Exercise-Induced Asthma and Inhaler

Hey,
I'm thinking of going to the doc soon to see if I can get an inhaler, but am just wondering if anyone else seems to have the same issue:

I don't ever get short of breath during the day, only when exercising. Actually, only when Running. It seems to have always been this way, and although it is not Severe (I can suck it up and deal with it), it is just very annoying. I have always been in good shape but at the same time I'm harsh on myself--and when I'm sucking wind while running, I just keep telling myself I'm a wimp and I need to run more to build up my threshold.

I'm afraid if I go to the doc they will just say "oh you don't have any breathing problems" and maybe prescribe Singulair pills at the very least. I'd really feel bad if that happened because then I would KNOW that it's just me, being a wimp with a low pain threshold. I really want to get an inhaler to see if that makes a difference.

Do you all think I'm just not in running shape or do you think I should just take a chance and go get it checked out. (I hate going to doctors hence my resistance...kind of a phobia I guess)

Any and all thoughts on this as well as similar issues with running would be great. Thanks-
Rachel

[geminigirl1963]

It's definitely worth getting it checked out.  Breathing difficulties, whether they are all the time or only upon exertion - all deserve and require to be investigated.

It IS possible to have exercise induced asthma - my youngest nephew was diagnosed with it several years ago.  He never had any trouble any othe rtimes except upon exertion such as during PE class in school.  His doctor prescribed him an inhaler to use about 30 minutes prior to exercise and it has definitely helped.

While being out of shape can also cause breathing difficulties, it sounds like you are normally a runner, so it doesn't sound like being out of shape isyour problem.

I'd definitely suggest seeing your doctor for an evaluation - at the very least a chest xray to make sure there isn't something else going on.

Best of luck.

[rachelista]

Yeah, I'm starting to agree with you...

I've been resisting and feel like it might just make all the difference to get the inhaler. Or else yeah, it could definitely be something else going on. I have been an off and on runner pretty much since I was a kid and got diagnosed with ex. induced asthma in high school (took Singulair, it kinda helped), so yeah enouugh is enough...I can't perform the distances I want with this issue.

Thanks for the input, I am going to set up an appt.!

[ChitChatNine]

Please keep us posted.  and WELCOME to our Community!

C~

[rachelista]

Hey Thanks!

[rachelista]

How long do inhalers last

[sralcia]

Hi, inhalers last 30 days depending on the brand, and how many puffs you use daily.  They have various amount of puffs in them from 120 to 200.  

[geminigirl1963]

It really depends on what you mean by "how long do the inhalers last" - if you're talking about how many puffs you get out of each one, that will vary like sralcia said - usually somewhere around 200 puffs per inhaler - which, if used every 4-6 hours (2 puffs each time) - will last you about 30 days.  If you're asking how long the effects of the med lasts - they can usually be used every 4-6 hours.  And if you're asking how long an inhaler is good for (in case you had an old one laying around somewhere) - they all have an expiration date on the cylinder - so check that before using.  If it is still prior to the expiration date, but you haven't used it in a good while, you will probably need to "prime" the inhaler before you actually use it.  Do this by shaking the inhaler like you normally would, but instead of releasing a puff into your mouth/throat - release it AWAY from your face into the air.  Repeat this a couple more times.    I, myself, am prescribed the ventolin inhaler and every new inhaler comes with 4 extra puffs in it so the inhaler can be primed 4 times before the first use - the instructions also say that if it is not used for a week or more, to repeat that 4 puff prime.

My ventolin inhaler has a little counter on the back of it that automatically keeps track of the number of puffs left in the inhaler - if your inhaler does not have one of these little counters, keep track yourself as to how many you've used out of it.  While you may get a few more decent puffs out of the inhaler even after it reads 000, you may also not be getting a full dose of the med, so it' salways a good idea to have your inhaler refilled prior to actualy running out (my doctor recommends when I get down to about 20 puffs to make sure I've ordered a refill).

Some of the "newer" inhalers are smaller and do contain a few number of puffs in them, so be sure and read what is on the box yours comes in and/or the literature that comes with it.

I hope you find that th einhaler helps and you can get back to the running that you enjoy!

[rachelista]

Thanks everyone! Great to know all that...appreciate it.

[rachelista]

Update on all this:

I went to the doctor and they assessed my breathing, both before exercise and then right after I had been running. She found no sign of a problem...they did an airflow test (outcome was normal) and listened to my lungs for any wheezing (nothing was noticeable).
SOooooo.....I was disappointed because I am in shape yet running still gets me really short of air at times, and by now it really shouldn't affect me! She prescribed a non-steroid inhaler for me if I wanted to try it, but basically to make a long story short: she found nothing wrong with me. I didn't even get the inhaler (40 bucks for something that probably won't even make a difference!).


Random thought: Perhaps I should try a wheat and/or gluten free diet? I don't have any major problem with sinus congestion or mucus, but maybe if I cut out the wheat and gluten for a while I Will notice a difference, thereby making it seemingly easier to breathe? That is my own educated guess? Any thoughts? I know the wheat/gluten free diet is a whole other can of worms with all kinds of information.

Thanks all

[achilles2]

I do recommend trying to go gluten free I would also recommend dairy free. I would try one first and then the other to see which one, both, or any cause you to react.

The best ways it go gluten free for awhile (I was told 10 days some people say a month) see how you feel and then on the 11th day or whatever eat a lot of gluten to see how you feel and then you can do the same with dairy.

achilles2