Exercise Induced Asthma & Allergies

[OakLeaf]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought allergic asthma and exercise-induced asthma are two different things?

I have allergic asthma, and exercise actually makes it better, since it suppresses my immune system enough to tamp the allergies down a bit. But I'm sure it's possible to have both kinds.

I would definitely suggest that you do see an allergist, since immunotherapy can actually treat the allergies, rather than just the symptoms.

[Cycling Sister]

Catrin, Good to know that increased fitness can help asthma. My son says that working out helps clear his lungs. He wouldn't take an inhaler or go to the doctor when he was in the Army. I forget the exact reason. But, being sick was something frowned upon in his unit. Now that he's no longer in the military, I've been trying to get him to consider going to a doctor to have a back up inhaler just in case. He still coughs but not to the extent he did when he was younger.

Bethany1, What diagram exercises do you do? I am a stomach breather... I naturally breath into my lower lungs focusing on my stomach area expanding before I fill up my upper chest area. I started breathing this way several years ago when I became a massage therapist.

Oakleaf, I'm not sure. I've never had a problem with tightness/burning unless I was sick. I cough up mucus when my allergies get bad though. Cycling is the only exercise I do outdoors. I did a full rotation of P90X a couple years ago and didn't have a problem with chest tightness. I could be wrong, but I think exercise induced asthma can be brought on by allergies. I would have to ask the doctor about it.

Thank you for the suggestion to see an allergist. I notice that my skin doesn't break out in hives or itch if I'm regularly doing any kind of exercise that makes me sweat. This past winter I was so busy with work I didn't exercise regularly. Then I got a rash that covered my body and was in bed for a week. Slept most of that week. Could barely open my eyes I was so tired. I honestly think it was allergy related. My doctor gave me medicine that helped and recommended I see a dermatologist first. But, I couldn't get an appointment to see a dermatologist for 2 months! By the time I found a dermatologist, my rash and symptoms were gone and there wasn't anything he could do. Very frustrating. I'll have to ask around for a good allergist in my area.

[Catrin]

Catrin, Good to know that increased fitness can help asthma...

For me it made a world of difference, but our bodies are all different and there are different triggers for asthma. I think that most of my triggers were environmental - and as my fitness increased and was therefore exposed more and more to the triggers, my immune system became better able to deal with them. That is the only reason I can account for most of my allergies having disappeared - and I've been tested. Sadly, I am still very allergic to cats - that is the one that remains

Also, for me, I had so many side-effects to all of the usual asthma medications outside of the rescue inhaler that, in effect, the assorted inhaled and oral medications actually made my asthma MUCH worse. As it turns out my asthma is actually quite minor but my system is highly sensitive to those side-effects.I do try to keep my inhaler with me in high heat and humidity - though it is rarely a problem. Cold air is still a large trigger for me however, and I won't ride outside much under 37 degrees for that reason.

Hopefully you can get your son to the doctor - if he is still coughing then it isn't under control. While I do wheeze and so forth when it acts up, my asthma is generally what they call "cough-variant asthma" so I know what it feels like.

[zoom-zoom]

Also, for me, I had so many side-effects to all of the usual asthma medications outside of the rescue inhaler that, in effect, the assorted inhaled and oral medications actually made my asthma MUCH worse. As it turns out my asthma is actually quite minor but my system is highly sensitive to those side-effects.

Advair made me totally sick for the year-and-a-half that I was on it. It beat my immune system to hell and gave me countless thrush infections on the back of my throat. I've had MUCH better luck with Qvar and a spacer.

[Catrin]

Advair made me totally sick for the year-and-a-half that I was on it. It beat my immune system to hell and gave me countless thrush infections on the back of my throat. I've had MUCH better luck with Qvar and a spacer.

I never had thrush infections, I just sounded like I had emphysema and that I should have been on O2 They tried many different medications, but my body didn't like any of them - Qvar probably wasn't around then.

I currently take no medications outside of my rescue inhaler on the rare times it is needed - the last problem I've had in the last few years was this last winter when I tried to ride on a windy cold day I know this may not always be the case however. The one certain thing in life is things change...

[Kathi]

I have non allergic rhinutis, which means I'm not allergic to proteins (pollens, cats, etc) but react to things in the environment, air pollution, extremes in temps, humidity, perfumes etc. My type of asthma goes along with this so I often don't know what will set me off. I also have exercise induced asthma. All my life whenever I exerted myself I'd end up gasping for air. Thinking I was undertrained I worked harder but didn't get better.

It wasn't until I moved to Colorado and have a asthma and allergy doc that has educated me about asthma do I feel I'm in control.

For me, exercise does not improve my symptoms, especially EIA. Advair helps to keep me under control. I can get by with the 150/50 dose in the winter but have to increase to 250/50 in summer. My lung function has improved dramatically since I've been on Advair. No other health issues with it.

I'm constantly learning about the "ins and outs" of asthma and how to keep it under control.

You sound alot like me when I had to be the "1st up the hill". I can now climb without the gasping for air but I now relax, take my time and breath easily when I climb.

[Cycling Sister]

Since last Thursday, I've ridden 4 times using the inhaler before the rides. The difference in my breathing has been amazing... not so much in my hill climbing abilities. lol My ribs and sternum have gotten sore from being able to breath deeply.

I'm so in awe with how you all manage your health, respect your bodies, and ride. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences!

bmccasland, What a special group of riders you had! I'm hoping to ride over the winter if my lungs can take it. Started buying cold weather gear.

Crackin, You bring up a good point about listening to your body and resting.

Catrin, Yeah, I don't think my son's asthma is fully under control either. It's more like he thinks it is because he hasn't gotten sick and had a full blown attack yet. I hear you about our bodies changing. The older I've gotten, the more sensitive I am detergents, soaps, perfumes, etc.

zoom-zoom, I am going to find an allergist. Immunotherapy sounds better than taking Sudafed sinus and Advil almost every day.

Kathi, I half jokingly say that I'm glad I don't live in Colorado! Glad you were able to find a good allergy-allergist doctor and can manage you EIA!

[zoom-zoom]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought allergic asthma and exercise-induced asthma are two different things?

I have allergic asthma, and exercise actually makes it better, since it suppresses my immune system enough to tamp the allergies down a bit. But I'm sure it's possible to have both kinds.

I would definitely suggest that you do see an allergist, since immunotherapy can actually treat the allergies, rather than just the symptoms.

Yup. I have both...and I think this Fall I am finally going to look into immunotherapy/shots. I am almost 40 and have been battling this crap for way too long. I'm tired of taking Zyrtec 365 days/year and inhaled steroids.