The Asthma Thread

rosecoloredglasses · Mar 20, 2008

Dromedary! 
Are you serious? 
Um, but, no. I would not trade sleep for weight loss. Nope, I get so few good nights as it is. 
But, I do need help with medication. Rinda has been a wealth of knowledge and she's been spot on every time... 
foradil... I thought helped but it didn't... I think I had one placebo-effect run... 
asthmanex.... same as foradil. I am on my second month with little improvement. 
I go back to the doctor in a few weeks.

rosecoloredglasses · Mar 20, 2008

I am wondering about this adult onset asthma deal. 
I never had asthma as a child. 
I've never had problems with allergies (still don't) 
Why do I have asthma? 
Was it because I had pneumonia and then 10 days later rode my bike 100 miles? 
Could it be related to asbestos? 
My dad died of asbestos related lung cancer... 
Is it from running too much? 
Or...and this is my favorite mistake... 
Is it because I am a horrible house-keeper and dust is killing me? 
Please feel free to write here with your very own asthma story. 
(food is allowed here...ha ha)

Econo · Mar 20, 2008

I heard that, Rosy! <img alt="cool.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif"> 
I had asthma -- pretty bad asthma -- when I had an indoor cat (Punky). I have another cat now, who is 99% indoors, but he is not a problem (Sox). 
It seemed that once I was in my Punky Allergy phase, EVERYTHING set me off -- dust, pollen, mold, etc. 
Flo-nase changed my life. I got on flo-nase, got the allergies under control, then verrry gradually lowered my dose and got off of it.

dromedary · Mar 20, 2008

Hey Rose, yeah, I lost weight because those inhalers are like being on speed but then again I'm a bit chunky so I didn't mind dropping the weight <img alt="blush.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/blush.gif">. I thought steroids were supposed to make me be fast like some of those disgraced olympians, but no such luck <img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif"> 
It's interesting to me how alot of people get asthma as adults and how many runners have asthma. I read that Paula Radcliffe has it but she sure as heck doesn't let it get in her way. She is my personal heroine! 
You're not running too much! Look at Paula! And she had a baby too! 
I have had asthma since childhood because of living in poor neighborhoods (expsosure to rats, mice, cockroaches, dust, mold, and second hand smoke). I also lived in the country (exposure to lots of pollens plus cats and dogs). I didn't always take meds mainly because I was stubborn and full of tomboy machisma, so I just hacked and wheezed my way through life. I figured I would "outgrow" asthma. But it did not go away because I got the double whammy of allergy plus exercise-induced asthma. 
I started running half marathons in 2005, and only used an emergency inhaler (albuterol) but should have been taking maintenance inhaler plus allergy medication. I was going through alot of albuterol in those days to the point that the pharmacy gave me a hard time about refilling it. But then I ran a few races all congested and didn't get better for a day. 
I finally went to an allergy/asthma/lung doctor instead of a GP. She gave me the allergy skin test and we found out I am allergic to everything in the test panel except horses. What the...:huh<img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif"> 
As for medication, it's been a journey to find what works. My current doc is pretty good but we went through a lot of experimenting. Like I told Rindaroo, some drugs did not work, another gave me blurry eyesight, one drug caused muscle aches, yet another drug caused me to gain a lot of weight<img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">. All the drugs give me the jitters so it's hard to sleep at night. 
Foradil worked for me but I am currently on the higher dose Symbicort--it fixes both the allergy-related and exercise-induced asthma symptoms. I still use albuterol during and after long races. 
I'm doing pretty well these days unless I catch a cold which means I have a 3 week long phlegm cough and run a lot slower, but I still manage to wear out my share of running shoes. 
I'm also taking allergy shots. I see some improvement after 6 months so I was able to drop one of my sinus meds. I also do not need a nebulizer anymore <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">.

rosecoloredglasses · Mar 20, 2008

See? 
Dromedary, your case makes sense to me. I can see how allergies would do that. But I don't have any allergy symptoms at all. What happens is: I run, I try to run faster or I try to run uphill and then. I begin to feel like I can't get a deep breath and I sound like a vacuum cleaner with something stuck in it. 
If I slow down and take a big breath in and hold it and then let it out with pursed lips, I recover and go on. In fact, I never really stop, I just have to keep going through these steps. 
Econo! I didn't even know you had asthma and allergies! (I was only kidding about the food, step away from the vanilla creme cookies) Ralph has allergies galor! He takes zyrtec and nasacort and claratin and benadryl and any other histamine blocker he can ingest or snort. And yet, he breathes silently and effortlessly up and down hills and at all paces. Poor lilmissrosie... she has allergies and asthma! Anybody else? 
Who else has asthma minus allergies? 
Anyone? Anyone?

