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Doubles tennis and pickleball

I am 85 and play the above.
Sometimes I use my inhaler before and during and get thru the game. Other times, I just can't get enough air and have to quit.
I may have contacted a virus.
Coughing up phelgm during the game. Seems too help.

  1. Hi again Norty and thanks for this post as well. You're really an inspiration being able to play tennis and pickle ball. It's good to hear the inhaler helps you during the game. Do you think other times may be because you are just simply winded from playing?
    As long as you're able to continue to be this kind of active, you're doing quite well. Keep up the good work!
    Leon (site moderator)

    1. Hi there. I love pickleball! I have been playing a year and a half (65 years old), and am doing ok, but do get frustrated that I don't have the stamina of most of the others due to exercise induced asthma. Still, I play 4-5 times a week and just make sure I set out a bit after every game. Occasionally I have to have someone take my place during a game. I would love any suggestions. I take two puffs of ventolin inhaler, and am also taking montelukast. I live in Florida and do better when it is not too hot. I will usually play between 3-6 games, about 15 min. each during a day.

      1. Hi Nyllrap and thanks for your post. While you may elicit more of a reply from our members, if you were to post this in the Q & A section (located here: https://asthma.net/q-and-a/), I wanted to say how well I think you are doing. Asthma affects everyone differently but it sounds like you do have a good ability to maintain a high level of activity with this condition.

        I recognize that you would like to be able to play a bit harder and with more stamina to enable you to do this. The medication regimen you shared with us here (Ventolin and Montelukast), may be able to be adjusted somewhat to enable you to do just that. I would suggest you take up your very real concerns with your prescribing physician. What do you think?

        Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you.
        Keep up the good work!
        All the best,
        Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

    2. Hi, Nyllrap and Norty! Thanks for sharing your love for tennis and pickleball with us. I think sometimes people with asthma feel like being active and athletic isn't an option for them ... it is always good to hear personal stories from our members who are enjoying physical activity! I actually didn't know anything about pickleball until reading this post, so I went and watched some videos about it. It looks like a ton of fun! My family enjoys badminton during summer celebrations, I'm sure they would like this too. -Melissa, asthma.net team

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