Can't breathe

[emily_in_nc]

I've just started a whole new round of treatments for my asthma, and I'm noticing that now that my breathing is getting better, my legs hurt more. I'm not sure if it's the medicine causing it, or if I'm just able to push my legs more now that my lungs aren't limiting me.

Me too me too!!!

I just started Advair about 28 days ago, and it's been a miracle for me. I am climbing hills much, much easier than ever before (and I've been riding for years). Tonight I noticed my heart rate was in the 150s going up a hill that it used to be in the 170s on just a month ago!! Some of this is training effect, but most is the Advair, since I've trained hard for years and never felt this good on hills. I finally realize now what "normal" people must feel like once they've trained and can finally improve on hills. It's truly a miracle.

But yes, like you, I've noticed my legs burning a lot more than they used to. I think before the Advair, my lungs would give out so quickly that I had to be in such an easy gear, my legs hardly ever got sore or felt anything. Now, I notice quad soreness nearly every time I ride, from a previous ride, run, hike, or whatever. I am using higher gears on climbs now since I can breathe, so I guess I'm finally really working my legs.

Cool!!!

Emily

[emily_in_nc]

o really, my muscles really couldn't get the amount of oxygen that they needed and so I was getting really out of breath... the bodies response when it needs more oxygen. This problem has gotten SO much better after a few months of iron supplementation. I can ride at levels that I used to be able to ride at. Does this sound like a possibility for you? Do you have any other symptoms of anemia? Just an idea.

Not sure who you were directing your question too, but if it was me, my doctor tested my hematocrit level right away (while also prescribing Advair), and it was normal. So that wasn't the problem in my case, but it's a good thing to have checked for anyone who is huffing/puffing and feeling weak on hills.

Emily

[emily_in_nc]

Anyone out there have a really high HDL? I read that the avg HDL for women is about 50-60, yet mine is 91. The doc said my LDL was too high, 114, but I thought that the HDL's were supposed to be pushing the LDL's out. I seem to have some HDL to spare, how do I get them to go to work?

I can't answer your second question, but my last cholesterol test showed something crazy like 103 HDL, 70 LDL, which my doc said was the best cholesterol profile she'd ever seen! The HDL is pretty much off the charts, but she was thrilled with it. It's been three years (I'm 45 now) so likely isn't quite as good now, but I was pretty happy about it. The HDL is supposed to protect against the bad effects of LDL.

Congrats on your collosal improvement in lung function! I'm still blowing no higher than 390 on the peak flow meter (but that's better than a 350 max pre-Advair), but I can breathe much better on hills, so I'm very pleased.

Emily

[Pedal Wench]

Emily, so glad you're on the road again too!

I'm so glad that it's not just me! I've been riding for two years now too, and I feel like I can finally start training. My legs just need to catch up to my new lung capacity. I wonder how long it's gonna take!

[eclectic]

Yes, it is the Reflux that exacerbates the asthma. But if you have allergies, a cold or sinus infection or whatever that causes a bad post-nasal drip (as I do), that continuous drainage down your throat can cause the reflux that makes the asthma worse...so it can be a big bad cycle!
.

that is exactly the problem my son has and it is miserable - I am blessed that I am not bothered by it.

When my asthma is under control I am fine, when I have an attack I eventually get heartburn

THANKS for the great report Cheri and glad you are feeling better- just think it took cycling up hills and coming to TE to get something very important treated

Once I started on Singular and got my bronchi working better also I noticed my right LUNG hurting (not my left). I asked the Doctor if this was normal and he emphatically said NO.

I always told him "it is right here" and patted where my right bronchi is. CAT scans, xrays etc don't show individual lung inflation (you can't exactly shut off one lung to check the other and I think my left lung was doing all the work. When my right lung finally got air into and had to expand it went WHOAAAAAA - now I need to get both lungs into working condition

[bmccasland]

Along with the exercise induced asthma (I take flovent and seravent), how much does the weather affect you? Today was warm and extrmemely muggy, and I was coughing to clear my lungs when I hit rest-stop one (mile 15). Decided to bail and ride back to the start - OK the pending thunderstorm also weighed in on the decision. This isn't the first time I've had lots of trouble breathing when it's very muggy out. So now, hours later I still feel whoped.

[emily_in_nc]

Along with the exercise induced asthma (I take flovent and seravent), how much does the weather affect you? Today was warm and extrmemely muggy, and I was coughing to clear my lungs when I hit rest-stop one (mile 15). Decided to bail and ride back to the start - OK the pending thunderstorm also weighed in on the decision. This isn't the first time I've had lots of trouble breathing when it's very muggy out. So now, hours later I still feel whoped.

I have most breathing problems on hot, humid days (pretty much describes all of summer here in NC), and on cold, dry winter days. Fortunately, Advair seems to be helping a lot - just started it a month ago, and my breathing while riding has improved noticeably. However, I have mild asthma - yours may be a worse case if you're still having problems despite your meds.

Hopefully it will cool down for you soon!

Emily

[sallyjg]

I have the same symptons occasionally ..can't catch my breathe, yawning..generally a tough time breathing for a period of time. My Dr called it MVP..mitral valve prolaspe. Quit common but scary nonetheless. Google it and check it out. good luck

[eclectic]

I finally solved part of my can't breathe problem

I started SB diet in Sept. the first 2 weeks you cut out all carbs then introduce them back in slowly.
during this time my breathing got better. Then I read on The celiac thread where someone posted about wheat bothering her asthma so 2+2 = don't eat wheat.

I stayed off all grains again for 2 weeks then slowly introduced some in again.
Oatmeal is a definate immediate reaction. Wheat I can tolerate in small amts. It seems white flour is better than whole grain

My HR is off the charts too (always around 170 when doing any exertion although I can still talk in short sentances) I hope it goes down soon

I was blowing 360 -390 now I can get 410 pretty regularly and one day even hit 440! Yippeee ! ! ! !

BTW I am on Advair and singulair too.

another side benefit of not eating grains is my muscles don't ache like they used to and I sleep better.

[wawaski]

I just spent two mos having a respiratory specialist order a hi res CT scan, A PFT test, 2D echocardiogram, a C-Reactive Protien and an oxygen uptake test all to be told "they don't know". They know I run out of oxygen in under a min during a 6 min walk test, numbers are between 84-86%, but haven't a clue why. So be persistant and patient, you may find out what you don't have as opposed to what you do!
Second and third opinions are worth the $ and time as well!
Good luck!
S.