Any information regarding seasonal/allergic asthma and training would be appreciated. Here’s my story- Always had allergies to grass/pollen. Never affected me in sports except for runny nose and irritated eyes. Breathing was okay. Ran IMAZ three weeks back and should have had a huge PR. Ended up my second worst IM. All day I could not get going, but could not figure it out. After the race I noticed my chest hurt. I had a short recovery in the leg department and felt like a weenie since me legs felt fine and my time was so slow. Came home and resumed training. Previous long rides were 180-190 watts at 130-135 BPM ave HR. Now my training runs are up about 10-15 BPM while holding the same pace and my ride the other day was 150 watts at 144 BPM over 60 miles, sore chest after ride and the next day. Swimming is a chore. I’m thinking I have asthma which has reared its head this year due to the heavy rains and springtime vegetation. Saw the fill-in doc last week. He said chest was clear and no bronchitis, but I had a sinus infection. He said if I was not wheezing or gasping for air it was not asthma. Seeing the regular doc on Wed. to get some spirometry done.
Questions - anybody who has similar situation? anybody else have trouble in AZ? How long does an inhaler work for? Are there meds that remedy the situation? After the allergy season does it go back to normal?
I did not do IMAXZ but am training for IMCDA. Just back from a weekend of trasining there. Definitely noticed breathinhg probelms there. I have had problems with asthma in the past but until recently things wre good. Went to Dr less than 2 wkd ago becqause my lungs hurt when breathing at rest. Hard to describe. Dr said my lunhs were clear no bronchitis etc. But went ahead and did the spirometry. My lung capacity was 47%! No wonder I was having problems. I’m using the inhaled steriod Pulmicort again for 1st time in a few yrs and it has helped.
Your situation sounds exactly like myself; seasonal allergies which have developed into mild asthma. For myself, usually by the end of May I’m all better again. I take a very mild inhaler (non-steroidal, can’t remember the name, sorry!), but find I generally don’t need it while training at lower intensities. When I’m heading out for a hard workout, I’ll generally take a shot before, and then, if needed, afterwards. I hate taking any meds, so I try as much as possible to avoid it.
Another tip that I find works for me, is stay very hydrated. For some reason, I find drinking lots of fluids keeps my chest open and prevents the wheezing. Other than that, avoid early season races (yeah, right!).
I have mild asthma triggered by cold air mostly. My doc gave me an albuterol inhaler and a pulmicort inhalable steroid. The inhaler did not thing for me, but the steroid increased my lung capacity from 58% to 75% while I was taking it. Sex drive took a dive while I was on 'roids, and it was $300 a bottle, so I bucked up and ran through it. Haven’t taken anything for 3 months and I’m operating at 80% lung capacity. I’m thinking about taking some more to see if I can get to where someone my age/height is supposed to be.
Typically, an allergic reaction can be helped by and inhaler while long term inflamation can be reduced with the steroids.
I’ve had similar experiences with allergy- and exercise-induced asthma. You’re probably on track with comment on the vegetation - lots more pollen in the air than normal. Differences in humidity levels can be another trigger.
I went through trying the whole range of inhalers and even theophylline b.i.d. but i had the most success when i went to an allergy specialist, found out what my triggers were (in a test that is the exact opposite of fun), and manage it based on taking an antihistamine and not redlining the HR if possible (or indoors when i do) when my triggers are out in full force.
I am in the same boat with asthma and feeling like ass after IMAZ. I felt ok immediately afterwards, but on several parts of the course I felt like I was breathing through a straw. It was made worse by the fact that I launched my inhaler on the first loop of the bike course with no hope of retrieving it.
By the run my lungs were pretty much on fire until about mile 5 when two things happened. I could not ingest nutrition, stomach shutdown more or less, and I was resigned to walking for a bit. After that I was fine and went through several ‘‘second winds’’ on the remainder of the course.
I had a pretty bad asthma attack last year the night of IM Wisconsin and as such made sure I had inhalers all over the place this year. So it was not until the week after that I went for my first run and thought I was breathing fire, again, through a straw. I hacked the entire time and for 20 minutes after a 25 minute run. This went on for several runs and rides as well. I had heard that there was a pollution advisory on race day here in AZ, which is not a big surprise given all the wind, so I attributed my hacking to that.
This past weekend was the first time I felt back to normal since IMAZ. I did a HR run on friday for 70 minutes and felt like I could have done another 70 no problem. I rode at Oly race pace on saturday for 95 minutes and felt great, no problems. So, I am hoping that I have hacked the rest of the junk from my lungs. I spent a good part of the weekend with a semi-productive cough not unlike the final stages of a chest cold, when you know it is over.
There is a product that a friend recommended called Mucinex. I don’t know if that is the exact spelling, but I am told is great for asthmatics with allergies which is a most accurrate description for my condition. I had been taking Zyrtec, but that stuff would knock me out for 8 easy and I would wake-up groggy. Neither is good with a 8 mos old baby, now 10 mos. I take Benadryl as the allergies have subsided quite a bit and though it knocks me out, I can still hear the baby if necessary to help out my wife in the middle of the night. Of course now that I have stopped taking Zyrtec, he is sleeping through the night, go figure.
I will post something here once I try Mucinex. As I understand it the product thins out your muccus making it easy for asthmatics and those with allergies to handle the excessive production. Until then, it is Albuterol to the rescue!
I had an asthma attack on Saturday at WF, ending up in the med tent with the EMTs. The doctors there said there were a number of people with breathing problems and I’ve heard a number of others with sinus headaches from the weekend due to allergies.
Only the second time I’ve ever had this much trouble. I take a Singulair tab every day and have a rescue inhaler (Combivent) which unfortunately, I didn’t have with me. I took Advair for awhile, but went off it last year.
I would see if you can get in to see a pulmonologist. That is how I got mine sorted out. It helped that she’s also a cyclist.
Thanks to all for the info on asthma. I guess I’m not imagining things. I did get the low down from a local pharmacist on the Mucinex and my wife bought some last night. I’ll give it a try. I had tests and 2 shots twice a week when I was a teenager, but seemed to outgrow the allergies as time passed. It appears to have come full circle. Oh well.