For a few years, I have known that I suffer from asthma. It was diagnosed when I started to notice that when doing exercise (long bike rides in particular), that I would have issues getting air into my lungs and often end up wheezing and hyperventilating. I was prescribed a rescue inhaler and for a few years, just using this before a ride was enough to ward off any issues. I remember one really awful ride a year ago when I though I had my inhaler, but found it was not in my bag and I suffered badly on a 200K for about 60 miles until things got better.
This problem has gotten worse in the past year. In fact, in the past few months I have been losing sleep as I wake up feeling like a huge weight is on my chest and I have to get the inhaler and try to get my breathing back under control. Almost every morning around 4am, I wake up needing to clear my lungs. Furthermore, bike rides have become an increasing challenge as I have to use the inhaler before I start the to ride and frequently find that I have to stop during the first 20 miles of a ride to use it again - sometimes more than once.
This happened to me during Day 1 of the 1000K. I was falling behind the ride and I could feel that creeping tightness gripping me. I stopped and used my inhaler 2 times before reaching the first control and then I used it again after stopping at the first control.
Last week, I started the 400K (Suspend Belief) with high hopes. I love this ride and was looking forward to spending time with Jeff, Amy, Ian, and Tucker. I used my inhaler before I left the house. When I reached the ride starting point, things started out well, but as we got about 5 miles into the ride, I found myself gasping for breath. I stopped and used the inhaler which I now keep in my back pocket so I don't have to search my bag for it. I have to stop though because if I can't get my breath. to calm down, the inhaler is useless. I'll just be hyperventilating. I watched the group roll away as I struggled to breathe again.
As the group rolled to the first control, I endeavored to keep trying. I was hoping that things would get better after the first 20 or 30 miles. Often this happens and things are fine, however on this day, it was not to be. The first hill we hit, I stood to climb and a few minutes later I was gasping and wheezing. The tightness in my lungs actually hurt. I barely hung on to the group as we reached the Bertram control. As I rolled in, I made the hard choice to call it quits. I hate this choice. It was totally not what I wanted to do. But, I knew that if I kept riding, the group ahead would constantly worry about the rider at the back. I didn't want to hold them back and I didn't want to suffer in the wind alone either. I could have slogged through, but what fun is that.
I turned around at the control and rode home. I was offered to be picked up by my wife, but I said no. I wanted to ride and see how things would play out. I continued to wheeze and things generally stayed bad. The sunny day did nothing to improve my mood. I did benefit from a tail wind and I got home with 81 miles recorded. I figured that I at least got a training ride in.
At home, I showered and then called the after hours clinic near my house. I got an appointment and visited with a doctor who listened to my story and he told me about the range of options I could use for my asthma. We opted for the next one up the ladder which is an inhaler with a steroid. The brand name is Advair. It works differently than the albuterol inhaler in that there is a powder in the inhaler that you have to get into your lungs and then you have to rinse, gargle, and spit when you are done. I am allowed to use this inhaler every 12 hours. I have opted to use it at night before I go to bed.
The good news is that the new meds appear to work. I have had 2 really good nights of solid sleep. My fitbit app recorded my sleep score at 86 two days in a row. I hope this continues (previously I was in the range of 70-80). A good friend once told me that you should not ignore problems. Maybe I should have been at the doctor months ago to have this looked at. It's still too soon to say if the meds will help on the bike. I guess I will find out the next time I venture out for a long ride.
If for whatever reason, the. meds don't work out, it may be time to take a pause from rando. It's hard enough to do these rides. It's harder still to do it under the duress of asthma and to find yourself alone rather than riding with friends. I wonder where the rider I used to be has disappeared to. I hope that rider is not gone forever.
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