Asthma in the backcountry

[Haggin]

Not to be a downer. but If you have asthma be sure to always carry your meds/ inhaler on you. I know a person that died from an asthma attack because he didn't get to his med in time.

Agreed. And don't miss a pill, if you're on one, during the trip.

I'm pretty good with just the Singulair pill and an allergy med, but keep the inhaler close. Working out has helped (thanks Covid). I've got inhalers stashed around the house, car, tractor, lawn mower, training pack (2). I've not hunted rugged mountains out west, but have had to use the inhaler getting my deer out during late antlerless and muzzleloader season in the cold. The attacks can come on quick and the inhaler feels like a lifesaver.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

1) Allergies trigger asthma. Make sure you're on a good preventative allergy regimen. Claritin or similar + Flonase or similar. Nasal steroids take 1-2 weeks to become fully effective so start them 2 weeks prior to hunt. Most common side effect of nasal steroids is nose bleed.

2) 2nd having 2 inhalers (truck, pack). You can use the inhaler, 2 puffs, 30-60 minutes before planned activity. Your call based how likely you will have asthma during intense activity.

3) Swelling reducer (steroid).

Only thing that will help if your asthma really gets flared is dilators (albuterol MDI) and swelling reducers (prednisone). Asthma has 2 components constriction and swelling. Both of which narrow the airway.

#1 is preventative. #2 if you start feeling tight. #3 If you're feeling tight and #2 fails to improve symptoms or symptoms relapse quickly. If you get to #3 and you have steroids, I would take them as directed and remove yourself from the environment, drop elevation to nearest city, seek in-person evaluation. Last place you want to be in respiratory distress is the back country.

FWIW

 

[TheGDog]

The Advair Disqus is your hot ticket here. It puts the steroid right on in there where you actually need it to be. On the bronchii.... calming down that inflammation. Without good insurance, it can be expensive. So be prepared. But you shouldn't need it long term.

P.S. - ProTip - It's part of the regimen that helped me combat the symptoms during being stricken with CoVID from Feb to April of 2020. Z-Pac, Advair, Albuterol, Benzotonate Pearls, Promethazine-Codeine Cough Syrup. And Vaporizer with a ton of Camphor added into the water to be able to sleep without the gurgling in the lungs invoking coughing jags. That.. and focusing on huge amounts of good nutritional whole foods. Which I basically do for dinner everyday anyway.

 

[Magnett]

Hello all,

I apologize if this seems like a silly question or topic but I'm still coming to terms with and understanding impact of asthma. For me, this is something I've only developed over the past few years and coincidentally, or not, I haven't been that active the past few years aside from Deer and Waterfowl hunting. I started working out again around 5 weeks ago to prepare for central Idaho elk hunting and have realized that I need an inhaler after nearly any workout that gets me to 70% or so HR. I live in Missouri and don't have a lot of areas I can train on for any real elevation.

What can I expect going into the mountains in Idaho? Any tips from anyone with asthma? Aside from my normal inahaler is there anything I should ask my doctor for in a rescue inhaler?

Thank you!

I am not a doctor but, a couple thoughts here: 1) If you need the inhaler after the workout, you are probably taking it wrong. Most physicians recommend 30-45 min before commencing your workout. 2) Maybe you don't have asthma but a condition called Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) It mimics asthma. (https://www.proceedings.med.ucla.ed...geal-Reflux-a-Syndrome-that-Mimics-Asthma.pdf). An Ear, Nose and Throat specialist can diagnose whether you have it or not.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Advair is not recommend for patients with intermittent asthma or EIA. They are recommended for moderate-to-severe asthmatics.

Need for the inhaler after the workout does not imply inhaler was used incorrectly. If one has concern about using the inhaler correctly ask for a spacer.

 

[ericF]

I'd add another voice for Singulair and keeping allergies under control which can exacerbate the Asthma. Most of the medicines outside your OTC allergy meds take a week or two to get in your system so you are running out of time for this year on figuring out what works beyond your basic inhaler. There are tons of different medicines out there and one might be a silver bullet, but unfortunately you have to spend the time and money going through them to truly figure it out.

Singulair is a Leukotriene inhibitor which will help if your Asthma has any relevance to allergies, but if it doesn't then the effects might be minimal. My suggestion would be to form a good relationship with an Asthma/Allergy doctor to come up with a long term plan because figuring everything out is sometimes a journey that is outside the scope of your primary doctor.

 

[missjordan]

I have mild asthma and been managing it for years with a daily inhaler (Breo Ellipta) and also have a rescue inhaler that i never leave home without when going into the mountains. I was on singular for awhile also and didn’t really notice where it made big improvements for me. I’ve never had a asthma attack in the mountains but it never hurts to be prepared. The colder weather and higher altitude will flare symptoms just try your best to be in good shape before you come and take it easy while your body adjusts to the new climate. The air will also be pretty dry which might also affect your symptoms. Stay consistent with your daily management of your asthma and go have fun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[5MilesBack]

I supposedly have athletic-induced asthma but haven't really let it affect me much. I told my pulmonologist that I do better at 11k feet than at lower elevations and he thought I was crazy. I feel 20 years younger when elk hunting every year. I do great up there and feel fantastic, but when I go to sea level I'll drag for a week after getting there. I never need an inhaler unless I'm around certain aerosols like popcorn spray, nonstick, etc. I've always carried an inhaler while hunting, but haven't needed it even once.

 

[smokingfire]

I have asthma as well and was a part of the state asthma program for my local County Health Department for awhile. There are a lot great responses others have given on here that I would echo from the things I learned when I was in the program.

Here are a few of my thoughts (many of which have already been said):

1. First and foremost talk to your asthma specialist. They know best.

2. Have/create a asthma action plan. Might seem a little silly but make sure those you go with know how to administer the medication in the event that you have an attack and can't do it yourself.

3. I often take my inhaler 20-30 minutes before I start hiking.

4. Know the difference between your controller medication and your rescue medication. If you don't have a controller medication prescribed, it would be worth talking to your asthma specialist to see what options are available that would best help you. You'll probably take an Asthma Control Test to see how controlled your asthma is and based on that the specialist can help get you the right meds if needed.

Good luck!

 

[boom]

this affects me. albeit in very minor way. i get a cough. zero performance losses, altho i am not a high performer by any definition. i simply get to where i need to go.

but it affects me very negatively: i cough. trying to sneak up on any animal when i have a cough developing in my lungs SUCKS!!

 

[TheGDog]

this affects me. albeit in very minor way. i get a cough. zero performance losses, altho i am not a high performer by any definition. i simply get to where i need to go.

but it affects me very negatively: i cough. trying to sneak up on any animal when i have a cough developing in my lungs SUCKS!!

Nothing worse than having to sit there and supress that urge until it finally just goes away! The mental control it takes is no small feat!

 

[boom]

Nothing worse than having to sit there and supress that urge until it finally just goes away! The mental control it takes is no small feat!

I’ll take a hit of my inhaler to suppress the cough.

 

[TheGDog]

On day hunts... I stopped trying to bring in pre-refrigerated water in my pack, even though it can sometimes be brutally hot in there. It's difficult to avoid the need to cough for me if I drink cold water, cause of the way it passing thru your esophagus can cool your trachea and makes the bronchii not happy about it.