Asthma, knee issues and exercise - ThinnerTimes

ajmoe · 02-21-2007, 10:46 PM

Anyone that has asthma might be able to answer this.
I was diagnosed with asthma about a year ago. It gave me another reason to have the surgery. Since I was newly diagnosed I expected it to go away after surgery. I know it takes a while. I was told that it was possibly it was set off by allergies. Which I have really bad episodes of, here in Germany. But it is also set off by stress.
Anyway it gave me an excuse before surgery not to exercise, it just was too hard. Or at least that is what I told myself. After surgery I was doing great for about 3 - 4 weeks. Only a couple of asthma episodes. I started not worrying about carrying my inhaler around and felt great. And then the episodes started again. I needed my inhaler with me at all times. Now I use it probably at least once a day again.
I do exercise but I am afraid to exercise hard. Even exercising at a moderate level, I need my inahler with in the first 10 minutes. I use it and am able to breathe again and then I seem fine to exercise. I also have knee problems.
I do the exercise bike and it works ok but I limit myself. Mostly out of fear.
Anyone with Asthma or knee problems. What do you do to overcome them and the fear of making them worse?
Please don't say go to a pool, there is one around here but I can not make it there, I have two small kids and the only time that is available to go is late at night and it is quite a distance to drive. It would take me at least 2 -3 hours to complete a workout.
Anyone have any ideas? I want something I can do at home and not just walking.

BethBaugh · 02-22-2007, 03:01 AM

Need an allergist specializing in asthma? MY neice went through a series of allergy shots and her asthma became almost nonexistent. She now takes aerobics and advanced ballet.

PErhaps if it is allergy induced mostly it could be a help. I know even moderate exercise helps with stress.

Huggs
Beth B. in TN

deadboy · 02-22-2007, 05:45 AM

I don't know from asthma but I know, provided you don't go for speed, biking is an awesome low impact exercise and should be no real problem for your knees. As you get smaller I think you'll probably find that the knees are LESS of a worry.

Luna Lurker · 02-22-2007, 07:23 AM

I like to walk in nearby stores. it's a great way to compare prices. I go later at night, so there are less little ones running around and with the aid of the shoping cart, the pain is less.

ajmoe · 02-22-2007, 08:22 AM

I would like to see an allergist but there isn't one here. My allergies were not this bad in the states so I am hoping when we move back they will get better.
There is quite a bit of mold around here so that is probably the difference.
I do like biking and it is easy to do with my girls. They play in the bike area and I can bike. Win win.
I did 45 minutes today on the bike with a heart monitor and that made me feel much better about what I was doing at least I could get an idea of how hard I was working out.

deadboy · 02-22-2007, 08:57 AM

Biking was my big gateway exercise. I started off slow and steady and slowly built up my stamina and prepared myself for more strenuous exercise.

greco02 · 08-16-2007, 03:39 PM

There is a program for chair exercise. The lady created a DVD. Perhaps that is the place to start. I don't have asthma but I did have knee problems that did not go away after my GBP. My saving grace was a right total knee early this year. Along with the GBP 6 years ago I have my life back. czg

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmoe

Anyone that has asthma might be able to answer this.
I was diagnosed with asthma about a year ago. It gave me another reason to have the surgery. Since I was newly diagnosed I expected it to go away after surgery. I know it takes a while. I was told that it was possibly it was set off by allergies. Which I have really bad episodes of, here in Germany. But it is also set off by stress.
Anyway it gave me an excuse before surgery not to exercise, it just was too hard. Or at least that is what I told myself. After surgery I was doing great for about 3 - 4 weeks. Only a couple of asthma episodes. I started not worrying about carrying my inhaler around and felt great. And then the episodes started again. I needed my inhaler with me at all times. Now I use it probably at least once a day again.
I do exercise but I am afraid to exercise hard. Even exercising at a moderate level, I need my inahler with in the first 10 minutes. I use it and am able to breathe again and then I seem fine to exercise. I also have knee problems.
I do the exercise bike and it works ok but I limit myself. Mostly out of fear.
Anyone with Asthma or knee problems. What do you do to overcome them and the fear of making them worse?
Please don't say go to a pool, there is one around here but I can not make it there, I have two small kids and the only time that is available to go is late at night and it is quite a distance to drive. It would take me at least 2 -3 hours to complete a workout.
Anyone have any ideas? I want something I can do at home and not just walking.

Debz · 08-16-2007, 04:45 PM

I have exertional asthma...so before I do anything even remotely exercise like, I hit myself with the albuterol inhaler and I'm good to go. Like you , I have trouble with my knee so, before I walk, I put on the neoprene brace my doc recommended (you can get them in any drug store) and then ice them if they're complaining. It works. Good luck!

hullonewjersey · 08-20-2007, 01:00 PM

I've had asthma since I was 2 -- exercise and allergy-induced asthma -- waaay before I was morbidly obese. I'm 25 now, and my asthma is controlled even though it is something I am told I will need to live with the rest of my life.

Keep in mind I'm not a doctor, but asthma is not something that should limit your life in any way. You should be able to be around all of the things that you are allergic to, and you should be able to exercise until something else in your body gives out before your lungs. That state of asthma is what most doctors I've seen refer to as 'controlled.'

If the states are binary, then yours is definitely uncontrolled. IMOHO I don't think you should modify your behavior at all (with respect to the asthma, at least): I think you should see a better doctor. You need to find the medicine that's right for you, as well as the right dosage. Taking shots of albuterol before working out can help, but I've been hospitalized dozens of times for asthma attacks (mostly related to illness or when I was little and said I took my medicine but didn't) and now I go mountain biking several times a week without having to prepare myself with a rescue inhaler. In fact, since I've had the surgery on 2/28/07 I haven't used my rescue inhaler once. Sure, I take puffers and pills morning and night but who cares if I can live my life the way I want!

I hope things work out for you. I know what it's like to feel like asthma limits your life. I was so afraid of playing soccer with my friends when I was little because I was worried I would have an attack and that the other boys would laugh at me... not a good way to live.

Cat_Lover · 08-20-2007, 01:27 PM

Hello Angie,

First and formost talk to your doctor about the asthma and knee pain. Is the knee because of a injury and/or damage to the knee. There are pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds. Are you on an asthma controller meds, it you take twice a day. There are to types of inhalers, controller and rescue inhalers. Talk to your doctor about them. Also tell them your are a WLS paitent.

I have OA in my knees, hips, and lower back. Runs in the family. As for asthma, problemly all my life but Dx as an adult.

Please talk to your doctor,

Cat_lover