Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:25:02 GMT

Thanks everyone for the replies. I went to the doctor this morning and got a a prescription for Albuterol. Hopefully it'll help.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Donna — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:46:54 GMT

That should work well for you. I have that too.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:44:00 GMT

I think it is very poor advice from your mother to even slightly suggest that you use Primatene. It is a very dangerous over-the-counter drug. So many people end up abusing it. Most of the deaths from asthma, if that is what you have, are from people not using the proper drugs but using over-the-counter instead. Primatene will burn your lungs. Being short of breath doesn't have to mean only asthma. You might have asthma, you might not. If your breathing was bad enough that you thought you should do something, you are being very careless to not do soemthing about it now. What is so terrible is that taking a few puffs of Primatene might have you breathing better but your problem could be a list of things. You are taking very silly actions. I was once told that there is a reason PAs don't have MD after their names-they'aren't doctors. Asthma can only truly be diagnosed with a PFT. You should have x-rays. Also x-rays might reveal something else. I could give a list of things it could be that would produce syptoms that appear to be asthma. Rarely would an asthma attack decrease in severity with out taking some type of intervention. If your college has any type of health service,you are being stupid to not have it checked. I do mean stupid. Also, if you get a diagnosis of EIA, you still might not have it. in th emid 80s that was the illness for atheletes. Oddly, the number of people diagnosied with EIA has decreased. I appreciate the concern (though harshly delivered) and suggest that if you had read through the thread in it's entirety you would have seen that I fact did go to the doctor this morning. I also trust my mother's judgement immensely. She's been in the field for quite awhile and has seen her share of many things. As with all drugs I followed only the directions on the package and am very aware of the fact that it was not a long term solution. I've been easing up on my workouts and am going to be home in 2 weeks. Being in college is not easy and tends to jepordize a lot of my time. And as much as I would love to go to the doctor all the time, I would like to have a job when I graduate more; especially when I am feeling better and the symptoms are subsiding. Thank you all for the words of wisedom and support. Hopefully the Albuterol I was perscripted this morning will clear this up. He did say I didn't have allergies or any bronchial infections that he could notice.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:29:01 GMT

I didn't take my pulses but I didn't notice my heart racing abnormally either. Everytime it has happened has been after exercise so my heart rate has been elevated anyway, but it didn't feel dangerous. I have a Primatene inhailer right now that my mom recommended I get (she's a PA) and I use it when it's bad enough I can't start to breath normally on my own. Really bad attacks are infrequent, I've only had 2 since this became a problem a few weeks ago. The one I mentioned in the very first post being the worst. The second being one I had last night were I had a chest rattling cough, but after a few puffs of the inhailer, stopped and normed out after about 10 minutes. I would go to the doc now, but finals are coming up and I don't have time really. I only swim 3 days a week anyway, so I might just back off a bit til I get in to get some real treatment. I think it is very poor advice from your mother to even slightly suggest that you use Primatene. It is a very dangerous over-the-counter drug. So many people end up abusing it. Most of the deaths from asthma, if that is what you have, are from people not using the proper drugs but using over-the-counter instead. Primatene will burn your lungs. Being short of breath doesn't have to mean only asthma. You might have asthma, you might not. If your breathing was bad enough that you thought you should do something, you are being very careless to not do soemthing about it now. What is so terrible is that taking a few puffs of Primatene might have you breathing better but your problem could be a list of things. You are taking very silly actions. I was once told that there is a reason PAs don't have MD after their names-they'aren't doctors. Asthma can only truly be diagnosed with a PFT. You should have x-rays. Also x-rays might reveal something else. I could give a list of things it could be that would produce syptoms that appear to be asthma. Rarely would an asthma attack decrease in severity with out taking some type of intervention. If your college has any type of health service,you are being stupid to not have it checked. I do mean stupid. Also, if you get a diagnosis of EIA, you still might not have it. in th emid 80s that was the illness for atheletes. Oddly, the number of people diagnosied with EIA has decreased.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

aztimm — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:39:30 GMT

Wow, glad you got to the doctor and they gave you the prescription. Hopefully that will resolve the issue. I started on albuterol back in my Army days....had just gotten to Korea, it was bitter cold, and had to run outside, not pretty, and had the hardest time breathing. Today, there are many medicines out there to help treat this, so definitely have regular visits with your doctor, however the doctor defines regular with you. In addition to albuterol I take a steroid-type inhaler. Last month it ran out, I was out of refills....had to call my doctor and get them to authorize more, etc. Ended up without it for a few days and ended up using the albuterol 4-5 times a day (usually not at all). Before that I didn't think this did anything for me, but was amazed at the difference.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:53:07 GMT

Finally something on here my rookie self can speak about. What you describe could be many, many things. It could be serious, most likely not, but you don't want to chance it. Sounds like EIA to me, but you need a physical exam. Probably an inhaler and some Singulair will fix you right up, but it could be some serious stuff, go get checked out. Even if you are on the road, go!

