Cold weather/exercise advise please!

[Sunnydays1982]

Hi everyone!

I have eosinophilic asthma, not exercise induced asthma...BUT...this is my first winter exercising with asthma in the cold and with the dip in temperature I seem to have developed a cough which I think the cold air is triggering! One of those annoying coughs that comes on when you laugh! 🤦🏼‍♀️

I take all my meds religiously (fostair 200, montelukast and blue reliever before & after exercise) but just wondered if anyone else gets this? I m wondering if I need to switch to a warm gym for the winter months? Thank you in advance! 😊

[Wheezycat]

I find winters hard. I get wheezy, SoB and a cough at just moderate speed walking, let alone exercise.

[ChrissieMons]

Definitely indoor exercise once the temperature goes below about 10 degrees C. The whole scarf thing doesn't work for me if it is bitter cold. Gym if you can afford it, runing up & down stairs if you can't!

[Wheezycat in reply to ChrissieMons]

Or dancing, with a group or at home, or a climbing wall etc, etc.

[SheilaC]

I bought a pink balaclava! By the time I get my coat hood up, it just looks like a scarf over my nose and mouth. My respiratory consultant wants me to walk a couple of miles as often as possible and I find the sea air beneficial but it's very cold.

[Wheezycat in reply to SheilaC]

I now have the biggest scarf/shawl, so soft, and it is supposedly made from yak will. It certainly is very warm, and I can cover my mouth with it. But it still doesn’t stop my getting breathless in the cold. I have just decided to start taking Montelukast am instead of pm to see if that helps. I am trying to think of things to do indoors to give me extra exercise.

[corinneyvonne]

I have Eosinophilic Asthma too and find that I struggle in extremes of temperature. I practice Yoga so the studio can’t be too hot (so Hot Yoga is out) or too cold (which it can be in Winter). The last time I tried Hot Yoga, I coughed for hours and had a wheeze for days. I too take my medication religiously. I wear a scarf all the time in Winter and a coat with a high neck. This seems to work although it is a balancing act between being too hot or too cold 🤦‍♀️😄. The joys of Asthma as you know 😂. Have you tried a lozenge? I can’t have them but they work for some. Good luck and enjoy the holidays 🎄🙏

[Sunnydays1982 in reply to corinneyvonne]

Thank you!! Yes I m trying to suss it all out as this is my first winter being asthmatic...I ve kind of come to the conclusion that even though my asthma is well controlled things will still irritate it!!! 🙈🤦🏼‍♀️ I m getting my scarves out!!! 🤣🎄

[Wheezycat in reply to Sunnydays1982]

Yeah, it is a constant thing, trying to find what works or not, especially as it varies with temperature, climate, if you just have had a cold etc. Constant learning curve.

[Elspe in reply to corinneyvonne]

Yeah. I had forgotten but for a couple of winters when I HAD to work outside, in foggy, mucky air, I LIVED on lozenges - Lockets and Tunes worked for me. One after another like a chain smoker. The cold air this winter is really getting to me, thank you for the reminder!