Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Excercise and asthma after surgery?



Recommended Posts

So I know losing weight helps with asthma for some people right? Well apparently I'm not one of those people.

For starters, I didn't even realize I had asthma. But I've been struggling at the gym, I've tried couch to 5k and even though I'm in much better shape and my body can do way more, my lungs can't take more than about a minute of running. I've been very sick twice since June, both times after pretty intense bouts of physical activity and this last go around the doctor and nurse practitioner I saw diagnosed me with Asthma. Obviously I don't have it to the point I've ever needed a rescue inhaler for prolonged period of times since I'm just now getting a diagnosis but it's still something I'm going to have to deal with.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for dealing with asthma and the gym? I'd still like to start running I just know I'm going to have to be careful and listen to my body. I'm not going to let this stop me from going to the gym, which I do 3-5 days a week and I'm going to push through.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have exercised induced asthma, and sleep apnea and didn't find that out until June when I started gaining all kinds of weight and couldn't get into my gym anymore because of it my doctor has me on Ventolin as needed but since I have gained so much weight from not being in the gym I am going with the sleeve so it will help me better with the asthma and sleep apnea.

So I know losing weight helps with asthma for some people right? Well apparently I'm not one of those people.

For starters, I didn't even realize I had asthma. But I've been struggling at the gym, I've tried couch to 5k and even though I'm in much better shape and my body can do way more, my lungs can't take more than about a minute of running. I've been very sick twice since June, both times after pretty intense bouts of physical activity and this last go around the doctor and nurse practitioner I saw diagnosed me with Asthma. Obviously I don't have it to the point I've ever needed a rescue inhaler for prolonged period of times since I'm just now getting a diagnosis but it's still something I'm going to have to deal with.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for dealing with asthma and the gym? I'd still like to start running I just know I'm going to have to be careful and listen to my body. I'm not going to let this stop me from going to the gym, which I do 3-5 days a week and I'm going to push through.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have sleep apnea as well and I was recently diagnosed. Apparently my nostrils are extra small. I laughed so hard at the news, the doctor probably thought I was weird. The upshot is of course I was not build to be an athlete. I could have told her that. Hello at 263 lbs, it's obvious. What I am trying to say in this round about way is: The size of your airways does matter. With weight loss those passages become wider easing the passage of air. But we won't know by how much until we lose the weight. This is what the sleep doctor tells me. She also said that even with moderate weight loss the pressure setting of the CPAP can be decreased. We all know that's a plus. After all, I am so done sleeping under the wind storm of the century.

I hope I'm one of the lucky ones, and you too, who do not require a CPAP after weight loss. The statistics I saw where 58% for my weight and height with 50% of Excess body weight loss. Your statistics are even better because you are younger (picture on profile) and have less excess weight then I do. I believe 50% is also the definition of success as far as weight loss surgery goes. If things go my way, I plan on telling my sleep doctor her CPAP machine cured me. It's the honest truth, I hate it so much I started researching weight loss surgery. It provided all the motivation to go under the knife. If that's not a cure what is?

Now I am not sure how this goes for asthma. I think, it's probably more complicated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was born with asthma and to my frustration, it hasn't disappeared since surgery. I started my exercise journey by walking and using a recumbent exercise bike. This really helped with my lung capacity, and now, I only have to use my inhaler as needed. I tried the couch to 5k and hurt my knees, so please be really careful.

You mentioned going to the gym, are you doing any walking?

Good luck to you. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I developed asthma around age 30. Now 44. The sleeve has helped immensely ! Haven't used my 3 inhalers since surgery.

I will tell you- and this sounds ridiculous - that my pulmonologist and PCP both feel that I had silent reflux and that exacerbated the asthma.

Considering the acid is getting better as I am on ppi and have not used inhalers or nebulizer. Maybe they're right who knows.

I would suggest you discuss with a pulmonologist asap to determine where your asthma is coming from

Can be excercise and you always had it or could be the acid creating it in which case a ppi can help you resolve it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I have had asthma since the age of 16. I'm on 3 pills for it and 2 inhalers plus a rescue inhaler. I've been told before I do anything strenuous to use the rescue inhaler first. This includes housework! I also use it before walking on the treadmill. If they haven't ordered you an inhaler they do have some over the counter ones, try a puff wait 15 min then exercise.

Or go back to your dr and tell them you need something before you exercise because your sob when you do it. I'd probably go with the dr first.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Wallflower7522 sadly asthma is one of those things. If you know what triggers an attack for you, that helps. If it's exercise, that's tricky. You can use the inhaler before you start your work out, this way the medication is there and opens your lungs up as you increase your intensity.

I have had asthma my whole life and many things can cause an attack and for me oddly enough the thing that is the worst is the cold winter weather. When I walk outside in the winter even from my office or house to my car, I wear a scarf around my nose and mouth like a bandit. I do this because I know that if I don't the chances are 60/40 that I am going to have an attack.

Look for some yoga, and/or meditation breathing exercises you can learn to help control your breathing. This helped me tremendously through out my life. To the point now where I rarely need to use the rescue inhaler.

As I have gotten older and even though I have lost weight I am not on Singular since my allergies to just about every thing are another big trigger for me. It's horrible to not be able to breath and the more you panic the worse the attack can become.

Running is not all it's cracked up to be, save your knees and trot or walk fast. Unless you want to be in a race...take it easy, you will eventually get there the body is an amazing adaptive mechanism where there is a will there is always a way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • jparadigm

      Happy Wednesday!
       
      I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! 
      It's been a bit of a struggle this last week...I'm hungry ALL the time.
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Have a great Wednesday too! Sorry you're hungry all the time, I'm pretty much the same..and I'm sick of eating the same food all the time.

    • ChunkCat

      Well, tomorrow I go in for an impromptu hiatal hernia repair after ending up in the ER over the weekend because I couldn't get food down and water was moving at a trickle... I've been having these symptoms on and off for a few weeks but Sunday was the worst by far and came with chest pain and trouble breathing. The ER PA thinks it is just esophagitis and that the surgeon and radiologist are wrong. But the bariatric surgeon swears it is a hernia, possibly a sliding one based on my symptoms. So he fit me into his schedule this week to repair it! I hope he's right and this sorts it out. He's going to do a scope afterwards to be sure there is nothing wrong with the esophagus. Here's hoping it all goes well!!
      · 4 replies
      1. AmberFL

        omgsh!! Hope all goes well!! Keeping you in my thoughts!

      2. gracesmommy2

        Hope you’re doing well!

      3. NickelChip

        I hope it goes well! Sending positive thoughts for a speedy recovery!

      4. AmberFL

        How are you doing? any update?!

    • jparadigm

      Hello lovlies!
      Today is a beautiful day in west Michigan! I hope you all have a beautiful Tuesday and rest of your week!! 🤗
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×