Asthma & Allergy Sufferers

jesspi68

Hello! I have been working to make myself stronger and my end goal is to run a 5k in under 30 minutes a year from now. This time of year I find it so hard to breathe! I have terrible allergies (grass, trees, dust, pollen, mold, dogs, oh my!) and the ragweed kills me. Combined with this i have also had asthma since I was a child, I take a daily maintenance medication and I have a rescue inhaler. I really prefer to just get out and run down the street, I've gotten up to averaging 5.5 MPH when I got out, so I've improved by 2 MPH since the spring time! Anyone have any tips for keeping your lungs working when it's this sneezy out?

Also, if there's anyone who has similar problems who wants to can send me a friend request, it's always nice to be able to help motivate each other when we are in similar situations!

Does this seem like an attainable goal? I've been working really hard and I want to get there.

litatura

I have asthma and allergies, but now that I'm at a healthy weight and in shape, neither have seemed to bother me this summer at all. With that being said, up until this past weekend, I've mostly been running on the treadmill (but I have been biking on the trails a few times a week) but I'm moving outdoors because I have a race coming up next month. I just take my daily maintenace twice a day (I make sure to take one of the doses about 15 minutes before I run or bike) and I can't even remember the last time I actually had to take my rescue inhaler. I can run 5km. in under 30 minutes, so it's definitely doable. What's worked for me is to continually increase my speed by 0.1MPH each week. When I started running again about 3-4 months ago, I started at around 5.5mph and now I'm up to 6.5mph.

126siany

I've never had asthma, but am a lifelong allergy sufferer. I had the shots and now take an antihistamine and have a steroid nasal spray. The spray makes a HUGE difference.

If it's a peak allergy time for me, I exercise indoors at the gym. If you have to run outdoors, avoid early mornings, as that's when there is usually the most pollen.

You should be able to meet your 5K goal, yes. One of the great things about being a new runner is that you will get faster and faster simply by doing more of it!

vypeters

I have exercise induced asthma, which was never diagnosed until I turned 50 because I never exercised enough to trigger it. Embarrassing.

Anyway, I pretreat before strenuous exercise with my inhaler. For me, the difference has been huge. Instead of wheezing and feeling like I can't get air when I'm climbing a very steep section of mountain, I just breathe heavy like everyone else.

Mrshunts

I have asthma and allergies, asthma worse.
I couldn't workout for two months this summer because I would just wake up short of breath.
My doctor has now put me in these expensive singular pills for both issues and I don't even need my inhaler hardly ever.and can workout extreme almost.
But I feel your pain, it's not a great feeling at all...

SoDamnHungry

I'm in your boat, but my allergies aren't seasonal. I would, however, recommend a nasal spray.

jesspi68

I have exercise induced asthma, which was never diagnosed until I turned 50 because I never exercised enough to trigger it. Embarrassing.

Anyway, I pretreat before strenuous exercise with my inhaler. For me, the difference has been huge. Instead of wheezing and feeling like I can't get air when I'm climbing a very steep section of mountain, I just breathe heavy like everyone else.

Hills are the absolute worst for me. It doesn't seem to matter if I've used my inhaler or not. Stairs do the same thing.

Thanks everyone for the support!! I am going to keep at it and hopefully I will be able to continue to improve over the winter.

jesspi68

I'm in your boat, but my allergies aren't seasonal. I would, however, recommend a nasal spray.

Yea, once it turns colder I have to clean inside constantly because of the dust, mold and pet allergies. (not that we have a lot of mold, but living in the country we do get a lot of dust!)

I will have to ask my doctor about the sprays. I used to have a huge issue with nose bleeds when I was a child and they thought they would have to cauterize somewhere in there. I have always worried that nasal sprays would aggravate that.

Are there any OTC sprays that work or is everything prescription?

Also, with the big name allergy pills being OTC now are there any better ones available with a prescription, or are the three OTC just as good?

graceylou222

I feel for you. when I first started running about 5 months ago I was fine, and then once it got really hot out I felt like I was dying (breathing wise). I have had asthma since I was young and it always gets worse when it is really hot out. But don't be unmotivated. You can do it. Just talk to your doctor about other options and keep working hard.

JoolieW68

I have asthma and allergies as well, both since I was a very young child. I am allergic to....pretty much everything, and in many cases cats & dogs would trigger an asthma attack.

I have been getting allergy shots for 3 years and they are working wonders - so much so that we just got a SECOND cat (long haired, no less). I take Allegra every day still along with fluticasone nasal spray (just started that).

