TallPine
Member
Well, maybe you should try shooting indoors ...? 
Shooting and Asthma...anybody else have problems?
- Thread starter springmom
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3KillerBs
Member
I had no idea Wal-Mart had free and clear shampoo behind the pharmacy counter. I've been using head and shoulders because it at least smelled like medicinal soap instead of some sort of cloying perfume but they switched something and the new bottle stinks of rotting melon.
Its funny how eliminating all the fragrances for allergy/asthma purposes changed my perception of how scented products actually smell. Natural lavender is the only fragrance I actually think smells good anymore.
3KillerBs
Member
I'll be you're right.
What's wrong with soap simply smelling soapy?
And a house will smell fresh and pleasant if you both clean it now and then and open the windows to get some fresh air regularly.
I do rather like the scent of gun oil though. Lots of pleasant associations to it.
The Tourist
member
3KillerBs said:
That's because soap doesn't smell soapy. It smells like rendered fat.
If you look on the label of "scent free" soap, you'll find the ingredient "scent." It's to neutralize the smell of rancid, boiled down renderings.
3KillerBs
Member
I've made soap. From leftover fish-fry grease no less. It smells soapy.
And considering that what we call "soap" is almost all detergent anyway there is no rancid grease involved at any point in the process anyway.
And considering that what we call "soap" is almost all detergent anyway there is no rancid grease involved at any point in the process anyway.
The Tourist
member
I have no doubt in what you say about the soaps you use or make.
My wife is a "natural products" nut. Some of the soaps she uses are call "Herban Cowboy" items. Just to make sure I was speaking correctly, I took a lighted loupe' and checked the list of ingredients.
On the package was a listing which read, Perfum (fragrance).
My guess is that while some soap is modern, some is made by traditional means. Personally, I use what's on sale, and shampoo with anything that keeps a lather in thick, sweaty hair.
About twenty miles from my home is a large rendering plant that takes up about the size of a city block. The "product" is being used for something, I just hope it's not angel hair pasta...
My wife is a "natural products" nut. Some of the soaps she uses are call "Herban Cowboy" items. Just to make sure I was speaking correctly, I took a lighted loupe' and checked the list of ingredients.
On the package was a listing which read, Perfum (fragrance).
My guess is that while some soap is modern, some is made by traditional means. Personally, I use what's on sale, and shampoo with anything that keeps a lather in thick, sweaty hair.
About twenty miles from my home is a large rendering plant that takes up about the size of a city block. The "product" is being used for something, I just hope it's not angel hair pasta...
J Star
Member
Springmom, maybe you should try an outdoor range. (Sorry, I couldn't help it. You've mentioned it several times, but everyone still keeps suggesting it.)
My wife and I both have asthma. I hadn't had a problem, or really even remembered having it, since I was 17, and then last year (the week before our wedding, of course) I was cleaning the basement of our new house and suddenly couldn't breathe. I ended up on Advair (I think it was Advair, purple disc thing?) for months until my lungs were right again. Now it has been several months, and I haven't had to use anything.
My wife, on the other hand, has to be on cortical steroids or she uses her inhaler constantly.
Anyway, we both go to an outdoor range, and neither of us has had issues with shooting. I think a big part of my wife not having issues is that the range we go to is on top of a mountain, and the wind is constantly blowing. I think that helps keep the particulates from the ammo away from our lungs.
Maybe you could try getting a big fan and bringing it with you, if your range has electricity. (I know, a fan outdoors sounds ludicrous, but I have friends in Alabama who swear by their "yard fans"...) I've not had issues at my range, but if I go to an indoor range, you bet I'm going to wear a mask. That may help you as well, although it may be hot in the summer.
(Sorry, I couldn't help it. You've mentioned it several times, but everyone still keeps suggesting it.)My wife and I both have asthma. I hadn't had a problem, or really even remembered having it, since I was 17, and then last year (the week before our wedding, of course) I was cleaning the basement of our new house and suddenly couldn't breathe. I ended up on Advair (I think it was Advair, purple disc thing?) for months until my lungs were right again. Now it has been several months, and I haven't had to use anything.
My wife, on the other hand, has to be on cortical steroids or she uses her inhaler constantly.
Anyway, we both go to an outdoor range, and neither of us has had issues with shooting. I think a big part of my wife not having issues is that the range we go to is on top of a mountain, and the wind is constantly blowing. I think that helps keep the particulates from the ammo away from our lungs.
Maybe you could try getting a big fan and bringing it with you, if your range has electricity. (I know, a fan outdoors sounds ludicrous, but I have friends in Alabama who swear by their "yard fans"...) I've not had issues at my range, but if I go to an indoor range, you bet I'm going to wear a mask. That may help you as well, although it may be hot in the summer.
P12
Member
Springmom,
I've had asthma since I was about 9-10.
Mine, thankfully is not as bad as yours. I have asthma issues after shooting indoors. The smoke or some other particulate matter is triggering mine. It doesn't get to bad. Never had any trouble outside. Your asthma sounds a heck of a lot harder to control than mine.
Best bet would be some type of mask. Sucks but it's the real world.
