Any advice on how to do cardio with bad asthma?

beautyisnotashape

I've got asthma/reactive airway disease and since that flared up I've just fallen totally out of shape cardio wise. I can barely walk briskly without weezing to the point where it scares me how much I can't catch my breath -- how do I exercise through this? I have an inhaler but do I use that and then continue running/cycling/etc.? Ugh. Help! It's awful! I actually enjoy running -- I just can't do it

Showmm

How are you with swimming? When I had asthma as a kid, swimming was the one thing I could really go hard at and never start wheezing. The moist air helps.

beautyisnotashape

How are you with swimming? When I had asthma as a kid, swimming was the one thing I could really go hard at and never start wheezing. The moist air helps.

I've been thinking of doing that if it's my last resort -- I just hate it, truthfully. It can be calming and refreshing and lovely, but I hate the pool at my gym >.< I also just hate indoor pools; the smell of chlorine is way over powering.

dillydally123

Ďo you take your preventative inhaler? If you're using that regularly should limit the need for the other one. But I do sometimes still get wheezy I just take the inhaler and keep running.

TrailRunner61

I'd see a Dr. first! Asthma is nothing to mess around with. We just lost a little 8 year old girl to it here, yesterday. Anyway, see a Dr., if it's that bad, it is NOT controlled.
If you do get the ok to run, what works for me is to use my inhaler and make sure I wash my face before I run, since dust and pollen bothers me a lot.
Good luck!

redbreastedsapsucker

Hello, my son has asthma and what works best for him is swimming. He's only 11 yrs old, but a State Champion. I was a little sceptic at first, but it has worked wonders for him. His coaches really recommended it to me, and I feel great that it has not postponed his work outs!

EmilyJackCO

It took me a long time to overcome my asthma and get better at doing cardio - but I still have trouble after 4 years. I started out walking on the treadmill at 3mph for 6 months, 20 minutes, then 30, then 45 - and then went up to 3.5mph in there for half 10, 20 minutes at a time, or until I was wheezy, and I kept going up and up. It took me 3 years to get to 4mph, and for about a year, I did that for an hour 3x a week. It's not easy, but you can do this - and as you do, your asthma will improve all around!

I actually just started stationary bike, which is guaranteed to give me an asthma attack ever time. And it has been one of the toughest things I've ever done... I have my inhaler with me, but I'm careful not to use it unless I have to. In just 3 weeks, though, I'm already at 1/2 an hour at 20mph - and though I do get winded, I don't need to use an inhaler.

Are you taking any corticosteroids to deal with it? I am on Advair but only take it once a day, not twice. I'm hoping to be able to go off of it - but mine is aggravated by stress as well, so that's not going very well. It's also pretty doggone expensive. I have actually gone from the highest dosage to the lowest half dosage with the work that I've been able to do. It's a long process, but you will get there.

Just go slow and keep plugging away - slow down if you have to, but don't stop... you will get better, I promise. I have never worked out in my whole life because of my asthma until 4 years ago. I'm now working out for 90-120 minutes 4x a week, and lifting more and more every week. That will become easier too when you get your lung capacity going. I hope this helps a little bit.

2hobbit1

I've got asthma/reactive airway disease and since that flared up I've just fallen totally out of shape cardio wise. I can barely walk briskly without weezing to the point where it scares me how much I can't catch my breath -- how do I exercise through this? I have an inhaler but do I use that and then continue running/cycling/etc.? Ugh. Help! It's awful! I actually enjoy running -- I just can't do it

If daily walking is causing this much trouble then you asthma is not under good control! You need to talk with your Doc about what meds you are on now - if you are using them properly and if you are then you need to change up your meds to get better control.

There are preventative inhalers like advair that are used 2x a day to keep your airways open - but they are not a rescue inhaler you use for an attack.
You would use a rescue puffer like Ventolin when you get an attack. This type can also be used about 20 minutes before you exercise to help prevent exercise induce problems.

There are leukotriene inhibitors like singular that help to block the out of control allergic reaction that helps trigger asthma attacks. Also there are steroid inhalers that help break the inflammation cycle.

You may need a combination of meds to get your asthma under control.

If you are not seeing an asthma/allergy specialist then you need to do so. It will make a huge difference in how you feel and how active you can safely be. You do not have to give up cardio - you need help to manage you asthma better so you can do the cadio you love!

