Asthma in the backcountry

[SemperHunter]

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!

 

[SemperHunter]

I should probably mention that I'm referring to EIB, or excercise induced bronchioconstriction (asthma).

 

[KChunter71]

I’m not providing medical advice as it should come from your DR or pulmonologist( you see one if not) . Disclaimer

* Altitude Is going to increase these symptoms.

* if at altitude you need to acclimate based on how high.

*a buddy hunting with you? Take one 100% as a asthma attack on the side of a mountain is not good.

* take more than one inhaler. They are cheap. One truck, your bag, a buddy’s bag, and one at camp if not at the truck.

*might look at a EVC plan (membership) for the flight service that covers your area hunting. Cheaper than a helicopter flight trust me.

*take this seriously

Where in Missouri do you live?

Do you have a handheld spirometer to check flows? Get one from your MD. Check when feel normal. This will tell you the severity of your attack and have a plan with your physician. They are not that big and can pack with you.
Are you taking you inhaler before working out?

Good luck
Your friendly respiratory therapist

 

[Rokwiia]

.....

 

[nrh6.7]

Talk to you doc about the benefits of using a nebulizer. My oldest son has been using them for 20 years due to asthma. You can buy lightweight battery powered units that could go in your pack as a just in case.

Here's an example: Nebulizer

 

[UtahJimmy]

I grew up (on the east coast) with exercise induced asthma and would have random attacks at night. I required a nebulizer in addition to albuterol inhalers.

When I moved out west 15 years ago, I stopped needing an inhaler. I don't know if it's the dry air or some other trigger (allergies to molds?), but my need for an inhaler went away. Of course this is just my experience and if I go out and run sprints I'll pay for it, but an interesting thing happened to me being in a different climate.

If I were you, if bring an inhaler and listen to your body. The mini portable nebulizer mentioned above is pretty slick tho!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Jn78]

You might want to keep an eye on air quality because it can change daily depending on wildfires.

 

[Packin_packout]

100% agree on checking for fires because that can exacerbate it. Mine is typically been triggered by air quality and cold weather exertion. So for archery mornings and rifle season on normally wearing a buff to try and warm up the air I'm breathing in.

I normally carry my inhaler and then if I start having problems I make it back to the truck. If they have you on a preventive steroid don't screw around and skip it. I have a portable Omron nebulizer in the truck with Albuterol in case I start having major issues.

The spirometer is a big deal for me at least it allows me to make sure it's not creeping up on me as a hunting season progresses.

The big thing about the inhaler is make sure it is taken apart in your bag I have seen them get bounced around and depleted by spraying off in the bag. Nothing worse than having an empty inhaler when you have a problem.

 

[NV HUNTER]

Bring 2 inhalers one in your pack and one in your bino case. If you need it fast it’s there, and in the pack as a back up. I never feel comfortable not have 2 on me.

 

[RafterH]

I have allergy induced asthma. I always have an inhaler in the hip belt pocket of my pack, as well as one in my truck. I have found in my very limited experience that taking an extra day to acclimate (I live at 950 feet) makes a ton of difference. I also go slower than the super athletes.

Another trigger is sudden cold. Had this happen last year. Slowed down, rested often and hit the inhaler a couple of times. I keep a regular nebulizer in our base camp.

 

[Str8shooter]

As has been written above, the fires out here are a significant concern. I have purchased asthma meds for the first time in 10 years this year....However even in smoke free conditions, heavy exertion while inhaling dust, sage brush particles, grass pollen or leaf molds in creek bottoms or north face slopes can be irritants which can cause bronchioconstriction at the exact wrong time (sucking high altitude air). But take a look at the air quality index maps and go from there. https://aqicn.org/map/idaho/

 

[AZmark]

I also have mild asthma and at most have issues 1-2 times per year especially in spring when the junipers are dusting pollen. EIB also. I learned to always pack an inhaler no matter how mild asthma is. I live at 8000’ and my elk hunts or just a ride out for sightseeing takes me easily up to 9500.
I’ve seen people that didn’t even know they had breathing problems have to get to lower elevs quick. The fact that you’re working out is a plus.
High altitudes plus really cold air can make things worse so take a bandanna to cover your nose and mouth helps a little for the cold air.

 

[afdiamond1]

Talk to your doctor about Singulair/Montelukast. I've noticed that when I take a pill every day, my need to use my Albuterol inhaler goes way down.

 

[Haggin]

EIB sufferer here. I second the Singulair prescription, worked wonders for me and help immensely during allergy season. I'd still carry an inhaler or two (or three). I don't get much elevation training here in SE Nebraska, but do what i can with hills, sprints, and hiking with loads to exercise my heart and lungs so hopefully its not too bad when i head to elevation.

