My lungs suck...

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

Well, maybe that's the problem. They really don't....

I'm having trouble finding a steady state cardio that works for both my heart rate and my lungs.

At the moment, I am finding that during cardio (incline walking, 2% @ 5.5-6 kmph), although my heart rate stays fairly low (walking it can get up to about 135bpm), it completely wrecks my lungs.

Running is completely out of the question at the moment as I recently had an asthma flare up (caused by running....) and frankly, my lungs feel bruised.

Does anyone have any ideas of steady state cardio that I can do which will raise my heart rate a bit more, but not leave me completely unable to breathe? (cycling doesn't work)

Additional info:

I'm asthmatic, and was diagnosed when I was around 7. It's always been fairly mild and easy to control, but I get flare ups during allergy season. All fairly routine.

I find it easier to manage when I am at a "good" point of cardiovascular fitness - but the trouble is getting to that point!

My "standard" workouts are usually weights based.

mgalovic01 · November 2016

Swimming is good. Dancing or aerobics are too. You could try an altitude mask or an O2 trainer to help strengthen your respiratory system.

Helloitsdan · November 2016

Balloon therapy?

rileysowner · November 2016

No specific suggestions, but things should improve over time even with what you are doing. Keep at it doing as well as you can.

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

@mgalovic01 , sadly no local pool where I'm living otherwise swimming would be my go to!!

@Helloitsdan an, balloon therapy? I've never heard of this, what is it?

@rileysowner thanks

@MeganAM89 I have a powder inhaler that has been fantastic, the brown steroid inhaler really didn't work for me - for some reason it made me sick

Cycling is fine for breathing for me, but does aboslutely nothing for my heart rate!

I always breathe in through my nose and out of my mouth, having been told it for many years now it's kind of inground!

Thanks all, I guess it's just a "wait til the inflammation goes down" sort of exercise here.

Joanna2012B · November 2016

I am asthmatic and use Symbicourt twice daily. I started running a year and a half ago and have found that my lung function has improved since doing so. I am surprised that you cannot raise your heart rate cycling! I am able to increase my heart rate on a stationary bike and my road bike.

novasunflower · November 2016

Walking is great cardio! Just go at a nice brisk pace, like you're running late for something important!

Helloitsdan · November 2016

Squidgeypaws007 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

@mgalovic01 , sadly no local pool where I'm living otherwise swimming would be my go to!!

@Helloitsdan an, balloon therapy? I've never heard of this, what is it?

@rileysowner thanks

@MeganAM89 I have a powder inhaler that has been fantastic, the brown steroid inhaler really didn't work for me - for some reason it made me sick Cycling is fine for breathing for me, but does aboslutely nothing for my heart rate!

I always breathe in through my nose and out of my mouth, having been told it for many years now it's kind of inground!

Thanks all, I guess it's just a "wait til the inflammation goes down" sort of exercise here.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2971640/

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

MeganAM89 wrote: »

I remember I was given a prescription for symbicort once and it made me vomit but when I went to the doctor he didn't believe me. He said, "no, that didn't happen. That's not a side effect." I was so angry. Just because you haven't heard of it before doesn't mean it's not a possible side effect for someone.

Does increasing the resistance on a bike not increase your heart rate either? Because it sure does for me lol

Don't even get me started on this one, the last nurse I went to told me that I wasn't asthmatic because I wasn't wheezing, regardless of the improvement of peak flow (which had been low) from the new inhaler and every other symptom that comes with asthma. I was gobsmacked that a professional could so easily dismiss someone because it didn't fit their expectations of the symptoms, it even made me question whether I'd been taking unnecessary medication etc. I've since found out (from a different doctor) that wheezing isn't always present and it's still a massive misconception in the medical community

Anyway, rant done with.

No, @MeganAM89 and @Joanna2012B I really don't find that cycling does anything to raise my heart rate, unless I'm doing that high intensity spin style cycling, and then I get stuck with the crappy lung crap. I used to run regularly a couple of years ago and found it made a MASSIVE improvement on my lung function, I even stopped using my inhalers, it was amazing!! My issue at the moment is that even doing a C25K type programme my asthma is flaring up hugely. I guess I really just have to work on getting my lungs back up to speed and forget about pushing the heart rate for now >.<

@novasunflower Thank you for the suggestion, I have been walking at a very brisk speed, but again, it doesn't raise my heart rate

yirara · November 2016

Forget about the heartrate reading! Just train at a speed you're able to train at. That means: try to put in some variation
1. use a day where you go so slow that you're still able to talk, and make this session longer. If that means that you're walking on then so be it. It will get better sooner or later and you'll be able to run slowly one day. This is what gives you endurance in the long run.
2. warm up properly. Try to run or run faster than on the slow day. keep the session fairly short. You might not be able to keep up for long but that doesn't matter.
3. chose a third session inbetween both speeds.

