Road Cycling - Asthma

So I asked my doc about it and he gave me an inhaler. Since I think I would use it so infrequently, I'll wait until an attack starts to build.

I'm posting here, cuz y'all are probably like me, you stop infrequently... eat, drink, change clothing layers, stretch, whatever while spinning. I dislike stopping.

As such, have you ever used your inhaler while riding? Any issues? I can just imagine the first time I do use it while riding, I get some kind of headrush, blackout for a half-second and tip over :eek: :D

So I asked my doc about it and he gave me an inhaler. Since I think I would use it so infrequently, I'll wait until an attack starts to build.

I'm posting here, cuz y'all are probably like me, you stop infrequently... eat, drink, change clothing layers, stretch, whatever while spinning. I dislike stopping.

As such, have you ever used your inhaler while riding? Any issues? I can just imagine the first time I do use it while riding, I get some kind of headrush, blackout for a half-second and tip over :eek: :D

With the prescription, your doctor should have showed you how to use the inhaler which consists in basically 1. Shaking the inhaler 2. Exhaling 3. Placing the inhaler in mouth 4. Pressing 5. Inhaling deep and holding for a few seconds. (I'm not a doctor but have used an inhaler for many years).
So, to answer your question: you can probably use the inhaler while you are spinning but much of the dose inhaled will be wasted. Best is to stop, settle down and use it. But ask your doctor about this.
Also, if you tend to need it more than three or four times a day, mention it to your doctor as these drugs are not without risks and you may need some form of preventor. Life ain't easy, but remember that many successful athletes are asthmatics..

Thanks!

So far this year, I would've used it only three times, but I appreciate your re-iterating the communication thing with the doc.

Good point about wasting it. That probably would happen. It takes about 30-60 minutes from the first sign before it becomes even a little issue, so I figured I'd see if I can use it on the fly. My knee doesn't like cooling down and getting going again.

Actually, the goal of current asthma treatment is to prevent attacks as much as possible. http://www.getasthmahelp.org/NIH_guidelines.asp Usually with a combination of meds, some taken before riding. And knowing what type of riding won't trigger an attack. The airways stay healthier that way, it is thought. People have gotten into trouble relying too much on albuterol alone.

I took one or two hits of of albuterol before riding and never had a problem. I rode and raced hard and never had an attack.

For exercised induced asthma, I believe you can take a hit BEFORE you start and often that will prevent an attack.

No, I'm not a Dr, but I did stay in a ......

With the prescription, your doctor should have showed you how to use the inhaler which consists in basically 1. Shaking the inhaler 2. Exhaling 3. Placing the inhaler in mouth 4. Pressing 5. Inhaling deep and holding for a few seconds. (I'm not a doctor but have used an inhaler for many years).
So, to answer your question: you can probably use the inhaler while you are spinning but much of the dose inhaled will be wasted. Best is to stop, settle down and use it. But ask your doctor about this.
Also, if you tend to need it more than three or four times a day, mention it to your doctor as these drugs are not without risks and you may need some form of preventor. Life ain't easy, but remember that many successful athletes are asthmatics..


Just a couple of clarifications to good advice.

1. Press AFTER you start inhaling, so it "follows the flow" and doesn't just end up in your mouth.

2. If you need any bronchodilator (albuterol) more than a few times a WEEK (not day) outside of exercise, then you need to check with your doctor, or one that understands this is important. This advice is not for exercise-induced asthma which is different. Use your inhaler BEFORE you exercise in this case. If you still need to use it during exercise, you need to check back with your doctor.

Oh, and "waiting until an attack starts to build" is a bad, bad idea if you truly have asthma of whatever sort.

I have chronic asthma not sports induced asthma and I've had an attack while riding before. Try not to use the inhaler while spinning though. Like someone said, it's a waste. Plus it can up your heart rate by a good amount so be careful. If you need to take it while riding, stop and let your heart rate go down a bit. Asthma sucks but it hasn't stopped me yet. Good luck.

I use an inhaler only for running or when I am planning on riding hard for over 30 minutes. I hardly ever have any problems with lighter workouts, but if I know that I am going to exert myself that much, then I'll hit two or three times before exercise. The medication seems to take a bit of time to work for me. So I just figure I'll probably need it. Better to start early and not have any breathing difficulties. I have never had the meds wear off either.

