I hope this doesn't change the PG rating of our blog. :-) Anyway, I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma 2 years ago after my 2nd marathon. (If you are ever really bored, you can read some of our OLD posts for more info!) However, I never felt like it explained exactly the "episodes" I have when I run sometime. I went to a new doctor on Monday and he tested me after a hilly, difficult 6 mile run and my lung capacity actually increased-weird! So, when I said that the inhaler really helps me breathe-can I keep using it, he said, "Inhalers help most people. That is why they are banned from many events. It's called cheating."
I felt very sheepish and dumb for asking. I am back to square 1. I just want to be able to run with out all this overanalyzing.
That being said, I can't wait for the movie tonight!
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3 comments:
Oh that sucks! I wouldn't have guessed that inhalers are banned. I haven't had to use one for a few years. Does that mean that asthma steroids that are ingested vs. inhaled are also banned? Does that mean that people with asthma just can participate in competitive sports? It can't possibly be construed as cheating when it's done by a person with legitimate asthma, since it would level the field, rather than skewing it in your favor. But then again, how would they regulate it?
I think using an inhaler and being able to run is better than not being able to run because you can't breathe.
I'm pretty sure that was just that doctor's opinion...
I'm sorry he made you feel like it was "cheating" or like "doping."
My husband also has asthma and uses an inhaler before he runs. A good friend of his is also a 56 time marathoner (he is also a Doctor - and fully supports the use of inhalers. He EVEN suggests those who don't suffer from asthma to use an inhaler before a long run to increase lung capacity).
I looked up this website -http://www.ghats.org/images/URI%20Articles/The%20Physician%20and%20Sportsmedicine%20Upper%20Respiratory%20Infec%20(1).htmsays Albuterol is allowed in NCAA sports, and in the Olympics with a doctors note..... I'm not sure what events would ban this substance if it is allowed all the way to the Olympics.
Sorry he made you feel bad....
Thanks for your support, ladies! That is why I come here. I didn't mean to make the doctor sound like a bad guy. I think his point was that if you don't have asthma then the inhalers are "performance enhancing" and give you an unfair advantage. The most interesting part to me is that my lung capacity DID increase after a hard hilly run and if I had asthma it should have decreased. So, that is why I have to figure out what could be causing my weird episodes.
I will keep you posted!
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