Riders with asthma?

[Brandi]

I to have asthma. Wow there are a lot of us. I have ad asthma since I was little but never got tested till this year (I am 37). I have allergies too. When i bike it hits me more then any other time. The Dr wanted me to do they daily inhaler and take and allergy pill and keep my fast acting inhaler around for emergency's. But I don't have it all the time. I just do what works for me. My pulmonolagist suggested taking a puff off my fast acting inhaler 15 minutes before i ride. That works for me I also take an allergy pill every night before I go to sleep. So far so good. Everyone is different you know. I hate having to take something but maybe someday I won't have to anymore.
Oh and drinking wine makes my asthma act up too.

[Runnin Rat]

I feel like I am at an AA meeting "Hi, my name is Rat, I suffer from asthma too". It is nice to not be alone, and read that someone else knows how to deal with this!

I did my frist century this weekend. It took me 9 hours, WITH the rest stops. I was very discouraged, as was my hubby. He kept saying "What is wrong with you? Are you OK? Are you getting sick?" Both of us were frustrated with my inability to ride. It was a very hilly course, and about 2,000+ higher elevation than here.

We both sat around afterwards trying to evaluate if I was coming down with the kids' crud or why my ride was so off. It wasn't till I started coughing that I realized what the problem had been. Why can I not recognize it when it is happening? I was just diagnosed last year. I run, a lot, and it usually takes someone so is running with me to mention something about my breathing before I realize what is going on (hubby has never been with me when I had an attack, so he didn't recognize it either). It is very frustrating to say the least!

Thanks for the great advice you guys gave here. I will try to remember this stuff and use it!

[Crankin]

Brandi,

Your asthma acts up with the wine because wine contains sulfites, a common allergen for asthmatics. I stopped drinking wine for about 10 years and then suddenly, around five years ago, I no longer had the symptoms. You can find wines without sulfites, usually from organic growers. Be careful. You can go into full anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction. I am sure if you search on the Internet, you can find the sulfite free wine.

[Surlygirl]

Its not just the wines either. I had quite the experience with an unpasterized beer! Since I'm allergic to Mold etc and beer is a fermenting process, needless to say I don't drink beer anymore. A lot of my asthma symptoms are triggered by things I'm allergic to so if you have allergies you probably need to treat those too and not just the asthma.

Running Rat, I think I'd take hubby with me when you have your next Dr appt with a pulmonary specialist. Sometimes they need to hear it from someone else. I was very discouraged when my doc said your lungs are damaged so you're never going to have great lung capacity. You can improve though as you get in shape. My DH has learned I'm never going to be as fast, or strong and he's just going to have to wait for me at the top of hills while I suck air. When he wants to hammer he goes with the guys, when he rides with me its at my pace and he knows its going to be slower.

[Barb, USA]

Running Rat, having had asthma for 55 years, I'd like to congratulate you and everyone else who is biking in spite of it. When I first moved here to Germany (13 years ago) and wanted to seriously bicycle, I could only go 3 mph because I could barely breathe. The correct medication made all the difference in the world. And you will learn to pay attention to your breathing and recognize when you are in distress. This is important.

Like Surlygirl's husband, mine has learned to wait for me...well, actually, he goes down the hill and up again at least once in the time I struggle up. When we are on a biking vacation, he rides with me most of the time, but I also give him time by himself to pretend he's Lance Armstrong. Now we are both happy.

But for all of you newly diagnosed asthmatics, I cannot stress enough that asthma is nothing to fool with. I nearly died and had been hospitalized several times before the newer medications were available.

So, take your medication as directed (the short term inhaler where ever you go), and, if you continue to have problems, go to your doctor. If he/she doesn't take you seriously, find another doctor!

Meanwhile, more power to us all!

[Runnin Rat]

Running Rat, having had asthma for 55 years, I'd like to congratulate you and everyone else who is biking in spite of it.

You know, hubby and I get crap from people all the time about our 'extreme exercise'. I have been diagnosed with asthma after taking up marathoning and he has been diagnosed with reactive-hypo-glycemia. Not a fun thing to deal with! Although everyone who doesn't exercise around us is blaming our adventures on our new diagnosises (is that a word?) I feel it is because of what we do that we have been able to catch the illnesses and work on controling them before they got out of hand.