I have never had the meds wear off either.
actually, that was my concern. Of the three attacks I've had this year, not one of 'em started before four hours... one took six hours.

I shall find out sooner or later tho :)

I have had asthma all my life and I must say that I have tried every pill/inhaler made at least once. I used to suck down a puff of albuterol 15 to 20 times a day. About 2 years ago, my doctor gave me Advair for the first time. Advair is that purple round inhaler. It is an inhaled steriod, the advantage being that you are getting it to where it needs to go by inhaling as opposed to all the side effects of an ingested steriod. Anyway, it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I rarely if ever have to use the Albuterol anymore. I just take a puff of the Advair 2 times a day. I still am one of those people that have an inhaler in my bike bag, my camelbak, my car, his truck, one in every room of the house. I used to have an attack just thinking about being without it.

Also, I have allergies and if I get a sinus infection, it can work it's way down into my lungs. I noticed that if I start to feel crappy, I would take about 4000 mg of vitamin C before bed and it would make me feel better by morning. It "breaks up" the congestion and allows you to cough and blow that stuff out. (sorry that is gross) Anyway, I was under the assumption that it was the Vitamin C boosting your immune system, and I am sure that is part of it, but here is something that I got via email the other day....

Vitamin C may help people breathe easier

A two-year study indicates vitamin C may be strongly associated with respiratory health. Appearing in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research suggests insufficient vitamin C may enhance the possibility of common inflammatory airway diseases.

According to researchers at Children’s Hospital & Research Center in Oakland, CA, vitamin C plays a role in keeping airway surfaces hydrated. Vitamin C is present in the respiratory lining fluid of human lungs and deficiencies can occur when the body is under oxidative stress.

“Increased intake of vitamin C may loosen those sticky airway secretions and improve clearance in the respiratory tract,” according to lead researcher Beate Illek. Previously, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services survey indicated a connection between asthma risk and fruit intake, with particular regard for vitamin C consumption.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101(10):3691-3696, 2004

Go to swansonvitamins.com (I got this email through Swanson Vitamins)

Sorry this post is so long. I am really passionate about helping others be able to breathe better. My mom has COPD and never smoked in her entire life. She is in the beginning stages of emphysema and she will eventually die from not being able to breathe. My grandpa died of emphysema, but he was a smoker, still it was tragic to watch his misery and decline. I sucks not being able to get a breath and since I have been dealing with this since I was a baby, I want to share my experience with others.

Redhead:

Glad to hear you are being appropriately treated, if not delayed. A minor correction if I may: Advair is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator (Serevent), not a steroid alone.

Some folks get good response from Serevent for exercise-induced asthma, especially if they do prolonged activities.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=61215

I have had asthma all my life and I must say that I have tried every pill/inhaler made at least once. I used to suck down a puff of albuterol 15 to 20 times a day. About 2 years ago, my doctor gave me Advair for the first time. Advair is that purple round inhaler. It is an inhaled steriod, the advantage being that you are getting it to where it needs to go by inhaling as opposed to all the side effects of an ingested steriod. Anyway, it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I rarely if ever have to use the Albuterol anymore.

Amen to that! Advair changed my life. My asthma got worse a couple years ago and I was in the same situation as you were. A few days after getting Advair and I could lose my albuterol and not really care.

Redhead:

Glad to hear you are being appropriately treated, if not delayed. A minor correction if I may: Advair is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator (Serevent), not a steroid alone.

Some folks get good response from Serevent for exercise-induced asthma, especially if they do prolonged activities.

You are correct, I am surprised I left that out. :eek: I tried Serevent alone, but it did not do the trick. I also found that Methylprednisolone (the dose pack that weans you down from 6 to 0) can make you feel like you can do anything. I get that when my sinuses are so packed that I can hold my head up anymore. I can see why athletes could get addicted to steriods.

My pal pulled old enhailers out of a box, the cannisters were eaten from the inside out.

Scary.

That is scary, how old? What kind?

Although, it probably doesn't matter, as long as I need them to breathe, I'll keep taking them anyway. :rolleyes: