Why is exercise feeling difficult?

[Bluebusadventures]

Hello. I am having some exercise issues and wondered if anyone had had anything similar? I was diagnosed with asthma approx. 6 years ago although looking back I had had symptoms for many many years before. I have always been a runner (picture a plodder rather than a speed demon) and have run all sorts of distances. When first diagnosed I was put on the brown preventer inhaler and it was like magic as my cough disappeared and I could breathe much better whilst running. Since then I have had many more chest infections and asthma flare ups and I now take fostair 100/6 2 x 2 and ventolin as needed plus antihistamines for hay fever season. I am struggling to run and need to keep stopping regularly. The issue isn’t getting out of breath but is from trying to breathe with what feels like thick mucous in the back of my nose and throat so the running is now quite stop start. It feels like it is present most of the time however it gets much worse when I run and I have to keep stopping to blow my nose. I have been prescribed montelukast which I have been on for approx 2 months, it has helped however the issue is still there and it’s quite irritating. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I wondered if dairy was making it worse - I have some milk in tea and yogurt for breakfast 5/7 so was considering trying to cut this out to see if this resolves it too (reluctantly)

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

HI, I'm wondering if you need to go back to the GP and ask about a steroid nasal spray - you're already on antihistamines, but it sounds like it might be allergic rhinitis if you already know you have allergies, and it may need the topical steroid spray to really get on top of things. I also use a saline nasal spray to clear things out (the one I get is Sterimar). I was advised to use this before my nasal spray to clear things out but also use it at other times to clear my nose when it gets stuffy.

Obviously I'm not a doctor so discuss with your GP/asthma nurse; you could talk to AUK nurses too as they're very helpful on this.

Re dairy: while some people's asthma can be triggered by dairy/they can be allergic, it's a myth that it creates mucus, though some people can find it feels like it thickens what you have because of the sensation of it in your throat.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi I agree with Lysistrata! It may be worth asking about a nasal spray for allergic rhinitis/post nasal drip to see if that helps! Also the sterimar 😉.

I can also corroborate that the dairy thing is a myth, unless you you intolerant or allergic to dairy. It can make you feel like things are thicker but it doesn’t usually create more mucus!

It’s definitely wirth giving The AUK helpline nurses a call on 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5 for further advice though. Alternatively their WhatsApp service is 07378 606728.

Hope this helps and you feel better soon