Exercise Induced Asthma

shanagarry

Firstly the intro - my first post on A/R/T, though I've been loitering here for the past few months and I've picked up some great advice here. I've been running for about the past year - did my first 10km last October, let things drop for a while, then did my first 21km in July and gearing up for another one in a few weeks.

I suffer from exercise induced asthma and was wondering if anyone else does, and if so, how it affects them. To be clear, as per charter, I am not looking for medical advice, my asthma is well managed from a medical point of view, I'm just interested in others practical experience and any non-medical coping mechanisms such as breathing techniques, or any suggestions for improving lung capacity.

I'm finding mine quite frustrating as my fitness is improving - my legs seem to be 'fitter' than my chest, and I have to slow down due to breathing difficulties rather than tired legs. I find I'm fine once I keep to a slow pace and keep my heart rate down, but if I start to speed up at all I start to get out of breath and the whole thing becomes rather unpleasant. If I'm out with my training partners I can't keep up with them over 10km, but I'm faster than them over 21km as I have better stamina. I would really love to improve my lung capacity to match my leg speed as it's going to be hard for me to make progress without doing that.

So as I said, I'd love to hear from any fellow sufferers and how they cope.

aero2k

Medical experts tell me I'm asthmatic based on spirometry tests - I can only exhale at about 70% of the average rate, although I can inhale at 130% of average and my lung capacity is about 30% bigger than average. I've never had the experience of not being able to breathe while exercising, however I have found it helpful to have a nice gentle warmup - 20/25 mins or so. Breathing through your nose only can help warm the air up in cold weather and is supposed to help.

kenon

shanagarry wrote: »

I suffer from exercise induced asthma and was wondering if anyone else does, and if so, how it affects them. To be clear, as per charter, I am not looking for medical advice, my asthma is well managed from a medical point of view, I'm just interested in others practical experience and any non-medical coping mechanisms such as breathing techniques, or any suggestions for improving lung capacity.

So as I said, I'd love to hear from any fellow sufferers and how they cope.

I suffer from it. It was never diagnosed as exercise induced though. I had asthma as a child and it went away. The last few years it has crept back though.

I get it playing football (especially indoor) or sprinting.

Things that help it for me:

• Use preventer inhaler.
• A long warm up with plenty of stretching.
• Ease into the activity (In my case I avoid flat out sprints within the first few minutes of a game)
• If I feel my breathing start to get out of control, I hold my breathe for a few seconds and try to breathe through my nose more.
• Take on as much fluid as possible.

HardyEustace

I started to develop it last September and have had increasing problems over the summer which escalated a lot in July and August.

Just been to doctor this morning who has prescribed stronger medication.

I'm still learning how to manage this so would be very interested in hearing people's coping mechanisms.

One thing I have learned
Don't put yourself under pressure when you can't seem to go fast - I did and suffered from very debilitating panic attacks which I'm only learning to control now. I'm now treating the next six months to a year as a learning curve to managing my asthma, yes, I'd love to improve my times but right now it's controlling the asthma.

shanagarry, you've more or less described my life at the moment with regard to training. It's INCREDIBLY frustrating and easy to feel defeatist over the whole thing.

What helps me
Long warm up
Bring your inhaler with you and zap it as soon as it's starts - I've tried the whole "brave little solider running through it in the hope it gets better" with disastrous results.
If you're running with someone, let them know that you may have to slow down or walk if it gets bad. Takes the pressure off you and manages expectations of the training run on both sides.
Scarf to breath through in cold weather (maybe that's only psychosomatic).
I've cut out dairy with some results (though not the miracle I expected after listening to some people). I found a great website which has lots of great recipes - the goji berry muffins are a great breakfast.
Eat as well as you can.

overmantle

My cousin runs alot and is asthmatic. Must tell him to read this thread! Thanks.

tunney

Also suffer from mild EIA, only had a few attacks when running in cold and damp weather. Mainly my EIA caused chest infections.

JKF

HardyEustace wrote: »

One thing I have learned
Don't put yourself under pressure when you can't seem to go fast - I did and suffered from very debilitating panic attacks which I'm only learning to control now. I'm now treating the next six months to a year as a learning curve to managing my asthma, yes, I'd love to improve my times but right now it's controlling the asthma

What helps me
Long warm up
Bring your inhaler with you and zap it as soon as it's starts - I've tried the whole "brave little solider running through it in the hope it gets better" with disastrous results.
If you're running with someone, let them know that you may have to slow down or walk if it gets bad. Takes the pressure off you and manages expectations of the training run on both sides.
Scarf to breath through in cold weather (maybe that's only psychosomatic).
I've cut out dairy with some results (though not the miracle I expected after listening to some people). I found a great website which has lots of great recipes - the goji berry muffins are a great breakfast.
Eat as well as you can.

Couldn't agree more especially re: not putting pressure on yourself plus using the inhaler as soon as its needed. Although if you're on the right preventative inhaler you shouldn't need to use the relievant while running.

