Developing Asthma later in life

Had my first taste of Athsma in the middle of a road race as we went past a field of oilseed rape in my late 30s. A speeding peloton is not a great place to experience that! Thankfully the first aider in one of the support vehicles knew enough to give me some salbutamol and that sorted me out.

I managed to get a script for some salbutamol despite full marks on the peak flow meter, and got by with that for a few years. When I changed GP they got me in for another check and the FeNO test confirmed there was sufficient inflammation in my lungs to warrant daily steroid/brochodilator - trying it was like putting on new glasses for the first time. The nurse said it wasn't uncommon for fit people to develop symptoms later in life, one of the theories being that the inflammation was there but you were able to compensate for it with fitness. It seems reasonable to me, as does the notion that going outside and breathing in big lungfuls of allergens as a hobby might eventually make inflammation worse.

I hope you get your lungs sorted out. Even though my symptoms were pretty mild, the new regime has been a real quality of life improvement for me. Not getting absolutely floored by any colds is a revelation!

It’s a thing. My SO was diagnosed with it a couple of years ago after a long diagnostic journey. 

Yes, diagnosed in my early fifties. Mine may well have been initially triggered by long term exposure to wood dust. Well controlled now by inhalers. I have only had one serous episode which happened whilst walking at 3000m in the alps which was scary.

My wife has got 'worse' with it - her inhalers aren't needed often, but she does get setbacks, and yomping up hills or on a bike ride, she'll be on the puffers quite quickly. Certainly has been worse in her 50's.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/24/replacing-gas-stove-can-help-asthmatics-as-much-as-some-drugs-us-experts-find

Worth thinking about if you have a gas hob.

Not asthma but perhaps related.  I've developed hay fever and subsequently other dust type allergies later in life.  My GP said this is a thing. I'm on a nasal steroid spray all year round now and that really helps control symptoms.  

The super dry weather and all the dust in the air probably isn't helping anyone, certainly not me.  

I wonder if I maybe have some form of asthma - when I'm working hard on the bike I can get quite wheezy and really struggle, especially in cold air. Enough that I get concerned questions from people I'm with.

I also have a deviated septum which I gather may also affect my breathing.

BEWARE OF THE INHALER TRIMBOW

(in big letters to make people aware)

Its a treatment for Asthma and COPD(I have both) the main side effect, which they say is rare but hit me from the off, is early onset cataracts.

So if the Dr proposes it to you see if you can find something else, and if nothing else keep up with optician appointments.

Plus take up a policy with someone like Benenden Health. 

I've just had both eyes done, because i developed early onset because of the Trimbow and NHS was pretty much a 2year wait, but with Benenden it was 3 weeks from first consultation to first operation, with the 2nd a fortnight later.

The cost was £1200 for both, and that was only down to the better quality and more specific lenses they put in. Private normally would have cost me a total of £8k, so it is well worth the £1200 and the £15/month i pay to be with them.

So be aware. The trimbow certainly helps with the breathing, but they didnt mention the side effects.

I ve got hay fever again after a 20 year break, must be the dry weather.  Quick wins are daily sauna or steam room, dehumidifier at home with hepa filter, and vaccine out cabin filter in car.  Latter was minging after 1 year.  I avoiding cities too as that makes it worse.

Thanks all, hopefully get my hospital appointment soon and get properly sorted.