Asthma and MA

[malteaser14]

Hi

Im wondering how many of you have asthma and how you deal with the effects when training?

In dec I joined the senior training class, which involved ALOT more fitness. Once I built my fitness up I was able to push myself harder, but started having chest pains and wheezing at every session (3/4 times a week). In feb doctor told me I was asthmatic, by the end of march it was under control, and as long as I use inhalers properly I haven't had a problem.

Why I'm asking is because tonight I trained and forgot to take the reliever pump 15mins before I started. During the 1st 10minutes of the warm up my chest tightened and I realised I hadnt used the inhaler, but I pushed through and carried on... But ended up wheezing!!
After the warm up I used the pump, but couldn't hold my breath for more than 6seconds (never happened before) I continued training, at a slower pace, and explained to my training partner and he was very supportive. However, I then started to feel sick, then dizzy.

I used my inhaler 3 times at 30min intervals (beginning, middle, end) and it was still another 45mins after the session finished that I felt safe to drive home. 2hrs after training finished I eventually feel fine.

Firstly, is this normal for asthma?
Secondly, how do you cope with your asthma, hints and tips to prevent it having such a big impact would be grately appriciated!

 

[chinto]

I do not have asthma, But I would encourage you to have a physician help you in managing it. they have medications and other ways of managing that disease just as they have things for managing gout and diabetes and other chronic and serious illnesses.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I'd have to know a whole lot more detail about your medications and overall health to be specific, but I can offer you some general information.

There are several differents types of asthma, but most will be triggered, to varying degrees, by exertion.

Good control of your asthma is vital. Properly controlled, asthma has little or no impact on your day to day activities. Ideal control usually requires combination therapy with one or more once- or twice-daily medication plus a rescue inhaler. The most commonly used rescue inhaler in the US is albuterol. Some people with very mild asthma do not require anything other than a rescue inhaler, but this is fairly uncommon. If you are using only a rescue inhaler and are using it every day, then combination therapy is probably a good idea.

It is always best to use a spacer with your MDI ("puffer" or "pump"). Studies have shown that using an MDI results in 3-4 times more medication actually reaching the bronchial tree. Medication splattered on the back of your throat from using an MDI without a spacer really doesn't do you any good. In fact, several studies have indicated that using an MDI with a spacer is every bit as effective as using a nebulizer (the traditional method of delivering inhaled meds in the hospital, or at home for people with severe lung disease).

It is generally recommended that you use your rescue inhaler 10-15 minutes prior to exertion. If you don't, there's really no safe, effective way to 'catch up' on the missed dose. You just have to take the missed dose, slow down, and give it time to work. As you noticed, it's much easier to prevent the attack than it is to break it after it starts. Best suggestion: make using your inhaler part of your routine, just like getting dressed. Once it becomes habit, you will us it as automatically as putting on your belt.

You will probably also notice that the better your general condition, the less impact exertion will have on your asthma.

Other than that: stay well hydrated (thick secretions are more difficult to clear), don't smoke, avoid things (like animal dander) that you've found trigger your asthma, and see your health care provider regularly.

 

[Ken Morgan]

I have asthma.
When i take my medication on a regular basis, I have no issue working out hard, for long periods of time.
When my weight is 15# or so lighter and i get seriously into running, I find I don't need my puffers at all.
Never give up on exercise because of asthma, but keep going to the Dr's and try different meds to get it all under control, there will likely be one or two that work very well for you, you just need to find them.

 

[K-man]

I hope this isn't just doubling up on DD​'s post. Apart from the immediate reliever medications there are the longer acting ones like Serevent (salmeterol) and Forodil (formoterol). These are sometimes combined with the so called preventer (steroid) medications depending on the frequency of usage of your reliever. Now, you did say your inhalers are controlling the condition so it may be you are already using the ones I am referring to. In that case, just make sure you use your reliever about 5 minutes before training, and as DD said, use a spacer to get best use of the medication.

 

[malteaser14]

Thanx for the replies. The inhalers I use are clenil modulite 100mg, 2pumps morning and night. And ventolin 100mg as a reliever, and also 15mins before exercise. (which I won't forget again!)

To answer dirty dog, my overall fitness is above average and increasing rapidly! I quit smoking 5yrs ago as I was planning a family. And have extremely strong lungs as I'm a musician and singer so have done lung/diaphragm strengthening exercises for the past 17yrs. It wasn't until I controlled my asthma that I realised how much I couldn't breathe before!!

I would like to say it's exercised induced asthma... But my chest does get uncomfortably tight for unexplained reasons. It's only when exercising that it gets close to an attack though.

 

[ETinCYQX]

For the sake of his sanity and your safety, tell your instructor you have asthma. If you forget your inhaler, tell him as soon as you realize. And do not leave the room to take your inhaler, make sure someone can see you.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Thanx for the replies. The inhalers I use are clenil modulite 100mg, 2pumps morning and night. And ventolin 100mg as a reliever, and also 15mins before exercise. (which I won't forget again!)

