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.
Sorry for the poor swims, but it sounds as if you are a good person that helps others. This will bring you more good than winning a meet ribbon in the future.
I am truly sorry for you.As I have noted elsewhere illness and injury pretty well blew my preparations for LCM Nats.It happens,the great thing about Masters is that there is always another big meet on the horizon.Maybe you can taper or semi-taper for an Aug LCM meet or maybe you will want to find a SCM meet in a fast pool to shoot for.Either way there is always something in the future to look forward to.
Sorry to hear things didn't you work out the way you planned. The flu shot doesn't always prevent all strains of the flu. It gives you antibodies for specific strains of the virus, but the virus mutates quickly and there are a lot of non-infulenza viruses and bacteria that can cause similar symptoms. It actually sounds like you flu-like symptoms may have been caused by the respiratory infection, the respiratory symptoms just didn't present until later.
It sucks when you feel like you're doing all the right things, work hard, and what you want the most doesn't work out. I've had an awful past few weeks and know exactly how you feel. It happens to everyone. We've all had bad events and meets. That's what next year is for.
No fun!
I had the same thing happen. I had meets both of the last two weekends and had a nasty chest cold for both of them. I was coughing up big hunks of junk the day before I had to go swim in Omaha and was still coughing and sniffling the following weekend for a local meet.
I know how you feel. :bighug:
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.
Wow.Rest,rest,rest.Don't take chances.By the way,Bob Strand had pneumonia in the spring of 09 and that December he was setting WRs,but I think he took most of the summer off to recover first.(Bob if you read this you may want to comment.)
Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. I agree with everyone and all you can do is move on. It happens to all of us at some point in your career. You need to look after your body. The flu virus can stay in your system for 4-5 weeks after you stop showing symptoms so you need to ensure you make a full recovery and repair your immune system.
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.
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.
I've had pneumonia a few times & the last time I had it I was truly amazed at how much oxygen I felt like I wasn't getting!! At least you have a good excuse for not swimming your best! (Unlike some of us, lol!) Remember that it takes a good 6 weeks to feel like yourself again after pneumonia. Be nice to yourself!
