I took my Physical Fitness test today and passed the push ups, sit ups, and the sit and reach with no problems. When the mile came up I did pretty well the first half mile, I wasn't tired at all. Then my asthma started acting up and I had to stop or risk a full blown attack. This sometimes happens whenever I do a cardio type exercise and I can't stand it because I have to stop not because my muscles are tired but because my lungs and my asthma can't handle it. I'm sick of it and it isn't helping since I am planning on going to the Naval Academy in two years and if my asthma is still this big a problem then I don't stand a chance of getting in.

Do you any of guys have or have had asthma and if you have then how did you deal with this type of thing or how if possible did you get over it?

I just needed to vent. Thanks y'all.

I took my Physical Fitness test today and passed the push ups, sit ups, and the sit and reach with no problems. When the mile came up I did pretty well the first half mile, I wasn't tired at all. Then my asthma started acting up and I had to stop or risk a full blown attack. This sometimes happens whenever I do a cardio type exercise and I can't stand it because I have to stop not because my muscles are tired but because my lungs and my asthma can't handle it. I'm sick of it and it isn't helping since I am planning on going to the Naval Academy in two years and if my asthma is still this big a problem then I don't stand a chance of getting in.

Do you any of guys have or have had asthma and if you have then how did you deal with this type of thing or how if possible did you get over it?

I just needed to vent. Thanks y'all.

Talk to your doctor and get on Singulair. I've had debilitating asthma my entire life, to the point where I couldn't run, and have been hospitalized for it several times. I went to an asthma specialist a couple years ago and he got me on this stuff, it has dramatically changed my life for the better. It's a tiny pill you take before bed, and as long as I'm on it, I have ZERO symptoms.

The downside is that it's a relatively new drug and is pretty expensive. This should be a non-issue if you have decent health insurance. Try to get some samples from your doctor (it sounds like you could probably stand one of the lower dosages if your asthma is only exercise-induced) and see if it makes a difference. For me, it took one day to see a change. I went from using an inhaler 10 times a day to not using one at all. ever. I can't begin to explain how much this little pill has improved my quality of life.

Good luck. :tu:

I've heard of singulair but didn't realize that it was a pill. Next time I go in to the doctor's office I'll ask her about it and see if I can get some samples.

Thanks

I also have asthma, and find exercise can cause me problems, especially if it is cold outside. I have found that Advair is a great help.

Some people are non-responders to Singulair. It never did a thing for me.

I'm on a medication that I use as-needed (I only take it prior to cardio these days, just to be sure my lungs don't hold me back). It's called Foradil (http://www.foradil.us) . They tout it as a regular usage drug - technically, you're supposed to use it in the morning and evening daily. However my doctor has told me that I can use it on an as-needed basis since my asthma has improved so dramatically since losing weight and including regular cardiovascular exercise.

Secondary to that, I have a whole slew of information (unfortunately, it's not electronic format or I'd post it for you, but I'm sure you can Google "V02 max" and find plenty of info on increasing yours) regarding ways to increase your V02max that helped me overcome asthma as well. Increasing your VO2max in the face of asthma is almost painful because of the sprints and other breathing-intensive exercise you'll do, but it works. Just be sure you keep your rescue nearby, because you'll need it at first!

Good luck.

-R

Maybe this VO2 Max thing could become my Cardio.

So what I am gathering is that VO2 Max is sprinting and alot of it?
What other reasources can you give/show me? I am really interested in anything that can help lessen or eventually get rid of my asthma.

This is the website I found,(here) (http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/vo2max.htm) Since this is a whole new thing to me I will need some help in knowing how often and what workouts to do.

Thanks for all the help and if any of you guys have any other resources or anything at all please let me know. I'm gonna get my mom to schedule an appointment with the doctor so that we can talk about this and maybe get me on a once a day thing instead of always having my albuterol with me. Which I sometimes forget and that makes for a very fun outing.

Maybe this VO2 Max thing could become my Cardio.

So what I am gathering is that VO2 Max is sprinting and alot of it?
What other reasources can you give/show me? I am really interested in anything that can help lessen or eventually get rid of my asthma.

