Asthma and running.... help!

[Jen43008]

So I've has asthma pretty much my whole life, and for the past few years I've had it pretty well under control. Allergies can trigger an attack, exercise can trigger an attack, etc, but I've learned to deal with it the best that I can. For a while I was into running, and would average about 3 miles per run without having an asthma attack. I injured my knee though and had to take about 6 months off. I'm ready to get back in to running, and I went to the track the other day to get a run in. After 1/8th of a mile I felt like I was going to die. It was like I never ran a day in my life. I had the whole shortness of breath, tightness in my chest, wheezing like I was a 2 pack a day smoker thing going on. What the heck? Has anyone else experienced this? Will I ever be able to get back to running? I have a sprint Triathlon coming up in October, which gives me plenty of time to get back to 3-4 miles.
My problem is that when I go in for my next physical therapy session for my knee in a few days they want to do a run assessment to give me suggestions on what I should/shouldn't be doing to prevent further injury to my knees. This assessment is obviously something that I really need, and it would be beneficial to me. I'm not sure how long a run assessment in PT is going to take, but I dont think my lungs are going to be able to take it.
I'm open to any advice/feedback that anyone can give me. Has anyone ever been in a similar situation?

[choo_choo]

This is a really obvious question, but you use your rescue inhaler before you run, right?  I'm sure you do, but I thought I'd ask, just in case.  Anyway, I run half marathons, so my runs are usually 7-13 miles in length.  I also cross-train with swimming on my non-run days.  Long distance, slower running has proven better for me than faster, shorter distances.  Sometimes, I have problems with my asthma, especially at night and when I run/swim.  It sounds like you might be having increased asthma symptoms and should take a look at your asthma action  plan.  Mine says I should take Singulair for a while, in addition to the Symbicort I take everyday.  That really helps until things blow over.  If I'm still using my rescue inhaler at night and while I run/swim, I call my doctor to see what I should do next.  

Another thing to consider is that since you took an entire 6 months off, you've lost a lot of fitness.  The longer you were running regularly, the less fitness you'll have lost, but 6 months is a pretty long time, so I'm sure you've lost quite a bit of fitness.  You're pace is going to be a lot slower than the pace you left off with.  Keep that in mind when you're training, and be patient with yourself.  It won't take as long to get to your previous fitness level as it did initially.

I'm sure you've already gone to your appointment with PT, but I thought I'd post this anyway.  Maybe something I said will be helpful.  I hope you get things under control.  Good luck on your sprint triathlon in Oct!

[Caryopteris]

Oh yes, I think I have also read that mint is good for asthma, like mint tea.  I enjoy Stash brand teas.  They have one called morrocan mint that has green tea plus mint.  Yum.

[Caryopteris]

Make sure you don't have acid reflux, as it can be a cause of asthma.  Find out what the city puts in your water.  Both chlorine and ammonia can be used, and if they are, you will want a filter so your shower isn't gassing you with these chemical vapors.  If you see they useor chloramine, that's ammonia mixed with chlorine.  You will need a whole-house water filter specially made for chloramine, unfortunately.  I have researched it, and the filters on your shower head don't work for chloramine, even when they claim it.  It takes more time or something.