I am just getting back into running and my outside runs have been increasing a little more in the last few weeks.
I have noticed that I have been short of breath after running and it lasts for a few days after a run. Tonight I can't lay down due to to a little wheezing in my breathing causing a little panic and so I can't sleep. So I am here writing this because I can't sleep. I will be seeking a doctor today.
I am not sure if I over did it on some of my last outside runs that were in temps 45 and below.
Does this sound like Asthma? I never had Asthma before.
That's what happens to me after speedwork and tpo runs and I have asthma. Sounds like yours might be too. Get it checked out to be sure.
Damaris
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I would suggest a doctor also just based on what you describe.
Speaking of asthma I took the breathing test twice years ago, and although I felt like I would pass out during them, don't have it. Instead I was diagnosed with shortness of breath, and dealt with it only with decongestents. I was actually going to start a different post today about inhalers. I was prescribed 1 last month, after telling my PCP that I wanted to try it which is still in the box. How soon before running do you use one?
I have had asthma my whole life, but it can develop at any point. If you have it, it can be triggered by exercise, and more so by cold air.
Not sure if you have been having any other symptoms. Sometimes if I get a bad cold or respiratory infection, it will bring on an asthmatic reaction, leaving me short of breath on & off throughout the day, but may not respond as well to my regular asthma medication. This is actually what I have been dealing with all week, had the same problems sleeping as it seems to hit worst at night. If this continues to hang around I am also going to the MD to get some stronger stuff.
Check back in after you see the MD & let us know what he says. I can probably predict what he is going to drug you up with, but we'll see.
Then you can get some differing opinions on how to manage it from Damaris & me....
Dave
I would suggest a doctor also just based on what you describe. Speaking of asthma I took the breathing test twice years ago, and although I felt like I would pass out during them, don't have it. Instead I was diagnosed with shortness of breath, and dealt with it only with decongestents. I was actually going to start a different post today about inhalers. I was prescribed 1 last month, after telling my PCP that I wanted to try it which is still in the box. How soon before running do you use one?
Is it albuterol?
Yes
I think you're probably supposed to give it a little time to kick in before you go out, but I really don't. I may give it 5-10 minutes, but I have also taken it right before I go out the door. If I do not take it, I feel it within the first mile or two.
I would do 15 minutes prior and every two hours of runs. I read that albuterol lasts 3-4 hours but while active it lasts less. That's how I used it.
Thanks both of you
Lets just say I wish it was asthma!!
Went to the doc today. I have Atrial fibrillation He gave me 2 drugs. one to slow my heart down and one to prevent clots.
This is a first for me but not a surprise since my mom and her mom had it for years. I am going to the specialist on Monday. If the drugs don't help they could stop my heart and restart it on Monday.
No running for me. This might put a damper on any more running in the future, because I am not sure I want to run with a heart condition. I though there was something up my energy level has been bad when not running.The last 4 runs I did were like beginner's runs. Half walks and runs.
This was not good news for me!
Lets just say I wish it was asthma!! Went to the doc today. I have Atrial fibrillation He gave me 2 drugs. one to slow my heart down and one to prevent clots. This is a first for me but not a surprise since my mom and her mom had it for years. I am going to the specialist on Monday. If the drugs don't help they could stop my heart and restart it on Monday. No running for me. This might put a damper on any more running in the future, because I am not sure I want to run with a heart condition. I though there was something up my energy level has been bad when not running.The last 4 runs I did were like beginner's runs. Half walks and runs. This was not good news for me!
Good luck. Hope the meds work. I think an ultra friend of mine had that. Make sure the meds do not have a side effect of stopping your heart whenever your HR reached X, because my friend passed out during a run because the doctor didn't tell him. He was put on a medication that would not cause that, thankfully.
That sucks and sorry to hear. A friend of mine is 70, and had been running trails for years until he was diagnosed with A-Fib. However he is very hopeful of running trails soon. It had taken a # of tests to reach that conclusion, so it does sound good to get a quick diagnosis. Everyone is obviously different. Good luck.
Wow. Good luck & take care of yourself.
Boo! Sorry to hear this. Hopefully they can get it converted back to normal.
Your initial symptoms were worrisome to me, but for a different reason. I was thinking possible pulmonary embolism, an issue that is near and dear to me now (I had a sub-massive bilateral PE on 2/1). I know that would be an extreme "guess" and for most runners that's not going to be the case, but your symptoms mimic'd my own for the 4 runs prior to my PE. Very low energy, very short of breath, just like you said they felt just like beginner runs.
I have read a lot of stories about athletes with a serious medical condition being mis-diagnosed for weeks or months because they are otherwise very healthy. Sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation but I'm glad that you were properly diagnosed.
One day at a time.