[altoids]

Does anyone here deal with exercise induced asthma?<br><br>
When I was in to see the doctor about the bronchitis that I've been working on getting rid of, he asked me some questions, and thought that I might be experiencing a mild form of it.<br><br>
We talked about using an inhaler about an hour before exercise. I haven't started it up yet, because I keep forgetting. He gave me a sample "puffer" of what he considered the old-school kind, but he was more excited about the kind where you put in one dose in a capsule form, and it was pierce to deliver the dose of inhalant.<br><br>
Anyway, I'd like to hear anyone else's experiences in this arena, what works for you, what doesn't, etc.

 

[sierra]

I do use an advair inhaler, (the kind he wants you to use). I began using it for EIA a few years ago. I think I always had a bit of asthma but when I started running it seemed to make it much worse. The inhaler definitely helped me. Now when I use it I don't have any symptoms at all. But for me, it also appears to be somewhat seasonal. I dont use it all the time, just when I feel symptoms, then I use it for a week or two.<br><br>
Good Luck, and I would give the other, (advair) a shot, it worked much better than the "old school" kind for me. But its a preventative, will not work for "asthma attacks"<br><br>
Good Luck!

 

[altoids]

I only feel the tightness and tight cough for about an hour after I run, and then usually only in cold weather. I wasn't really bothered about it, but my doctor brought it up because he has it!

 

[sierra]

Thats exactly how it started for me. Like I said, its seasonal for me. Now I can recognize it when I start getting the cough, (happens now without running) then I begin using the inhaler and the cough stops in a few days and I dont have the chest tightness.<br><br>
The other thing that I found is the location. It appears that I have some spring and fall allergies to certain things, that make it worse, ( or could be the cause I suppose)<br><br>
So are you using the alupent type (old school) or are you trying the new one? I found the new one to be MUCH better for me.<br><br>
Hope it works for you.

 

[altoids]

He gave me some old-school samples, so that's what I'm using now.<br><br>
I have a prescription I can fill when they're used up. I think there is a problem with my insurance and the new stuff?

 

[sierra]

If its Advair, thats very possible, when I first got my RX for that my ins wouldnt pay for it either, and its not cheap!! Now I have better ins and they pay for it. Maybe you can ask for an exception? or samples from your dr? I got that too and it got me through for awhile.

 

[fox-runr]

that's how I have it. I usually deal with it pretty bad my first few times out in cold weather where I experience chest tightness and always, always, always after a 5k in any type of weather I cough pretty bad. I had an inhaler prescribed a long time ago which I never use. Last time I got tested the allergist said I'm borderline-mild. There's been a rare occassion that I have a coughing fit during a run, when and if it ever happens in a race.......well, I be demanding an inhaler.

 

[Hippo]

I was just diagnosed with EIA last year. I've had a couple of serious attacks - really bronchospasms more than anything. One of them last May made me think I was going to die, and a continuous, 4hr, wheezing attack on the ascent at PPM probably added an hour to my finish time that day.<br><br>
My doc is an ultra-enabler so prescribed seravent as a long-lasting alternative. Jesse Leitner swears by Singulair, he's similarly afflicted.

 

[RaisingArizonainNH]

This may or may not help you, but I have added 100 mg of magnesium daily, and it really seems to help my asthama symptoms. I have only recently had any tightness -and that was when walking in very cold ( 15or less) dry air. I went ALL summer without once using my albuterol inhaler. I found that magnesium helps with asthma when my doc gave me predisone for a bad cold and reactive airway thing last spring and I couldn't take the side effects. I did some searching on the web, and asked him about magnesium and he admitted that yes in fact that's what they give at the hospital for airway problems when people can't take predinisone. Anyway- you can check it out with your doc if you want.

 

[Arrojo]

I've had excercised induced asthma since I was in my 20's. I use a ventolin inhaler about 10-20 mins before every run or hockey game.<br><br>
In addition, I use a pulmacort inhaler 1-2 times a day. The asthma seems to get worse with the change of seasons. Sometimes I have a hard time breathing early on in races, esp in fall or spring. I've learned to ratchet up the pulmacort about a week before the race (2 puffs a day instead of one) and that seems to help a lot.<br><br>
I've heard from my Dr. that it's better to be using the maintenance stuff (pulmacort) than the ventolin.

 

[wherestheportojohn]

I was diagnosed with EIA last summer.<br>
I use an albuterol puffer [2 hits] before plodding and roadbiking.

 

[runfishhunt]

I do the Advair thing for my asthma. I don't need the albuterol assistance anymore because of it.

 

[The Divine Miss M]

I've had the assma for about a year. Triggers include exercise, cold, anxiety, cats, and pollen. . . basically, everything. I'm on Advair and Singulair and I also carry an Albuterol inhaler with me everywhere, but especially when running. A couple of toots before I run and occasionally a couple more afterwards pretty much keep it under control.<br><br>
I PR-ed in the marathon *after* getting the assma, so don't give up hope. It doesn't have to ruin your life or your running. <img alt="icon_flower.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_flower.gif">