Calling all asthmatics

[earl-grey-sian]

I find that my lungs are not too bad when I'm running as long as I use Ventolin prior to going out, but go into shock as soon as I finish. I then take at least 48 hours to stop wheezing.

Do anyone else's lungs react this way and will it improve with increased fitness?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

[juju2208]

Hi

No, I'm asthmatic too but I find running manageable for the most part. I think that's down to the fact that along side running, I'm also learning the right technique of front crawl in the swimming pool so that gives me a huge lung workout. Swimming has helped my breathing massively and I'd definitely recommend it but I'd also advise that you see a doctor or nurse for asthma review as if it's taking 48hrs to get back under control, maybe they can help. Hope it gives you some peace soon

J x

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Hi EGSian, thanks for posting this because I thought I was just odd! I take 3 puffs of Ventolin before I run plus an anti-histamine first thing in the morning and I'm okay running (apart from when I have to run through someone's cigarette smoke ) but when I get back it feels like I'm coughing my guts up for a while and wheezing on bad days. I'm nothing like as bad as you in that mine settles down again after a few hours but it's inconvenient, to say the least. I don't really hold out much hope of getting fitter, so I reckon this is it for me. The asthma has only really started this year, and I'm hoping that as there is less pollen etc. in the air it will improve. So sorry, I don't have an answer for you, but I hope you can get yours cleared up. Perhaps worth asking your GP?

Annie x

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Hi I'm also asthmatic and use my Ventolin before a run and sometimes need to use it after, once by breathing has slowed down a bit. You will find it will get better as time goes by and I can say that at my last annual asthma review my readings were the best they had been for over 20 years or more. I'm also a swimming and highly recommend swimming to help improve your breathing.

When the colder weather comes, buy yourself a Buff and keep the cold air off your tubes until they are used to it, that really helps me too. Good luck and I hope it settles down or becomes less troublesome soon for you.

[earl-grey-sian Graduate]

Thanks guys. My lungs are better than they've been for years and I'm amazed that they behave themselves so well when I run. It's just that as soon as I stop, a deep breath sets off the coughing and wheezing. I really don't think I could possibly run again the next day. I hope that will improve

[achydunlin]

I'm asthmatic too and pollen makes it worse, I use my brown inhaler - the preventative one before going out and take an antihistamine. The first few weeks I did struggle with my breathing and would panic if I got out of breath - thinking I would have an asthma attack (one of the reasons I've avoid cardio exercise for the last few years!), but I've found as I've got fitter my breathing has improved and now I barely use my inhaler. It's a case of trusting your body, but take your inhaler out with you just in case. I'm now on week 7 and have found my breathing has settled into a rhythm and I don't wheeze now.