Fitness and getting "past" asthma

Dom_UK · 12 Jan 2010 at 17:23

Since I was about 14 I've had "mild asthma". Maybe slightly younger. Now it's never been that bad, although becomes highly irritated in Summer sometimes.

I've smoked since I was 14 though, and have recently quit over the last few months.

Now I want to join the Army, and I realise you can't join if you've had an inhaler within the last 4 years. My question relates more to people who have overcome mild asthma with fitness. Soo... Has anyone managed to get fit and healthy and not have issues with Asthma anymore?

I am completely adamant on joining and will not let "asthma" get in my way. I'm not even convinced I have it, but more just irritation from smoking and being generally unfit.

Controlling Asthma doesn't count. Might be fine for Athletes but you can't have an inhaler at all in the Army.

BennyC · 12 Jan 2010 at 17:54

I used to suffer from mild asthma when I was younger. I'm 20 now.

Things like pollen on summery days and hot sticky weather can agrivate it and make me wheeze. During the summer hot nights resulted in me wheezing and I had to get a 'regular' inhaler the kind you push down and it sprays a mist. I had had one where you pop a capsule in and rotate which would be completely useless in an attack.

Very rarely I need my inhaler (purely to remove the mild discomfort) but I've never had to use it when exercising. Even when doing long steady state cardio or interval training.

My asthma was never so bad that I kept my inhaler on me at all times so I didn't really have a lot to over come.

Hopefully somebody else can offer some better advice than I can.

burtie · 12 Jan 2010 at 17:55

I didn't get in the army for having mild asthma. Stopping smoking will help and getting more excersise will help like swimming. I still have mine which is under control but stops me doing cardio like HITT I have to do steady state stuff. Sorry I can't help you mate on getting rid of your asthma maybe you will grow out of it a lot of people do

dun · 12 Jan 2010 at 17:55

If you started smoking about the time you developed it, have now stopped, and don't even think you have it then whats the problem? Do you rely on an inhaler currently? What happens if you run etc? Bit odd to be honest.

J!nx · 12 Jan 2010 at 18:07

Might be hit and miss on whether you can 'cure' it, personally I doubt it.

I have exercise induced asthma, I can run a good 5miles+ with an inhaler, though if I dare go out without using it I can't make it to the end of a short street without needing to stop.

My brother had asthma in his younger years/smoked, he's since said it's gotten better with age and quitting smoking, but in the last year he's been 'borrowing' my inhalers.

Hotwired · 12 Jan 2010 at 18:08

Join while the weather is cold before spring/summer and the pollen.

Dom_UK · 12 Jan 2010 at 18:35

dun said:
If you started smoking about the time you developed it, have now stopped, and don't even think you have it then whats the problem? Do you rely on an inhaler currently? What happens if you run etc? Bit odd to be honest.

Well, I can't remember really when it specifically started, so can't be definite on the connection with smoking. Used to be an issue when I was smoking for quite a few years when exercising. Now I can go to the gym and do hard sessions cardio and not need it before, during or after. It's just summer sometimes. That's the annoying part. It's NOT exercise that provokes it.

Hotwired said:
Join while the weather is cold before spring/summer and the pollen.

Yeah, although what happens when im wheezing and try and explain to my superior why I'm lagging behind. Absolutely no inhaler allowed. I could end up putting people at risk If I'm not performing to maximum effectiveness.

It's an annoying position to be in. It's at least 3 years until I can join unless I can find a way around (maybe hard evidence of no asthma when Im fit). Or just give in now and realise I'll never be able to join.

To be honest I'd rather set myself up as if I were joining and deal with the soul crushing rejection at the time. At least I'll be fit