Asthma and Exercise

Hi Everyone *waves* I have been banded 6 years and lost all my weight but i am finding now that i have decided to lose a bit more i have to work a lot harder to do it. Problem is that im a severe asthmatic and i struggle to keep my breathing under control while i exercise at any decent pace....i am on medication but it doesnt help and the doctor cant give me anything else. I need to work harder to lose the weight but my chest gets soooo tight and i nearly faint half way through cause i cant get enough air. I use my elliptical and have used that to lose the weight before but when i try to up the anti i cant last 10 mins. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this, asthma and exercise and how you manage to get past it....any help would be appreciated Bel

I, too, have asthma, but not as bad as yours. I take Advair about 20 minutes before I exercise and I'm okay throughout the workout. I did, however, go running last night without Advair, and had a very hard time. This morning I'm still coughing and find my chest rattling a bit.  You may want to consult with a specialist in respiratory things and/or asthma.  I did and am very happy with the end result. It allows me to do the running races, triathlons etc. that I want to do.  Good luck!

Thankyou so much for your reply! I didnt even know there are respiritory specialist that could help, i have only ever gone to my gp. You would hardly believe its something i have had all my life lol Bel

I started with my asthma only about 8 years ago. All along I thought it was allergies (which I'm also blessed with!) I also have a heart condition and take medication for that, but the worst is the asthma. I've never felt better since seeing a specialist and getting an accurate disgnosis and medication.  Good luck and don't give up!

Seeing a Pulmonary Specialist allowed me to "control my asthma instead of it controlling me" (to quote the doctor).  There is more than one kind of asthma.  Some people, like myself, have more than one kind.  A specialist can determine the factors affecting you (allergies, stress, exertion, irritants, etc.) and can make a huge difference in your quality of life.  It sounds like your asthma is cycling out of control and once you work with an asthma doctor to get it under control you will see a huge difference.  Currently, I just take a daily prescription (Singulair) to keep my asthma in check.  I carry a rescue inhaler in case of emergency and get allergy shots weekly.  I have not had a flare up in about 6 months.  When I realize that a respiratory infection or allergy has caused a recurrenct flaring, I head in to see the doctor.  Sometimes I end up needing a couple of shots and a round or two of oral steroids plus an additional inhaler to get things in line.  It keeps me out of the hospital and doesn't limit my lifestyle.  The doctor also prescribed a nebulizer (breathing machine that delivers medicine to my lungs effectively) that I only need to use when I have a series of flare ups but again, it keeps me out of the hospital. I explain all this so that you realize there are many treatment options that make asthma controllable.  Please check into finding a lung specialist in your area.  Let us know how you are doing. Katy B.

Thankyou everyone for taking the time to reply, it means a lot! Just a small update, i saw my GP yesterday and asked for a referal to a specialist and he flat out refused.....said that he wanted to do some TRIALS on my with meds and would sort it out. I am really having a hard time with my asthma because it is getting colder now. I have it from the time i wake to the time i sleep and i cant believe he would refuse me a specialist!!! Anywho i am going to keep trying, making an appointment with another GP today so fingers crossed this one will help before i end up in hospital again. Bel

That is absolutely appalling that a medical professional would refuse a referral request.  I am glad you are being proactive about your health and seeing another doctor.  Keep us posted. Katy B.