I have been doing Judo actively for just over a year and a half now.  Prior to that I did Karate off and on for several years, and long before that I was a wrestler.  I have never had any trouble with my breathing… or so I thought.

Starting about 9 months ago, a good friend of mine in Judo started commenting on my breathing in Judo.  He mentioned a wheeze in my breathing and told me I had asthma.  Quite frankly, I thought he was off base.  I felt great.  I didn’t feel like there was anything wrong with my breathing.  I disregarded his comments.

Then, more recently I had another person who was visiting our class comment on my breathing and ask how long I’ve had asthma.  Although I again denied any problem breathing, it struck me that multiple people would say this.  The most recent person stated that I definitely sounded as if I were having a pre-asthmatic episode.

Just to be sure, I went to the doctor.  The tested my heart, and it looked good.  They had me blow down some tube to see how well I could blow.  I guess that normal is 300 or so, and I blew a 440.  Great so far.

I have another test set up for later this week, but in the mean time they gave me an inhaler to try.

I tried it before Judo class on Thursday.  The effects were staggering.  I didn’t feel any different when I wasn’t pushing hard, but once we really starting working hard I did.  At the point where I would normally be really winded, and take a break my lungs were amazing.  I felt like such a weight had been lifted off my chest.  It was really invigorating.

I hope my story might be helpful for someone else out there… I feel so much better.

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