Wickedone1973

For exercise induced asthma it is recommended to use your rescue inhaler, i.e. albuteral, 20 minutes before exercising. I also believe that you should see an asthma specialist. It sounds as though you are not well controlled. It could be from incorrect maintenance medicine or you not using it as prescribed.

tiffanycsmith

I agree with everyone else who's posted above. As a fellow asthmatic I feel your pain. My asthma is not exercise-induced but is exacerbated by stress, weather, etc. A few months ago I went to the doctor and had to have my daily preventative medicine changed and dosage increased. You might want to go to the doctor and get a spirometer test because your asthma is most likely not well-controlled and to get your doctor's advice on exercises you can do that won't send you to the hospital. I hope it all works out for you and your asthma!

laurynwithawhy

I second most of the above posts. Humidity and cold really aggravate my asthma, so I avoid running outdoors in the winter, and I actually have to avoid indoor swimming too (usually the pool rooms are really humid). I use my inhaler (1 puff) before I start exercising, and then as needed throughout my workout. If I sense my chest tightening I try to ease back some. Also, you can try walking on a treadmill at an incline, which burns a ton of calories but doesn't tend to get me very out of breath, or lift weights!

kokaneesailor

Lie Strong pretty much covers it. I still have a ventilator within reach though.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/22926-build-cardio-stamina-asthma/

Good luck and don't get discouraged!

JetWan

2hobbit1 is correct, you really should see a doctor. I have pretty bad asthma, laughing would send me into an attack. The only medications that have worked for me are Advair and Dulera. I prefer Advair.

ijavagypsy

I've got asthma/reactive airway disease and since that flared up I've just fallen totally out of shape cardio wise. I can barely walk briskly without weezing to the point where it scares me how much I can't catch my breath -- how do I exercise through this? I have an inhaler but do I use that and then continue running/cycling/etc.? Ugh. Help! It's awful! I actually enjoy running -- I just can't do it

I do what I can. I tend to concur w/the above posters.

Treker6

You should go to a pulmonologist. See about getting on a daily med like pulmicort. I use that and I take my inhaler when working out if I need it. It is better to have it totally under control especially when you work out.

SinomenJen

I have asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, (COPD) and when I first started I couldnt manage 15 minutes walking on the treadmill, I had to learn to build up endurance, use my inhaler prior to working out, and learn how to breathe differently, as well as learn how not to fear being short f breathe and learn what was the cut off point, you CAN do this, see your doctor and if they do not help see a pulmonary dr. Good Luck!

alifer

You should go to a pulmonologist. See about getting on a daily med like pulmicort. I use that and I take my inhaler when working out if I need it. It is better to have it totally under control especially when you work out.

^^ This

Both my kids have bad asthma. While exercise can be a good thing for asthmatics it needs to be controlled.

As far as swimming, I would be cautious if you are going to be swimming indoors, chlorine can trigger an attack.

passmetheducksauce

do you use both albuterol/atrovent(combivent) or just ventolin(albuterol alone) because the combivent is actually a better bronchodilator but check with your doctor because there are so much meds and options for certain individuals since i don't know your condition too well. i'm no doctor, just a soon to be respiratory therapist! I suggest taking your inhaler 30 minutes prior to exercise(that is, if you aren't doing it already) and use a holding chamber(spacer) to better distribute the meds down the airways.

Sweet_Innocence2011

I would go see the dr and get a breathing test done to see how controlled it is. If it is not good you might need to be put on a prevent inhaler. But be sure if you have allergies your Dr know since some of the inhalers can cause severe allergic reaction. Like I can't have combivent because of a peanut allergy. Also start it slow. I use to do the walk away the pounds dvd and would start to get wheezing but eventually my body adjusted to it and the weight didn't help with my asthma either.

I would really go to the dr first and ask for suggestions

Wickedone1973

Pleast see an Immunologist not a pulmonologist

piinchi

Talk to your doctor about what you're experiencing. They'll refer you to the appropriate specialist based on your specific symptoms. I have exercised-induced asthma (so great) and it can be triggered by anything - cold dry air, warm moist air, whatever. I begin wheezing and "whistling" when I breathe. It doesn't happen very often but the randomness can be scary; I keep an inhaler wherever I go just in case. My doctor is aware of it and we have it under control - I'm training for a triathlon though so it doesn't hold me back! Just having a treatment plan will help you with that confidence as well and make your workouts better!

In the meanwhile, can you do resistance or weight-training? It will help keep your muscles moving and strengthening without the cardio. Good luck!

fresh_start59

I've got asthma/reactive airway disease and since that flared up I've just fallen totally out of shape cardio wise. I can barely walk briskly without weezing to the point where it scares me how much I can't catch my breath -- how do I exercise through this? I have an inhaler but do I use that and then continue running/cycling/etc.? Ugh. Help! It's awful! I actually enjoy running -- I just can't do it

You need to talk to your doctor about this and work together to find something that works for you.