[Barb, USA]

You know, hubby and I get crap from people all the time about our 'extreme exercise'. I have been diagnosed with asthma after taking up marathoning and he has been diagnosed with reactive-hypo-glycemia. Not a fun thing to deal with! Although everyone who doesn't exercise around us is blaming our adventures on our new diagnosises (is that a word?) I feel it is because of what we do that we have been able to catch the illnesses and work on controling them before they got out of hand.

Oh, my, you have hit one of my hot buttons! We get crap, too. In Germany there's the saying "Sport ist Mort" - sport is death! But it's people like us that will have the last laugh because the others will be gasping on the sofa from cardiovascular disease while we "extreme" people are still riding.

There are two books which are/have been on the New York Times Bestseller List "Younger Next Year (for men)," and "Younger Next Year *for Women," which basically say what we already know: you can stay "younger" if you eat properly, exercise regularly (the authors recommend 30 min/day 6 days a week), keep your brain active, and keep your attitude positive. The authors tell us that you can even reverse some of the effects of ageing. Think young.

The authors are Chris Crowly (over 71 and an avid cyclist) and Henry S. Lodge, MD (47).

By the way, I also have hypoglycemia. It took several years, but by eating regularly in small portions, and eating properly (very few simple carbs), I can now exercise without too much danger of bonking. I take peanut butter on whole wheat for a snack.

We all know people who are 40 going on 70, and people who are 70 going on 40. I intend to die on my bicycle in my 90s. Maybe I won't make it that long, but I'm going to feel good trying.

[Runnin Rat]

By the way, I also have hypoglycemia.

Barb, you are a mess Just teasin. We are just learning about all this new stuff, and trying to get him regulated, then keep him that way. Unfortunately, HE is male, so accepting that he really has something VERY wrong with him is hard for him to accept and deal with. He lets himself get 'off' as we call it, then he is impossible to live with (mean and ornory) and he doesn't see how bad he is. There is no reasoning with him once he is 'off', so we have to talk to him with great care until he is back to normal again. He is getting better, but it is like living with Jeckel and Hyde sometimes. It is amazing what this illness can do to such a mild manner person!

[Barb, USA]

You're right, Runnin Rat; I am a mess. I have migraines, too.

Hypoglycemia all has to do with blood sugar and the consequences of it's being too low. So the idea is to keep it level. That's why small meals often help. When you eat sugar(simple carbs: all white stuff including potatoes), your body responds with a big burst of insulin, but then for hypoglycemics, it's too much. Caffeine will also stimulate the production of insulin. So at first a coke works, and then there's a big crash.

You could google hypoglycemia and then once you know how to handle it, you can make sure the proper snacks etc are around for your hubby. Then your life will be happier, too.

They really do need extra care, but most of the time they are worth it. (If not, you can get another or do without. Sometimes that's preferable. I was single (again) ten years before I hooked up again with one of the sweetest men in the world.)

But in all fairness, I get grumpy, too, when I need to eat or have eaten the wrong thing. He just can't help it and really doesn't want to be that way.

I hope he realizes what a good woman he has to put up with all his ego nonsense.

We just got back from a 30 mile ride. I love to bike!

[Crankin]

I liked that "I want to die on my bike when I'm in my 90's." My husband and I have said the same thing. We both have medical "things" and that does not stop us. My husband had 2 stents put in last year and was riding 5 days later. A month after that we were on a tour in Europe and climbing 15% hills. Despite the fact that he has cardiovascular disease because of the crappy genetics on both sides of his family, THEY all told him to "never ride your bike again." Well, if hadn't been riding and exercising regularly, he would have never been aware of the symptoms of his blocked arteries. He would have just had a heart attack one day when he got off of the couch. I've had allergies, asthma, and various weird viral/autoimmune issues for years. I just live through it. It's a lot better now than it has been in years and I am 52. It's getting to the point that I don't have much in common with my non cycling friends. I make a special effort to still be friends with them, but they really don't understand why I have to ride,

[Brandi]

Brandi,

Your asthma acts up with the wine because wine contains sulfites, a common allergen for asthmatics. I stopped drinking wine for about 10 years and then suddenly, around five years ago, I no longer had the symptoms. You can find wines without sulfites, usually from organic growers. Be careful. You can go into full anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction. I am sure if you search on the Internet, you can find the sulfite free wine.