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:19:14 GMT

Kyra: Years ago, I was racing (running) for the Air Force (yes, I'm Army...long story), a lady on the team was a fabulous runner, but after a race sometimes hours would have the problems you described. My wife, who has asthma, told her on the bus back that it sounded like asthma. She went to a doctor. She had Exercise Induced asthma (EIA). No one had ever heard of it, but she got a whiffer and her time improved by leaps and bounds. As it turns out, if you have Exercise Induced Asthma it can happen by degrees. What she told me then (early 1990s) was that "modern" thought was that a lot of people a some degree of EIA, but don't know it. They just assume a hard effort. After you see the doc, I predict huge improvements. :applaud: Yes, there ARE time that drugs ARE beneficial. Yes, I just fell off my soap box. :dedhorse: :blah:

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:34:36 GMT

If you are having enough trouble that you are now taking action, you should go to a doctor now. go to any health clinic where ever you are. There could be several reasons. I have moderate asthma. Generally, an asthma attack is not going to stop on its own. The brochio passages are going to continue to swell. The real problem with asthma is not getting oxygen into the lungs but getting other gases out of the lungs. That's why people die. It is going to get worse unless you took in a broncho dialator (caffien, chocolate) and didn't know it. Over the counter drugs are not safe to use. Almost everyone who useds them tends to abuse them. Things like Primetine are meant to be used only on extreme occassions. During this time did you take your pulsse? I didn't take my pulses but I didn't notice my heart racing abnormally either. Everytime it has happened has been after exercise so my heart rate has been elevated anyway, but it didn't feel dangerous. I have a Primatene inhailer right now that my mom recommended I get (she's a PA) and I use it when it's bad enough I can't start to breath normally on my own. Really bad attacks are infrequent, I've only had 2 since this became a problem a few weeks ago. The one I mentioned in the very first post being the worst. The second being one I had last night were I had a chest rattling cough, but after a few puffs of the inhailer, stopped and normed out after about 10 minutes. I would go to the doc now, but finals are coming up and I don't have time really. I only swim 3 days a week anyway, so I might just back off a bit til I get in to get some real treatment.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:11:30 GMT

About 3 weeks ago after my swim meet, I got home and thought I was having a heart attack. My chest was tight and I couldn't breathe. It finally stopped but I was sore the next day. Then the next time I swam it happened again, only not as severly this time. So I did a little research and I think it might be exercise induced asthma. I bought an over counter inhailer (sp) and it seems to be helping. The only thing is that I never had problems with asthma as a kid or anytime, this is entirely new. Has anybody else had problems with this? I'm gonna go the doc when I get back from school, but does anyone have ways to deal with it? Thanks!!! If you are having enough trouble that you are now taking action, you should go to a doctor now. go to any health clinic where ever you are. There could be several reasons. I have moderate asthma. Generally, an asthma attack is not going to stop on its own. The brochio passages are going to continue to swell. The real problem with asthma is not getting oxygen into the lungs but getting other gases out of the lungs. That's why people die. It is going to get worse unless you took in a broncho dialator (caffien, chocolate) and didn't know it. Over the counter drugs are not safe to use. Almost everyone who useds them tends to abuse them. Things like Primetine are meant to be used only on extreme occassions. During this time did you take your pulsse?

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 08:28:26 GMT

Wasn't this right after you met me? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: It was acutally. hahaha. Sunday night, I had in-service for work and it was after that it got bad.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 07:36:43 GMT

I am planning on going to the doc. I get home in about 2 weeks so I should be able to make it til then. Ugh...I hope it's not allergies. I'm beginning to think my body hates me. Thanks all for the input!

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 07:10:22 GMT

Kyra- I was only diagnosed last year when I finally went to the doc begging for relief. My mom & grandfater have "regular" asthma with allergies & the like, but I never had a problem. Having always been very athletic (except for running, I cannot run), it took me a long time to understand that EIA was my problem with swimming (I can swim miles & miles without fatigue, but 3 sprints on a short interval would get me out of the water heaving for air). Definitely go to a doctor. Describe your symptoms and explain the way you work out. There are many treatment options. Currently, I use a preventative inhaler daily along with OTC allergy meds (per Dr.'s orders). I also have an albuteral (sp?) rescue inhaler for meets & practice to use when there's no air. This I hardly use anymore because the other regimine keeps it under control most of the time. Treating yourself may work in the short-run, but consult a doc for a long-term solution. Dana I got a bit breathless at Zones Dana..but I think that was after meeting you on the deck ;)

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:53:59 GMT

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Former Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:26:20 GMT

It could be allergies Kyra. It's the time of year. Doc will know.

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

poolraat — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:20:12 GMT

About 3 weeks ago after my swim meet, I got home and thought I was having a heart attack. My chest was tight and I couldn't breathe.... Wasn't this right after you met me? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

RE: Late Onset Exercise Induced Asthma

Donna — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:19:35 GMT

Been there too. More so this year than in the past, but then this year I am pushing myself alot harder than in the past. I find a few things trigger it for me, hot, humid, heavy chlorine smell in the air. These conditions I tend to hold back alittle. I also use an inhaler occasionally and probably need to use it more often than I do but I have never been big on taking drugs of any kind only supplements. If it happens at practice I will take a hit off the inhaler or use the air mask in the life guard station, which really helps especially since the air quality in our building is bad especially now that it is hot. For me if I push to long and hard and start having issues breathing, if I don't back off I can cause my heart to race or have the tight chest. It actually happened at the end of the 1650 last year at Nationals but I felt the symtoms and backed off for a 50 making sure to get enough air and was then able to finish in a decent time. My splits really show it on the second to last 50. Good luck with your asthma. Live to race another day.