Breathing problems after 5+ hr workouts

Never had that problem but today I drank nothing but gatoraid. It was fine until after hour 3 or so and I started making a lot of mucus. I did cough a little , and had a running nose for 5 hours since it was "cool" (80). On the run I had a gut bomb and could feel that gatoraid. I went to the water fountain and downed down water and all was well 5 minutes later. What''s your drink situation like? Also are you biking/running at a lake or some place where you normally don't visit? How long does it takes for you to start to cough and have issues breathing? Right away or always after 5 hours? Hopefully someone else can chime in after you give some more details.

Edited by Blastman 2013-06-29 7:35 PM

Drinking is normal, I stay well hydrated without overdoing it. It's always after a long time, regardless of where I'm training, so I don't think it has anything to do with pollen

there is exercise induced asthma - I used to have issues with it when I was growing up - now i'm pretty much grown out of it, but it could be an issue - honestly, if my doctor told me that, I'd be looking for a new one - because if he (?) dismisses a complaint like that without trying to find the root cause, then what if you have other issues later on that could have been mitigated. if you don't want to find a new one - ask him for a referral (if you need one for your insurance) to a pulmonary person

After a 5 hour workout i would have troubles breathing too, no coughing but when i tried to take a deep breath in i couldn't. I would be stuck doing short quick breaths for a couple hours till it returned to normal.

Same issue. Went to Moab 2 months ago and did a 1.2 mi swim, then a 5 hr ride, then started running and couldn't breathe; felt like someone was standing on my chest. (btw I live in CO, so altitude wasn't the problem). had to go to an urgent care to get a breathing treatment. after 30 seconds on albuterol, i was perfectly fine. docs were pretty puzzled as well, they thought i was having a heart attack... which after a trip to the ER, found out that was bs, a crapload of wasted money at the drs office, and a really worried wife. i plan on just watching it during IM and putting an albuterol treatment in my bike bag and will just carry it with me throughout the day. if I need it, i'll stop, rest, and continue to move on with the day. If anyone else hears of something else, I'm truly interested. Good luck!

Could be EIA but unusual presentation.  Go to your own doc and ask to get checekd by a pulmonogist

Hi Jamie

I am Carlo.

I am new here and i am use to long workouts for Full Marathons and century bike rides, by profession i have been working years as a Respiratory Therapist. We have patients like who are after long workout or activities lands at ER either exercise induced asthma or Electrolyte deficiency. There are millions of causes of Asthma.One of them is Exercise or any strenuous activity. What happens with asthma is your airways swell therefore the pathways of your air for gas exchange is limited. Your symptoms will be you start hyperventilating more trying to get as much air inside your lungs. You will hear yourself wheezing which is caused by the difficulty of the air to pass the airways at worst you will feel panic with a drowning feeling.An immediate remedy for asthma is an inhaler with a generic name Albuterol(Proventil,Ventolin) or Levalbuterol(Xopenex), its a bronchodilator that opens your airways so you can breathe better. An inhalaer is a good emergency remedy , but if your far too long on your strenuous activity the inhalaer is not enough you need a nebulizer with inhaler meds of albuterol or Levalbuterol delivered by aerosol masks ( masks than can deliver gas meds straight to your lungs) it may even take an hour long treatment. If you exeperience your having a hard time breathing to the point of panic please dont risk it and signal SAG team so you can be brought to the medical tent for immediate nebulizer meds treatment.
I have been a volunteer at IMTX medical team under our hospital and this happens all the time.

I suggest get with your doctor to order you a consult for a Pulmonologist (Lung doctor) to order a stress test to confirm if you have Exercise Induce Asthma. They will most probably run you through the threadmill monitoring your heart and vitals to the point you experience shortness of breath, They will get all your bloodwork, the doctor will be accessible and someone like will watch over you for emergency measures.

Goodluck to your workouts and note everytime you experience shortness of breath either in an event or workout.History is very essential. If you do have exercise induce asthma its best to know your limits. I have told 15 yo kids 6'0" playing basketball straight forward "Sorry man just to be honest it wont be the hoops has to be books."

Goodluck!!! and stay Healthy!!!

Wow, awesome answer! Thanks so much Carlo, this is exactly the kind of response I was hoping I'd get when I decided to post this issue in the forums. I will look into your suggestions and reply back on this post as I eventually find out more. Thanks again!


-Jamie