TheProFromDover · Mar 20, 2008

I am not really an expert on this, but, 
Today I ate a banana and a yogurt at like 10am. 
No run today so I had lunch of leftover spaghetti and salad around 1pm. 
Then because I ate lunch early I had a turkey and cheese sandwich around 7pm (but small, on an English muffin). 
Oh yeah, as a youngster I had both asthma and tons of allergies. I had shots for allergies (4 in each arm) every week or two. I do not think they promote that build tolerance regimen anymore. Re the asthma, my mom simply told me to do what I could do. It only bothered me seriously when coupled with allergic reaction. There were a couple of events that were memorable. Exploring the mold and mildew ridden old barn was one. The next 24 hours were scary. And then there was the time the nurse gave me a double dose of every allergy toxin. The next 24 hours were scary. 
Anyway, after all that, things improved as I aged. When I went into the Navy my mom said "don't tell them anything, you're all better". I've adopted that philosophy ever since. 
The shots? Who knows. Another theory is that people outgrow these things. Who knows. Maybe it was my diet. Now let's see, soda, candy, ....

Rindaroo · Mar 20, 2008

Hey Rose - guess what? they diagnosed me as exercise induced asthma without allergies. I have NEVER suffered from allergies like people who have allergies.... So, I think that's why it took so long to figure out the bronchials are actually irritated due to allergies. Both pulmonologists I went to said I wasn't allergic... So, when I got so tired of being sick last year, I decided - what the hell - I'll get tested for allergies & see what happens. They did the normal allergy test on my back & absolutely NOTHING! I was so disappointed... but then the doc decided to to do a test that injects more into your skin due to my asthma symptoms & history. My two biggest allergies from that were dust and ragweed... okay they are minor compared to most people. But it turns out, thats what has been bothering the bronchials. It really doesn't matter how minor the allergies are, if the bronchials get irritated for whatever reason - sometimes they get ultra-sensitive. The doc just gave me a prescription for Allegra, so I will see how that works for the ragweed later on this year. So... I'm just saying. Your bronchials got irritated for whatever reason and maybe minor allergies are irritating them now. As for the meds - Advair & Serevent didn't work for me at all. Foradil did work, but only in combination with Qvar (a steroid). I have heard that sometimes the use of a maintenance drug without a steroid can sometimes be worse than nothing. When I was on Foradil & Asmanex I was really, really sick... no matter how much I took of the Asmanex. But on Symbicort - I've been getting better & better. Symbicort has the same drug as Foradil & a steroid in it. The new theory is that the combination of the two drugs works much better than the two separately. As for symptoms - I think everyone is different, and symptoms are different. I've had docs be totally stumped at my symptoms - but it might be they aren't looking at it correctly. So, hang in there! Econo - that's great on the asthma symptoms! that's my goal, to get back to where I was before the big irritation of my bronchials. maybe someday.... 
Hi Drom!

dtoce · Mar 20, 2008

respect asthma...and use the inhalers correctly- 
a patient that I met a couple of days ago, and is on my service after her respiratory arrest, nearly died due to inappropriate self-medication (multiple/multiple uses of beta agonist MDI) 
I just didn't think that happened anymore, but...it does 
She was in status asthmaticus. She's had asthma for years and avoided the medical system and didn't even have a pulmonologist. 
Find the right doctor. Get the right testing. Get the right meds for you. 
(I'm just sayin')

dromedary · Mar 20, 2008

Pro, that was hilarious! You sound like my soulmate when it comes to food <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">. And I totally agree with you about the Navy (my boss is a retired Navy diver and tells me similar things). I hate the shots but I'm willing to try because I don't want to be on the danged drugs forever. 
Very interesting Rose that some folks don't have allergies and some of us do (like Econo). Like Rinda said, we're all different. I guess my case was more straightforward since I'm on the wrong planet and thereby allergic to it. Knock on wood I have no food allergies (please pass the girl scout cookies)! 
But dtoce is right about everything. Take it seriously. Good luck to you and Rinda, you will find relief eventually.

