Quote Originally Posted by JeniRoosen
This is my first year of cycling. I have exercise induced asthama. I use albuterol. Never before has my lungs bothered me as much as this winter. I grew up in Northern Michigan where temps with windchill factored in would be around minus 30 - 40 on a regualr basis. Skiing was never an issue.

I don't know what's different, but my lungs couldn't take it this winter in Ohio. Refused to go to the doctor but had an unproductive cough that would take over my whole body. I got tired of hearing from all my freinds and cycling buddies to "go to the doctor" and finally went (six weeks later). She said since I'm a mouth breather, I've been sucking in all that cold air and my lungs were really agitated. Put me on 5 days of prednisone to clear it up. Worked like a charm. Said to just use my albuterol before cycling and during attacks but did not see the need for a maintenance inhaler.
I also cover my mouth when the air is cold. That way the air I'm breathing in isn't quite so chilled. That seems to help a lot.

All hail that nagging rib-breaking cough! *shaking head*