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Lasting Effects of Untreated EIA

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Posted 9/18/2014 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've had Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) since I was a child, but it went untreated until I was a teenager. I was a chubby kid, so teachers and my parents didn't believe me when I told them I couldn't breathe whenever I exercised. They would say that I was just "out of shape." But I could never get in shape, because I always had to stop exercising since I couldn't breathe. This was traumatic for me, since I was embarrassed to tell anyone that I thought I had a problem. I would lie to my PE teacher about how much I ran just so I could stop and catch my breath. I was constantly avoiding any exercise that had extensive running. I did this for so long that now that I'm an adult I have a VERY difficult time consistently exercising. The thought of it makes me anxious. My asthma is under control, but I think I trained myself to avoid exercising at all costs for fear of feeling all those horrible feelings when I was a kid...and for fear of not breathing. It is like some weird form of PTSD. I still feel embarrassed when I use my inhaler in front of people. So that is my problem. How do I, as an adult, get over the trauma I suffered because of my EIA (and lack of treating it)? I'm 36 and I am so tired of the anxiety I feel when I look at a treadmill, and the depression I feel when I don't exercise. Is it possible to retrain my brain? Has anyone else experienced something similar to this?
Posted 9/18/2014 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pachy,

(Is that related to a love of elephants? Just curious!)

I have asthma, and I work out. And I absolutely cannot run to save my life and never could. I would get told the same thing.

Let me share with you what works for me. Stop trying to run. Absolute: No running. At all. Nope. Unless you are an avid runner who enjoys marathons, it's really not worth the risk (re asthma and joints, feet, back, etc.). You can get quite fit doing a lot of other things. My "cardio" consists of walking at an incline on a treadmill. Adjust the speed accordingly.

Second, try strength training. Utilizing machines and free weights, the rep-range is lower, the fuel burned for this type of exercise is different. And you will still get very fit.

I've had inhalers for so long I don't think about it much, but there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Heck, wear it like a necklace! OWN it, own your health, own your body, and it's a statement to the world, "Yeah, that's right people. I have asthma and I am working out! So take that!" :)





M.
Posted 9/18/2014 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! Thanks, Merrida! That is a reply worth reading over and over.

And Pachyceph is a reference to a dinosaur called, pachycephalosaurus.
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