riley0003 · Mar 20, 2008

I have asthma and suspect that I've had it since I was little. It's exacerbated by a deviated septum and I get frequent sinus infections if I'm not careful. I use a saline nasal spray frequently to try and keep the sinuses clear. 
I use an albuterol inhaler about 30 minutes before I run (only). I don't need to use it when I do other stuff like elliptical or yoga or spinning. I don't know why there's a difference, but there clearly is. I had the little shot tests for allergies twice over a period of about 10 years and both times it only showed a tiny allergy to dust and molds. I do take singulair and that seems to help but not completely eliminate the problem. 
Running up a hill is a killer for me. Not my legs at all, just in my breathing. My pulmonologist thinks that the fact I grew up with a smoker (my dad, RIP) probably mildly damaged my lungs. He was a 3-pack a day guy and he died a miserable death with actual holes in his lungs. He was on a ventilator for 8 months and only weighed 89 lbs when he finally died. And people wonder why I'm so "anti-smoking"...... 
Susan

rosecoloredglasses · Mar 21, 2008

Pro, as much as I love your mother... I doubt I will "outgrow" this... because I really don't think I can afford to "grow" any more...my clothes are already tight and I am buying big butt shorts. (Which, by the way, I got at the UnderArmour outlet for twenty bucks. Quite stylish with a zippered pocket in the back.) 
Oh, wait. ASTHMA. 
Dr. Dale. 
How should I proceed? 
The pulmonologist to whom I was referred is nice and all but, I don't think he realizes that just because I can run a marathon (he saw me right after the VCM) doesn't mean I am happy with my breathing. And I did end up in the med tent after the VCM due to breathing problems and low temp. (93.7... welll, I don't really trust that 93.7 because it was an ear thermometer) 
My neighbor is a pulmonologist in the same practice. He knows what running means to me. He is always warning me about knee and back problems. So...even though he really is a brilliant man of superior intelligence... I am afraid to ask him for help. 
And, it is awkward because the guys are in the same practice, I don't want to hurt the old guy's feelings. (he really is an old guy, he's semi-retired, doesn't make rounds or take call or anything) 
Maybe I will just ask the PCP to keep trying different meds until we land the right one. 
Symbiocort is the next one, if I am following Dromedary and Rinda correctly. 
Don't worry. I follow the instructions on the labels of these meds. No chance on me OD'ing. 
Susan, 
When Lilmissrosie was tested for asthma as a 10th grader... after her pulmonary function tests (PFT's) the RT said, "Her lungs aren't too bad. They just look like the lungs of a kid who grew up in a house of smokers." 
WHat? I couldn't believe! I kept that child away from smoke. Even when I was pregnant with her! One time, Mom and I were traveling from Cincinnati to Akron and we stopped at a Wendy's. We sat in the non-smoking section and there was a guy smoking. I looked right at him, smiled, and said, "Excuse me sir, did you know this is the non-smoking section?" And he was so polite and embarrassed. He apologized profusely, extinguished the cigarette and left. 
Anyway. DS2 gets the PFT's in May.

Rindaroo · Mar 21, 2008

Dr. Dale is right on all counts. btw Dr. Dale I always followed the doctor's orders - sometimes the pharmacists had a hard time with the doc's orders though... Rosie - I wouldn't go to the pulmonologist who talks about knees and backs. I've had 2 - one wasn't a runner, but was a competitive biker - he's the one who made me run & and the other warned me about my knees and told me not to run. I was doing really well with the first one (until those Calif brush fires) & I got really sick under the second one's care. The allergist/asthma specialist is a marathon runner & his treatment is very similar to the first pulmnologist, plus dealing with the allergies. I say find a doctor who will be the best for you - forget about anything else... a runner, or a competitive athlete if possible. You shouldn't stop trying until you're happy.

dtoce · Mar 21, 2008

this is very good, no-excellent, advice 
I always recommend second or third opinions until you've found the right doctor for you. And it might not hurt to tell your doctor himself of your unhappiness and frustration...

rosecoloredglasses · Mar 25, 2008

So... today I was running with Ralph, Roger, and Jane. (Steve and Sonya were ahead of us) 
Jane says, "Gee, I can really hear you wheezing today!" 
Roger says, "What? Oh, yes, you are really wheezing. Do you use an inhaler?" 
(Roger is an internal medicine physician) 
I said, "No, I use a daily med, asmanex. I use at 0500 so I didn't think I could use the inhaler." 
Roger thinks a minute and then says, "Yes, you can take the asmanex and also use your rescue inhaler, they are compatible." 
We all run on a little ways. And the wheezing is mentioned again... 
I said, "I'm sorry. I am trying to make it stop." 
To which Roger says, "NO! Do not try to fight it. Don't try to control the wheezing. Just run through it. Those airways will warm up. It's the cold air that is making the wheezing worse." 
Guess what? 
Roger was right. 
Today, for the first time in WEEKS. My average pace for 5.25 miles was 9:35. 
I like Roger.

