I developed a pretty serious breathing issue a couple of years ago (prior to that thing that we're not allowed to discuss) and it appeared that I had developed asthma.

It could be that I did have the Vid at one point, but I never tested postive for it. But, I was told several times by specialists (2 different pulmonary specialists in 2 different states) that I had developed asthma. So, they put me on an Advair inhaler, gave me a rescue inhaler and put me on Allergy meds.

So, doing some SWAG research, I read that sodas can cause lung/breathing issues. (In all fairness, I also read from multiple sources that this was not true). I had picked up a Coke Zero habit, of about 1-2 a day.

Back around Christmas I dropped Coke Zeros entirely and I have not needed my rescue inhaler since. Full disclosure I'm still taking Allergy meds and I do the Advair inhaler once a day. However, I'm not waking up wheezing and I'm not having breathing issues when I run like I did before.

What say the H&F board on the story/idea/myth/legend that Cokes cause lung issues?

Ever had an allergy test where they ***** your skin with different allergens and see if there is a reaction? I'd do that if you haven't already to figure what in particular you're allergic to.

As a kid I had this done and I was allergic to a bunch of stuff. Then I had shots on a routine basis for a while to decrease my sensitivity to them.

GeorgiAg said:

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Ever had an allergy test where they ***** your skin with different allergens and see if there is a reaction? I'd do that if you haven't already to figure what in particular you're allergic to.

As a kid I had this done and I was allergic to a bunch of stuff. Then I had shots on a routine basis for a while to decrease my sensitivity to them.

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Getting blood drawn today actually, but i had a full panel (a real one) done a few months ago. Nothing abnormal there.

Scriffer said:

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Anecdotal evidence here. I haven't routinely drunk full sugar cokes since college, but for a long time I did the Sprite Zeros and Topos.

When I would have a Sprite Zero in the afternoon, I felt completely breathless on an evening run or bike workout. I did some experimenting over several weeks and felt pretty conclusively that was the issue. So I gave them up entirely if I had a workout later in the day.

Could be I'm just someone who's really sensitive to that. I'd say make yourself into a little controlled experiment and keep a log for a couple weeks to see if there's a correlation.

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I had another runner a long time ago tell me that sodas could cause breathing issues, but it appears to be inconclusive. I do know that I'm not waking up in the middle of the night needing an inhaler.

I do Jiu Jitsu 3 days a week, lift 2 days a week and run 2-3 days a week, and its gotten better.

True Anomaly said:

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I drink multiple diet sodas daily, and have no issues with my lungs

I would LOVE to hear someone's take on what they think the pathophysiology is for a freaking DIET SODA causing issues with smooth muscle contraction in the lungs (ie, asthma), or even causing something like pulmonary fibrosis.

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i don't buy it either.

True Anomaly said:

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I drink multiple diet sodas daily, and have no issues with my lungs

I would LOVE to hear someone's take on what they think the pathophysiology is for a freaking DIET SODA causing issues with smooth muscle contraction in the lungs (ie, asthma), or even causing something like pulmonary fibrosis.

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People will blame artificial sweeteners for anything and everything they can (not saying op is in this case).

Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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True Anomaly said:

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I drink multiple diet sodas daily, and have no issues with my lungs

I would LOVE to hear someone's take on what they think the pathophysiology is for a freaking DIET SODA causing issues with smooth muscle contraction in the lungs (ie, asthma), or even causing something like pulmonary fibrosis.

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People will blame artificial sweeteners for anything and everything they can (not saying op is in this case).

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No, not blaming the artifical sweetner at all. All I know is, with no change in my medication, and having dropped drinking sodas, my breathing has gotten better.

And before general board chimes in, I know full well that one may not be related to the other, but it might.