My only advice would be to Google it. I have no hard copy on this stuff, nor am I an expert on it. I performed some exercises regularly, basically it included some "sprinting" on the treadmill for various intervals of time last year to help increase my body's ability to consume oxygen - that's what V02max is all about - increasing the maximum volume of oxygen your body can consume. A cheap spirometer is nice to have as well, so you can test how much air you can move before you start and after. Your doctor can give you a little cheapie plastic one (that's where I got mine) that works great, then just keep track of how much you can blow on the spiro before and after you exercise. You'll see it increase very slowly, but it does work.

I think the best thing I came away with is that it drastically reduced my wheezing and coughing until it's just about non-existent unless I'm sick or my allergies are really pissed off.

-R

major bummer dude.

luckly i grew out of my asthma as i got older i think about 11ys old.
i hope you find a solution and i hope you get in.

good luck

fosse

Flo-vent user here. Although from what I understand, thats old-school. I believe there are a number of newer, non-steroidal treatments available.

If you have the option of swimming, historically this caused me fewer symptoms during cardio. I found I had much more focus and control over my breathing during swimming. Adding swimming may in the long term improve your capacity for running.
My method of using a tread is walk-jog-sprint. Walk for several minutes, move into a jog for several more, then go as high as the tread will allow for up to 30 seconds. Rinse, repeat for the duration.

Realizing you forgot your albuterol when you need it is a serious drag. Happened to me on more occasions then I care to remember. Best of luck with your training and application.

My son is only 5. He has chronic asthma. We would have to take him to the emerge alot and he could never run. Singulair has, for him anyway, been a wonder drug. He takes it every night before bed and now only comes down with asthma attacks when he is sick. (cold or something) He is very active now and even participated in run club at his school this year. May not work for everyone. I beleive it is for asthma that is allergy related.....

Maybe this VO2 Max thing could become my Cardio.

So what I am gathering is that VO2 Max is sprinting and alot of it?
What other reasources can you give/show me? I am really interested in anything that can help lessen or eventually get rid of my asthma.

This is the website I found,(here) (http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/vo2max.htm) Since this is a whole new thing to me I will need some help in knowing how often and what workouts to do.

Thanks for all the help and if any of you guys have any other resources or anything at all please let me know. I'm gonna get my mom to schedule an appointment with the doctor so that we can talk about this and maybe get me on a once a day thing instead of always having my albuterol with me. Which I sometimes forget and that makes for a very fun outing.


VO2MAX is the maximal uptake of oxygen by the cells (Maximum Volume of O2 - oxygen). You can improve this by working out at a moderately high intenstiy for a longer amount of time, or very intense intervals 90+ % of max heart rate). Sprinters have very high measured VO2 MAX, for example, however as a group, cross country skiers have the highest VO2 MAX.

Since VO2 Max is measured in units per kilogram of body weight, you can also improve this number if you weigh less. This is one reason, but not the only one, why losing weight improves and sometimes 'cures' people's asthma altogether. You can more efficiently use oxygen if you are toting around less weight.

Basically any improved aerobic adaptation will improve your exercise with asthma. If it's running that you want to do, run to just before your current ability for time. Then slowly build up a bit more each time. If you have an inhaler such as albuterol, use it 10 mins prior to exercise and you should notice improvement.

If building fitness is what you want to do with more cardio, generally the best types of cardio for people with asthma are more stop and go type sports - soccer, etc. Swimming is probably the most recommended sport for asthmatics, due to the moistening effect of water on the air, and rhythmic breathing.

One thing you might was to try - there have been studies done here at the university indicating that doing intense exercise for 5 minutes can prevent asthma attacks later on. For example run sprint intervals for 5 minutes with little rest in between, about a half hour before your regular exercise. The body produces chemcals which protect against attacks for several hours after the initial effort.

At a very minimum, start slowly and do a warm-up before exercising. If it is cold, it might help to cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or neck gaiter, to heat and moisten the air.

Sometimes, asthma can be worsened by metabolic issues. This happened to me - I had exercise induced asthma out of nowhere. I corrected nutritional deficiencies, and at my last visit with the asthma/allergy specialist, my lung capacity had returned to around 130% of average for my height/weight.

-Amie