Exercise Challenge
If you are experiencing wheezing, tightness in chest, or other shortness of breath during exercise, your doctor may order an exercise challenge test. This test attempts to recreate the symptoms so we can see if there is significant diminished lung function during exercise. (A methacholine challenge may follow this test, to provide additional information on lung function.)
Preparing for an Exercise Challenge
Exercise challenges tests are performed at our Warwick location.
In the days before your exercise challenge, you must stop taking your pulmonary medications. Use the chart below to determine how long to withdraw from your medication:
Short–acting inhaled bronchodilators:
e.g. Isoproterenol, Isoetharine, Metaproterenol, Albuterol (Pro-Air or Ventolin), Xopenex or Terbutaline: 8 hours
Medium-acting Inhaled Bronchodilators:
e.g. Ipratropium, Atrovent, Combivent: 24 hours
Long-acting Inhaled Bronchodilators:
e.g. Salmeterol, Formoterol, Tiotropium (perhaps 1 wk for Tiotropium), Advair and Symbicort: 48 hours
Other Medications:
Cromolyn Sodium 8 hours
Nedocromil:
48 hours
All antihistamines:
72 hours (if possible)
Leukotriene Modifiers:
24 hours
On the day of your exercise challenge test:
- Wear comfortable clothing and running/workout sneakers
- You may consume a light meal beforehand, but no more
- Avoid coffee, tea, cola drinks, or chocolate (caffeine acts as a bronchodilator, which can interfere with results)
- Vigorous exercise should be avoided for at least 4 hours before testing (prior exercise has been found to exert a protective effect, which will interfere with results)