Asthma or bronchitis and running??......🥺

[Cakerunner]

Hello everyone and a very happy new year! 😊

Now then, I'm reading all your lovely posts, but I'm missing my runs😞.....weeks before Christmas, I had a sinus infection, antibiotics finished, a cough has developed, I mean a hacking, waking everyone up, wetting your pants a bit because you cough so hard....kind of cough😳😳🙈

GP has decided I don't have a chest infection, maybe asthma, or bronchitis, I have ventolin inhalers to use for the tightness and weezyness......I await testing at the end of the month.......but in the meantime, any advice from you fellow runners, I'm certain some of you are asthmatic and still run?? For clarity, I did get diagnosed with asthma about 30 years ago, I don't ever remember it being like this! At the moment, even a change in temperature when I leave the house has me hacking away......just can't see how I would manage to run......but I'm desperate to try.......help?🥺

[Meypom]

I have asthma and have always struggled with it , since loosing weight and starting running it’s improved immensely, I always take my inhaler about half hour before going for a run and if it’s particularly frosty or cold I wear a scarf over my mouth as it helps , if your struggling to breath at anytime during your run just walk it out and start again you’ll soon find your recovery breathing gets quicker and easier , good luck with it 👍

[Cakerunner Graduate in reply to Meypom]

Hey Meypom, good to know your c25k journey helped with your asthma, I've lost weight too on this program, and I know that my recovery rate has massively improved, but my winter breathing problems over the last two winters have floored me....I guess I'll get some answers when I've had the spirometry 😊

[Meypom in reply to Cakerunner]

I know exactly what you mean, over the winter months it’s always particularly difficult one day I’ll just wheeze my way around a run then next my lungs are in full flow .. I never can tell ... and then I have to be careful where I run in the summer because of tree pollen 🙄, I would say once you know for certain and your on the correct medication you can mostly control asthma , you’ll definitely be running again 👍

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Hubby has run for 40 years with asthma. You need to make sure you’re on right meds. Some you take daily, some before activity, some as you need. Talk to go but do take care, I no hubby takes way longer to recover from cold and chest infection as he gets older.

[Cakerunner Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Hi there Grannytobe, I agree with what you say about meds.....at the moment I'm only on ventolin, until spirometry tells what is going on hopefully........however, I'm very much encouraged by the fact that people with asthma can still run.....I'm getting the impression you need to be well in control of your asthma first....at the moment I know I'm not able to run.......cant even jog up the stairs at the mo!!🤣 but I'm encouraged that if its asthma and I can get the right treatment, I will be able to run still........so thank you 😊

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Cakerunner]

Definitely still run, fingers crossed meds get sorted soon

[LMS2110 Graduate]

As others have already posted Sonia, once asthma is diagnosed, you know what you’re dealing with. There are small differences in the medications prescribed for various severities and ages and lifestyles etc, but if you think your asthma is returning in direct relationship with running, your best bet would be to check with your Dr as to recommended doses. Like Grannytobe and Meypom, I’ve used inhaler a short while before activity and popped it into my pocket for emergency relief - if required. As others have also reported, the temperatures and weather and general state of health makes a difference too. I didn’t like inhaling cold and frosty air....so bought a warm scarf/snood kind of garment to cover my mouth and nose to keep my face warm. Leaf burst in spring can trigger probs too..... so same apparel gets used. Gentle rain actually seems to improve things! I’ve always been advised that asthma is entirely controllable and needn’t curtail any activities.... believe in your inhaler and allow a good breath control during your steady running to strengthen your lungs. I’m sure you’ll find a way to control things and maximise the enjoyment of running. Might be best to avoid hills and increased speed while you stabilise things. Good luck.

[Cakerunner Graduate in reply to LMS2110]

Very sound advice there thank you.....I need to get me one of these snood/buff things everyone is talking about....😊