Out of breath from running?

[kate1482]

Yep totally get what you are thinking what a dumb obvious question but I'm asking it anyways! I've been jogging since last summer (started with c25k) and I cannot build any stamina. I always feel light headed/heart is pounding/out of breath even at half a mile. I always thought it was because I'm out of shape but after a year you think it would have gotten better. I went for a 4 mile jog this morning with my dh and he even commented that I shouldn't be that fatigued/feeling like death after a year of consistent exercise. (my legs feel fine). Any ideas?

I will schedule a appointment with my doctor on Tuesday. The only things I can think of is my neuro upped my dose of verapamil for my migraines and I'm on 5mg of lexapro for anxiety both of which have fatigue listed as a side effect. Who knows I'm normal weight (124/5'6"). I'm just totally frustrated and had to vent. Thanks for any ideas/ listening.

[joenali]

I always feel out of breath the first mile or so. Slow down. Way down. Try taking deep breaths every once and awhile to slow your breathing down a bit.

[Brie]

Ditto Joenali. Slow wayyyy down.

[sadlebred]

Slow way down...waaayy down.

Do you feel like you cannot breathe in or breathe out? I'd also ask your doctor to test you for asthma.

Verapamil (aka Calan) could possibly have an effect on your HR (heart rate) as it also lowers blood pressure. Although there are lots of us, including me, that take it as a migraine preventative, it was originally developed for high blood pressure. If you don't already now, try taking it at night. This can help with any of the fatigue it causes. Thankfully, it has never caused a problem for me in the 10 years I've been on it. Of course, ask your doctor before making any changes to your meds.

[gnomesweetgnome]

I still get like this sometimes, too. I've always wondered if it's from growing up in a "smoke inside the house" household for 18 years.

I would definitely suggest slowing down, that helps me the most to catch my breath when I'm running. Checking with your dr. is a good idea just to see if you've got anything else going on - asthma, etc., which could be presenting with less-common symptoms. GL figuring it out!

[kate1482]

May 27, 2012 16:12:54 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Slow way down...waaayy down.

Do you feel like you cannot breathe in or breathe out? I'd also ask your doctor to test you for asthma.

Verapamil (aka Calan) could possibly have an effect on your HR (heart rate) as it also lowers blood pressure. Although there are lots of us, including me, that take it as a migraine preventative, it was originally developed for high blood pressure. If you don't already now, try taking it at night. This can help with any of the fatigue it causes. Thankfully, it has never caused a problem for me in the 10 years I've been on it. Of course, ask your doctor before making any changes to your meds.

Actually now that you mention it feels like someone is pushing on my chest like I can't breathe in all the way when I run. (I'm not weezey or coughing though). Like even today we went jogging at 9am and its 2:30 right now and it still feels weird to take a big breath.

Thanks for the tip on taking verapamil at night! I use to take it twice a day with the lower dose and now it's controlled released so I've just been taking it in the morning. I'll try switching it up.

[FishChicks]

I had this problem for years. The major issue turned out to be my allergy medicine. Once I stopped that, my heart rate dropped and I could run without being out of breath. It was a night and day difference from one week to the next. I also agree with slowing down. When I started running after a two year hiatus, I had to slow down a lot to avoid this issue. Training and intervals improved things.