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Posted (edited)

Hi all

 

So a few hours after this past weekends Dome 2 dome race my chest started feeling all tight and I had a little bit of difficulty breathing.

 

This has only occured in the last 5 months and mostly after racing hard or training really hard. I figured it was something to do with the cold air or maybe even me being unfit or exerting myself too much.

 

So I made an appointment with my doctor and it seems I have a mild case of asthma. So what do I do now? I don't know if I should stop cycling as I only ever show these symptoms after riding hard. The doctor didn't seem to be phased much, but maybe he just doesn't care.

 

I just dont want to make it worse and become a full time asthma sufferer that needs to walk around with a pump and stuff.

 

Does anyone have any information regaring asthma and cycling? Am I looking for trouble or can asthma be easily controlled and can I continue riding my bike? Doctor wants to see me two weeks after my next race to hear how the pump (Foxair Accuhaler) is working for me, so I suppose I could take my chances?

 

Thanks

Edited by slayer 83
Posted

Apparently there some banned stuff in a asthma pump so it will make u faster, just don't finish in the top 3 if u r racing in the top categories. On a serious note I know quite a few people who races & has asthma, they seem to be fine but I guess everyone reacts differently.

Posted

Well, I have been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma... It has been miss diagnosed before as seasonal Asthma, and I continued as normal, with the odd breathing issue and then using the pump.

 

Now that my doc had put me on to chronic meds for Asthma, I barely use the pump. The instruction is that I take a pill (Singulair) on hour before exercise, with 2 puffs 30 min before... Last night I went for a session with one of my MMA buddies, with only the pill, and all went very well!

 

Our spinning instructor at Eco Park is also an Asthma sufferer, but hers is attributed to food allergies. So in short, you need to find out what causes yours, and treat that.

 

According to my doc, if we can avoid getting to the point that you are weezing like an 80 year old, we are good. She is of the opinion that prevention is better than cure, and I fully agree, as I cannot explain the feeling of breathing properly again!

Posted

It is called Exercise Induced Asthma.

My brother in law suffers from it. Gets better the fitter he gets. He races (rides) with no problem. He just uses the inhaler as it is prescribed.

Posted

Well, I have been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma... It has been miss diagnosed before as seasonal Asthma, and I continued as normal, with the odd breathing issue and then using the pump.

 

Now that my doc had put me on to chronic meds for Asthma, I barely use the pump. The instruction is that I take a pill (Singulair) on hour before exercise, with 2 puffs 30 min before... Last night I went for a session with one of my MMA buddies, with only the pill, and all went very well!

 

Our spinning instructor at Eco Park is also an Asthma sufferer, but hers is attributed to food allergies. So in short, you need to find out what causes yours, and treat that.

 

According to my doc, if we can avoid getting to the point that you are weezing like an 80 year old, we are good. She is of the opinion that prevention is better than cure, and I fully agree, as I cannot explain the feeling of breathing properly again!

 

 

The doc reckons its due to me forcing air into my lungs when cycling, apparently I'm allegic to something in the air which causes the closed up chest and the wheezing! The wheezing is the worst, but after a few hours that goes away on its own too. What I dont understand is why do I have a reaction to the allergens in the air only when I've exerted myself, and not all the time?

Posted

I've had asthma for longer than I have been riding my bike and I've never had any problems. As long as you take your meds as prescribed you shouldn't be up for any major asthma attacks as most of the meds are preventitive based. The foxair accuhaler (assuming its a round purple device) is your preventative medication.

 

I take a spray of my asthma pump (ventolin - blue coloured aerosol inhaler) about 15 mins before I ride and I am all good to ride when I get on the bike. I take my ventolin pump with me when I ride as this is the pump to use if I was to have an asthmatic attack whilst riding.

 

Most asthma medications contain a steriod, but it doesn't enhance your performance, as its there to prevent your airways from closing.

Posted

It is called Exercise Induced Asthma.

My brother in law suffers from it. Gets better the fitter he gets. He races (rides) with no problem. He just uses the inhaler as it is prescribed.

 

That's what I also think and still believe, the doctor thinks otherwise though..

Posted

That's what I also think and still believe, the doctor thinks otherwise though..

Go for an second opinion. Seeing you are in Potch, go to the Sports Institute at the University.

Posted

Go for an second opinion. Seeing you are in Potch, go to the Sports Institute at the University.

 

Ja that's a good idea, but the doc should know what he's talking about seeing as though he was the springbok 7's team docter in 2000. But thanks for the advice

Posted (edited)

 

 

That's what I also think and still believe, the doctor thinks otherwise though..

 

Is your doc a gp or specialist? Get an appointment with a physician rather who specialises in lung disorders. Better yet see if you can find a pulmonologist in your area or possibly Jhb. Problem with most inhalers they are on the banned list because of beta2 stimulants and oral meds like prednisone are banned.

Edited by MCipollini
Posted

That's what I also think and still believe, the doctor thinks otherwise though..

 

Well, it is very easily mis-diagnosed. A second opinion was in my case required. They did all sorts of tests and at first got it wrong, and the second doc got it right. It may very well be your issue as well, as I have similar symptoms.

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