Hi, this is my first post and it’s a long one – I hope you’re able to persevere because I really need some help.
I seem to fall ill every time I push myself a little in the pool. I always take alternate rest days and I build up slowly after a gap. I cool down adequately and generally feel good after the swim. But if I keep it up for two weeks or so, bam, I’m ill. This cycle started about two years ago when I was with a Masters swim group.
The symptoms are always the same – it starts with itching/irritation at the back of the throat, then a general malaise comes on, a feeling of haziness (that you get with virals) and sometimes, a very slight fever. There’s slight stuffiness and occasional sneezing. There’s often a sore throat. The symptoms are never severe, but enough to make me tired and keep me home. It takes one week before the major symptoms reduce and as much as one more week before the haziness and tiredness disappear completely. The haziness is especially annoying and persistent. Sometimes, it's like an allergy and antihistamines help (please, please don't tell me I'm allergic to swimming!)
These symptoms have been the same in three different countries – making me wonder if I have some underlying infection that has never quite left me. (Colds often have varying patterns – but this pattern is IDENTICAL each time.) I don’t know whether it’s hard exercise in general that sets it off, because I never push myself in the gym as hard as I do in the pool.
My nutrition used to be bad, but in the last five months or so, I’ve been careful (fruits, veggies, multivits) and it has helped. I get adequate and quality sleep.
But two weeks ago, since the weather got warmer, I moved from the stationary cycle back into the pool. I got back up again slowly, started doing sets with kicks and swims, started feeling good in a way that nothing in the gym can do for me, and then wham, I’m ill again.
The only thing I’ve had from doctors is: “Eat fruits and vegetables and get enough sleep.” No explanation as to why it’s identical each time and why it might be set off by swimming.
I’m not a major swimmer – during the masters course I was doing a max of 6,000m a week and after that it’s never been more than 3-4,000m a week. So while I push my personal limits a little each time, I’m hardly going crazy here. I’m not overweight on a weighing scale, but do have a bit of paunch that I’m trying to get rid of.
Thanks for reading and I do hope somebody can help.
-Thom
Former Member
I'm no expert, but it sound like you're overly sensitive/allergic to the chemicals in the pool. If that's the case, swimming in a pool that does not use chlorine would fix the problem, although pool with other chemicals are not common. Or try to minimize exposure to the chemicals, maybe with a nose plug, but if your symptoms are this severe that may not be enough.
Glo's comments are similar to what I had thought..though I am allergic to chlorine as well, but I have more of a reaction in my chest. I suppose allergies manafest themselves in different ways...so of course it is very possible that is your problem as well. I would see an allergist, there are several medications that you might be able to try if it is allergies
Chlorine is not an allergen. It is an irritant. You cannot be allergic to chlorine. Swimming does seem to cause congestion in many swimmers. Many threads on the topic. I read one on nose plugs recently. If you have other allergies, swimming may aggravate your sinuses further.
I have been told you cannot be allergic to chlorine. Are you eating a varied diet which includes protein, carbs and fat. You could be alergic to some fruits and veggies. A friend of mine is allergic to all fish except sockeye salmon.
It is an easy out to say you are allegic to chlorine. My otorhinolaryngologist says it is not possible and he is a leader in his field.
An allergy certainly seems to explain the regularity and the identical symptoms, but general malaise and fever isn't usually a symptom of allergy right?
But yes, I do often have itching in the nose, so I'll try the noseplug idea.
Swimming is the only exercise I am passionate about - so whatever it is, it HAS to work!
I have been told you cannot be allergic to chlorine. Are you eating a varied diet which includes protein, carbs and fat. You could be alergic to some fruits and veggies. A friend of mine is allergic to all fish except sockeye salmon.
The trouble is, it's showed up again only after I started swimming regularly. It seems to be linked with either swimming or with hard exercise (as I mentioned, I don't exercise very hard on land, so I don't know which).
An allergy certainly seems to explain the regularity and the identical symptoms, but general malaise and fever isn't usually a symptom of allergy right?
But yes, I do often have itching in the nose, so I'll try the noseplug idea.
Swimming is the only exercise I am passionate about - so whatever it is, it HAS to work!
Allergies can cause fuzziness and malaise and make you feel low. Maybe not to the degree you are though. Have you consulted an allergist or ENT doctor? If your sinuses are really bad, you might have chronic sinus infections, which would or could cause those symptoms. I have nose issues. (My biggest complaint is the size.)
Do you use neti pots or saline sprays after you swim? That might help too.
Thanks all. "Allergy" really makes sense to me, things fall into place now that I'm off the viral infection hypothesis. I do tend to suffer mild pollen allergies all the time, especially in the evening, so it sounds right that the chlorine is aggravating it by irritating the membranes.
Sigh, so nose clip and saline sprays it is then. (Have never tried either.)
Lindsay - yes it begins with post-nasal drip that sets off coughing. Did the saline spray and/or nose clips not work for you?
Goggles - the "exercise-induced" may be right, but asthma suggests something more chesty right? Mine stays in the upper respiratory area.
Thanks everybody again! This has bothered me a lot for two years on and off, if nothing else, I know what to go to a doctor with.
okay- I have absolutely no sceintific rationale for what I am about to share but - I inhaled water up the nose on a flip turn a few years ago and within a few days I wound up with something called epiglotitis and almost hospitalized as I couldnot swallow. My PCP dismissed that it was related, but didnt want me near the pool for weeks for fear of irritation from the chlorine. I had read on the blogs about the saline spray and now I carry that in my shower kit, along with listerine. I spray and gargle religiously after any time in the pool -and no more episodes - well I do still get water up my nose on flip turns but that is another issue.
I understand the frustration - good luck.
