Jump to content

Cycling With Asthma


dev  null

Recommended Posts

Posted it here as it seems to be the best place. I have been suffering from Asthma since I was 5 years old. I am now 45. I would like to know what other sufferers do when cycling, especially when putting in some effort.

 

I usually just use my Salbutamol inhaler, but it does not always seem to work. What should I use for prevention? How long will it last?

 

Comments and suggestions are all welcome. I do Surfski racing also, and my Asthma don't bother me as much when paddling. But I think it's the natural occurence of the ions close to the sea water that hepls my Asthma there, almost like when using an Ionizer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm pretty much in the same boat and can't offer much in the way of advice.

Suffered with Asthma my whole life. I cycle with my Combivent inhaler which, if putting in effort, I use a few times a race. Works fine for me...

G

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I usually take 2 puffs before I exercise, this helps with not having to take any hits during exercise. And when I'm pushing hard, I try to control my breathing which is hard at times!

 

I've noticed though that the fitter I've become, the less frequently I need to use my inhaler. Although I do have daily meds that I take to control it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am in the same boat. I however see a specialist who manages my ashtma. I used to go no where without my ventezee, now days I only carry one with me on a ride or a run. The key is managing your condition. If done correctly your whole life will change. I find sucking on the end of a spray during an event is not ideal as this elevates your heart rate.So I suggest you find a a lung specialist and let him teach you how to manage your condition, it sure changed my life. :clap: :clap:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. There is a specialist here at Vergelegen MediClinic, but he is quite expensive and I have no medical aid :( since I sort of work for myself. I will have to just bite the bullet and go and have a chat with him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Totally agree with Majestic.

 

I used to think that an asthma attack after a hard training ride was normal and that's why I had ventolin.

 

Then I saw a chest specialist (pulmonologist) who did all manner of tests and prescribed some chronic meds that manages the condition.

 

Now I just take a puff of ventolin before a training ride or race and haven't had an attack for years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. There is a specialist here at Vergelegen MediClinic, but he is quite expensive and I have no medical aid :( since I sort of work for myself. I will have to just bite the bullet and go and have a chat with him.

 

 

You can also go see a GP :thumbup:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I too suffer from asthma, and I normally use ventoling or berotec when it gets really bad. However when I cycle I carry asthavent with me. Reason being that these asthma pumps affect your heart, and when I cycle in tokai, I have to use it often up that very steep hill :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am on Symbicord 160. I use it once in the mornings and once at night. I still find that when I do interval training I need to take my Ventolin inhaler after the first interval session but other than that I dont have alot of issues on rides. When I do suffer from a cold I get the Meticorten tablets ready and I dont train for a week or so. I just find that I have a much higher heart rate that people that doesnt suffer from asthma

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also a, well I can't really call myself a "sufferer". I carry my Ventolin pump when I run or cycle, but I find if I take a puff five minutes before I start then I usually don't need it again over my 21km run. If I reallllly push myself, I may need another puff while running, but I try to build up slowly so i don't erach that point at all. I think the best way of managing it is to enjoy your sport without pushing yourself to the very limit where you start to (potentially) damage yourself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. There is a specialist here at Vergelegen MediClinic, but he is quite expensive and I have no medical aid :( since I sort of work for myself. I will have to just bite the bullet and go and have a chat with him.

It is a small price to pay for being able to enjoy life. Ashtma should never restrict what you do in life and if managed correctly you will be able to train and race as if you never had a problem.Many pro cyclist, rugby players and even Olympic swimmers are ashtmatic but manage their condition correctly and have gone on to achieve great heights in their chosen sport. Make the decisions, find the cash and start enjoying life again. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Used to suffer with Asthma,found the fitter I got the better it got... havn't used a pump for two years now. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also a sufferer and I find allergies also compound things, especially up here in Jozi in the winter months when its really dry and dusty. I tend to suffer a bit more during the dry months. Living in a thatch house does not help either

 

Rule # 1 - Dont smoke!!

Rule # 2 If you do, give up now. Its amazing how many Asthma sufferers puff away - I was one for 10 years

 

Managing the Asthma is key. I too, have gotten to he point where I only have a shot of the Ventheze before a session and then all is good. I have even on the odd occasion forgotten and had no issues.

Lung function tests will tell you what state your air bags are in. Cortisone will also help open up the pipes, but that is not a solution for the long term - its nasty stuff, but works wonders short term

 

Excersise is critical, it help builds the strength you need. Remember, asthma is not being able to breath in, its not being able expire all the way and therefore you cant breath in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also struggled with it my whole life.

 

Growing up, even when I was really fit, a few minutes into my excercise I would always get a slight attack would have to use my ventolin and then I would be able to carry on for the duration of the exercise without problems.

 

Even when I started cycling it was still the same thing. Been fit definitley made a huge difference but I would still get the normal attack after around 7 minutes and then I could carry on normally.

 

Used to use my pump a few times each day, when your recommended usage shouldnt be more than twice a week kind of thing!

 

My friend recommended something to me that has changed my life.

It is called Seritide. There is now a generic called Foxair (actually comes out the same factory so it is the same thing)

It takes a month or two to fully kick in, one dose in the morning and evening.

When you are fully adapted to it and nice and fit you can drop it to one dose in the morning even.

 

I now havent had a ashma attack for a few years. My life was literally changed around. I can now jump on my bike and go straight up to max HR without warming up at all and I wont get an attack.

 

I also noticed when I got off my ventolin that my resting heart rate dropped by around 10 beats a minute.

I could feel the difference like it was poisoining me.

 

Dont even know where my old school medicine is anymore.

 

Allergies is another thing to watch out for as it affects your whole body including your chest and it will help to close it.

 

It can also be worthwhile going off dairy for a while, for the past month or so I have moved to soya milk powder and my allergies are far better.

 

If ashma is a serious condition for you then medical aids will pay for Foxair under cronic cover normally even if you are just on hospital plan.

The medication if you have to buy it yourself is around R200 but even if you need to pay for it, it is by far the best thing you could ever do.

Edited by Woofie
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout