Glad to know that there are tons more women like me out there coping with asthma. I have learned to tame mine pretty well, but when it flares up, my asthma is very, very serious. Last week, out of the blue, I had the worst flare up in 6 years. The day before, I was prepared to ride 42 miles and in great shape. I had to go to my specialist and get injections and was almost admitted to the hospital. I was at home for a week before I felt okay to go back to work. We didn't know what had caused the flare up.

Then, I realized that I had serious pain on Monday morning. I couldn't breathe and realized I needed to go to the ER. I had kidney stones that had moved out of the kidney. It was unbareable and they think the inflammation that had been going on for over a week (I just ignored it) caused the reaction. Scary stuff. I had to have surgery to remove it today and already feel a ton better (still can't ride, though, as I have a stent in).

Mine is usually fine, but I don't push myself to run in very humid/hot conditions. I just love the sun and heat, but it makes it very difficult for me to breathe (and mine isn't even EIA). I just don't need to make myself ill. I take about 3 maintenance medications a day to control it. I used to run 5 miles a day and that was MUCH more touch and go, but biking seems to actually help build up my lungs, so you may find that it actaully HELPS your PF over time. My peak flow is always pathetic for a normal person - my 100 year old-great grandmother had better Pulse ox levels than I did on a good day, but I don't let it get me down.

When I was a teenager, my asthma was so out of control that I was terrified to leave my house alone for fear that I would have an asthma attack, die, and have no one notice. I was hospitalized all of the time and even had to have sinus surgery as a kid (I'm ironically in a medical journal somewhere). I feel so much stronger on my bike. It's a great feeling of confidence, which is why I think I love it so much. For a couple of hours, I can be in control of my body!