It also helps to start with a programme such a C25K. It has you walk and run slowly in alternations during a session. Again, go slowly. No need to race.

pwgphoto · November 2016

I've been using the Cybex Arc Trainer at Planet Fitness and it gets my heart rate up and is easier on your body as far as joints and such. It does work your legs depending on settings. I really like it, well I guess as much as anyone can like a cardio machine. I also feel it burns calories really well. These are just my observations and just to let you know, I've never been a fan of cardio, but this machine keeps me motivated. Best of luck to you.

comptonelizabeth · November 2016

I'm asthmatic and have mild copd. You really need to find a steroid inhaler that works for you - symbicort works well for me but there are loads of others. My asthma nurse (who is pretty useless and also insists that if I'm not wheezing and my stats are ok then my asthma is ok - I'm 61 and have had it all my life so think I know when I'm having an Asthma attack!) Anyway - a steroid inhaler,that you can tolerate,when used regularly,really does make a difference. I was also told to "blow out when exhaling during exercise and it seems to help.

sijomial · November 2016

I'm very confused by this!
"Cycling is fine for breathing for me, but does absolutely nothing for my heart rate!"

It's as hard as you want to make it so if your HR isn't rising you need to work harder. You aren't supposed to be just spinning your legs you are supposed to be putting power through the pedals. If indoors add more resistance while maintaining a good cadence (80 - 100 for example).
If outdoors go faster, go up hills etc.

Cycling is perhaps the most controllable of cardio exercise which is why I would have recommended it for you.

CrabNebula · November 2016

Getting out of breath is normal if you are actually putting in the work into something you have no endurance yet for. I don't have any problems with my lungs or heart, but back when I was not in any kind of shape, yes, it was hard - huffing, puffing, wishing I was dead, how have I only gone a tenth of a mile in what seems like 90 minutes...

But if you fight through it with any kind of cardio, it gets better. Never easy, but now I run 6 or so miles a day at work and don't think anything of it. I run a 8 minute mile at each break and don't get out of breath, don't break a sweat. But I had to put in the sweat pouring, lung exploding work for several months straight to get where I am now. No free lunch.

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

comptonelizabeth wrote: »

I'm asthmatic and have mild copd. You really need to find a steroid inhaler that works for you - symbicort works well for me but there are loads of others. My asthma nurse (who is pretty useless and also insists that if I'm not wheezing and my stats are ok then my asthma is ok - I'm 61 and have had it all my life so think I know when I'm having an Asthma attack!) Anyway - a steroid inhaler,that you can tolerate,when used regularly,really does make a difference. I was also told to "blow out when exhaling during exercise and it seems to help.

Thank you!! I've found healthcare providers to either be fantastic or absolutely shocking at helping with asthma!!

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

CrabNebula wrote: »

Getting out of breath is normal if you are actually putting in the work into something you have no endurance yet for. I don't have any problems with my lungs or heart, but back when I was not in any kind of shape, yes, it was hard - huffing, puffing, wishing I was dead, how have I only gone a tenth of a mile in what seems like 90 minutes...

But if you fight through it with any kind of cardio, it gets better. Never easy, but now I run 6 or so miles a day at work and don't think anything of it. I run a 8 minute mile at each break and don't get out of breath, don't break a sweat. But I had to put in the sweat pouring, lung exploding work for several months straight to get where I am now. No free lunch.

I appreciate the sentiment, but if I push through it I could die. I'm not being dramatic.

I'm well aware of the work that needs to be put in, but it's not simply a case of breathlessness, or lack of endurance. I am asthmatic.

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

sijomial wrote: »

I'm very confused by this!
"Cycling is fine for breathing for me, but does absolutely nothing for my heart rate!"

It's as hard as you want to make it so if your HR isn't rising you need to work harder. You aren't supposed to be just spinning your legs you are supposed to be putting power through the pedals. If indoors add more resistance while maintaining a good cadence (80 - 100 for example).
If outdoors go faster, go up hills etc.