To answer dirty dog, my overall fitness is above average and increasing rapidly! I quit smoking 5yrs ago as I was planning a family. And have extremely strong lungs as I'm a musician and singer so have done lung/diaphragm strengthening exercises for the past 17yrs. It wasn't until I controlled my asthma that I realised how much I couldn't breathe before!!

I would like to say it's exercised induced asthma... But my chest does get uncomfortably tight for unexplained reasons. It's only when exercising that it gets close to an attack though.

Clenil modulite is the UK version of beclamethasone, a corticosteroid. Steroids are a mainstay of asthma treatment, and it's a good place to start when trying to control your asthma. Steroids do occassionally have some negative side effects, so if you have any problems, talk to your care provider about some of the non-steroidal inhalers.

Ventolin is a brand of albuterol. You don't mention if you're using a spacer. If you are, great. If not, please talk to your health care provider about getting one. They're a bit bulky to carry, but your medications will be so much more effective.

When your chest feels "uncomfortably tight", that is an attack, albeit a mild one. You may not be able to hear the wheezing without a stethoscope, but it's there. Check your peak flow during those times and you'll see.

It certainly sounds like exercise is one of your triggers. The good news is that this component generally becomes less significant as your overall level of fitness improves.

Honestly, it sounds like you're doing very well learning to control your asthma. One thing to keep in mind is that using your ventolin should become progressively less common as you nail down your therapy. The goal is to prevent the attacks, rather than treat them. Monitor your peak flows, and your use of the ventolin. If you're using your ventolin regularly (other than prior to exercise), then your preventive therapy should probably be adjusted. If you're using it every day, then you should certainly talk to your provider about adjusting your therapy. Like so many other disorders, the better you control it now, the less impact it will have on your life in 20, 30, 40 years.

 

[ATC]

I have asthma pretty badly. I was like you and need my inhalers multiple times a day, and that was doing no activities. I went to a specialist and got on Advair to manage my asthma, I started with 3 puffs a day spread out over the day, then dropped to 2 puffs a day, then finally once a day. I still needed my fast acting inhalers in the beginning but soon found that I did not need them as much, then at all. Since being on Advair I find that I don't need my fast acting inhalers at all and I am now only doing 1 puff of Advair every other day. I should not call Advair a puff as it is more of a suck and inhale.

I would suggest that you see a specialist. I have been on Advair now for quite a few years and before it I could not sleep as I would wheeze and cough all throughout the night. I would puff on inhalers all day long and life was just a mess. I had the night sweats and everything. I use to even take prednisone (toxic stuff) often to try and manage my asthma it was so bad. But now I can run 10 miles, do a hard class, and anything else I want to because of Advair.

Advair is not fast acting and you need to be consistent with it and on it for a while before you start to feel the benefits. But to me, it was a god send.

Hope you find relief.

 

[malteaser14]

Dirty dog, you were right! As I read your reply on thur I had an uncomfortably tight chest, but wouldn't have thought of using inhaler coz it feels like my normal everyday breathing before I was diagnosed with asthma. Anyway, I checked my peak flow and it was a shocking 190! So I used the inhaler. Then 15mins before training I used it again and training was a breeze! (as far as asthma is concerned anyway!) lol.

Thanks for the responses. Definitely gonna make things easier!

 

[K-man]

Have a chat to your doctor about adding a long acting bronchodilator. I think Serovent is available in the UK. There is another called Serotide which combines the bronchodilator with steroid therapy. ATC recommended Advair and that is the same as Seretide but I'm not sure that it's available in the UK. :asian:

 

[shima]

I have exercise induced asthma and if I know we are sparring or having an intense workout that night I make sure to pre treat with my inhaler. M instructors are very good though and if I start wheezing they let me excuse myself for a puff. I also keep a spare inhaler at the dojo in case I ever forget mine.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Dirty dog, you were right!!

Well that's certainly good to hear. I'd hate to think I'd been giving patients bad advice all these years. :rofl:



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[Kurai]

I have asthma which wasn't diagnosed until about 6 years back. Mine is primarily allergy induced but occasionally induced by exertion. I quit smoking 6 years or so ago, and it's well controlled enough that most people that know me never know. I carry my inhaler with me everywhere, and seldom need it, but have it when I need it. My instructor, ironically has asthma as well. Which I didn't know for a few years. Work with your doctor and controlling your asthma is easy.

 

[Razor]

Looks like lots of good advice on this thread so far.

I have asthma, and although it affects me sometimes I have largely outgrown it. As some others have said, try not to let it get in the way of fitness more than is prudent, especially as cardiovascular exercise will help you deal with asthma a lot better. My father had asthma and has been in the military for most of his life as well as training in TKD and now it very rarely bothers him, possibly due to a good level of fitness.

One thing I would like to say about the medication though, it don't become over-reliant on the reliever. My maternal aunt had severe asthma and died due to complications from having too much of her reliever during her attack. I am unsure what precise medication it was (and this was quite a few decades ago), but it's something to bear in mind.