Diagnosed with acute bronchitis, and I'm delighted, ecstatic, over the moon and thoroughly thrilled about it!

[Anniemurph]

That might sound a bit odd, but I thought it was my asthma that was suddenly very much worse. I had to take myself off to the nearest walk-in clinic the other day, and for a nasty few moments they were talking about nebulisers and possible ambulances But after 10 puffs of ventolin (10!!! High as a kite!) and several more monitorings and fussings and mechanic-type sharp intakes of breath (not mine, obviously) they backed off and sent me home with steroids and antibiotics and some sort of peak flow meter.

My take on this is that bronchitis can be cured and will go away soon (especially given the 12 pills-a-day regime) but the asthma would have needed longer-term management. I still have asthma, but I have been running with it for the last 6 months or so and only needed a couple of puffs on the inhaler before I went. So hopefully I will be back out on the tracks soon! Yes, I'll start slowly, yes, I might invest in a buff and yes, I'll try and manage my expectations so I don't get downhearted when I can't do 5k on my first time out - but hey, I'm chuffed to bits!

[earl-grey-sian Graduate]

Phew, relief! I've been hospitalised with asthma 3 times in the last 5 years, not fun, even missed my university graduation as I was in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask on

The peak flow meter is really useful. When you're back to normal, get a base reading. You can then recognise when you need to increase the inhaler usage. My normal is a rather pathetic 430 (my lungs are scarred from repeated asthma episodes) and If I go below 340, I'm supposed to start using my 'rescue pack' of steroids!

Look after yourself

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to earl-grey-sian]

Thanks, EGS, especially for the info about the peak flow meter. The GP I saw was a little... um... odd in his interactions and didn't explain much at all. I think I escaped hospital because I managed to record 340 on my second attempt after the ventolin hit, but he never explained what it should be. Never mind, I have an appointment with the asthma nurse next week and she is an absolute dear, so I'm sure she'll fill in the gaps! How sad that you missed your graduation. I hope your asthma is under control now?

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Well that's very good news Annie. Now you must pace yourself and not rush anything!!! Linda

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

I'll do my best, Linda! At the moment I'm happy about it, but I can see that I'll be desperate to get back to running again

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Glad you have such a positive outlook but it sounds like something you need to take time to recover from. Look after yourself.

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to wilmacgh]

Thanks, I will do. I know it seems a bit over the top and I do know I have to take it easy for a bit, honestly! But I'm happy to think that I can get back out there again soon

[Beads Graduate]

I'm glad it's something treatable and not just your asthma, here's to much more happy running!

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Beads]

Yay for happy running Thanks, and whoever would have thought I'd be saying that 18 months ago? This is a marvellous programme, and a fantastic supportive community!

[rockchick69 Graduate]

What a relief it isn't your asthma, but you need to look after yourself as bronchitis is no easy baby either. Get yourself better, see the asthma nurse and then think about running again. Look it as a recuperation period where you can plan lots of exciting things for when your back in your running shoes. YES get a buff, it will be the best investment for the winter..... Take care of yourself

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to rockchick69]

Aww, thank you! I will take it easy, and look after myself, and get a buff - and yes, I'm going to plan out some new routes as well

[AnnieF Graduate]

Thanks for posting this, I'm interested because having gone down with my second bout of coughing and wheezing in the last three months, my doctor has now said I have adult onset asthma and I shouldn't run. I've been given an inhaler and a peak flow meter and am supposed to be keeping a log. I am a bit devastated as this is so far from how I view my health it seems mad. However, my readings on the PFM are around 300 sometimes going to 350 so I can see that maybe that is not so good. In fact, the last few runs I did a week or so ago, although I seemed to be able to get my breathing going, when I stopped I noticed that my heart was beating so fast that I couldn't count the pulse rate. Probably that wasn't much good for my heart, I hadn't been running especially fast. I am quite depressed now as I was enjoying running. Any information that anyone thinks might be useful for me, I'd be glad to hear as this is a completely new situation for me to take on board. thanks.

[brownfox Graduate in reply to AnnieF]

Hi AnnieF, I didn't reply specifically to you before so just pointing out my comment below about asthma and medication, cheers.

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to AnnieF]

It is devastating, AnnieF, isn't it - I believed I was doing something very constructive about my health and fitness, I saw my lung capacity and my recovery rate improve greatly - and then to be told that you have asthma is hard. Worrying about your heart rate, though - have you seen someone about that?

On the other hand, several people pointed me at the Asthma UK site and the NHS living with Asthma info, citing runners who have asthma and being able to manage it. Perhaps your GP is just being a bit pessimistic about telling you not to run and you could do some research and go back and talk to her/him?

[brownfox Graduate]

Hi - I also have found asthma a bit of a problem running. Recently they changed my medicine, it's made a heck of a difference. I'm now on a PURPLE inhaler, the seretide evohaler, which is salmeterol xinafoate/ fluticasone propionate, or so it calls itself. The dosage is 2 puffs morning and evening so just 4 puffs a day. Haven't wheezed during the day - or night - since.

Basically I was due an asthma review and mentioned I couldn't get a good workout because I'd run out of breath first. Also I think this summer has been very bad for allergens and hayfever and people with breathing conditions generally. So the nurse put me on this new medicine, all the while telling me about famous sports people who also have asthma: Paula Radcliffe and David Beckham no less.

AnnieF, that seems really dangerous about your heart rate. Hope my experience might suggest something to try? Also, here is a question to another forum that I think got some useful answers: ask.metafilter.com/248228/O...

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to brownfox]

Thanks, Brownfox, that's an interesting point about your medication. I go back to the GP tomorrow and to the asthma clinic next week, so I will ask if the blue inhaler is enough or if they might consider something else. It's great to hear that you haven't wheezed since changing to it

[AnnieF Graduate]

Brownfox, thank you so much for that link and for your posting. I was a bit freaked out by the heart rate and had only started taking notice of it because of getting more interested in running and fitness as a result of Couch to 5k. Great forum this. There has been a lot about allergens and hayfever in the press this year. I wonder too about traffic pollution and lung problems. I live in Oxford, a city with poor air quality, I try and run away from any major roads. In the summer I was in the country in Italy, when I went to Rome for a few days, I noticed an immediate difference in my breathing and my sinuses got all bunged up overnight. I used to cycle loads and I now wonder if that has not been great for my lungs either. It's all a learning process isn't it but let's all keep running while we can!

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to AnnieF]

Although I was coughing a little before I went away, I think that nearly two weeks in Tokyo, a city with tons of pollution, is what's really caused this outbreak. Certainly this summer has been harder, and that's when I was first diagnosed, when I was running alongside the main road through all the dust and the traffic fumes and the pollen from the hedges. But yes, let's all do our best to keep running

[notbad Graduate]

Glad to read it's not the asthma as such Annie, you get lots of rest and get yourself put right, you'll enjoy those runs again soon.

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to notbad]

Thanks, notbad - it'll all be all right again soon and then I can get back out there

[lycranotlikely Graduate]

peakflow.com/top_nav/normal... Will give you some idea of what's "normal" for your age and height. I'm on Seretide as well and it's worked for me. Running has improved my asthma too but I need a buff in cold weather, Hope your infection is better soon but take care and don't run too early after your recovery. All the best

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to lycranotlikely]

Wow, thanks for that, lycra - no wonder the gp wasn't impressed by not quite making 300 I've never thought I needed a buff before but it looks like that's the way to go - you and several others have recommended this, so I'm gonna go buff shopping