Running with asthma

I used to have exercise induced asthma when I was younger and it has slowly faded away. Have you been put on a longterm medication? I used to take an allergy/asthma medicine, singulair and it worked wonders for my breathing. Increasing physical condition helped my symptoms as well.

I used to be a competitive swimmer and complained about breathing issues. I even went to see a specialist that informed me that my breathing was "normal" from all these tests they did. I begged them to do something for me because it didn't seem normal. I was a very competitive swimmer, my lung functioning should have been through the roof. Anywho, a month later after taking singulair my tests increased by 120% or something crazy like that. The doctor was stunned. So make sure you see your doctor and be firm...

I have asthma too. I actually had 4 straight months of bronchitis in the fall due to an asthma flare. In February I started walking/jogging on the treadmill. I am currently on singulair, advair 250/50, I have albuterol as a rescue medication AND I have albuterol with a neb for acute days.

I literally use my albuterol inhaler just minutes before I get on the treadmill. Right now my allergies are acting up, so my chest IS tight. I cough the first few minutes of my workout, but as I keep going, I can feel things getting better--I am probably better off when I am done than when I begin!

Are you runnimg too fast? I have asthma, and have since I was about five. Mine is not exercise-induced, though, so my lungs don't constrict with increased exercise, they just produce more mucous, which makes me cough if I push past a certain point. Try slowing down when you start running, and go as slow as you can to see if it helps with the coughing. I've noticed that running and cardiovascular workouts have really helped my asthma, though, so the more you do it, the more likely you are to see some improvements.

Also, preventative medications, if you don't take them already, are lifesavers. I take ephedrine about a half hour before my runs when I know there are allergens floating in the air (pollen kills me every year), and haven't had issues with needing a rescue inhaler for a long time. Before my insurance was dropped, I took Advair and Singulair together, and they did a great job with symptoms long-term.