 

[AZmark]

I hope I’m not being Captain Obvious here but I don’t think people realize the difference in usable oxygen at higher altitudes. Where oxygen contents of air doesn’t change at altitudes the air being thinner means less oxygen molecules In each breath.
Usable oxygen at 1000’ is 20.1% and at 9000’ it’s 14.8. Now that’s just around 5% difference BUT. 14.8% is only 74% of 20.1. So that means about a 26% decrease.

 

[Maki35]

I'm in the same predicament. Were you diagnosis with asthma by a pulmonologist?
incline hiking & less oxygen (mountain) will take a toll on you if you have asthma. Carry the inhaler.
Do you live near any hiking trails with hills or a school with large outdoor bleachers- try exercising on them. pace yourself. If it's cold, I wear a neck gator to cover my nose and mouth so the air isn't so cold when I breath.

About 1.5-2yrs ago. I developed constant bronchitist. Went to the Dr. & received Rx. Feeling a little better I went back to working in the cold and hunting in the rain & cold. I repeated this over & over like an idiot.
My Dr thought I had asthma. Sent me to a pulmonologist that ran a series of test, and sent me for xrays & cat scans. Pulmonologist said I didn't have asthma. Instead he felt it's acid reflux. But he still put me on an inhaler.
As far as hunting, I carried the inhaler w/ me while hunting last season (it helped.)
I'm seeing a new Dr now. Schedule to see a ENT (I think I have post nasal drip not acid reflux.)

Prior to getting sick, I use to exercise regularly. Now, I'll start to weez when I exercising too hard.
(I also feel my immune system is down/weak. I need to take care of this now. Unfortunately I think I'm going to take a pass on hunting this year because I can't continue like this. )

Good luck.

 

[SemperHunter]

I'm in the same predicament. Were you diagnosis with asthma by a pulmonologist?
incline hiking & less oxygen (mountain) will take a toll on you if you have asthma. Carry the inhaler.
Do you live near any hiking trails with hills or a school with large outdoor bleachers- try exercising on them. pace yourself. If it's cold, I wear a neck gator to cover my nose and mouth so the air isn't so cold when I breath.

About 1.5-2yrs ago. I developed constant bronchitist. Went to the Dr. & received Rx. Feeling a little better I went back to working in the cold and hunting in the rain & cold. I repeated this over & over like an idiot.
My Dr thought I had asthma. Sent me to a pulmonologist that ran a series of test, and sent me for xrays & cat scans. Pulmonologist said I didn't have asthma. Instead he felt it's acid reflux. But he still put me on an inhaler.
As far as hunting, I carried the inhaler w/ me while hunting last season (it helped.)
I'm seeing a new Dr now. Schedule to see a ENT (I think I have post nasal drip not acid reflux.)

Prior to getting sick, I use to exercise regularly. Now, I'll start to weez when I exercising too hard.
(I also feel my immune system is down/weak. I need to take care of this now. Unfortunately I think I'm going to take a pass on hunting this year because I can't continue like this. )

Good luck.

I was diagnosed by my PCP. No tests have been completed and I haven't seen a Pulmonologist but I've scheduled an appointment with my PCP this Friday to pursue testing and looking into other options so I can try to get a hold of it prior to going to Idaho. I first started noticing it during waterfowl season packing in and out of hunting locations on public land which many may know can be a chore getting to those good, far away spots. I can see now how the cold likely exacerbated the issue. I would weeze some during but it was more of the issue of tightness, coughing and difficulty breathing after the fact.

 

[SemperHunter]

I greatly value all of the information and personal accounts you all have offered. I really appreciate it. It is definitely making me feel better about this.

 

[Maki35]

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.

 

[TheGDog]

If you've got decent insurance... and the EIB is strong enough.... Get yourself an Rx for the Advair Disqus. It's an ICS (Inhalable Corticosteroid) delivery system. Also... make sure each day you're taking a Zyrtec if it's happening for you because of the particulate matter in the air. I got some places I go to where the particulate matter in the air was so thick it was making my voice go away, on top of fussing with the bronchii. And the cold air will exacerbate it. Having a covering over your mouth/nose if it's cold, will help it not be soo raw and sensitive from pre-warming the air before you breath it in.

EDIT: Note... for me personally... the Albuterol inhaler.... almost seems to exacerbate the coughing problem. For me... the scant amount of times I've reached for an Albuterol inhaler to help... I can easily feel the bronchii twitching/constricting in direct response to it. Making me want to cough even more. I'm presuming that afterwards... after initial dosing has subsided that it *may* be providing *some* vaso-dilation of the bronchii later-on perhaps? But it sure doesn't feel like it.