Shortness of breath

[kajero]

I'm 60 years and have been riding seriously for the last 2.5 years. But I was wondering about my breathing. I'm not kidding but 10 minutes into the ride I am huffing and puffing. Even though I AM huffing I can still keep up with the group.

I also take spin classes twice a week (since January). I get short of breath in those, too, Sometimes I feel like I am huffing before I get to class.

I think I am real shallow breather. I've been practicing taking long breaths while I am at home. Maybe I just need to practice more. You will think this is very funny, I do. I started singing songs like Mary had a little lamb or Row, Row, your boat when I am riding. It seems to really help. LOL

I've seen the doctor and I had a stress test which didn't tell them anything because I coudn't get my heart rate up to 130. No matter that I do that most of the time when I am riding. They wanted to schedule some different ones but they are really expensive and I doubt they would find anything anyway.

[OakLeaf]

Stress test, but no breathing test?

If you have a friend with asthma, borrow their peak flow meter and test yourself before and during a workout, then if it does appear you have exercise induced asthma, show your doctor the results. If you don't know anyone you can borrow one from, I think you can get one from a drugstore without a prescription - they're only like $25, and a good thing to have around if you have or suspect you have asthma.

[ny biker]

Asthma is a possibility. When you ride, do you have problems with wheezing or coughing? Do you feel like you can't inhale fully, like your lungs won't expand all the way?

A pulmonary function test would show if you have impaired lung function, which could be caused by asthma. They're quite effective -- the last one I took showed that my asthma was getting worse before I started to feel worsening symptoms.

[shootingstar]

I hope you will get more info. about your breathing patterns...and heart rate. Get that checked too..

I've been practicing taking long breaths while I am at home. Maybe I just need to practice more. You will think this is very funny, I do. I started singing songs like Mary had a little lamb or Row, Row, your boat when I am riding. It seems to really help. LOL

I agree that relaxing oneself, to control breathing when working up some effort on the bike, is very helpful. I'm sure most people here would concur, especially when ie. tackling a difficult hill /mountain ascent. It's a mistake to breathe too quickly while grinding along on a bike.

Relax your grip on your handlebars too, as well as relax posture of body not to be too stiff and tense. The journey will be easier.

[Kiwi Stoker]

You don't have Reynards disease by any chance? (limited blood flow in you hands and feet). A friend of mine with it has also found it has affected her lungs as well and huffs and puffs. She's on asthma medication to help open the airways and the blood flow (not asthma).

Was your blood pressure also OK? Low blood pressure could be an issue too.

[Catrin]

You could have exercise induced asthma... +100 on getting a breathing test and you don't need a prescription for a peak flow meter. Do you ever wheeze, even a little bit? Tightness in the chest at all? You may, or may not, be aware of this. Back when I was having asthma problems I wasn't always aware of it since I was so accustomed to it...

[alexis_the_tiny]

+200 on checking the breathing test. Another thing to chip in, do you have allergies of any sort? I used to get really breathless while cycling, walking, running or climbing up the stairs. It was only this year that I started getting the congested, irritated feeling somewhere in my chest and having difficulty drawing a full breath. My doctor's verdict was that my allergies are bad and frequent enough to make me vulnerable to asthma.

If nothing is wrong health-wise, it could be that you need to build aerobic capacity. Long steady effort rides with an easy recovery ride the next day could help.

[Raiza]

Get your iron levels checked as well. Low iron, even without full-blown anemia, can cause shortness of breath when the lung function tests come back fine. No amount of special breathing will help. Fortunately it is fairly easy to fix.

Best of luck.

[Owlie]

I'm 60 years and have been riding seriously for the last 2.5 years. But I was wondering about my breathing. I'm not kidding but 10 minutes into the ride I am huffing and puffing. Even though I AM huffing I can still keep up with the group.

I also take spin classes twice a week (since January). I get short of breath in those, too, Sometimes I feel like I am huffing before I get to class.

I think I am real shallow breather. I've been practicing taking long breaths while I am at home. Maybe I just need to practice more. You will think this is very funny, I do. I started singing songs like Mary had a little lamb or Row, Row, your boat when I am riding. It seems to really help. LOL

I've seen the doctor and I had a stress test which didn't tell them anything because I coudn't get my heart rate up to 130. No matter that I do that most of the time when I am riding. They wanted to schedule some different ones but they are really expensive and I doubt they would find anything anyway.

It could be something as simple as a need to keep up with the aerobic exercise. It could also be exercise-induced asthma.

I get something that feels a lot like what I imagine exercise-induced asthma feels like-- plus a heart rate that doesn't match the level of exertion--if I don't eat well enough before a ride, especially carbs. (I've only noticed it on the trainer, but that's because I think I'm not as diligent at fueling as a I am for an outdoor ride.) However, I nth a pulmonary function test to make sure.

[marni]

over a couple of years I have managed to change my breathing pattern from shallow panting to regular deep breathing. For me it has been a combination of building cardio capacity,and general fitness and strength. I had asthma as a child so I was eventually going to get it checked out but then it got better. I still have a 20 minute warm up period while my heart wakes up whether I am riding or doing cross training, during which I pant and feel a little short of breath. Guess it takes this 64 year old that long to get the old ticker to pay attention.If I had to get my heart rate up above 130 for any extended time I would probably die of hyperventilation. On the other hand, I can run, or run at 120 bpm for a long long time, like almost indefinitely, and my resting heart rate is 45 so I am not distressed about not being able to make and sustain 130+.

Do get all of the possible asthma factors checked out along with a breathing test. And then perhaps take a serious look at gradually working your cardio rate up a bit .

Hope you get some answers soon.

[kajero]

Last night I did something kind of illegal. I "borrowed" my SO's prescription nebulizer which he doesn't use any more. I did the breathing thing for 25 minutes. It made a world a difference this morning at spin class. Although I was out of breath, it was nothing like before.

So today I went to a highly recommended nurse practitioner. I was so impresed that she is now my primary physician. She LISTENED to me and then had me do some kind of test where you breath into this little machine. It indicated I do have some lung constriction and there is small chance of asthma. She prescribed an inhaler. I can't wait to try it Thursday to see if it makes a difference.

Thank you all for all your wonderful insights and information. It's going to be very interesting to ride without having everyone ask me if I am all right because I am so short of breath!

[marni]

good news indeed, but cardio is always good so you don't become too dependent on the inhaler. The good news is that it will easier and better with a little snort before hand but you will eventually get so that you can go longer and longer between snorts.

marni

[ny biker]

Regular cardiovascular exercise will definitely help control the asthma over the long term. And the meds help you do the exercise.

Good luck!!

[Catrin]

Regular cardiovascular exercise will definitely help control the asthma over the long term. And the meds help you do the exercise.

Good luck!!

Yes - this I used to have major asthma problems and now I don't even take meds for it, ever. I have a rescue inhaler...somewhere

[emily_in_nc]

Yes - this I used to have major asthma problems and now I don't even take meds for it, ever. I have a rescue inhaler...somewhere

Ditto!