asthma and exercise

Coppertop1220

I have activity induced asthma and also recently found out that I have several allergies that trigger my asthma. I keep trying to start working out and I get about a week in and my asthma flares up to the point where I can't do anything. It's very annoying. I didn't know if anyone had some advice on exercises I could possibly do to continue to lose weight without doing full blown cardio. I was doing Jillian Michaels videos......it's frustrating to exercise for a week and then have to stop due to the asthma especially because I want to lose about 50 pounds and as much of that as possible before summer.....anyone out there struggle with this??

Rose_bee

I have severe asthma, with environmental allergies (cigarette smoke, car exhaust, paint fumes, cleaners & various chemicals), along with exercise-induced asthma.

To get the exercise induced asthma under control, I had to go on Singulair. 2 puffs of albuterol before exercise wasn't enough for me.

But the Singulair is a miracle worker for me!

Day-to-day asthma control: Advair 250/50
Day-to-Day control if allergy or other issues are flaring asthma up: Advair 500/50
At least 1 hour before exercise: Singular
20 minutes before exercise: albuterol

Then I can do cardio without an asthma attack in the middle.

Good luck! Feel free to friend me or message me if you want to talk more.


ETA: For asthma control without meds (my asthma's WAY too bad for that), go gentle on the cardio. i.e. Try to keep your heart rate at 40-60% of maximum. 75% or above is more likely to trigger your asthma.

Lialena

Swimming (laps, and in-place, not racing) is my fav. way to workout, it's never triggered an attack and I can do it for hours if I want to without issue. Other workouts that don't increase breathing have also been fine, such as using resistance bands, light weight lifting (haven't tried heavy), and beginners yoga.

I haven't done it in a while, but I use to be able to speed walk without issue, but running and jogging caused attacks.

sPaRkLiNgLYFE

i've been having the same problem with my bronchitis, i just use my inhaler and keep it moving :happy:

LilRedRooster

I don't know what your options are for controller medications, but when I was battling severe asthma as a teenager (thankfully, my asthma has improved as an adult, apparently thanks to pregnancy, ironically enough), I had to be on Advair, Singulair, and then Albuterol for emergencies. The steroids in Advair really helped with the inflammation, and the Singulair did WONDERS for my allergies. The two combined were amazing.

Actually, I would still be on those meds to help (and should, really, because taking Primatene tablets instead is not a great way to long-term manage it), but I don't have insurance, and those meds are pretty expensive without it. If you are in the same boat, you can focus on exercises in controlled places, like gyms, to avoid outdoor allergens, and take things like Claritin or Benedryl to reduce the histamine response to allergens. Weight training, because it doesn't tend to raise your heart rate, and doing lower-impact cardio, like walking or controlled elliptical time, can help, because putting stress on your lungs without raising your heart rate too high too quickly can actually help strengthen them long-term and make them more resilient to attacks later on.

Coppertop1220

I'm on all kinds of medication for this until the doctor feels comfortable enough taking me off some. I'm on Singulair, albuterol (emergencies), dulera, and zyrtec. I got off singulair and a lower dose of dulera and i started getting chest tightness again so I'm back on everything again. It's hard for me to avoid what I'm allergic to because I'm allergic to trees, grasses, molds, dustmites, pet dander, etc. So whether I exercise inside or out I'm exposed to allergens of some type. Really frustrating. I've also only been aware of this for 4-5 months so maybe it will take longer than I want for my body to get used to everything and for the allergy shots to kick in. I had considered trying to walk some of the weight off once it becomes nice outside again. Does walking off the weight really work though??

Mr_Excitement

Do you currently use an inhaler? I needed one for a long time when first trying to get back into shape. I have asthma as well.

Eventually my asthma pretty much disappeared. I don't know if it's because my lung capacity has increased or what, but it's pretty much history now.

At the risk of sounding like a drug commercial, you might ask your allergy doctor about Dulera. It's got some potential side effects, but it was by far the best inhaler I ever used. It's more preventive than responsive, if that makes any sense. You use it and you don't seem to get the symptoms at all for several days, rather than using it once you're already experiencing symptoms.