Cycling is perhaps the most controllable of cardio exercise which is why I would have recommended it for you.

Thanks Sij, I am aware of the mechanics of riding a bike.

The issue here is of course, that as soon as the work goes up (I think as I said in an earlier post giving the example of spin class) the issue with the flare up begins

I have a very healthy heart, the problem being, my lungs do not match up to the same level of fitness - so there is a massive discrepancy between the work my heart can do and the work my lungs can do.

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

yirara wrote: »

Forget about the heartrate reading! Just train at a speed you're able to train at. That means: try to put in some variation
1. use a day where you go so slow that you're still able to talk, and make this session longer. If that means that you're walking on then so be it. It will get better sooner or later and you'll be able to run slowly one day. This is what gives you endurance in the long run.
2. warm up properly. Try to run or run faster than on the slow day. keep the session fairly short. You might not be able to keep up for long but that doesn't matter.
3. chose a third session inbetween both speeds.

It also helps to start with a programme such a C25K. It has you walk and run slowly in alternations during a session. Again, go slowly. No need to race.

Thanks, the only reason I am looking at my heart rate is because it is not being challenged. I just wanted to know whether people had ideas of cardio that would be less stressful for my lungs, but allow me to raise my heart rate. It was a long shot, but always worth asking imo.

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

Thanks everyone for the responses.

It has become clear that I was asking a stupid question - I simply wanted to know if anyone had ideas of how to raise heart rate with less stress on the lungs, naturally, that can't really be done. So it's just a case of building it all back up.

I appreciate all of your input, so thanks very much.

sijomial · November 2016

Squidgeypaws007 wrote: »

sijomial wrote: »

I'm very confused by this!
"Cycling is fine for breathing for me, but does absolutely nothing for my heart rate!"

It's as hard as you want to make it so if your HR isn't rising you need to work harder. You aren't supposed to be just spinning your legs you are supposed to be putting power through the pedals. If indoors add more resistance while maintaining a good cadence (80 - 100 for example).
If outdoors go faster, go up hills etc.

Cycling is perhaps the most controllable of cardio exercise which is why I would have recommended it for you.

Thanks Sij, I am aware of the mechanics of riding a bike.

The issue here is of course, that as soon as the work goes up (I think as I said in an earlier post giving the example of spin class) the issue with the flare up begins

I have a very healthy heart, the problem being, my lungs do not match up to the same level of fitness - so there is a massive discrepancy between the work my heart can do and the work my lungs can do.

I was suggesting the controllability of cycling (especially indoor trainers) might let you find a sweet spot where your lungs are OK but you are getting some work done. A Spinning class is normally driven along by an instructor setting pace/intensity for a class rather than the personal pace you need.
LISS exercise gets a bad reputation on here but does have great health and fitness benefits - everyone seems obsessed with HIIT these days!

Hope you find a solution as it must be distressing and frustrating.

Squidgeypaws007 · November 2016

I was suggesting the controllability of cycling (especially indoor trainers) might let you find a sweet spot where your lungs are OK but you are getting some work done. A Spinning class is normally driven along by an instructor setting pace/intensity for a class rather than the personal pace you need.
LISS exercise gets a bad reputation on here but does have great health and fitness benefits - everyone seems obsessed with HIIT these days!
Hope you find a solution as it must be distressing and frustrating.

Thanks Sij, it is REALLY frustrating and I also feel kind of silly, I used to be able to run 12 miles without collapsing - but of course it took me years of running every day, and lots of painful flare ups to get to that point of conditioning, then I just stopped running ./headdesk

Anyway, your suggestion is really appreciated, thank you

Michael190lbs · November 2016

I have Horrible asthma especially with TEMP changes-seasonal changes indoor Cycling is the way I get my cardio in I started at just 15 min and worked up. I now do 18-21 miles every morning in 60 min. I also found that indoor crossfit works great this am I flipped a tractor tire about 50 times. Once you hit your goal weight life will get easier as well. Good luck. My- X wife is an Alergist and asthma doc she took me off all the drugs once I dropped my weight to 180 and I have been doing great ever since. I do Still keep a rescue inhaler with me just in case but haven't had to use it for a long time.

sbrandt37 · November 2016

I have asthma, bad enough that it used to put me in the hospital fairly often as a child/teen. My experience was that the only way to deal with it is slow, steady improvements. Do what you can, when you can, and don't beat yourself up about what you can't do. If your lungs are the limitation, work on things that push you up to but not past the limits of your lung function and forget about heart rate for now.

tiny_clanger · November 2016

Are you monitoring your peak flow at the moment? If not, I'd suggest doing some monitoring and diarising of your asthma symptoms. It sounds like something is triggering you, the issue is that exercise or something else which is only becoming apparent during the stress of exercise?