I do drink organic wines now. there are some good one's too. they can cost a bit more but worth it if you like wine. And I live on the central coast so there are alot of wines around here.

[mmelindas]

Join the club - I am cycling for my health. I also have asthma, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, morbid obesity, and a dozen other things...I know if I don't exercise and lose this weight, I AM A DEAD WOMAN!!

My genetics also suck and that's even more reason to keep on trying to get my b_tt off the couch and get moving. It's too easy to slow down, stay put and die...but not worth it to give up!!


Back in 1989, I broke my right leg in three places, dislocated the knee and put it through the heel of my right foot, broke all the foot heel bones. ..and was told I'd never dance, wear high heels or walk normally....WRONG!!! The leg and foot that bother me now, are NOT the one I badly injured, it's the other one that had to help out the injured leg for a year...but I do wear heels, and do everything the docs told me I couldn't do!!

Cycling is a life-saver for so many of us who have medical problems -- we are the "medical wrecks on wheels" who bike for life! I may not be going strong right now (sprained my right knee) but as soon as it's healed, I'm on my new bike and going strong later on!!

I may be old, fat and out of shape but this lady's gonna get her b_tt in gear and lose that weight and get healthy or die trying!

Rock on ladies!!

[Barb, USA]

I liked that "I want to die on my bike when I'm in my 90's." My husband and I have said the same thing. We both have medical "things" and that does not stop us. ....I just live through it. It's a lot better now than it has been in years and I am 52. It's getting to the point that I don't have much in common with my non cycling friends. I make a special effort to still be friends with them, but they really don't understand why I have to ride,

Dear Robyn,

I'm sorry I missed your posting. I got caught up in work I told my non-cycling friends that I'm going to make biking my work and teaching my hobby. Some of them are so nice, though.

Good for your and your husband. It's because you bike that you are getting healthier. Isn't it great? You'll enjoy reading "Younger Next Year," then, the book I mentioned in a previous post. It will make you want to do more to be healthier and eat better.

Yes, you are never too old. Barb

[Barb, USA]

Join the club - I am cycling for my health. I also have asthma, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, morbid obesity, and a dozen other things...I know if I don't exercise and lose this weight, I AM A DEAD WOMAN!!

My genetics also suck and that's even more reason to keep on trying to get my b_tt off the couch and get moving. It's too easy to slow down, stay put and die...but not worth it to give up!!


...

Cycling is a life-saver for so many of us who have medical problems -- we are the "medical wrecks on wheels" who bike for life! I may not be going strong right now (sprained my right knee) but as soon as it's healed, I'm on my new bike and going strong later on!!

I may be old, fat and out of shape but this lady's gonna get her b_tt in gear and lose that weight and get healthy or die trying!

Rock on ladies!!

Dear Mmelindas,

I love the "medical wrecks on wheels". I admire you so much. I sound totally healthy when I hear your story.

I hope you'll not only bike for health but bike for fun, too.

It's great we have this forum to encourage one another. And it's great that TE has the bike clothes to make us feel sporty.

Good biking, Barb

[Crankin]

Yea, teaching is now my hobby and cycling is my job. Seriously, though I still love going to work, but I don't do a lot of the extra things i used to (after school committee work, etc). I would never want to be one of the "old lady" teachers I have always made fun of for being so unprofessional. But, my activity level earns me a lot with both my students and my younger colleagues. I don't know how much more of a "healthy" lifestyle I can get, Barb...I've been exercising for close to 30 years, ten of them as an aerobics instructor. It's just been in the last 5 years that i have gotten into being outdoors more.
Next year is going to be my last year of teaching. I never thought I'd stop at such a young age, but my priorities have changed (i.e. the bike). I am thinking of becoming a personal trainer, so I can have flexible hours and still work. Since I pretty much went directly from the delivery room, back to work when my kids were born (by choice), I feel like I want to play...