Asthma and Running !

Hi - I'm new but browing the topics before any introductions... hope you don't mind if I chime in.

I've suffered from exercised-induced asthma since college, when I was a VERY active runner (25 miles/week) Now (at 49) I don't run much but I cycle a great deal and always carry a rescue inhaler with me... but haven't had to use it for a few years.

3 years ago I finally broke down and saw an allergist, not just my family doctor. I have bad seasonal allergies, bad when I was younger but worse in later years and horrible when we moved here to South-Central Pennsylvania 12 years ago. The allergist started me on a immunontherapy program so I have been receiving allergy shots for almost three years. My allergic symptoms have subsided somewhat, not all the way, but the exercise-ninduced asthma attacks have disappeared completely.

I would say see an allergy specialist who can treat your asthma. And if you don't have one, get an albuterol or similar inhaler prescribed ASAP, and have it with you during exercise. For me, if I took 2 puffs before I started the exercise I could usually complete the day's workout without problems. But, like I said, now I don't need to use it at all.

Asthma attacks are no joke... they can kill. Seek treatment from a specialist.

I hit my inhaler before starting, and then just keep it nearby in case I need it. I would check with your doctor too. In the beginning I had a hard time running distance with it even with the inhaler, but over time I have been able to build up to running miles and being fine.

I have exercise-induced asthma and I run. I would try using your inhaler before you run and keep your inhaler on you as you run. I found that my asthma symptoms have actually subsided the more fit I got. My advice would be to listen to your body, use your inhaler if you need it, stop running if you have to.

I know people can run marathons suffering from Asthma, hoping to hear from other sufferers that know what I mean, should I use my inhaler before I start and during to keep going ???

Any tips fellow sufferers !

Side note-my doctor recommended I use my inhaler 15 min before every run. I tried this a few times and it made my stomach hurt something terrible. And made my breathing worse weirdly enough, so for sure check with your doctor and see what works for you.

Yes me! So here is what works for me:

1) Take your daily meds
2) Nebulizer before and after if you have one.
3) Bring your inhalor just in case
4) Don't eat before you run
5) C25K DO IT! It really taught me how to run and in a way that wasn't making me die for air
6) Don't run in the heat either early am or late night or at a gym

Add me if you want I'll try and help you if I can! Either way good luck and enjoy. Running is my new addiction

I also have asthma, and when I first started running I had a really hard time breathing at the begining of a run. I also cycle a lot and even teach spin class so i didn't feel it was a fitness issue, but rather a breathing issue. What I found was that I had to find my rhythm, which is different than it is for riding and for me that meant starting off slowly. When I start a run I jog for about 4-5 minutes and then slowly increase my speed until I'm where I want to be. It's easier on a treadmill at first because you can set paces. I do 1/2 mile at 5.0, then add 0.2 every quarter mile until I'm up to 6.5 or so. BTW the first 1/2 mile is still tough for me, but I know it will settle, so I'm able to oush past it, but my asthma is not very severe. Good luck!

I've had asthma my whole life, severe when I was a child but pretty mild these day comparatively. I have take Singular as a controller medication for several years now and rarely need my rescue inhaler. I started doing Zumba about a year ago now, when I started I took my inhaler before every class. Now I can get thru and entire hour without it. I have no desire to run but do also ride my bike with no problems. I would approach it the same way though take your inhaler before you go for a run and build up your stamina with something like couch to 5K. Run a few minutes walk a few type thing. I sure before for long you will notice a difference. Good Luck !!!

I used to be a long distance running and did cross-country, but then developed asthma and had to give up. I've started running again over the last year or so and in the beginning was the same as you are now. However, I can now run for about half an hour without any problem (still not as long as I would like, but gradually building up).

My advice would be much the same as everyone else's, particularly about really focussing on your breathing. For me, breathing in-in, out-out (with each breath coinciding with a foot touching the floor) really works. The minute I stop focussing on that pattern, no matter how far into my run I am, I'll have an asthma attack.

I'd also say make sure you take your preventative inhaler every day without fail, not just when you feel you need it. I had a massive improvement in my ability to run when I started taking that more seriously.

I find I struggle more if I've had a drink of anything fizzy or eaten anything dairy beforehand, but that may just be me - fizz sets me off at random times because I don't really drink anything fizzy usually, and I'm dairy intolerant so it may have something to do with that rather than asthma itself.

