I’ve tried the usual meds for controlling asthma, Advair, Singulair, Spiriva, etc. All of the inhaled powders cause oppressive chest pains, Singulair produces fatigue/depression/irritability and no noticeable improvements in the asthma symptoms. Since the asthma is exercise-induced only, the doc has told me I’ll probably have to live with it. Thanks…
The albuterol does control the EIA, but I don’t want to take it before every workout. Training with the EIA means working at 10-15% below normal performance, which I’m afraid will eventually impact what’s ‘normal’. Those who have EIA or the plain variety - do you use albuterol or similar for each workout ? or train at the reduced level ?
On a related note, I sent my TUE to USADA (anti-doping) a month or so ago, and haven’t heard anything since. Should I expect a response from them ?
4x in the past 2 years (2 of which were IMs, damn it), I had some monkey business with shortness of breath, deep pain when breathing…along with some other issues.
After the 2nd time (IMAZ), I went to the Doc and he gave me albuterol.
3rd time it happend (training), the albuterol was golden. Worked like a charm.
4th time it happend (IM Moo), I put the albuterol in the wrong T-bag (2 rather than 1). I felt like Superman tied to kryptonite. So, I roughed it into T2 and looked like a crack addict sucking on the puffer.
IMO, I don’t see my situation as asthma, but blame it on pollution (IMAZ dust storms / high-allergy season at Moo). I do plenty of other longer activities at similar HR (HHH, Triple Bypass, etc) I’d be curious of some answers on this as well.
I have the “plain variety” of asthma, and have had it my entire life. Most of the year I don’t have to worry about it, but when it gets bad it gets really bad. I take the albuterol before about 25% of my workouts, and before every race…more of a precaution than anything else. When it kicks up really bad, I run and ride with the stuff.
I guess the doc was right…we just have to live with it, or hope they find a way to end it. I’ve been doing it this way for so long I don’t think about it anymore.
I ran into this problem when I was training for the marathon. The early morning cold combined with the altitude and dry air seemed to set off symptoms. I now take Singulair the night before a hard or long workout and the inhaler (Albuterol) about 30 minutes before the workout. This worked well in training and at the race. I don’t take the meds at any other time. My easy workout days are so slow, I’m not sure I’d notice an EIA degradation.
I’ve had EIA for several years, but it was only in the last 2 years or so that I developed “regular” asthma symptoms (minor though). It got to the point where I was waking up some nights with a tight chest, so from that point on I’ve been on the 100/50 Advair diskus (once daily is enough for me). In addition, I take a puff or two of Albuterol 5-10min pre-workout…pretty much every workout.
I was also on Formoterol (Foradil) for a brief stint, used in place of the Albuterol pre-workout. That worked fine for me, but once I began having the regular asthma symptoms the doc switched me to the Advair for maintenance and Albuterol for workout schedule.
Those who have EIA or the plain variety - do you use albuterol or similar for each workout ? or train at the reduced level ?
Both…(and I understand the frustration. I HATE having to rely on medicine like that too). Mine really kicks in from fall allergies so I take albuterol before every workout from August to January. I also have to carry it with me on workouts over an hour in the fall. Even with that, I can’t run effectively during that time period (like hardly at all, maybe a mile if I’m lucky). Luckily I can usually bike through it though.
Lately I’ve been in a “good period” and haven’t had to take it at all. It’s been a nice to be able to actually breathe during my workouts and I really feel like I’m making gains now.
I just take albuterol when I think I will need it - like before group runs where I know I’ll be pushing it, Long runs, Long Rides or hills on the bike. Taking meds bothered me for a little while but I guess I just got used to it. So maybe 3 -4 times per week. Since I switched pools I don’t need it swimming and most “normal” bike rides and “easy” 1:00 hour runs I’m med free.
Winters and Allergy season are the worst & I do a lot of treadmill running or bike trainer sessions during the worst of it.
Guess I just haven’t noticed any side effects of albuterol so I don’t mind taking it.
My doctor prescribed theodur for my EIA. It’s a slow-releasing theophylline tablet you take twice a day. It’s worked well enough for me that I only have to use my inhaler when my allergies are acting up.
I’ve been an asthma kid from the start and have been on drugs for it from the beginning. Luckly I grew out of the EIA systoms about 5 years ago (I’m 28 now) and haven’t had to mess with the inhaler (much) after that.
My advice to you is to use the albuterol. For me, running was the hardest. I found it was best 10 minutes before starting, then run for 5-10 minutes and get a bit tight/wheezey then stop, rest a minute, take a puff, rest a couple minutes, then get going again. After that I could usually run comfortably at slow to moderate paces, but the EIA could kick in again at higher intensities. If after this process I was still wheezing, I’d pretty much have to bag the workout.
I am on Singlair 10mg and Advair 250/50 now, and they do the trick for my other symtoms.
mayday mentioned he was using Theodur. I was on that way back in the beginning, but was switched off over 10 years ago because newer drugs with less side affects were available. I think theophyline is somehow similar to caffine, it made my heart rate increase and me a bit jittery.
I do the Singulair 10mg & Advair 500/50 (supposed to be twice a day, but I only take it at night, with the Singulair, right before bed).
I find that if I start out slow - a good 10 to 15 min warm-up - that I can get through most workouts without the inhaler (Combivent). But if it’s a LT workout or harder, I HAVE to have the inhaler.
Asthma sucks, but it doesn’t have to be crippling. LOTS of solid base-building, followed by REASONABLE LT/LT+ speed workouts (don’t try to go beyond where your lungs can safely take you) and you should see solid progress.
I have EIA. I try to use the albuterol as little as possible. I will carry it with me when the weather is very cold as that seems to trigger an attack, when it is hot and humid and when doing LT work. The other days I do without it and just deal with it.
250/50 advair for me and the albutol is always before I exercise. My doctor told me not to worry about taking more albuterol during a race if necessary, not just every 4 hours. I also just started taking asiphex, didn’t realize that the constant throat clearing was reflux becasue I never had burning. Anyway, reflux is highly related to asthma. I have sen a very big difference in my higher intensitiy workouts over the last few months.