For my asthma I use Advair twice a day, and a rescue inhaler before I exercise.

It may not sound under control, but it's way better than it used to be. I used to wake up in the middle of the night and would immediately have a tight chest and need my rescue inhaler. No more. There have even been times I've forgotten to use the rescue inhaler before exercise and realized that after I was done....and not had any issues.

If your insurance covers the allergy shots, I highly recommend them. They have completely turned my life around allergy/asthma wise. Oh, I'm sure the weight loss as helped some, too

ShannonGo

I don't have asthma, but I have super serious allergies. Before I had septoplasty, my allergies caused me to come down with sinus infections multiple times a year (more than 4 times per year). I take:
Zyrtec (the generic Costco equivalent that is under $20 for 365 pills)
Singulair (prescription)
Veramyst (prescription nasal spray)

If my allergies are especially bad due to spring tree pollen, I will also use Neil Med Sinus Rinse (its a clear-ish bottle with a black nozzle, a saline rinse - I bought it at Target) which results in me avoiding sinus infections at the height of the allergy season.

TurtleRunnerNC

I have asthma and allergies, asthma worse.
I couldn't workout for two months this summer because I would just wake up short of breath.
My doctor has now put me in these expensive singular pills for both issues and I don't even need my inhaler hardly ever.and can workout extreme almost.
But I feel your pain, it's not a great feeling at all...

Singular is a Godsend.

kendib

My biggest help was sitting down with my asthma/allergy specialist and telling him very specifically what my goals were and the issues I was having trying to meet them. We talked through options and did a breathing test and at last results I have about 70-80% use of my lungs. I take an additional medicine during the spring when I tend to have more symptoms and that helps keep everything under control.

That being said, I think your goals are attainable. For me, I have to plan more training time to get my lungs trained more than my legs. My last 5k was a bad asthma day which resulted in my waking up in the middle of the night before the race and my time was slower than I was anticipating. I was just happy I was able to finish it.

dmpizza

I have had hay fever and the like, since I was a small child.
When I hit 30, it became intolerable and I was wheezing and my lung capacity was down to about 40%.
I started regular allergy shots and they changed my life.
You will need shots several times per week, then it goes down to about once every 5 weeks or so.

I strongly recommend you try this, it changed my life.

stephcthomas

This is the most difficult time of year for me to get out and exercise. I normally and up and ready to get out there. I love to get my work out in. However, during allergy season I have a tough time getting out there. Right now it's a battle within to even get dressed to go for a run because I feel so fatigued. I would love some advice as well.

Great goal by the way.

jacksonpt

I don't have significant allergies, so I'm kinda out of place posting in this thread. But I do know a few people who have WICKED allergies, asthma or both, and they are able to train and run just fine (once they figured out how to manage them). It comes down to being determined enough to work through it and patient enough to find what works.

Good luck.

guacamole17

We definately have similar goals and I also have ashtma and allergies. I get allergy shots, take the standard allergy/asthma meds. Ive found the longer I can job (right now working on distance over speed) and the more weight I lose, the less my asthma affects my jogging.

Though, I've not seen improvement in my day-to-day inhaler needs much. We'll see in a few weeks at my regular 6 month appointment!

Unknown

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emily356

I totally feel you!! I have SEVERE allergies. I take Zyrtec every day of my life. Plus various steroid nasal sprays and herbal supplements. I started having exercise induced asthma recently, and can't exercise at all outside. Ragweed is coming any day now, and I usually get so bad, I have to take Sudafed 12 hour every day and still stay really sick. I seem to have passed this on to my daughter as well.:( Breaks my heart. Anyway, when we can afford it, I am starting shots again, and will take them as long as it takes!!! No advice from me. I live in south AL and it is just torture. If all of our family wasn't here, I would move out West to a drier climate. The humidity and being below the frost line just makes it intolerable.

josery1630

I have both asthma and seasonal allergies, but my son has them worse. When he went to the doctor in March, we were told that he needed to take a citirizine (Zyrtec) in the evening and in the morning. Since that makes him tired, the doctor told him he could take two loratadine (Claritin) in the morning instead, so Zyrtec is a much stronger pill than Claritin. We always get the generic.

The nose spray should be prescription.

I just slow down on the hills and push through it the best I can. This time of year is absolutely miserable for me too.

Marll

I was told that I have allergies to dust, pollen, some grasses, cats, perfumes, etc. I was on nasal sprays for a long time, claritin or zyrtec. I don't take any of that any more at all and have been doing great. After switching to a low carb/Paleo diet all of the symptoms of my allergies are either greatly reduced or gone and that has enabled me to stop taking medications both perscription and OTC.

