I can not believe this is happening!

Amy Steppe

Amy Steppe

Cathlete
I have written here about having exercise induced asthma.

My asthma has become worse - when I think back my lungs have slowly been deteriorating for 5 years.

My cardiovascular endurance is gone. After 15 min of exercise, I collapse. I may have a good day, but the bad outweighs the good. I am to the point I am afraid of cardio because I don't want to collapse and feel like a total loser.

Despite albuterol my asthma has gotten worse.

I had a breathing test and treatment and my doctor said after the treatment my lung capacity increased 20%. I failed the breathing test big time.

So my doctor prescribed not only albuterol, but Symbicort.

That same day I had a routine chest X-ray. My doctor said he was doing it to ease my mind.

Fast forward 3 hours. My doctor called me to inform me I have a 3 CM nodule on my upper left lung.

He ordered a CT scan. The final suggestion by the radiologist was to follow up with CT scans every 6 months for a period of 2 years.

My doctor said "it did not look like cancer" and we should just keep an eye on the nodule for growth.

So here I am - horrible asthma (some days are worse than others) and a nodule on my lung.

I have never smoked in my life.

Last night I was attempting to do MIC except for the very high impact. By the time I got 10 min into the step portion, I had to stop.

I am so angry with my body - asthma has robbed me of one of my passions of life - working out.

I just wanted to vent. I have been through 2 years of tests, etc., to find out I have adult onset asthma and a spot on my lung.

I am also upset because I want to do STS cardio. I know I will try and on those days I can not get through it, I will feel like a total loser.

Some days I get out of breath walking up stairs. Why has my body turned on me? I just gave up and cried last night when I could not do my MIC cardio.
 
Last edited:
I can't begin to understand, because I've never been there, but I can tell how frustrated and scared you are. {{{Amy}}} and happy vibes comin' your way.

Nan
 
I also have exercise induced asthma and I am concerned that you are not really seeing the right doctors. As someone who has had pretty sever asthma all my life, of all kinds, I am wondering why your doctors are just putting you on Symbicort when you have been taking a lot of Albuterol to keep your breathing in check (which, as you know, should only be for emergencies or as something to take 1/2 an hour before a workout in addition to other treatment).

If your breathing has been deteriorating for five years -- and you have been being tested for 2-- why are they just now putting you on an inhaled steroid? This should have happened years ago. And what about other controllers, such as Singulair? Albuterol should NEVER be used to control asthma -- it is only for emergencies.

Until I was 30 I could not do cardio, then the really good inhaled steroids started coming out, along with some other meds, and I was able to do step. Today I am on Singulair, Symbicort and Flovent. Unless the weather is changing (which always brings on breathing issues for me) the only time I use my Albuterol is 1/2 an hour before a cardio work out -- 2 puffs. I have a fantastic doctor if you are in Chicago. If not, start looking.

I completely understand your frustration. I have been there. And while I will never be able to do Insanity (reverse interval training would kill me, no doubt) I can do all the IMAX workouts.

Tobermory
 
tobermory said:
I also have exercise induced asthma and I am concerned that you are not really seeing the right doctors. As someone who has had pretty sever asthma all my life, of all kinds, I am wondering why your doctors are just putting you on Symbicort when you have been taking a lot of Albuterol to keep your breathing in check (which, as you know, should only be for emergencies or as something to take 1/2 an hour before a workout in addition to other treatment).

If your breathing has been deteriorating for five years -- and you have been being tested for 2-- why are they just now putting you on an inhaled steroid? This should have happened years ago. And what about other controllers, such as Singulair? Albuterol should NEVER be used to control asthma -- it is only for emergencies.

Until I was 30 I could not do cardio, then the really good inhaled steroids started coming out, along with some other meds, and I was able to do step. Today I am on Singulair, Symbicort and Flovent. Unless the weather is changing (which always brings on breathing issues for me) the only time I use my Albuterol is 1/2 an hour before a cardio work out -- 2 puffs. I have a fantastic doctor if you are in Chicago. If not, start looking.

I completely understand your frustration. I have been there. And while I will never be able to do Insanity (reverse interval training would kill me, no doubt) I can do all the IMAX workouts.

Tobermory
Click to expand...

Hi Tober,

It is partially my fault for not mentioning my declining cardiovascular endurance to my doctors. The decline has been slow and I just could not accept the fact I needed a doctor.

I have tried Singular for allergies and my doctor did mention my taking it again.

I became aware of my pulmonary problems when I was placed on an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure two years ago and developed the notorious cough. That is when I first sought medical help. I had no idea why I was coughing all the time.

I have another appointment in Feb, but I can always see him sooner. I will mention Flovent and Singular.

To be honest, I am just now admitting to myself I do have asthma. I always associated asthma with children.

So I am to blame for refusing to admit I have respiratory problems.

The clincher is the spot on my lung. A chest X ray from one year ago when I really began to get sick was normal.
 
I understand. I really think you should go in and talk to them about asthma controlling medications. Explain what you could do before, what you can do now, and what you want to be able to do. It may take a while to get to where you need to be and to find the right combination for you. They also may put you on a course of oral steroids, which are annoying because you gain some weight, but they can clear things up quite a bit and then you go off and go into maintenance. You can be on them for days or weeks, depending on the course. If they say you need them don't just automatically turn them down. They can be miracle drugs. Remember, these are not the steroids the wrestlers and weight lifters take, but they can make you moody.

