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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

"If you were really fit you wouldn't have asthma"

64 replies

giraffesCantChaChaCha · 26/08/2011 06:56

AIBU to think this isn't true? I do think exercise helps - if you are fitter then lungs better so can deal with it easier. But surely if that was a miracle cure it would be "prescribed"? After all it must be cheaper than drugs/hosp admissions/home nebs.

OP posts:
PenguinArmy · 26/08/2011 12:40

I am fit when not pg but have asthma that is also triggered by exercise. The trick is pace and recognising when symptoms are started, if I slow down I'm then OK and can for ages (applies when mountaineering or running). Badminton I am fine if I take a few seconds before every serve, I just breathe in deeply three times. Those short breaks mean I can last an hour of singles. Then I climb which isn't an aerobic activity so is great in that perspective.

giraffes I hope your asthma is starting to come under control

sausagesandmarmelade · 26/08/2011 12:46

Some people are simply not very bright!

Having asthma (being one myself) is often genetic and has nothing to do with how fit you are as a person. Being fit helps of course....as does not smoking etc and trying to avoid triggers that can start it off.

Pootles2010 · 26/08/2011 12:57

I'll have to tell that to my fil who is quite seriously asthmatic (sp?), whilst being a triathlete...

Glitterandglue · 26/08/2011 13:20

a) HA. If it were that simple then my hockey lessons at school would've resulted in me becoming suddenly better as opposed to having an attack five minutes in every single time and then having to sit out the rest of the lesson as my inhaler made me shaky (not complaining mind you, I hated hockey).

b) What about asthma which is not affected by exercise, like asthma triggered by high emotions? Does being fit cure that too?

c) I imagine what this person means to say (but cannot articulate because they don't fully understand the condition) is that becoming fitter can help to alleviate the symptoms of asthma, if you do it carefully. No freaking way though can it cure the damn thing.

QueenStromba · 26/08/2011 13:22

I'm glad you're feeling well enough to be thinking of doing some exercise Giraffes. I agree with the others who've said that you should find a different personal trainer. As an asthmatic you know a lot more about it than someone who knows a couple of asthmatics. Getting fitter should help exercise induced asthma because the point at which your lungs begin to struggle will change but it's not going to cure you of an over active immune system.

schroeder · 26/08/2011 14:17

Some people seem to believe this though; I've been told if I swam regularly I would not have asthma. Hmm

I think they mean well, they mean that if I swam regularly I might suffer less, that's probably true. It's tricky though unless my symptoms are under control, I just cannot exercise vigorously enough for my fitness to improve.

I would not go with a personal trainer who did not understand asthma myself.

Original poster
giraffesCantChaChaCha · 26/08/2011 14:45

sitting in hair dressers so cant reply properly but why am I getting a biscuit?! I said aibu to think its NOT true! But I will happily eat any biscuits offered.

OP posts:
Tattyhead78 · 27/08/2011 20:27

giraffes, I think you were being offered a biscuit because your original post was misunderstood and some people thought your PT's view was your view. I do think you should see if you can find a better PT!

HowAboutAHotCupOfShutTheHellUp · 27/08/2011 20:54

Your personal trainer is ill informed. (I would ask to see his credentials after making such an ignorant comment).

I am a triathlete. I have had chronic asthma for 30 years. David Beckham has asthma.

With the assistance of steroid inhalers, my asthma is well controlled, in fact I have the lung function of a 25 yr old, I am 37.

FYI asthma is not considered an autoimmune disease, it is a chronic illness.

mayorquimby · 27/08/2011 21:02

That's one of the dumbest things I've heard. You may well be less fit or behind on a training schedule due to asthma, but to say that the existence of an asthma condition is conclusive proof of a lack fitness is moronic. Scholes,35,dominated the PL.

HowAboutAHotCupOfShutTheHellUp · 27/08/2011 21:02

I should add that my lung function is not so good because I am fit, it is due to my condition being so well controlled by drugs; if I miss a few doses, I will have asthma.

Sirzy · 27/08/2011 21:03

I wonder what excercise I can get 21 month old DS to do to cure him then ;)

I agree with others about looking for a personal trainer who actually has understanding of the condition!

justhavintheone · 27/08/2011 21:50

i run approx 15 miles per week , i zumba every week, i walk on average 2 hours a day, i have an active job and 3 kids. i have asthma, its no prob. if im in contact with any animals i have an asthma attack and i can do nothing for about a week until i recover then im straight back into it.

auroraday · 27/08/2011 22:02

David Beckham - another famous asthmatic.
If only he'd exercised more, the couch potato Hmm.
Agree being fit can alleviate some kinds of asthma, but it won't cure it!

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