Out of breath and wheezing!

[Brandane]

I am 48 years old, 6'00" and weigh about 13.5 stone. I would not class myself as either fit or unfit; somewhere in the middle. I have been a casual cyclist since my youth, and do occassional runs of 30/40 miles without a problem.

Recently I upped my interest in cycling a bit after buying a Specialized Tricross, mainly to justify to the doubters that it was money well spent! Since I bought it at the beginning of November I have covered over 800 miles (as well as a few miles on an old Ridgeback Comet). 300 of those were done in a week in the Loire valley, and I only got home a week ago. I had no issues with breathlessness at all while over in France. Weather was ideal, mild and sunny with no wind. Longest ride was about 55 miles.

Due to work, weather etc., I didn't go back on the bike until 2 days ago. Within 2 miles on the flat I suddenly found myself out of breath, wheezing and struggling to catch my breath. To be fair it was into the face of a strong cold breeze. Cut my ride short and went home. Tried again yesterday and more of the same! This time I persevered with a gentle 16 mile ride and things improved.

Is this to be expected? I was hoping to get fitter as the miles went by, but the opposite seems to be happening. Is it maybe, as I suspect, something I should be considering going to see the Doctor about? Thanks for any advice....

 

[Rollon]

Obviously it may be worth getting things checked out in case of a lung infection, but it may simply be the aftermath of your tour.
Not that I'm an expert on touring as I too am a beginner,. However your experience takes me back to when I went up to Scotland with some pals to climb a few mountains, a couple of years ago. They all thought that I would walk the legs off them as I had finished the Pennine Way walk a couple of weeks earlier, carrying a camping pack and averaging 30 miles a day, 9 days in total, as opposed to the normal 21 days.
It turned out that I struggled to keep up with them, in fact I couldnt and trailed in their wake. The reason was clear, although I felt fine, the Penine Way was still in my legs, and it took a further few weeks for it to work out of my system.
Dave.

 

[Dayvo]

I cycled 2,500 km in Australia this winter (their summer, obviously ), have attended a few spinning classes on my return to (a cold) Norway and had a rapid return to a low heart beat, so I know I'm in good condition.

Out on the bike today for a short ride (barely over zero degrees) and was breathless very quickly.

So blame it on the cold air - I am!

 

[Globalti]

I'm an enthusiastic supporter of our wonderful NHS so if I were you I wouldn't hesitate to see my Dr and get a referral for an ECG. It can be done within a few days and it's free at the point of delivery!

I'm 53 and the last time I saw my Dr he told me that at this age I should be having a general checkup every couple of years anyway.

 

[Dayvo]

if I were you I wouldn't hesitate to see my Dr and get a referral for an ECG.

Bit of a journey from Ayrshire to Lancashire just to see your GP, Globalti, non!?

 

[ttcycle]

another thought might be getting checked out for asthma with the GP- either exercise induced or triggered by cold or damp air.

 

[Crackle]

another thought might be getting checked out for asthma with the GP- either exercise induced or triggered by cold or damp air.

I was thinking that and easy to check. Nip in and see him/her.

 

[Brandane]

Thanks for the swift replies and advice.

Looks like a visit to the Doc wouldn't do any harm, so that's what I intend to do.

If it turns out I have a problem with damp or cold air then I better get my bags packed, the west of Scotland couldn't be much more damp and cold, especially the last 24 hours .

 

[Riverman]

Sounds like you either have asthma or are suffering from hay fever and the asthma associated with that.

Trust me, I have the latter and it can be very severe depending upon where you're living and which time of year it is.

 

[roundisland]

I've been out last couple of days and found myself wheezing when riding hard. I know what the cause is, pollen from the daffodills and other stuff thats starting to come out. Maybe your suffering the same.

Easy sorted, I will have to start using my inhaler again for a while

 

[Norm]

'flu or chest infection would be my bet. Buy some Kleenex and enjoy the Easter break.

 

[Rollon]

More like Snowdrops in Scotland at the moment.
Dave.