I've started running and have begun getting fluid in lungs

[speleojeff]

Hi all, new to the board. Glad to find this info site. I am going to make a career change and become a federal officer, and one of the parts of that job is physical fitness. I've passed the fire physical already which measures peak flow, and requires a 3 mile walk in 45 minutes with a 45 pound pack. This did not bother my lungs. However, this summer I will have to complete a 1.5 mile run in less than 15 minutes for part of the course. First off, I hate running unless I'm chasing someone, second, because running bores me, and third, I think I get anxious knowing that my lungs might start doing their thing. When I start running, my chest gets really tight, I can get light headed, and I have a hard time catching my breath. I wonder if this is exercise induced athsma, bronchospasms, or what? When I finish running, I get the feeling like there is fluid in my lungs, probably mucus, and it makes me cough. Also, it has a specific taste which is kind of weird and hard to describe. I am going to a doctor in the next week or so to have this formally diagnosed, and get on a treadmill and figure out what the deal is. I'll update my post with the result. Anyhow anyone know anything anecdotal about this, and whether with increased exposure to running these symptoms will diminish? I am not in perfect shape right now, but am planning to begin an exercise regimen. I do have a serevent inhaler and it does help somewhat but I haven't tried it with running, just hiking in extreme terrains.

-SJ

[bluebanana]

serevent won't help unless you take it before you run. If you get wheezy when running then that is what you should be doing. Do you have a reliever inhaler shuch as salbutamol/ventolin? This may help when you get wheezy and tight and then you can take it while running. As you get fitter you may notice some improvement, but you are definately doing the right thing by seeing a doctor.

[speleojeff]

thanks for the reply blueb,

I took 2 hits off my serevent and then an hour later went out and tried jogging. I couldn't believe it, i got a half mile and had to stop because I was tire, not because of my lungs. So, I'll still see the doctor and find out more on the treadmill. I didn't get the fluid in my lungs and the usual tightness.

-SJ

[hotchic085]

I wouldn't recommend taking Serevent for a pretreat. In fact, in documented cases, if you take serevent without an inhaled corticosteroid, it could kill you. ESPECIALLY the two hits. Ask your doctor about albuterol. This is the ventolin that someone else mentioned. Take two hits of that ten-twenty minutes before you run and you'll feel SO much better.

[monacks]

Maybe they need to increase your "maintenance" medications. Years ago, I used to only take theophyline and have an emergency inhaler. I would literally tote that thing around in my spandex shorts at the gym! And I would be hitting it every 15 mintues. I never, ever ran. Now, 10 years later, I rarely use my emergency inhaler, maybe once a week. I don't have to take it to work out. I work out on the treadmill and stairclimber, and I never have to stop because of my breathing.

If you start getting into an exercise program slowly, you should be able to build yourself up. But I would go see an asthma specialist. He/she will help you. Good luck.