Any advice on how to do cardio with bad asthma?

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beautyisnotashape
beautyisnotashape Posts: 15 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
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 :(
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  • Showmm
    Showmm Posts: 406 Member
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    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
    beautyisnotashape Posts: 15 Member
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    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
    dillydally123 Posts: 139 Member
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    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
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
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    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
    redbreastedsapsucker Posts: 42 Member
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    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
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
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    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
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
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    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
    Wickedone1973 Posts: 43
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    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
    tiffanycsmith Posts: 12 Member
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    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
    laurynwithawhy Posts: 385 Member
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    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
    kokaneesailor Posts: 337 Member
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    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!:wink:
  • JetWan
    JetWan Posts: 204 Member
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    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
    ijavagypsy Posts: 109
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    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
    Treker6 Posts: 8 Member
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    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
    SinomenJen Posts: 262 Member
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    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
    alifer Posts: 387 Member
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    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
    passmetheducksauce Posts: 211 Member
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    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
    Sweet_Innocence2011 Posts: 21 Member
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    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
    Wickedone1973 Posts: 43
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    Pleast see an Immunologist not a pulmonologist
  • piinchi
    piinchi Posts: 172 Member
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    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!

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