By the way, where do you shoot at in Planet Houston?
I've had asthma since I was about 9-10.
Mine, thankfully is not as bad as yours. I have asthma issues after shooting indoors. The smoke or some other particulate matter is triggering mine. It doesn't get to bad. Never had any trouble outside. Your asthma sounds a heck of a lot harder to control than mine.
Best bet would be some type of mask. Sucks but it's the real world.
By the way, where do you shoot at in Planet Houston?
Dark_Harvest
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
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- 96
spring_mom,
having read this *entire* thread, i have a question for you...
what exactly, is your current diet?
what are you including, and what are you excluding?
(p.s. and slightly 'off topic' - there is a huge difference between 'fructose' and 'high fructose corn syrup'... one is food, one is profit for food companies...)
having read this *entire* thread, i have a question for you...
what exactly, is your current diet?
what are you including, and what are you excluding?
(p.s. and slightly 'off topic' - there is a huge difference between 'fructose' and 'high fructose corn syrup'... one is food, one is profit for food companies...)
I have been living with asthma 30 years. During my teens I would spend several weeks in the hospital each spring. I spent 3 years on high doses of prednisone to control inflamation in my lungs. This, or course, was in the dark ages before inhaled steroids. It also has led to some permanent damage to joints, specifically hips and shoulders. I say this not to engender a pity party, but to qualify my experience in dealing with this affliction.
The real key to making your range experience more palatable will be to identify the specific trigger or triggers encountered at the range, and find a way to minimize exposure.
You might take some time to go on a nature walk near the range facility. If the problem is environmental and localized to a condition near the range, being in the vicinity but not at the range my identify this. A range change could serve as the cure.
Alternately, try shooting at a different range. Or try all the mechanics of surrounding a shooting outing(load the car, drive to the range, but don't actually shoot, go back home, clean the guns, etc) to see if it is some other exposure in the routine that is causing the issue.
You may wish to invest in a flow meter, and diagram lung function morning and night. You may find that the range schedule just happens to coincide with a regular low in lung function, and moving the range outings to coincide with a regular high in lung function may help.
Definitely include your health care provider in these decisions. If they are not a specialist in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, you should consider getting a referral to someone who is.
Good luck, and if you have more direct questions, please feel free to send me a PM.
The real key to making your range experience more palatable will be to identify the specific trigger or triggers encountered at the range, and find a way to minimize exposure.
You might take some time to go on a nature walk near the range facility. If the problem is environmental and localized to a condition near the range, being in the vicinity but not at the range my identify this. A range change could serve as the cure.
Alternately, try shooting at a different range. Or try all the mechanics of surrounding a shooting outing(load the car, drive to the range, but don't actually shoot, go back home, clean the guns, etc) to see if it is some other exposure in the routine that is causing the issue.
You may wish to invest in a flow meter, and diagram lung function morning and night. You may find that the range schedule just happens to coincide with a regular low in lung function, and moving the range outings to coincide with a regular high in lung function may help.
Definitely include your health care provider in these decisions. If they are not a specialist in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, you should consider getting a referral to someone who is.
Good luck, and if you have more direct questions, please feel free to send me a PM.
Dark_Harvest
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 96
okay, i respect that. good luck.
Does clean burn ammo help?
springmom,
I just found this thread, and have been searching for a similar conversation (sans diagnoses) due to my own experiences.
I am having a similar problem, though it is not related to asthma. I don't have asthma, but do have allergies that I developed in my thirties. They may be a factor, but regardless, it is the shooting that is triggering the problem. I shoot at an indoor range. Although it has power ventilation, it is mediocre at best. The day after shooting, and sometimes for two days afterwards, I have a bad headache. This last time, I ended up with a bad, metallic taste in my mouth, too. I am confident that these are not from environmental allergies, but are directly related to the shooting. I see a direct correlation between the quantity of ammo shot and the biological effects.
I have considered buying clean burn ammo (such as CCI clean-fire ammo). Does anyone here have experience with that? The obvious concern with that ammo is that it is about 50% more expensive than standard ammo.
I may also try some sort of filter mask next time I shoot, but haven't yet. I was surprised that you experience the effects even when shooting outdoors.
Regards,
Dino
springmom,
I just found this thread, and have been searching for a similar conversation (sans diagnoses) due to my own experiences.
I am having a similar problem, though it is not related to asthma. I don't have asthma, but do have allergies that I developed in my thirties. They may be a factor, but regardless, it is the shooting that is triggering the problem. I shoot at an indoor range. Although it has power ventilation, it is mediocre at best. The day after shooting, and sometimes for two days afterwards, I have a bad headache. This last time, I ended up with a bad, metallic taste in my mouth, too. I am confident that these are not from environmental allergies, but are directly related to the shooting. I see a direct correlation between the quantity of ammo shot and the biological effects.
I have considered buying clean burn ammo (such as CCI clean-fire ammo). Does anyone here have experience with that? The obvious concern with that ammo is that it is about 50% more expensive than standard ammo.
I may also try some sort of filter mask next time I shoot, but haven't yet. I was surprised that you experience the effects even when shooting outdoors.
Regards,
Dino
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