I use either soya or goats milk as a substitute to dairy which I find helps keep my chest clear but as HE says it doesn't work for everyone. Maybe give it a shot and see how it goes! Soya milk isn't too bad... Goats milk on the other hand is an acquired taste

This might sound trivial but if you happen to live near a beach or the sea, try running there! I find salty air does wonders for my breathing...
Good luck with it

Blueskye

Two of my family members practised the Buteyko method of breathing. It's fairly simple but means breathing less, breathing more through your nose rather than your mouth. It has made a dramatic difference to their asthma and ability to run. Might be worth googling? I have no association with Buteyko by the way.

The book I have is called: "Close Your Mouth" by Patrick McKeown.

--amadeus--

Really good idea for a thread, lots of great runners have EIA so it's in no way a hindrance if managed properly.

Please keep it the way you've started though, without medical advice. "I find X helps" is fine but "do X and you'll never suffer again" isn't. Use common sense and please report any posts that cross the line and I'll edit them.

tunney

JKF wrote: »

I use either soya or goats milk as a substitute to dairy which I find helps keep my chest clear but as HE says it doesn't work for everyone. Maybe give it a shot and see how it goes! Soya milk isn't too bad... Goats milk on the other hand is an acquired taste

A friend of mine who had EIA claimed this too. I asked for medical research to back it up..... stil waiting.

hunnymonster

tunney wrote: »

A friend of mine who had EIA claimed this too. I asked for medical research to back it up..... stil waiting.

I had a look and couldn't find anything. plenty saying there is no relationship
http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/full/24/suppl_6/547S

glennhysen

I've had asthma all my life and I found that after running i would get very asthmatic and have to take my inhaler. I went to see my doctor about it and she advised me to take 2 puffs of the inhaler before I go running. This has worked extremely well and my asthma rarely effects me when I'm running.

shanagarry

Sounds like I'm not the only one suffering, unfortunately. Thanks for the feedback.

Luckily (I never thought I would say that!) my asthma was diagnosed when I was a small child so it's well managed in a medical sense. I haven't had an attack in years and hopefully I won't, there are no signs to indicate that. Hopefully your new medication will sort you out HE, and the panic attacks will hopefully ease off when you trust your medication more. There is nothing scarier than that feeling of not being able to breathe.

When I say the EIA bothers me when I run, I don't mean that I get to the stage that I can't breath or anywhere close to an attack, it's more that I feel my breathing is sub-optimal relative to others with a similar overall fitness level. Hence I find it hard to either up my pace consistently on a longer run, or to do speed type workouts. I don't seem to be able to run at a range of different paces - I have two: easy, where I have no issues at all, or maybe 15/20 s/km faster at which stage I'm gasping for breath very quickly. My breathing returns to normal very quickly once I ease off or stop, but that's what I'm trying to work past - I want to be able to run consistently at a quicker pace than I am now, the pace my legs want to go.

I'll definitely look into that breathing technique and I already do most of my training on a promenade so sorted on that one.

I don't have a link to any evidence on the dairy front, but I was always told by my GP that dairy causes mucus which can clog up the lungs/tubes. I generally cut back when I've a chest infection, but I don't fell much mucus when I'm running, but I guess it's worth a try. Hate soya milk though - yuck!

tunney

shanagarry wrote: »

I don't have a link to any evidence on the dairy front, but I was always told by my GP that dairy causes mucus which can clog up the lungs/tubes. I generally cut back when I've a chest infection, but I don't fell much mucus when I'm running, but I guess it's worth a try. Hate soya milk though - yuck!

Reminds me of that add about vinegar in your right eye curing coldsores.

LambDave

glennhysen wrote: »

I've had asthma all my life and I found that after running i would get very asthmatic and have to take my inhaler. I went to see my doctor about it and she advised me to take 2 puffs of the inhaler before I go running. This has worked extremely well and my asthma rarely effects me when I'm running.

I too have had asthma all my life and this has always worked for me. However, I think I have gotten to the stage where if I dont take the "couple of puffs" before I go out, I will almost certainly get some sort of attack when Im out i.e I think it has become a mental thing, when I remember during the run that I havent taken it, I will almost certainly get some form of attack.

HardyEustace

tunney wrote: »

A friend of mine who had EIA claimed this too. I asked for medical research to back it up..... stil waiting.

I don't know if it necessarily helps with the asthma but it does seem to reduce the mucus. I used to be constantly clearing my throat aka spitting when I ran but now it's lessened a lot.

I suppose that it makes sense that if you're struggling to catch a breath then the less mucus in your system the better. Thus while it may not help the EIA, it can help you manage the symptoms better.

And I have to say that I don't miss milk in my coffee what so ever now (though I do have to have nice coffee - nescafe doesn't cut it anymore).

martindisc

I suffer from exercise induced asthma aswell. I find the main thing is to be very regular with my medication (preventative inahler twice daily and reliever before exercise). If I dont I get away with it for a couple of days and then bang! end up stopping after a mile and walking home!