Finally, interval training might be a good place to start, e.g. one minute of running, two minutes of walking, one minute of running, two minutes of walking...
If you do that until and gradually increase the time spent running and/or decrease the walking time or change it to jogging you'll soon be able to run further and for longer periods.

I think lungs are a bit like other muscles - the more you challenge them (without pushing them too far) the more they improve.

All the best with it! I hope it works out for you.

I don't even need to bring my inhaler with me.

I don't want to sound like some interferring old busy-body, but this really worried me.
PLEASE don't run (or do anything, actually) without having an inhaler!
I've had periods of years without needing inhalers and then, suddenly, *BAM* - full blown asthma attack, out of nowhere, no warning. If it hadn't been drummed into me from a young age that I MUST, at all times, have an inhaler with me - whether I think I need it or not - I'd be dead now. Personally, I think it's a risk not worth taking for the sake of a little bit of nuisance carrying an inhaler around everywhere I go.

Natalie x

I agree with those stating that you can overcome asthma with improved health. If it's serious, always have your inhaler with you, but start out slow. If you feel yourself getting short on breath, slow it down and wait for your breathing to regulate before continuing on. I've gone from needing a puff every time I exerted myself in any way to being able to have, albeit short, conversations while jogging with a friend. Speed and endurance will come with practice, but first, learn to breathe. Good luck to you!

Wow thank you everyone for such a great response.

I have tried my doctor but all he tells me is im a sensitive person because I have Asthma, hay-fever, Eczema and high-blood pressure which all run in the family, he says stay clear of running and just do what you can that does not bring it on (he is an *kitten*)

Don't like this response especially now so many of you do run, going to take it slow and follow your advices.

The best thing I did for my asthma is learn to run. I'm actually off my daily meds now because of it (do have to start back up if I get a cold though).

I've had asthma since childhood. I never ran, they had me sit out gym class. I was a mess. I was told my whole life I couldn't run. Come 2010 I decided I wasn't going to accept that anymore. I started c25k, couldn't run 3 minutes at a time. Over months I built up to 12 mins running, but then I started getting sick (strep throat 3 times in 2 months). So I put running on hold.

Eventually I tried again and it worked, but I stopped with intervals and just gradually built time onto my running. So one week I ran 15 mins 3 days, finished off the half hour with walking, the next week it was 20and I built from there. This actually worked better for me. Once I was running 5k in 40 mins I started a 5k plan (this was 2012).

Since then I've run 2 half marathons. And I go on 15 mile long runs that take 2 1/2 hours.

I've done this gradually. My advice:

1. Know your triggers (colds and allergies for me)
2. Take your fast acting inhaler 15 mins before start
3. If you are on a maintenance drug, take it religously!
4. Measure your peakflow every day (I can predict attacks based on this, I know when not to run)
5. If you start to get sick, rest (I ended up with pneumonia and was out for 4 weeks during hm training due to this)
6. Most important - run slow! Slower than you think you need to, basically a shuffle. I started between 13-15 min miles now I'm down to 8 for short distances 9:45 to 10 for long
7. Do a gradual program like c25k.
8. Consider finding a pulmonaligst that supports your goals.

Good luck!

I hit my inhaler before starting, and then just keep it nearby in case I need it. I would check with your doctor too. In the beginning I had a hard time running distance with it even with the inhaler, but over time I have been able to build up to running miles and being fine.

The above is the same for me. I also remember to take an allergy med before since its allergies COMBINED with the exertion that set mine off. Since your doc is obviously not "for" your exercise improvement (the oddest advice from a doctor I've ever heard!!), build gradually - you may have to start walking then walking/jogging intervals to get where you want to be. As my doc put it "don't be afraid to try anything, but be willing to modify everything until you can get it."

I had an inhaler as a kid, and I used to be AWFUL at running.

I do think C25K offers a really good approach. Walk a lot, run a little, work your way up to walk a little, run a little, and work your way up to walk a little, run a lot. Last week I ran for almost three miles straight, which I never thought I'd be able to do, I always struggled to complete just one mile. Repeat weeks if you need to.

I have asthma and it's always recommend to take your inhaler before running. Running has made my asthma sooooo much better, I no longer need my inhaler before running or at any other time.

I don't know what prescription you have but it usually says do not take more than 1 dose in 4 hours. I mean if you are having an asthma attack on your run that would be fine but every time you get breathless you have to realize it's not always the asthma. Running is hard and new on your lungs if you haven't run much before.

Start with smaller distances and build up!

I also have exercise-induced asthma but only suffer from it when running. So I just mostly stick to walking and other cardio exercises.