And really, if you have been diagnosed with asthma, find a doctor who specializes, don't just use your GP. They really don't know all the ins and outs.

And if the growth was not there last year, I doubt it is what is responsible for this decline in its entirety.

Good Luck and I hope things improve soon.

Tobermory
 
:mad::(:(:(:(

I am mad and sad with you.

Have you taken a look at your diet. When ever things come up with me I look at my diet. Food is a drug and some food can make us sick...some food can make us better.

Have tried elimiating anything from your diet and adding other things touting to be helpful to athsma?
 
So sorry to hear this! As someone who dealt with a lot of medical issues this year, I can relate on that front. It's so frustrating when you want to be healthy and exercise and your body betrays you. I know that feeling too well.

As a respiratory therapist, I'd certainly follow up with a pulmonologist, have a CT and MRI if necessary. Definitely take care of it now--don't wait. If you have that nagging feeling inside to keep getting answers, listen to it.

Hugs and best wishes!
 
More (((((((hugs)))))) for you Amy!

I'm sorry for all your dealing w/ and think you've gotten some great advice here. I agree that you should NOT to wait see what happens re: the spot on your lungs. It could be a fungal infection which are really nasty to deal w/. See a pulmonologist ASAP as someone suggested.

Re: your asthma - a LOT of people have developed exercise induced asthma. While it can impose some upper limits on what you can do intensity-wise, it doesn't mean the end of cardio and certainly not the end of exercise. My 55 yo brother developed EI-athsma from running and he's still able to run. Kathy Smith got it and she still works out and looks great. I think she's 57??

My understanding is working out in extreme temperature conditions (cold or heat) can bring it on for some people and heighten the symptoms.

It's good that you're dealing w/ it now--you can't change what's past so don't beat yourself up. Google the he!! out this and you can take charge starting today re: what medications are more effective than others & what others have done to help relieve their symptoms.

Also, please consider other exercise options (yoga, barre workouts, light wt, higher rep wt training like Slim Series or freestyle) that you can do as you work your way back. It will help you mentally, emotionally & physically.

Keep us posted, Amy!
 
I have to agree with Tobermory. An asthma specialist could get the asthma under control for you so you can function. Also, I'm really surprised your doctor didn't order a biopsy on the nodule! I know you're scared and angry, but I would certainly start looking for second opinions on both issues. Your asthma should be under control with the PROPER meds.

I have asthma as well. I was having similar problems with exercise, especially higher intensity work like running. Got it under control and now I'm a running fan and I can do all the high intensity cardio workouts!

Hang in there! I'll be sending healing energy your way! Seriously consider getting second opinions.
 
ellesan said:
So sorry to hear this! As someone who dealt with medical issues this year, I can relate on that front. It's so frustrating when you want to be healthy and exercise and your body betrays you. I know that feeling too well.
Click to expand...

Ditto.

I've been having issues with my feet now for a year and a half. I love doing cardio workouts, but my feet just won't allow it.
 
I have to agree with the others. Your doctors should've had this under control years ago! You've been suffering for no reason!

I've had asthma my whole life, and have been on a variety of different steriods since I was a kid. I've been on Advair now for several yeras, and it works WONDERS. I rarely have to use my Albuterol (think maybe 2x/yr).

Good luck. If you get on the right steroid, you'll notice huge improvements.
 
More {{hugs}} and best wishes.

As a long-time asthma sufferer I can relate... at least a bit. Mine is not exercised induced and it's mostly under control so I can only sympathize with your level of frustration.

I endorse getting a second inhaler. As noted - albuterol is only for rescue. It has a short duration of action. There are a lot of good maintenance inhalers out there. GET ONE ;)

On the nodule. My mom had a 'nodule'. Turned out to be estrogenic-receptive. Was VERY slow growing but she had it cut off and went on meds. It didn't turn up until she was on hormonal therapy. If you're on estrogens you might want to check that as well. Good news - no recurrence. :D
 
Amy,

<<<HUGS>>> to you. I surely do know how important exercise is to you. Please keep us posted and let us know what the doctor says...
Lorrayne
 
I had the CT

The CT showed a 1 cm nodule with reguar shape.

The radiologist's final recommendations are to follow up with regular CT scans for two years.

The reason that doctors will not do any type of biopsy is that the risks outweigh the benefits of a biopsy at this point.

I am on an increased amount of Symbicort - 160/4.5.

Right now I seem to be OK and able to do my cardio as usual. I have a huge dread of cardio now, so I need to get past that.

I have googled a lot on solitary pulmonary lesions and the New England Journal of Medicine even states that since most small nodules are not malignant, the watch and wait approach is the best.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, thoughts and advice. It means a lot to me!
 
Oh, Amy!

I'm so sorry to hear about your health problems. I can't even imagine what it's like for you. I had an explant done with many complications and couldn't do exercises for more than 6 months. It was horrible.

Now, you have other worries on top of that. (((((hugs and prayers))))). What ever I say I'm sure is not helping you. Wish I had magic words for you to feel better and uplifted.:(

Whatever you do, please, don't ever give up. Keep trying.

Janie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top