As for exercise, I'd really recommend strength training. It's not going to require a lot of heavy breathing, and the slight amounts of muscle you put on will help you metabolize more fat.

Weight loss is really accomplished in the kitchen, however-- so if you have a good diet of healthy foods in the right proportions, you could lose weight without exercising at all.

*edit*-- just saw your inhaler list there. Doesn't the allergy shot process take up to two years to get going?

sdbart

I have exercise induced asthma as well as allergy induced. I always take my inhaler right before I work out. I started slowly and then pushed myself over time to make my lungs stronger. With asthma, you also have to make yourself work through some of the hard points so you can actually do stuff. When I was at my peak I could do a 5K in 35min. I was 29-30yrs old. Right now I am able to do an hour of Zumba with no problem.... as long as I take my Albuterol right before I work out. Good luck and don't let a little thing like exercise induced asthma stop you. You are stronger than you think and can handle more that you think!!!!

Another thing to look into is trying to get off of wheat, soy, and gluten. That could help your asthma. I know it has helped my sister with hers because she found that some of her more severe asthma attacks were also related to gluten and soy....

lilred806

I grew up with asthma but it was not severe. Over time I learned that exercise was actually a big part of me learning about my asthma and i really think swimming helped. I have had issues with my son being sick (asthma) regularly and keeping me from the gym. When he is sick he is very clingy and I have little time to exercise if at all. As the weather changes I will walk when I can. Every calorie I can burn is helpful. I changed the way I think about my exercise and nutrition. I work hard the weeks that I can work hard and the weeks that I have roadblocks I just make sure to concentrate on my calories and nutrition. There are also people who have had severe asthma and been pro athletes. Work with your doctors to get it under control. The lady on 100 days of real food blog said eating "real foods" helped reduce her daughters asthma symptoms. So changing your eating might help your asthma. Good luck I know how frustrating it can be to have to stop doing something because your body decides you have to stop and your mind wants to keep going.

Coppertop1220

I know that the shots can last for 3-5 years. I'm still in the build up phase and have I think 7 more shots until I've completed the build up phase. (I tried replying to the post but it ended up posting a new reply to the whole thread....still kinda new at this)

I'm just frustrated because it seems like each time I feel good and like I can work out with no problem then something triggers the asthma and my chest will be tight or I'll be continuously coughing until I get some steroids to fight it off. I just got 2 more rounds of steroids and I'm hoping that soon I"ll be able to at least walk some everyday.

thanks for all of the suggestions everyone....and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one dealing with this....

kmc979

I am a severe asthmatic (you name it and it's a trigger) and a respiratory therapist so i can give you sorts of advice. asthma is never a reason to not work out, in fact, not exercising is the worst thing you can do. you need to find an exercise you can do that doesn't trigger you, like walking. start slow but push yourself. the most important thing, and i tell all my patients this, is to REALLY learn your body and learn the difference between an asthma attack and just simply being out of breath. it's not as easy as it sounds. when you are huffing and puffing and can't breath we are all trained to reach for that albuterol and make it better. but i ask you to simply stop, sit down if you have to and catch your breath. give it a minute, see if your breathing improves. if it does, great. if it doesn't, take your inhaler. i can almost promise you that you don't actually need your inhaler as much as you think you do. and when you learn this you will be able to push yourself harder knowing that you are just simply short of breath like everyone else who exercises. it really does actually make me feel better knowing that i am short of breath because i'm fat and not because of my asthma. i can fix being fat, i can't make asthma go away. walking is great exercise, this one summer i dropped 30 pounds just by walking a few miles a day (only to blow my knee out and gain all the weight back). I started out slow, inhaler in hand, just in case. i slowly started walking faster and faster and longer. never once did i need my inhaler because i listened to my body. as you lose weight your breathing will improve but your asthma will not go away, but your symtoms could improve. if you want to be my friend on here i will be more than happy to give you guidance. it sucks having severe asthma and being overweight