26andholding

I have SEVERE year-long allergies. I do go get 3 shots weekly - and I am so bad that the allergy program to get me to being a normal person will take 6-7 YEARS of shots. :-(
I take an allergy pill nightly, as well as use nasal sprays. I had sinus surgery and that helped a little.
I still can't workout outside - I can't even work in the yard without being itchy, with a horrendous sinus headache.
I started a low-carb, low-sugar diet, and my allergies have been SO much better. (Not great, but there is a definite difference. My allergist said many people are more sensitive to carbs and sugars, and those sensitivities can worsen allergy symptoms. Yay.)
Keep on keepin' on. It is hard, but find a workout that fits your body and lifestyle. If you can workout outside, take a shower immediately when you come in. Also, I have an air purifier in the bedroom - it seems to help.
Good luck getting and staying healthy!

RegalSeagull

I used to have seasonal allergies. Ever since I changed my diet they are almost completely gone! It's pretty awesome.

emily356

Interesting on the Paleo imput. I have considered doing it for awhile just to see if I have an improvement with my allergies. I am going out of the country in 6 weeks and may try it when I get back.

chickentunashake

I have asthma and allergies, taking maintaince medication and rescue inhaler. I'm working out hard on daily basis, and if I do a hard cardio, I have to take my inhaler before I start. And it works. Sometimes my asthma is better sometimes worse, but I have a huge determination and I always complete my workouts. I did not even consult my doctor, because I'm sure they would not like some of these workouts I do, and I found that doesn't matter what they say, i can do it

Marll

Interesting on the Paleo imput. I have considered doing it for awhile just to see if I have an improvement with my allergies. I am going out of the country in 6 weeks and may try it when I get back.

It's made a huge improvement for a few people I know, myself included.

My wife no longer has aches and pains that turned out to be a recently diagnosed wheat allergy

A friend of mine had constant horrible acne that has been more or less stopped by going paleo

Another friend would get literally 12-15 sinus infections a year and was in near constant pain, this year after going paleo he's had 4. He also had asthma that's basically gone and seasonal allergies that were basically bad enough to incapacitate him in the spring and summer, that were barely noticeable this year.

emily356

Interesting!!!

econut2000

I'm a life long asthma and allergy sufferer too and see all those racing bibs <--- got them from 5ks, 10milers and a half marathon! Other than the half marathon (which happened to be at the beginning of October AND the worst time for my allergies - I ran 13.2miles with bronchitis!) I managed 9-9:30min/mile pace. I started running by working up from a quarter of the track and then took to the road. You can do it! It may take a little longer than someone without allergies or asthma, but you got this!

edit: I no longer am able to run (unrelated to the asthma/allergies) but when I could run, I would use my rescue inhaler a few minutes before a run and just run indoors or at a slower pace or less mileage on those high pollen days

monicalosesweight

I'm on Zyrtec and it really helps. I also have a wheat allergy and have gone gluten free. The first thing I noticed was how my nasal allergies seem to have vanished. I'm not constantly congested. You wouldn't happen to know if you're allergic to wheat would you? If yes, I would stop the wheat for a few weeks and see how your body reacts. It took two weeks for me but my headaches, breathing issues, and skin rashes have reduced to barely anything. I take the Zyrtec for environmental allergies. I also take Zantac for acid reflux as the doctors once told me it has a weird side affect of reducing allergic reactions like skin rashes. They don't know why - just that it does it. I've used it that way and did notice it's affect.

Good luck with your running.

mmackiewicz9

I have had great luck with allegra. I am not a great runner by any means, but I managed a 4.5 mile run tonight. The ragweed is terrible where I am, but I get some relief without drowsiness from allegra. I have asthma as well and I read some great articles about building lung capacity. I don't remember where I found them, but I'm sure you could google it. Also, one of my spin instructors has us count out loud during jumps and that seems to really help build capacity.

inkedlady88

I'm struggling bad right now. My allergies are so out of whack at the moment they have evolved into a sinus infection that is draining into my chest. I've had horrible laryngitis since Thursday. I went to the Take Care Clinic at the Walgreens near by and the nurse practitioner wrote me an RX for a Z-Pak, told me to continue taking my Allegra and Mucinex and to either switch my Mucinex to the one with sudafed in it or just add sedafed to what I had already been taking. I tried running for the first time since Thursday at the gym tonight and was only able to crank out 25 minutes of my usual 40 at 6.7mph. I couldn't stop coughing & my lungs were just becoming too sore. :sick: