exercise induced asthma

Hi all, I have a ICD and I am on beta blockers. I have tried to stay in shape exercising since having it placed 6 years ago. Just recently I have developed a cough and weird feeling in throat after exercising. The cough lasts through the night and eases up the next day. My question is : does anyone have these symptoms and has a doctor ever diagnosed asthma. Several people seem to think that is the case with me and I'm wondering if an inhaler can be used with my medical history. Does anyone have same thing going on with them?? Thank you.

5 Comments

Ian

by Bostonstrong - 2014-02-09 01:02:30

I'm actually in the Midwest but if you move here I would take good care of you. The cardio I send my patients too tells them they are lucky to see me, that I am more thorough than most doctors. I don't believe that for a minute but its nice of her to say that.
No running or walking, grounded by ortho, cortisone injection Friday and looking at surgery if no improvement in 2 weeks. Very antsy to be running again!

Betablockers and Inhalers

by IAN MC - 2014-02-09 11:02:22

Hello idsim I sometimes get exercise-induced asthma if i run outdoors when the temperatures are low, cold air can be a trigger for constricting the airways.

If a bronchodilator inhaler ( eg salbutamol ) improves your breathing then chances are that you have some degree of asthma; it is pretty well a diagnostic !

So this takes us to the question " should you take a beta blocker at the same time as a bronchodilator inhaler.

The answer is; it depends on which beta blocker ! Some beta blockers are "cardio-selective" and have a specific action on the beta receptors in the heart . They should be OK with an inhaler. These cardio-selective beta blockers include :-

Acebutolol,Atenolol,Bisoprolol,Esmolol and Metoprolol.

Theoretically these ones shouldn't affect the lungs

If you take any other "olol " you may have problems. Your GP should know which are the cardio-selective ones and which aren't , but I wouldn't bet money on it !

Best of luck

Ian

Asthma

by Bostonstrong - 2014-02-09 11:02:25

Talk to your GP about asthma controllers, like Symbicort, Flovent, Dulera, or Advair. It's important to have a rescue bronchodilator too like Ventolin or Proair.
Ian, primary care providers have to know the cardio selective beta blockers! We are ones who have to clean up the mess from all the specialists prescribing drugs without looking at interactions and kidney or liver function because the specialists only look at their own "box" or organ system, not the whole person or meds prescribed by other providers. Then we get to explain to the patient your cardio has never heard of diabetes, doesn't know what a pancreas is, and what it's function is, and and here is why you need x, y, and z. Always fun when they have neuro, cardio, pulmonary, nephrology, and endocrinology on board and I get to sort that mess out.
Btw my EP prescribed a med that interacted with some of my other meds in the hospital. I have Epocrates on my phone and checked before taking-or not taking- but wondered what people do if they didn't have a cell with that app? Do they just trust the EP or nurse to actually look at the med list on your EMR? And to trust them to know interactions with non cardio drugs? Bad move.

H Boston

by IAN MC - 2014-02-09 12:02:35

You're right ; GPs " have to know " lots of things but in my experience their knowledge often falls short where drugs, and their possible side-effects and interactions ,are concerned.

Unfortunately the " have to know " seems to be often "should have known " in my neck of the woods . Perhaps I should move to Boston !

Ian

PS I hope your ligament is improving and that you're back running again

Asthma

by ChristieD - 2014-02-10 12:02:14

I have exercise induced asthma also but it is aggravated by my reflux, which no one realized I had until they started treating my asthma. I would have weird feelings in my throat after exercise and at night when I lay down I could hear crackling sounds in my throat. When you mentioned a strange feeling in your throat it made me think of it. Just thought I'd mention it in case the inhalers don't work. You might ask your doc about reflux.

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