I have exercise induced asthma but had no idea for years. I just thought I was out of shape and every time I tried to get in shape, I'd have trouble catching my breath and go into nasty coughing fits. When asthma was finally diagnosed and I was prescribed an inhaler (albuterol) I learned that the "cure" caused my heart to pound and gave me a bad case of the jitters, which triggered my panic attacks, which in turn led to hyperventilation and feeling like I was having an asthma attack.

It was a vicious cycle. Long story short ... I just stopped exerting myself and over the years I became VERY, VERY out of shape.

Recently, my doctor and I agreed that I need to exercise to avoid an early death. I explained my issues, my fear of exercise and my fear of panic-inducing inhalers. I was prescribed a different type of inhaler (Flovent, a corticosteroid) and, so far, it seems to do the trick.

Donjoe2448

I have been dealing with the same issues. I have had asthma since I was a small child. I used to be on Advair as a kid but once I left home all of that sort of fell to the wayside so to speak. I am in the process of looking for a new doctor, as I feel my current one doesn't do enough to help me out. The only time it is addressed is when I get bronchitis, then he puts me on high doses of Prednisone to combat the inflammation and tells me to take my albuterol as needed. I feel I need something more to be done!! I get so winded doing every little thing and I know that part of it is because I am overweight and out of shape but it is hard to do anything about it when I feel like I am dying whenever I try!!

jen81uk

I don't really know a lot about this if i'm honest but my friend runs (and wins) marathons and has bad asthma, consult your doctor cos she seems to control hers really well xx

AngNY

Hey!

I've had asthma all my life and it was only till last year (24 yrs old) I realized I was not taking care of myself correctly.

I would only use my rescue inhaler and nothing else. I couldn't lay with my pets, exercise, walk up a hill without getting a wheeze. My life was absolutely terrible. I would even get it during sex! So embarrassing.

Finally I went to a doctor and she prescribed me a preventive medicine. First it was Advair but that actually made me worse. I felt like I was having a heart attack. Then she prescribed me Flovent and since then my quality of life is beyond happy.

I have not gotten asthma since taking it. I can lay with my pets, run, jump, flip, and I feel like I can fly! lol

There are many preventive meds out there so you will have to choose whats best for you. I inhale mine twice a day and my life is so much better.

Please see a doctor! She can figure out what's causing it. Mine was obvious... Too many pets! lol But I'd rather scarf down whatever meds just to care for my babies oh and exercise of course!

AngNY

I have been dealing with the same issues. I have had asthma since I was a small child. I used to be on Advair as a kid but once I left home all of that sort of fell to the wayside so to speak. I am in the process of looking for a new doctor, as I feel my current one doesn't do enough to help me out. The only time it is addressed is when I get bronchitis, then he puts me on high doses of Prednisone to combat the inflammation and tells me to take my albuterol as needed. I feel I need something more to be done!! I get so winded doing every little thing and I know that part of it is because I am overweight and out of shape but it is hard to do anything about it when I feel like I am dying whenever I try!!

Have you tried Flovent?

dmpizza

See a DR.,

About 20 years ago, I was having troubles similar.

Allergy shots changed my life.

tif83

I have severe asthma too. Being out of shape only makes it worse. I generally always take my inhaler before hitting the gym and i haven't been having any problems, even on days when I was flaring up some. If your asthma isn't controlled you should def go back and see your Dr. I started out slowly (slower than I wanted) but focused on distance and endurance over how fast I was walking. That helped, and i've been able to start walking faster w/o having an asthma attack. During days w/ my personal trainer I tend to get more out of breath, but i know when i'm getting too close to an attack and just tell her and take a min to catch my breath. You know your body better than anyone else and you just have to find a way to work with it. Again, if it's too bad, go see a dr. I know people say you shouldn't need the rescue inhaler if you're under control, but personally I take mine about every day, plus in preparation for a workout. I take all my meds and I see my Dr regularly. It's just what it is for me personally. Find your own control zone and learn your triggers and pay attn to your body. Good luck!

sunsnstatheart

I agree with the above posters who say see your doctor first. Talk to your doctor about a preventative inhaler and get it under control. Start walking and build from there. Accept that you have to build slowly but keep at it. You can do it, lots of us have. I find that the more I run the fewer attacks and general issues I have as it helps to build up lung capacity.

evbmx709

I am 18 and have been racing BMX for 11 years and i have asthma. I use my inhaler before a race, but still struggle sometimes depending on weather. My doctor put me on a daily inhaled steroid, but it didn't help.

You HAVE to see your doctor! If you dont think he is helping you maybe try to ask around and find a doctor that is known for being good with asthma. Different doctors have different opinions and always tell me different things.

Try workouts that get your heart rate up, but don't last for very long.
If the air is cold I catch my breath by pulling my shirt up over my mouth.

AlmightyAce

In for replies. I too have bad asthma. I'm now on Dulera and it helps but I still have trouble breathing in the evenings.