably knew that already.

[Onix]

Looks like it is time to go back to my GP for a referral.

I hadn't really thought about how allergies might be effecting me when I ride---- usually when allergies increase my asthma symptoms I feel the increase of asthma symptoms 24/7. Recently, I haven't had any problem at all in general life.

But, I suppose since I am breathing much more deeply when I ride...maybe??

Thanks!

[OakLeaf]

But, I suppose since I am breathing much more deeply when I ride...maybe?

I'd guess it's less that, and more that your riding probably takes you places where the concentration of allergens is much higher - unless you already live in the country, there's a big difference in the amount of pollen in the air in the country, vs. in a small town, vs. in the city. (Those of us who are very sensitive notice that immediately!)

For me, the hard breathing is kind of a "wash," since the immune system is slightly suppressed during exertion. My allergies are actually much better during a ride, but my asthma is very mild and 100% allergic, not at all induced by exercise, or cold or dry air.

High speed ("ram air induction" ) does seem to increase the amount of pollen that goes up my nose, but I really only notice that on the moto, not the bici.

[Onix]

I'd guess it's less that, and more that your riding probably takes you places where the concentration of allergens is much higher - unless you already live in the country, there's a big difference in the amount of pollen in the air in the country, vs. in a small town, vs. in the city. (Those of us who are very sensitive notice that immediately!)

For me, the hard breathing is kind of a "wash," since the immune system is slightly suppressed during exertion. My allergies are actually much better during a ride, but my asthma is very mild and 100% allergic, not at all induced by exercise, or cold or dry air.

High speed ("ram air induction" ) does seem to increase the amount of pollen that goes up my nose, but I really only notice that on the moto, not the bici.

Interesting. I hadn't really thought about all that with allergies! I live in Austin---and allergies can be really funky here...so it is possible that I am running into different allergens a I ride.

Thanks for the replie!

[lo123]

I'm dealing with this myself. I've had asthma almost as long as I can remember. I take Advair, Singulair, Spiriva, and albuterol, prednisone and allergy meds (Xyzal + flonase), but the hills kick my tail (and like Onix, not doing hills is not an option).

I've started trying to just spin up hills and keep my breathing even. I've noticed when I start climbing hard, my heart rate goes way up and I start breathing sporadically. I think I sometimes have a mini-panic when that happens and my breathing can get really bad really fast.

If I focus more on a slower pace and sit up a little bit to open up my chest (relax) and then concentrate on breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth I do better. It still sucks.

I'm interested to hear any other tips.

Onix--if you dont' see a specialist for your asthma, you should. I'm on the hunt for a new pulmonologist, but asthma/allergy specialists can be good as well. They're better equipped than most GPs to deal with this stuff and are on top of the latest/greatest.

[Miranda]

This is VERY important regarding medicine...

OK, for your albuterol... are you taking your medicine at least 15 minutes *prior* to your exercise?

If you do not, trying to take it after you are already in a full blown attack will do little, to no, good. Unfortunately ...as you have already figured out.

I have asthma /allergies, and live with a house full of people who do as well. We've had some literally near death ICU experiences with the disease. Our monthly meds also literally total more than my house mortgage payment. However... those same meds, and bills for a specialist doc I *love*, are way cheaper that the hospital. Or priceless alternative.

With the right asthma action plan, you should be albe to climb all the hills you want. Or as my doc told me once, "the disease should not 'define you'... or your life's desires, etc.". Did I mention I love him? Oh yea, sorry, already been over that one already lol.

OK... I just stupidly did myself in asthma-wise on my vacation by thinking I could get away without pre-medicating. It was only a short hill / ride to run an errand. Tried it without the RXs. Wrong. Thought I'd nearly die.

At home... I remember to take my meds pre-ride by doing it as "step #1" in my gear prep ride routine etc. I find it takes about that long anyways to eat /drink a last minute snack, check bike tire pressure, get dressed, chamois lube etc. Viola... by the time I'm ready to saddle up... the meds are kicking in.

On the "no place to warm up"... can you spin easy in the sub for laps before heading out? Or even a parking lot when the club ride meets? Just an idea.

I have a hill that comes up pretty quick on my usual leave from home route too. Not super steep. But, the pre-meds are the total key. Plus, I have other ones also as part of the maintenance.

I also check the humidity hour by hour on weather dot com in my riding area before I go out. And from one of our drug companies, get auto-emails on the pollen levels and type in our area. Wind speed and recent wet and/or dry conditions are also a factor in traveling vectors.

It's really become part of a "science" of my riding. I even type it in my Garmin TrainingCenter notes section... "meds were this, felt this asthma-wise on X % grade hill with said drug regiem, percepitation etc.". I know that sounds OTT. But it really helps you nail down what you need. And helps to communicate more effectively with your docs.

