A swimming "first" happened to me this weekend. I was sick for my season-ending meet, for which I had tapered to, shaved, and wore an expensive suit. Last weekend, I had mild symptoms of the flu, even though I had a flu shot last September. I guess the flu shot is wearing off? I don't know, I'm not exactly an expert on how those shots work, anyway.
Even still, everything would've been alright, except the flu was followed up by acute bronchitis. I would cough up bright yellow mucus and, periodically, I had a wheeze where it seems like your lungs and ribcage are rattling. Other than that, I felt perfectly fine! It didn't agree with my swimming, though. By Thursday, I would be going about my day normally, then I'd get to the pool, start doing my taper workout, and start expectorating again.
Several websites I looked at advised that a lower respiratory infection means complete and total bed rest, no exercise at all. But what am I supposed to do? Not swim and thus not taper? Not go to my season-ending meet? Not hope that the next day the bronchitis would be gone for good, and everything would be ready just in time to swim fast?
I went 2 seconds slower than last year in my 100 free (a 55 compared to a 53). Even though I was shaved, tapered, and wearing a tech suit, my 100 back was 4 seconds slower than my personal best of 1:08.6- a time which I got within a second of in-season with no rest (all the way back in February, no less).
I did everything right this past year. Even with all the uncontrollables, from my dad getting a stroke, to having to go down south to take care of my nephew while my sister-in-law was on bed rest with nephew #2 on the way, to my ancient minivan officially dying for good over a week ago, I still did everything right. 16.5 percent more work I did in the pool this season compared to last. I guess I'm just trying to remind myself that sometimes **** happens and I don't have to blame myself for it.
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Former Member
Thanks for the well-wishes, everybody. :)
Last night and earlier today, I was surprised to see I was still expectorating yellow sputum, so I went in to see my doctor this afternoon.
I have pneumonia. After being hooked up to a tube connected to a machine that opens up my lungs, getting a prescription for some nice antibiotics, and getting an inhaler attached to a chunky tube, I'm ready to deliver the knockout punch to this.
Meanwhile, it's :bed: for me.
I know what pneumonia is like. I used to get it every spring for four years due to undaignosed, severe seasonal allergies. The post nasal drip would ultimately cause pneumonia. Not fun at all. Sorry you have to suffer through it. I've gotta say though, you swam great times considering you had pneumonia! Also, the flu shot doesn't do anything to prevent all cases of pneumonia, though the flu can cause pneumonia.
I'm going to guess they gave you a zpack (azithromycin 250mg) or maybe doxycycline as the antibiotic. I presume the inhaler is albuterol (proair, Proventil, ventolin- all basically the same, just different brands). It's nice they gave you a spacer (the tube) for your inhaler. The vast majority of people don't properly use inhalers, even if they use them regularly. The spacer ensures you actually get the proper dose of medicine and to the brionchioles in your lungs- not the back of your throat. I have my own personal feelings about zpacks and albuterol, but I hope they work for you. Be sure to clean your inhaler reguarly (ideally 1x per day, at least 1x weekly)- otherwise you may not be getting a proper dose.
Best of luck in your recovery! Being sick sucks, but look at the bright side of getting to sleep all day hahah.
Thanks for the well-wishes, everybody. :)
Last night and earlier today, I was surprised to see I was still expectorating yellow sputum, so I went in to see my doctor this afternoon.
I have pneumonia. After being hooked up to a tube connected to a machine that opens up my lungs, getting a prescription for some nice antibiotics, and getting an inhaler attached to a chunky tube, I'm ready to deliver the knockout punch to this.
Meanwhile, it's :bed: for me.
I know what pneumonia is like. I used to get it every spring for four years due to undaignosed, severe seasonal allergies. The post nasal drip would ultimately cause pneumonia. Not fun at all. Sorry you have to suffer through it. I've gotta say though, you swam great times considering you had pneumonia! Also, the flu shot doesn't do anything to prevent all cases of pneumonia, though the flu can cause pneumonia.
I'm going to guess they gave you a zpack (azithromycin 250mg) or maybe doxycycline as the antibiotic. I presume the inhaler is albuterol (proair, Proventil, ventolin- all basically the same, just different brands). It's nice they gave you a spacer (the tube) for your inhaler. The vast majority of people don't properly use inhalers, even if they use them regularly. The spacer ensures you actually get the proper dose of medicine and to the brionchioles in your lungs- not the back of your throat. I have my own personal feelings about zpacks and albuterol, but I hope they work for you. Be sure to clean your inhaler reguarly (ideally 1x per day, at least 1x weekly)- otherwise you may not be getting a proper dose.
Best of luck in your recovery! Being sick sucks, but look at the bright side of getting to sleep all day hahah.
