Riders with asthma?

[gromit68]

Anyone out there have problems with asthma? It seems to really be affecting me when I ride especially on hills. The more I exert the worse it gets. I was trying to do a 20 mile ride and had to get sagged in at 12.5. Is there anything I can do other than using my inhaler that will help me with this problem?

[jcl]

Hullo Gromit,
Yes! I keep an albuterol inhaler in my saddlebag at all times. I usually take one hit before I head out, and that usually tides me over for 20 miles or so. In colder weather I may have a little tougher time.

I live in L.A., and while the weather is great, the air quality can be an issue. One thing that has really helped me is yoga, believe it or not. I had a really wonderful instructor teach me some "asthma specific" poses and breathing routines about 3 years ago, and I think they've really helped. Of course, the results are not immediate, they occur over time, with regular practice, but yoga can play a part in managing your asthma.

Google "yoga for asthma" for more specific info. And good luck!

[Dianyla]

I have exercise induced asthma. If I am very careful to control my breathing and heartrate, I can usually avoid any serious attacks. Going up hills I always go down to a low gear and focus on breathing slowly - no sprints for me!

Cold air and dryness make it worse for me, so I always try to drink water and if it's cold out I try to either breathe through my nose or through a balaclava.

[makbike]

I too suffer from asthma and have most of my life. Are you using any type of medication to control your asthma? Have you talked to your doctor about how your lungs are responding while you cycle? If not, I would urge you to schedule an appointment and share with them what you are experiencing. Asthma is not something to play around with nor something that should be ignored for it can and does kill on a regular basis.

There are many medications that can be used to bring things into balance and prevent your attacks. I use two inhalers (albuterol and Q-Var) on a daily basis and take singulaire and allegra as well. The combination of these drugs has kept me from having an asthma attack for nearly two years. It has taken several tries to find the right combination of drugs to keep things in check. I am blessed to have a doctor who willl work with me and listen to me when I go in for my six month check-ups. It is so nice to ride and not have to struggle with my lungs closing down and fight for each small breath of air my body requires.

I hope this helps.

[mikki]

I also have wicked asthma. Some seasons are worse than othes. I hit my inhaler about 5 minutes before I ride, especially if it's cool out. I make sure I'm using my other meds religiously.

However, sometimes it just happens. That tight, scratchy feeling. Then the cough. When I do that I just follow the advice of Mae West "put you lips together and blow". Purse your lips (like you're blowing out a candle), and blow steadily out with every exhalation until the feeling subsides. If you can slow your pace a bit at that point, it will help too. This is a technique we teach people with COPD. The big problem with asthma isn't that you can't get air in, but that you can't get CO2 out. Pursing your lips creates a back pressure in the lungs, helping to force the CO2 out of the base of your lungs. Inhale slowly and repeat. You really have to focus on the breathing at that point, and avoid the panting/coughing panic that accompanies the attack.

If I know I'm getting to a point where I'm really going to be sucking wind (ie, working hard) I just start blowing slowly. It seems to prevent those 'oh, God, I'm peeing my shorts' coughing fits that go with my asthma attacks.

Good Luck

[gromit68]

Thanks for all the replys. I do have an albuterol inhaler and I use it before riding. Mine is more of exercise induced than anything else. I will try your suggestions.

[Surlygirl]

I too suffer from asthma and have most of my life. Are you using any type of medication to control your asthma? Have you talked to your doctor about how your lungs are responding while you cycle? If not, I would urge you to schedule an appointment and share with them what you are experiencing. Asthma is not something to play around with nor something that should be ignored for it can and does kill on a regular basis.

.

I have to agree. I have asthma also and I meet with a pulmonary specialist at least once a year. Albuterol alone will not control your asthma. I was on Advair but the serevent was making me sick so switched to Pulmacort everyday and I haven't had any problems. Hills still suck the life out of me and I find I run out of oxygen way before my legs quit. I put a triple crankset on and you can change your cassett so you can spin up the hills. If I still run out I stop for a few minutes to recover and then start up the hill again. I'd see a doctor first and foremost though to make sure your asthma is under control.

[tulip]

I had asthma for years and years, but it just went away a few years ago. The only thing that I can figure out is that I bought a house that has absolutely no carpet--only hardwood floors. All the apartments I've lived in had carpet, which holds all sorts of nasty stuff--mold, allergens, dust...

I still carry my albuterol with me, but I have not used it in several years.