I personally dont think (dont mean to generalise too much) that it should hold you back too much. There are lots of good athletes who have EIA, including Paula Radcliffe.

I'm the same as regards suiting longer distances, and I thinkthis might be part of the reason. Tkaes about 45 mins running untill I really feel good, smooth and breathing effortlessly.

At this stage I know what my qallergies are and what not to do before a run. I find if I eat spicy food before running my asthma acts up. Does anybody experience this aswell? Dont know why that would be.

tina m

I find this thread very helpful, thanks guys!
I've been to the doctors only yesterday because I find it difficult to breathe in cold air and get terrible chest pains after running. I was given an inhaler (a reliever) and took it this morning before running and was fine, though it was very cold.
Mine seems to be caused by damp and cold, mainly damp- never had any issues before moving to Ireland couple of years ago.

At the moment it seems manageable with the inhaler but I wouldn't want it to get any worse... does anyone know if it's likely to get worse, what's your experience?

viperlogic

During a run I'm never short breath or cough but once I'm finished my run, typically a long easy run, I start coughing although nothing too heavy. Also towards the middle/end of marathon training plan I seem to always have a cold and be coughing up phlegm in the mornings.

Are these the signs of EIA?

Krusty_Clown

viperlogic wrote: »

Are these the signs of EIA?

I think they're signs of winter! I suffer in exactly the same way. Horrific coughing spasms after any session/hard run/race. I also suffer from asthma, but don't necessarily believe that the two are connected. Strangely, I don't suffer the same thing when abroad (either hot countries, or particularly cold countries). It's the cold damp Irish weather that seems to get me.

username123

I suffer mildly, usually only if I exercise in cold air.

To manage I take 2 puffs of blue inhaler before running at all. I run indoors if the outdoor temp is less than 10 degrees. I can run outdoors in cold air but after the run I am coughing and wheezing and during it my air intake is more restricted even with the inhaler.

It seems less of an issue the fitter I am. And more or less disappears from April - September - although I still take the 2 puffs of the inhaler before any run because occasionally dust/pollen/other triggers can cause it to happen.

If I am running and I feel I cant get enough air in (like there is a belt round my mid section) I concentrate on exhaling as hard as I can and let inhaling take care of itself. I actually find concentrating on it makes it worse!

Re breathing through the nose, I have sinus problems so not always possible for me but I get a better run if I do a nasal rinse beforehand so there is no mucus hanging around.

tomdempsey200

are those inhalers any good for the non-asthmatic


if you want to open out the lungs before a race?

i was thinking about getting one


i know that wada says they're not performance enhancing for the non-asthmatic

so i wouldn't be breaking any rules
just wondering:)

username123

What would be the point of that, if you dont have asthma your airways wouldnt be constricted anyway

tomdempsey200

username123 wrote: »

What would be the point of that, if you dont have asthma your airways wouldnt be constricted anyway

i heard the cyclists do it


is it clenbuterol?


supposed to open up the lungs

username123

Mine is ventolin - but Id hardly imagine its recommended for use if not needed.

Krusty_Clown

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

i heard the cyclists do it


is it clenbuterol?


supposed to open up the lungs

So you're talking about taking prescription drugs without having a valid prescription? Why don't you just train, instead of looking for short-cuts?

TFBubendorfer

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

i heard the cyclists do it


is it clenbuterol?


supposed to open up the lungs

Do you even realise that you are asking for help with performance enhancing drugs?

28064212

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

is it clenbuterol?

Clenbuterol is banned

Salbutamol (or Ventolin) is not banned, because it has no performance-enhancing at therapeutic dosages. Unusually high levels are banned (more than 1600 micrograms over 24 hours).

And, as mentioned above, both Salbutamol and Clenbuterol are prescription-only drugs. Posession of them without a valid prescription is illegal

tomdempsey200

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Do you even realise that you are asking for help with performance enhancing drugs?

maybe you don't realise that asthmatic
medication is not considered performance enhancing by wada no less!

did you think before you posted?

28064212

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

maybe you don't realise that asthmatic
medication is not considered performance enhancing by wada no less!

Incorrect:

All beta-2 agonists, including all optical isomers (e.g. d- and l-) where relevant, are prohibited except inhaled salbutamol (maximum 1600 micrograms over 24 hours), inhaled formoterol (maximum delivered dose 54 micrograms over 24 hours) and salmeterol when taken by inhalation in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommended therapeutic regimen.

Source

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

did you think before you posted?

Not very clever to say something like that if you haven't done your own fact-checking

tomdempsey200

my bad


ventolin isn't on the banned list


some of the others are banned over certain limits

28064212

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

my bad


ventolin isn't on the banned list


some of the others are banned over certain limits

Ventolin is salbutamol