Does your asthma control change if exercising at different times of the day? How is your asthma control generally? Are you seeing a difference working indoors or out? Do you live somewhere cold, are you transitioning from a cold outside to a warm gym? Have you noticed a difference if you keep your nose/mouth covered when outside? True EID is unusual, it is more usual that you have another trigger which is manifesting when your lungs are under stress (i.e. when exercising)

In terms of exercising while you are still figuring out what is wrong, have you considered run/walking. When I was recovering from an exacerbation triggered by a chest infection, I built up from Jeff Galloway's 5 seconds running/55 seconds walking. That short period of running got my heart going without overstressing lungs, and gradually the breathing stamina improved. I'm now running half marathons using a run 3/walk 1 pattern. This is perfect for my asthma control.

I would agree with people who say ignore heart rate. Your heart rate is likely to be slightly high anyway as your heart compensates for diminished lung function, so your garmin might not be giving you a reliable reading. Concentrate on how you feel, do you feel you are working hard? Is your breathing increasing in a controlled manner? Are you sweating?

MelodyandBarbells · November 2016

Mild asthma here. I use two puffs of an albuterol inhaler before my fitness classes. It was no cake walk, either. Actually used to do a small portion of the class, go outside for five minutes and then come back and finish up, all while using the low impact options and still struggling. I started adding higher impact options, also gradually was able to do entire classes without needing to stop and rest. But you absolutely had it in one of your previous posts. Asthma or not, you have to build your endurance if you do not have it for whatever reason.

summ682 · November 2016

I have asthma also. The cold weather has always killed my lungs. Last January I did whole30 toward the end I was only taking my advir once a day and didn't need my rescue inhaler. When I started introducing dairy back i noticed I was having a difficult time breathing. Cut it out again breathing got better.

Squidgeypaws007 · December 2016

@Michael190lbs, @sbrandt37, @JaneiR36, @summ682 Thanks guys for such informed and knowledgeable responses

Sorry for such a delay, I didn't realise anyone else had posted here!

I have recently started using a new inhaler and OMG the difference it has made.... I moved from the sabutamol ones I have been prescribed since I was 7 to the symbicort.

I think I've been stupid for a long time, trying to ignore it, work through it etc - I always thought it was "normal" to not be able to breathe and for exercise to be really painful in the lungs (even after using the blue inhaler), but after using my new inhaler....I can't explain how happy I am

I didn't realise that you were supposed to be able to breathe, lol. I've been working slowly and steadily with my dog to improve endurance and with the new inhaler things are really positive - tonight I was out walking/running for an hour

@tiny_clanger Thank you for such a detailed response. I have recently moved to Italy, I have had much more in terms of allergy symptoms - there must be something here that is triggering it, I suppose it makes good sense that that would definitely be a trigger for my asthma.

vnb_208 · December 2016

I'm with you its been a 5 month process, between pulmonologist, xrays, cat scan, and steroids no one can figure out what is wrong they have no idea, so far i'm just on 160 mg inhaled steroids, and 4 10mg Prednisone per day , and pro air and that just to keep me from wheezing and becoming winded. I am at my lowest weight that i have been in over 10 years, never had any problems until now! I will be tested next on 02.01 for sarcadosis of the lungs

Charm110 · December 2016

I hear you, it sounds like you have a similar form of asthma as me. Cold/flu and the change in seasons are the main triggers along with what the doctor thinks may be a dust mite allergy, hence I use a preventer to keep it under control.

I find step aerobics useful- you can choose what speed you go so should be able to get your heart rate up whilst not stressing your lungs too much.

TAKCEGM · December 2016

Maybe add some more incline? Keep the speed the same, but adding incline to the treadmill increases your exertion. That may help get your heart rate up, and slowly help with your breathing.

tom4817 · December 2016

WOW, just found this discussion. I am 71 and got Asthma when I started to compete on my bike. I am just pulling out of a LONG bout which may have been triggered by the weather change. Pulmonologist, Allergy doctor and the works. I finally went back to qVar and Venteline. Any suggestiions? Monday, I start back to the gym to stretch and maybe some time on the treadmill to get my legs back.

My lungs suck...

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