Asthma on the AT

[acme]

I am planning a thru hike next year and I have mild asthma. Also I notice when practicing uphill climbs or using lots of stairs I get breathless. My legs hold up better than my lungs, so far. Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks.:confused:

[Rasty]

Everyone that smokes?

[acme]

Didn't think of that. I imagine there are a few smokers out there.
:)

[Snowleopard]

Everyone that's old and out of shape? I'm both, so I get out of breath going up hills, and it's not my asthma.

Exercise induced asthma? I've rarely had this. Pretreat with albuterol about 10 minutes before exercise. Warm up gradually before you start. Other medications are useful also. Good control of your asthma is very helpful, which may require inhaled steroid for some people.
http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/exercise-induced-asthma

Cold induced asthma can be triggered by exercise in cold temperatures or just breathing cold air.

It's a good idea to see a respiratory physician to get evaluated.

[Kerosene]

I have mild, exercise-induced asthma that is worse in cold weather. I take 2 puffs of albuterol every 4-6 hours while hiking, in addition to my daily Asmanex. Sometimes I don't notice it if I miss a dosing, but other times I will be wondering why I'm dragging so much, thinking that I might be dehydrated or undernourished when in fact insufficient oxygen is getting to my body. My aerobic capacity is certainly diminished, but not always enough to make me aware. I will eventually start coughing, which can lead to bronchitis if not addressed.

[acme]

Thanks Snowleopard, that's a lot of useful advice.

[quilteresq]

Take not only preventatives - either Advair, Singulair, and the like - and of course, Albuterol, but I would (and will) ask my doctor about an epi-pen to take on the trail. I've only had a couple of bad asthma attacks in my life, but a mountain top is no place to be unprepared for that stuff. My allergy doc insisted I do this for my 3300 mile bike ride in 2003. She had a friend that died from an attack in the mountains. Never used the epi pen, but it's good to be prepared.

[bigcranky]

I have asthma. It's well controlled with long term medication. +1 on carrying an Epi-pen. Hiking is really not a big deal.

I still get winded on long climbs, but that's being out of shape. Within a few days I'm climbing just fine.

[Wise Old Owl]

Point 1.
People with asthma who've been relying on cheap, over-the-counter inhalers to get a soothing blast will have to look elsewhere for relief beginning in 2012. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm193304.htm) that epinephrine inhalers will not be made or sold after Dec. 31, 2011 because they rely on chloroflouorocarbons, or CFCs, to propel the drug into the lungs. (Primatene Mist.)

Point 2. It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment of acute symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta2-adrenergic_agonist) (such as salbutamol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol)). Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irritation), and by inhaling corticosteroids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroids).

Point 3. (WOO) GET TESTED for allergens. then take shots.two years of misery and headaches is a life time of reduced need for these inhalers - Life is better. Talk to your doctor.

Point 4. http://airexpertsofmichigan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/usa_map-300x187.gifMap changes yearly - SNP was a huge downfall for my lungs.

[Snowleopard]

quilteresq and Big Cranky, do you carry an epipen for allergies or for asthma? It's literally a life saver for severe allergy attacks, but I hadn't heard of using it for asthma.

For severe asthma attacks, perhaps albuterol plus prednisone plus oxygen would be the emergency treatment. Good luck finding oxygen on the trail. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Wise Old Owl]

SL you are on target....I carry the epi for something else... reactions to prescribed medicine. But IMO it wont help in a reaction for this... only adrenaline. Huge quantities.

EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors (0.3 and 0.15 mg epinephrine) are for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for patients who are at increased risk for these reactions.
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors are designed for you to use immediately in an emergency, to treat an allergic reaction fast and give you time to get to a hospital or medical center. EpiPen and EpiPen Jr (for kids) Auto-Injectors are not a substitute for emergency medical treatment.
Important Safety Information

Each EpiPen Auto-Injector contains a single dose of a medicine called epinephrine, which you inject into your outer thigh. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY. DO NOT INJECT INTO YOUR BUTTOCK, as this may not be effective for a severe allergic reaction. In case of accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment.
Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Side effects may include an increase in heart rate, a stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness, headache, apprehension, nervousness, or anxiety. These side effects usually go away quickly, especially if you rest. If you have high blood pressure or an overactive thyroid, these side effects may be more severe or longer lasting. If you have heart disease, you could experience chest pain (angina). If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels may increase after use. If you have Parkinson's disease, your symptoms may temporarily get worse

[shelb]

There is a portable battery operated nebulizer you can get in case of an asthma attack. My oldest son had one for backpacking when he was in scouts, and he did have to use it a couple of times. His asthma was viral and allergy induced, not exercise. I agree with those telling you to see a respiratory specialist. They can put you on preventatives and tell you how to self-monitor to watch for and counter any bad times.

[bigcranky]

quilteresq and Big Cranky, do you carry an epipen for allergies or for asthma? It's literally a life saver for severe allergy attacks, but I hadn't heard of using it for asthma.

Not for asthma. For an allergic reaction to, say, a bee sting. One of my coworkers was on an Outward Bound course and got stung by a large hornet. She was on the top of a high ropes course at the time. Miles from a hospital, down tiny mountain roads. They got two Epi-pens into her, saved her life. She'd been stung before with no allergic reaction. Sorry for the confusion. (I have seen suggestions that inflammatory diseases like asthma can increase the chance of allergic reactions, but now I can't find a link.)

[rocketsocks]

Everyone that's old and out of shape? I'm both, so I get out of breath going up hills, and it's not my asthma.

Exercise induced asthma? I've rarely had this. Pretreat with albuterol about 10 minutes before exercise. Warm up gradually before you start. Other medications are useful also. Good control of your asthma is very helpful, which may require inhaled steroid for some people.
http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/exercise-induced-asthma

Cold induced asthma can be triggered by exercise in cold temperatures or just breathing cold air.

It's a good idea to see a respiratory physician to get evaluated.+1 on all this,have had it since birth.try to identify triggers,this may take some time through different season.But for me moldy old shelters are a no no.And no iguana either,very bad.

[Snowleopard]

WOO, does it make sense to carry an epipen for other people's bee stings, etc.?
My own asthma is not from allergens, but from irritants (ammonia, cigarette smoke, etc.), so I don't think I'll ever need it for myself.

[Wise Old Owl]

No because it's govt regulated - One can only self administer by prescription.

[quilteresq]

My doctor said that the epi pen would work for a severe asthma attack. In my case, that would likely be caused by an allergen - I'm allergic to just about everything. Been stung before, never reacted, but given my allergic propensities, it wouldn't surprise me if it happened. IF it happened, I'd use the epi-pen on top of the albuterol, not in lieu of. That said, the last few years haven't been that bad for me for the most part. I did have one particularly nasty attack turn into what seemed like a two week attack last year, and was on the nebulizer every day for a couple of weeks. Rarely had an attack other than that, however.

[rocketsocks]

In 05' my pulse OX reached 72% not good damn near dead,they said,pretty darn grave I said.A week in the hospital,and a slew of drugs later....I'm walking now.If you have any specific questions,feel free to PM.Out of 108 things tested,I am allergic to 92,trees,molds pollens,cats some dogs but never mine thank god,oh yeah and "Cats",and many many others,my record for sneezes was 26 set back in the early 80's but no more.Modern pharmacopia has helped me a great deal.:)whishing all who suffer a happy and healthy hiking season.RS