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Question about running/exercise

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I should probably ask my GP this but really don't want to bother them yet again... so, I wondered what other people do about exercising at a moderate intensity (running/jogging) whilst they are taking quite a lot of medication (I'm on Symbicort, Montelukast, and Pred 20mg short course).

I've been given the pred by the consultant who knows I run but also knows I cut down drastically because of my asthma being so bad over the last six months. I'm feeling better although my PF is still not high, and I really want to start running regularly again.

I've always felt too unwell to exercise when on Pred before, but I feel ok now. I don't want to do anything to trigger symptoms again though.

Am I just thinking too much about this!!!?

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6 Replies

As a totally non-medical opinion I would say if you feel okay, try it but be prepared to stop if you have problems - don't (and this is a do what I say not what I do piece of advice...) try and push it because you think you should be able to do more. Let your body tell you what it can cope with at the moment.

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Skee-skee

I would also be guided by how you feel and make sure you take your inhaler etc.

The other thing to remember is that you are much more susceptible to soft tissue injuries when on high doses of pred so don't over do it! Though if you need a high dose of pred it is unlikely that you would be able too.

Good luck with the running. I used to be a runner, though only swim now. I just got my entry pack for the Great Scottish Swim and I am now feeling a bit scared.

Bryony

I also run, but am struggling at the moment with a flair up and trying to regain control with different meds. I spoke to my asthma nurse about it and she said, by all means run but stop straight away if you start having trouble.

Its annoying as I was running 6 miles but can only manage 2 at the minute!

I also run, but am struggling at the moment with a flair up and trying to regain control with different meds. I spoke to my asthma nurse about it and she said, by all means run but stop straight away if you start having trouble.

Its annoying as I was running 6 miles but can only manage 2 at the minute!

Hello EmC,

Great that you feel ready to get back into running again.

I always find that the biggest barrier to getting back into running again after asthma's been playing up is psychological - even before you start thinking about the physical!

That aside - I would advise you to warm up very slowly - brisk walking to start off with, and perhaps think about limiting yourself to run/walk sessions for the first couple of weeks, particularly if you're coming back to it from quite some time off. Stop and walk if you find symptoms coming on. Prepare to get frustrating initially, but keep holding onto the knowledge that it WILL get better!

Best of luck.

CathBear

Thanks for the advice!

I'm only on 20mg pred so it's not that much but taking it for longer than I have had to before. I am feeling better more regularly and there is a race in Oct I want to do although I may be being a bit over ambitious.

I'm going to start slowly and build it up - don't think I could do any more than this anyway at the mo as I've been doing very little since last year when my asthma flared up. It's just so nice to feel a bit better.

I think you're right about it being psychological, I just don't want to trigger things off again.

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