OrangeMat · Mar 25, 2008

Yay Roger. 
YAY ROSE!

dromedary · Apr 4, 2008

So Rose, how are you breathing these days? 
Did you ever find a better doc to help you? 
Hope you are well.

rosecoloredglasses · Apr 4, 2008

Hi Dromedary, 
How are things in sunny California? Things are fine here in sunny Virginia. It's hawt. 
Guess what? I just went to the doctor THIS MORNING! It was a follow-up for a lot of things... 
After my run with Roger, I realized that I was being sort of whimpy with the wheezing. It's okay to wheeze if it doesn't inhibit the running. (For me, anyway, I think we all have our own thresholds) 
Anyway, after this morning's app't I have decided that my PCP is good and is looking out for me. He wants me to continue the asmanex and use the albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol prn. 
I take the inhaler with me to races now, but haven't had to use it yet! 
And here is how my doctor responded when I told him I had NO wheezing or breathing problems at the Knoxville Half Marathon: 
"Here's what I think, I think it's sort of like the old Primatene Mist, which was mostly epinephrine... You get to a race, you feel a little competitive, that gets your own epinephrine going and your airways benefit." 
Hmmmm? We don't know if that is the case but, I like it! He is thinking like a runner. 
Now he is just a little worried about my low hgb and whatever... which takes me back to my stupid ileum. Apparently the ileum is important for B12 absorption... if that goes down a bit, apparently the hgb can drop... blah blah blah... 
The surgeon told me he just took out a tiny piece of the ileum and it shouldn't affect the B12 whatever. 
HEY! I guess I really AM getting old! Look how much time I spent talking about my ailments! HA HA. 
Drom, 
I am thrilled about your upcoming marathon, please breathe well and have a blast. I am envious of La Tortuga because she got to meet you. And I am envious of the rest of those west coasties... Any plans to come back east? 
How are the rest of the breathing challenged? 
Rindaroo, I love how you enlist your "staff" to help with the dusting and vacuuming...excelllent. 
Spring is in the air! Lots of stuff to irritate folks, so far, no allergy problems for me. Roger seems to think I am more affected by the cold weather. 
Have a great weekend!

dromedary · Apr 4, 2008

Hi Rose, so glad you got to see the doctor. You'll be fine and figure out your threshold for breathing hard. I always sound like a freight train when I run uphill or 9:30 minute miles, but I feel fine. I figure the wheezing coughing noises scare the skunks away <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">. 
Carrying the inhaler at races is a smart idea. Ya never know. 
p.s. I don't think I met La Tortuga. I already ran a marathon, just have half marathons on my plate now. You maybe meant someone else?

rosecoloredglasses · Apr 4, 2008

Darn, I thought she met you a few weeks ago. My mistake. 
And, I thought you were training for a full but maybe your half training is heavy duty! 
Either way, I love to read about your runs and races. I feel a bit more connected when I do.

dromedary · Apr 4, 2008

Hi Rose, 
Since you asked: It's "cold" and dry here (low 60s) <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> but sunny. Sans Souci will make fun of me if I kvetch any more about the "cold". 
I would like to meet La Tortuga and you someday! I'm working my around the country...did Dallas White Rock in Dec. 2007, Nashville CMM in 2006, so eventually I'll make it to the East Coast. I want to run the Thunder Road/Charlotte NC, Baltimore, and Harrisburg Marathons someday. 
I ran the L.A. Marathon way back in early March; here's the RR if you missed it: <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/showthread.php?p=648155#post648155" target="_blank">http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/sho...155#post648155</a> 
Great job in Knoxville! I just read your race report. Way to go <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">! 
The rest of my year will be devoted to "only" half marathons. 
Which races do you plan on doing? <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

The Asthma Thread

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