Hi! I'm new here and have recently become interested in doing some open water swims. Unfortunately, the local masters team doesn't work for my schedule, so I am going at it alone.
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to handle asthma when out in the open water. Even though my asthma is much better than when i started swimming again 6 weeks ago (i would literally be getting out of the water wheezing wiht blue lips), I still am concerned. The thought of exercising and being so far away from my inhaler frightens me. Does anyone have suggestions on how i can carry and/or take my inhaler while in deep water?
Thanks alot!
Nicole
Parents
Former Member
You are right, my asthma has been difficult to control lately. I have seen my doctor, and my meds have been changed, and I have been having fewer problems lately. However, still occasionally having trouble because the pollen is very heavy right now. When I dealt with the blue lips, I took my inhaler and was feeling better by the time I got dressed (and looking better, i didnt have a peak flow meter with me at the time), or else I would have gone to the ER.
When I think back to exercising with my asthma under control, I almost never have to stop mid workout, with only occasional problems after. I think I will work on getting my asthma under control before going out in the lake.
On a side note, there are new inhalers out that do not have CFC's in them, and do not harm the environment. I have one and it works as well as the old version, and is much faster than a nebulizer (which i also have, for when things get bad).
Thanks again for the insight!
You are right, my asthma has been difficult to control lately. I have seen my doctor, and my meds have been changed, and I have been having fewer problems lately. However, still occasionally having trouble because the pollen is very heavy right now. When I dealt with the blue lips, I took my inhaler and was feeling better by the time I got dressed (and looking better, i didnt have a peak flow meter with me at the time), or else I would have gone to the ER.
When I think back to exercising with my asthma under control, I almost never have to stop mid workout, with only occasional problems after. I think I will work on getting my asthma under control before going out in the lake.
On a side note, there are new inhalers out that do not have CFC's in them, and do not harm the environment. I have one and it works as well as the old version, and is much faster than a nebulizer (which i also have, for when things get bad).
Thanks again for the insight!