Lastly... if you are fully "drugged up well"... and you are sure this is enough... it might just be the need for more hill training to increase your aerobic capacity / fitness level in that situation. Just be safe and smart in doing it.

I wear a HR. If my "wind-less-ness" is due to my HR reaching it's max... and when my HR recovers, and I can breath again... I know it was not the asthma. Hope that makes sense. If it was the asthma... you would not be able to recover when your HR came down... you would still be constricted... and could not suck wind in to breath... that would be the asthma.

Everyone has a VO2 max as you may already know. I think being an asthmatic gives us a slight disadvantage to that. But, other factors apply. I posted some thread about it that a while back. The vo2 max part. Some of it's train-able. Some of it's genetic.

For training... if fully drugged etc... Spinning class is good for hill / wind intervals... a cpr instructor is right there. Indoor trainer... don't have to get back home. Or, outside, as least a ride partner for some SAG support. Let someone else in the group know about this etc.

The performance with the allergies /asthma is accumulative too. If EVERYTHING is working against me... I will modify my ride performance. Finding where your own personal limit is a balance of trial and error.

Good Luck!

[Onix]

This is VERY important regarding medicine...

OK, for your albuterol... are you taking your medicine at least 15 minutes *prior* to your exercise?

If you do not, trying to take it after you are already in a full blown attack will do little, to no, good. Unfortunately ...as you have already figured out.

I wear a HR. If my "wind-less-ness" is due to my HR reaching it's max... and when my HR recovers, and I can breath again... I know it was not the asthma. Hope that makes sense. If it was the asthma... you would not be able to recover when your HR came down... you would still be constricted... and could not suck wind in to breath... that would be the asthma.

Hi Miranda, Thank you for the long response. I do take the albuterol before I work out.... and yes, at least 15 minutes before I work out. it is part of my morning "get out the door" routine. My GP told me that it *might* help when I was riding and already short of breath w/ hills---but it isn't.

I may just have to take laps around the neighborhood--but even it is fairly hilly!
Sounds like I need to find a specialist and read up on asthma/allergy docs vs. pulmonologists.

I am waiting on my HR monitor to come in right now (ordered it). How did you determine your max heart rate with your asthma symptoms? Were you able to determine this only when you were medicated properly? Does that question make sense??

Thank you for your thorough reply! Very helpful!

[txred9876]

Interesting. I hadn't really thought about all that with allergies! I live in Austin---and allergies can be really funky here...so it is possible that I am running into different allergens a I ride.

Thanks for the replie!

I live just outside austin and can tell a huge difference in town vs out by my house. I have had alergy and exercise induced asthma all my life. You can go to a lung doctor...thats the best thing then you can get a full workup. You do not want anything missed.

I must make sure I use an antihistime/decongestant before (long before so they have kicked in)riding. I also make sure I use my abuterol at a min 30-60 min before the ride and again just as the ride is starting (2puffs each time holding in for 30 seconds each time).

Good luck with your referrel.

Tina

[Onix]

Thanks Tina

[karatemom]

Oh, Onix, I feel your pain!

I've had asthma since I was a kid (I'm 42 now), and for years if I was on a group ride and we came to a hill, you could literally hear me breathing (trying to breathe) all the way up the hill. Even though others said they were maxing out on their heart rates, you couldn't hear them breathe!

Anyway, I tried Albuterol before rides, which helped a little--I had always used it for running. Finally I posted a question about his on RoadBikeReview, and they mentioned a couple of things which helped.
1) Warmups are really important for people with asthma.
2) It's important to take allergy medicine EVERY day, even if I am not having symptoms
3) Go to a doctor!

So,I went to a doctor. He took my blood pressure (92/60), my O2 sats (99) and my resting pulse rate (53) and looked at me and said, "You can't get any better than that!" But, he was a good doctor and sympathized, at least a little, so he gave my Asmanex and told me to give it a try.

The first time I rode with it, the difference was like, night and day! I remember going up a hill, and air was still going into my lungs! "Hey---I can breathe!" I announced.

The next weekend I had an event, the Tour of the Litchfield Hills, mostly hills, hence the name. As a crested one of them, I looked down and was amazed to discover my heart rate was 175 AND I WAS BREATHING FINE! WOW!
It just seemed so much easier than usual!

Anyway, that's my asthma story. I would highly recommend a visit to a doctor. If you can find a Sports medicine doctor, or at least a doctor who is active you might have better luck. It might be trial and error, too--you might need to try different medicines before you find one that really works.

Regarding your maximum heart rate, just wear a heart rate monitor and ride with a group faster than you. On your own it's difficult to really push it to the max.

From years of running and cycling with asthma, I can tell you the better shape you get into, the better off you are. You can almost sort of, get in good enough shape so that the asthma doesnt't kick in.

Good luck to you!