patrickgm60

I've had a lingering chest cold for nearly a month. Morphed into the flu two weeks ago, now only a mild cold. I feel fine, except the lungs are no where near back to normal. 30 seconds into a fast climb, the legs are good, but I'm redlined, gasping like mad.

Anyone else experienced this? Any thoughts, recommendations?

Gumbus

I am working on 2 months. At 59 yo. this is a bummer and very anxious to get back into training.

hueyhoolihan

sounds normal to me

seriously, you might want to contact a pro, as in Dr., to verify that it was just a cold. i had a case of walking pneumonia for a couple of months once and the symtoms were very similar to a cold.

Carverbiker

Assuming you are correct and only have a cold, sounds completely normal. After a month off I find it takes me about a week or so before I get my wind back.

Dilberto

First verify what you really have, with a professional. Some people produce TONS of phlegm...others make a tiny bit. Whatever you do - all that congestion MUST leave your body, before full lung capacity is restored.

Spit away!!!!

531Aussie

I vaguely remember one time taking nearly 3 weeks to feel normal after a really bad cold or flu (I can't recall which)

Velo Dog

Dude, it's a cold, or else it's pneumonia, or you have lung cancer and you'll soon be dead. Don't look for medical advice on a cycling website. If you're concerned, go to a doctor

svtmike

I had that respiratory flu in January. Took me about 5 weeks of indoor workouts on the bike to feel like I was back to normal from a power output and endurance point of view. I at least feel like as soon as the weather breaks I'll be able to start the riding season and not be utterly pathetic. I'm not at peak fitness by any means, but I don't expect to be at this time of the year.

Mike F

I had a nasty cold last August. The cough wouldnt go away and I kept riding. I could barley breath at the top of the hill. Went to the Dr and it had morphed into bronchitis. Five days of super pills and an inhaler and I was feeling much better.

patrickgm60

Thanks for the replies; we've narrowed my problem to either normalcy, walking pneumonia, bronchitis, or cancer. : )

The weather has warmed nicely this week. Did a 2-hour solo ride today, wearing a breathe-easy nose strip and felt much better. I think I was sucking too much cold air straight to the lungs.