On Monday night, with running group we were doing hill sprints. Half way through I had problems breathing, and even when I managed to get most of my breath back I never fully recovered it for the remainder of the run. On getting back home, into the warmth, I had a coughing fit which didn't ease up for a while.
This is the second time I've had problems (the other was towards the end of my first proper run, when I forgot to breathe as we were coming up towards the line), so I had a doctors appointment today. Long and short is, that I am either pushing too hard, or have exercise induced asthma which has never occurred before.
I have an inhaler and spacer but have never used one before.
I feel silly asking this, but does anyone else have this? I am going to try the inhaler, but the spacer is so big I can't fit it in my running belt.
I have a follow up appointment in 4 weeks to re-see the doctor and see how it is going.
Thanks in advance, Nell
Written by
LittleNell83
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I am with you. I have exercise and allergy induced asthma. Basically if it's not controlled I have really bad breathing problems like the worst child that goes on for months.
I used to use an inhaler with a spacer if and when needed (very rarely) but when I had a follow-up appt as things were constantly getting out of control I was changed to a mild once a day Revlar powder inhaler with the blue (emergency response) inhaler which I maybe use once or twice a week at the moment - things have been worse in the past 4 weeks. I think the dampness is the culprit!
I've had full on attacks at the gym in the past, but only when I wasn't regularly keeping on top of my allergies which seems to set of the asthma.
It's all a learning game, what works, what makes you worse and so on. I can have quite bad breathing issues using strong household cleaners. (I'll just have to stop!)
Thanks Sutsha. I will just take it run by run. Fingers crossed it was a one off but we will see.
Sounds so daft but I hadn't heard of someone getting asthma in their 30s. It could be I have had it for a while but never badly, and thought breathlessness was being unfit,so until I pushed it hard it didn't go into a full blown attack, if that makes sense.
My mum developed asthma in her 20's, but I only started having trouble in my 30's. Basically a really bad summer with high pollen coming from a rape seed oil field behind our house was the first time I needed an inhaler. Over the past 5/6 years I've had intermittent problems. I wasn't diagnosed as asthmatic and when I was in for yet another breathing-related problem I was told off for not having taken my medication. I was not amused as I hadn't been diagnosed and hadn't been told to take them regularly. She'd taken my records showing frequent prescribed inhalers as an indication I was asthmatic and gave me what for when she saw I hadn't ordered inhalers in months...
I don't know who was more surprised when I said I hadn't been told I had asthma, probably she didn't believe me. They just kept trying inhalers when nothing else worked, antibiotics, steroids, nasal sprays among others.
I've had a good year now that things are controlled, up until the past few weeks at least. I always seem to get I'll on September and it can last 10 to 12 weeks if I don't nip it in the bud.
Here's hoping you have an easier time getting to the bottom of things.
Hi Nell, I'm sorry to hear this but you are not alone in experiencing asthma induced exercise. I am currently finding running very difficult due to breathing problems and inhaler not giving any relief. The colder weather is playing havoc and definitely exacerbating the problem. Hill training was also when mine got quite severe. I did a 10k race on Sunday morning and had to stop several times due to breathing probs.
I am awaiting lung function test later this month as thinking is now COPD due to long term smoker (ex-smoker now). I know there are others on the forum with asthma. One thing that does help is I use my buff around my nose and mouth to warm the air before breathing in as cold air is a trigger. Might be worth a try. Hope your inhaler helps as well.
Maybe also don't push to hard until you are confident with inhaler.
It does impact on my running but we just need to keep finding comfortable zone. Keep us updated. Good luck 🏃♀️💪😊
How worrying... ? Do you feel that you are pushing too hard? Did you get any indications of this at the GSR ?
Have you got a preventer and a reliever?
The atmosphere and air conditions can make a massive difference...I had an inhaler for a few years.. for difficulties associated with hay fever... maybe your discomfort was a one off? See how you go .. ?
Thanks Oldfloss. That's what was weird, 10 miles and no problems. But I was pacing myself. As I focused on doing the distance I never got breathless, it was always about making sure that my legs could. It is only when I pushed myself it happens. The concerning thing was the recovery time to get my breath back was so long, even after I stopped.
It's a blue inhaler. Both before exercise and if it happens running. Will try and see what happens
Hope you sort it...and maybe you will get some more replies from the friends on the forum.. I do know many of our friends in here who have asthma, have a brown and a blue inhaler and it is the preventer which can be really helpful? x
I started with EIA in my 40’s. It started when I was road cycling relatively seriously and going from the damp into the warm always started a breathing/coughing episode.
I tend to get it mainly in the Autumn when it’s really damp (damp and leaf mould are my triggers) I just have a blue inhaler which I use before a run and take with me to use as and when - and the obligatory buff! I did use the spacer at home at first but dont use it now. As you say a bit bulky for a belt!
Is just concentrating on distance rather than speed intervals an option? If you’re only having this problem with hill sprints? I personally prefer long slow miles. There’s nothing wrong with interval training for those that want to increase speed but if it’s not that important to you and it’s inducing asthma symptoms, maybe that’s an option?
Me. One of the things “They” informed me when I was a kid meant I could never run.
Well, bollocked on them. I’ve not had to use any inhalers I’m near the last two years, and tomorrow it won’t be Asthma that might knackered me in this Ten mile lark ( might be a problem with my Back that’s flared up and/or the lingering effects of a bad Cold, but not Asthma 🙂)
I just make darn sure I don’t run too fast and always match my speed to my breathing - no fancy formulae or anything - when breathing gets harsh I slow down, when it’s easy again I resume usual plod
I do wish alright I didn’t sound like a clapped out Geyser when running - but oh well! 😊
Asthma can be triggered by many things and can develop at any time, I think. I don't get it myself but have found at the end of a couple of long races (10 miles and Half marathon distance) that my breathing went strange for a few breaths (almost like I was taking in too much air though, so the opposite of asthma really!) I guess the only way to find out is to use your inhaler next time it happens. If it is asthma then you will feel some relief pretty quickly. You may find that taking a puff before you run, really helps your breathing too. Fingers crossed for you - good luck.🙂
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
November Speed Challenge - THE RESULTS!!! 😊💥
Hello all
HUHM Spring Edition - The Windy Stratford One 🌪
Delayed GSR
Disastrous Run ☹️
