Question:
I'm interested in some feedback on my EIA experience. I'm a long
distance bicyclist who lives in the Chicago suburbs. I begin riding
outdoors in March and ride through October. When I begin riding in
March the temperatures are often below 40 degrees and plants are still
dormant. During this period, I have no symptoms even though I may do
difficult 50-80 mile rides. Beginning in mid-April through October, I
ride 100 miles every Saturday. As the temperature and humidity rise, and plants begin to blossom then
my EIA symptoms begin to appear. They are most acute when it's warm,
humid and a lot of pollen is in the air (spring and early fall).
During late winter, early spring, summer, and late fall, I don't have
any symptoms. They often don't start until I've been riding two or
three hours and get progressively worse through the end of my ride (5 -
6 hours). Note: I do not have any symptoms when the weather is cold
and dry as is often noted with EIA.
During my EIA periods, I have labored breathing and difficulty
speaking, but can still ride at a good clip (16-18 mph). The more
acute symptoms of being so short of breath that I can't speak typically
end within an hour or two of my ride. General shortness of breath can
last up to a day or two before I fully recover to normal.
I've tried Albuteral, Serevent, and Inhaled corticosteroids with little
success. I was thinking about trying Cromolyn as the facts and my
research indicate that my asthma may be alergy induced.
Answer:
Also in the Chicago burbs. Sounds like you have seasonal
allergies. Are you taking anything for those? If not, I would
start. My son had EIA for a few years, and he used a combination of
Advair and albuterol, on days he played football or basketball.
It didn't do much to help HIM, because his asthma was caused by
bacteria, but you might want to try that combination of drugs to
see if it works.
Yes, I have pollen allergies and I have EIA and some general asthma
symptoms beyond exercise. My suggestion is to see an allergist. This
is probably the most important step. Don't spend time experimenting
with various drugs. Get tested and work with the allergist to overcome
your EIA. For me it was the drug Singulair that worked. I can now run 3 to 4
miles several times a week at a decent pace for someone 58. Before I'd
be lucky to get a few blocks. Singulair is worth trying since there are
practically no side effects and if it works, you will consider it a
miracle drug (I do). It doesn't work for everyone, but definitely worth
a try.
Go to the Epa website and see if the days you ride your bike has high levels
of particulates. If the EPa warns you symptoms might get worse in just MILD
amounts (above good) its the best way to judge if your prone to breathing
problems based solely on amount of pollution. This is the most hidden source
of causes of symptoms for asthma. Don't believe, show me anywhere else when
a govt sponsered agency warns you about exercising because of air quality.
I personally think ( and this has been debated ever since they started to
warn you) they understate the damage. You will see many more warnings for
tick disease in my area of parks then particulate pollution and there is no
doubt that particulate pollution is way worse for you. According to some
links its the worse thing for people who are affected by air quality and
asthma. In my views Doctors and Lawyers will prove the associations one day
in civil court.
