I love Swimming, now I severely struggle...

[Kaza20]

Hi, I got diagnosed with asthma a couple of years ago although I’ve been told probably had EIB for years due to coughing during exercising, however I have always loved swimming and never had a problem until the last year. I have swam since I was a child, for school, West Midlands and Invictus Trials and I had always heard swimming was good for people with asthma but recently I have found the complete opposite and am struggling to swim as smoothly and as long as I used to, struggling to breathe and coughing, even though I take my inhaler when I’m supposed to and about 15 minutes before I swim, does anyone else have this problem? If so how have you overcome the problems I’m finding it frustrating - thankyou

[Junglechicken]

I understand that the chlorine used can be a trigger for some sufferers. I’ve started swimming again after a rough asthma time just to see if it will help and been ok. We all have our different triggers, I can’t deal with diluted orange squash which my asthma nurse thinks is very strange trigger. I always have my inhaler by the pool and let the lifeguard know just in case. Also asthma is a chronic condition that does wear you out at the best of times. Get yourself checked out by a GP as you may be having a flare that needs attention.

[Kaza20 in reply to Junglechicken]

Thank you for your reply, my GP just told me swimming is good for me and persevere! Frustrating!

[Hidden in reply to Kaza20]

Ask him if you can use your rescue inhaler four times instead of two.

Or you can try using it again half way through the meet.

Mor you can try changing your rescue inhaler. They all have aerolized alcohol except for Ventolin. When I was in Pro Air it not only didn’t work; it made things worse because I’m super sensitive to inhaled alcohol.

If your doctor won’t tweak your plan, change doctors. I went through four allergists before finding one who really knew what she was doing.

[Kaza20 in reply to Hidden]

My reliever ran out this morning can’t get one till Thursday, is this normal?

[Wheezycat in reply to Junglechicken]

Just a thought. Could it be the preservatives or the food colouring in orange squash you are reacting to? When our daughter was very young she had chronic urticaria, and was strongly advised to avoid all food colourings and preservatives as they can be allergenic.

[Junglechicken in reply to Wheezycat]

I thought it could be meta bisulphate as it is a known allergen

[Wheezycat in reply to Junglechicken]

So are at least some food colourings. Some of the yellows (azarin? So long ago I can’t remember the names well), and definitely blues. Our daughter, now in her thirties can still react on blue, like blue Smarties.

[Sunnydays1982 in reply to Junglechicken]

My trigger is also orange squash or lemon barley! 😬

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

HI, I don't swim regularly though I used to love it! If I do I find that those hot, steamy, small pools you often find in gyms etc are the worst for my asthma - I think not just the chlorine but the general steaminess which sets me off (also may be more concentrated chlorine). Water that's too cold also not great however.

Do you have an option to look at different pools/what's your pool like? I tend to find I'm ok with one that is relatively big and has a high roof, with cool-ish but not cold water.

I also agree with Junglechicken that your asthma may be flaring more generally if you're finding it hard now when you didn't before - do you get symptoms outside the pool too eg home/work/night?

The GP's not being very helpful - yes, swimming can be great for asthma but not if a) something is triggering you when you swim or b) for some reason you currently have less good control. If you are in fact having a flare they need to do more than just tell you oh xyz is good for you and actually address it - clearly it's not good for you right now, whether you need a different pool or different medication! Can you see a different GP In the surgery?

[Kaza20 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi thankyou for your reply. I have swum in Olympic sized swimming pools as well as 25 metre and result the same. Junglechicken said about an asthma nurse I don’t have one, are you supposed to? I do suffer at night and obviously in heat, but I am getting a bit miffed but finding the forum and Asthma UK emails a better help than when I ask my dr. I am also trying various food trials to see if something I’m having is also contributing and I have also mentioned my acid reflux to see if that’s a factor but again things drawn a blank so everything I’m doing at the moment is my own trial and error.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Kaza20]

Sounds like it's a more general flare then not just a pool trigger. It is possible for most people to control their asthma most of the time and it sounds like yours isn't, especially if you're having issues at night. Do you have a preventer inhaler or just reliever?

Also sounds like your GP is just not listening to anything really! There should be an asthma nurse at the surgery you can see (maybe ask?) but they can vary quite a lot depending on whether the surgery is willing to train them properly in asthma - some are great, others don't know much. Acid reflux can definitely set asthma off - I take it they haven't been helpful about that either then eg giving you meds/different meds? Sleeping propped up at night can be helpful for reflux and asthma so might be worth giving that a go if you haven't already and see if it helps.

Have you seen a few different GPs or is it the same one all the time? As mentioned I might suggest trying another one if it's just one you usually see who's not helpful.

Also, have you tried ringing the Asthma UK helpline? It's staffed by asthma nurse specialists who are very knowledgeable about asthma and very nice and helpful - they should be able to discuss things with you. I also find they're very aware of the realities with how GPs vary quite a bit with asthma care, so they should appreciate that you're having a difficult time getting anywhere with the GP and perhaps make some suggestions there.

[Kaza20 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hello again, thankyou, you’ve been more helpful than my GP! I will certainly have a look into things and give the Asthma UK a call, thanks again, take care

[Junglechicken in reply to Kaza20]

The Asthma UK nurses are absolutely brilliant, love them all.

[Kaza20 in reply to Junglechicken]

Than you too I definitely came to the right place 😊

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Kaza20]

You're welcome, though sadly it doesn't seem to be very hard to be more helpful than your GP... Hope you get on ok and get some actual help out of the doctors too!

[Hidden in reply to Kaza20]

Acid reflux will only affect your asthma if it moves high enough to get into your lungs. I had severe GERD but all the damage was at the bottom of my esophagus. It had to be dealt with, but it wasn’t causing or aggravating the asthma.

[Kaza20 in reply to Hidden]

I’m not sure, always horse now I just put up with it

[strongmouse in reply to Lysistrata]

I used to love swimming bu found the same with chlorine and concentrated smells of sweat, perfume etc made breathing bad and likely to bring on a migraine. I found an outdoor, heated swimming pool locally and joined. It was wonderful to be able to swim and enjoy the fresh air. Unfortunately the company that ran it went into liquidation (!) and it closed. Sigh...

[Junglechicken in reply to strongmouse]

Does the strong odours of a gym effect you as well, Strongmouse?

[strongmouse in reply to Junglechicken]

I don't do gym exercises as I have ME / CFS as well and have to carefully pace myself. I tried yoga but the it was held in a church hall and the dust or whatever set my asthma off! Gentle walking a couple of times a week is now as much I can manage.

In truth I have never enjoyed gymns but used to swim and cycle a lot when I was younger. When we used to have holidays abroad I loved swimming outdoors.

[emmasue]

Chlorine sets me off. The kids like to go swimming but I try to get their dad to take them now. I do still take them on occasion, but I would rather not. I think outdoor pools are better, but of course the climate doesn't allow for that here!