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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to stomp my foot and say it's bloody unfair?

37 replies

Greensleeves · 31/07/2019 11:03

It's actually entirely my own fault, but I'm pissed off and want to rant.

Gave up smoking nearly three weeks ago, have completely overhauled my diet, have been walking 10k a day for two weeks (I've got 7 stone to lose), started going to bed at 11.30 and drinking lots of water...I want to improve my health and tackle my depression, get off the medication I've been on for years etc. My heart rate and blood pressure have already come down and I've lost 9lb.

Had the expected horrible phlegm and coughing after giving up smoking, didn't think much of it. Until this morning when I woke up feeling like I'd been booted in the chest and coughed up bright green stuff with flecks of blood in it. Went to the GP and I have a bad infection and pleurisy. Told to rest and not overdo it, which buggers up my exercise regime. Antibiotics, and if it doesn't clear up in a few days I'll need a chest X-ray and steroids.

Last time I had a chest infection like this it took 6 months to get rid of and the steroids made me feel like I was on Mars. AIBU to feel really demoralised and want to sack the whole thing off and go buy pizza, chocolate and fags?

OP posts:
Bloodybridget · 31/07/2019 11:07

YWBU, but I you won't do it, will you? Well done for determining to make all those positive changes, I hope the chest infection doesn't match take too long to clear up, and wish you success in improving your health and fitness. Think of the money you'll save by stopping smoking!

tobypercy · 31/07/2019 11:07

Poor you, yanbu at all.

But don't throw away the huge progress you've made.

This infection will pass quicker without the cigarettes.

Sexnotgender · 31/07/2019 11:07

YANBU to feel a bit upset but you can’t exercise out a bad diet so stick with the diet plan and get back to the exercise when you’re feeling better.
You’ve done amazingly well this far don’t ruin it now.

Bloodybridget · 31/07/2019 11:08

Don't know where "match" came from!!

IndigoHexagon · 31/07/2019 11:10

Were you still smoking the last time you had an infection? Perhaps it will clear up quicker without smoking??

Well done on the lifestyle change / I know from experience how tough it is - I’m 4.5 stone down from my heaviest weight and have another 3 to go - exercise has been key for me to do it!

Original poster
Greensleeves · 31/07/2019 11:10

No, I won't actually do it. Just feel like it. I'm going to curl up with my lovely kittens, watch Harry Potter movies and sulk.

OP posts:
ChelseaCat · 31/07/2019 11:11

Wow you’ve done SO well over the last two weeks! Getting a chest infection after giving up smoking isn’t uncommon - please try not to let it get you down. Keep up with eating healthily and you’ll still be in a great place to get back to your new regime when you’re feeling better.

Do take your time and rest up while you’re unwell - no point pushing yourself too early and dragging out the infection.

Good luck and well done again!

Original poster
Greensleeves · 31/07/2019 11:11

Wow Indigo, that's a massive achievement! Well done!

OP posts:
ChelseaCat · 31/07/2019 11:11

PS don’t blame you for being frustrated and having a sulk though!

DaanSaaf · 31/07/2019 11:13

Well done on your progress so far Smile

I think it's common to get chest infections after quitting smoking, dh and I both did. I believe it's your body expelling the shit from the cigarettes.

Once you've recovered you'll feel much better and your motivation will return. Look after yourself.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 31/07/2019 11:14

Well done you for the progress you've made so far. When the doctors were saying not to overdo things, did you ask them about going for walks? Is that still possible? If you are still allowed to go for walks, then do. It doesn't have to be to the same exertion level as you may have been doing before but at least if you still keep yourself in the game, you will end up benefitting from the results.

Keep going! You're doing really well!!!

Rainbowqueeen · 31/07/2019 11:14

Please don’t give up. This is just a set back

It’s diet that really impacts on your weight so stopping the exercise for a while won’t stop you losing weight.

Use the rest time to find lots of yummy healthy meals and experiment in the kitchen so that healthy eating becomes a way of life and a habit. That will do wonders

Ask if it’s ok for you to do yoga. It’s low impact but good for you.

And well done on being willing to commit to such a positive step. Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
Greensleeves · 31/07/2019 11:16

She just said to rest, but I think gentle walks would be OK. DH will make me take it easy.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I know it's because of giving up smoking and it will be worth it really.

OP posts:
AvengerDanvers95 · 31/07/2019 11:16
Flowers

With your heart rate and blood pressure down, and not smoking, there's every chance you'll shake this infection off fairly quickly. Please find another way to treat yourself while you recuperate.

HypatiaCade · 31/07/2019 11:16

I'm so sorry, but I guess it's not totally unexpected. The body has a weird way of copying with detoxing sometimes. In fact as you lose weight the toxins stored in your fat cells will also be released into your body and can make you feel unwell.

picklemepopcorn · 31/07/2019 11:18

That's phenomenal! Your body's just asking for a little recovery time after the shock of the lifestyle change! Wink
Cuddling the cat and watching HP sounds like the perfect prescription- you'll be on the mend and up and at 'em in no time at all!

SeaToSki · 31/07/2019 11:18

That sucks. Poor you. Snuggle those kittens and if you can get one to nap on your chest, the heat will help. Make sure to take a really deep breath every 15 mins or so. It will keep your lungs moving and you will get better faster. Shallow breathing when you have a lung infection is the most common cause of it taking ages to clear

BadBear · 31/07/2019 11:45

You have every right to stomp your foot! That is so unfair!

Hang in there, you have done so well so far and you are stronger than this urge. You seem like you love your body more than the fags and the junk. Keep at it and your body will (eventually) love you back. Well done, it takes a lot to make changes like that.

Missingstreetlife · 31/07/2019 11:48

Drink plenty water. Don't do yoga or any exercise with an infection, bad for your heart. Gentle walk ok if you have to get about.

Bluetrews25 · 31/07/2019 11:48

Keep doing gentle walks, shortish ones. This will make you expand your lungs better and cough up all of the rubbish.
Try not to lie down for hours, (unless it's night time and you are sleeping) as sitting upright also helps you inflate lungs better. Which speeds recovery.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 31/07/2019 11:48

Poor you. But please do NOT start smoking again, it will make the pleurisy even worse.

If it helps, I finally kicked the habit after 20 years after a bout of pneumonia. It helped that I felt SO ill I literally couldn't smoke anyway.

You've done 3 weeks and that's brilliant. That's the toughest bit; getting past the physical/chemical craving. Listen to your doctor; rest up and you'll get back to the rest of your regime in no time.

Bloody well done!

HumphreyCobblers · 31/07/2019 11:50

Oh that is a shame! You are doing so well.

I do remember that both DH and I got horrid chest infections when we gave up smoking.

Yabbers · 31/07/2019 11:50

My entire last two years have been one fucked up thing after another. I’m sick of just coping with it and can’t seem to catch a break. I have definitely shouted that the world is so bloody unfair. I needed to do that.

I also need to do what you are doing but thought it wasn’t wise to do it all at once. Apart from the infection, has it been ok? Maybe I do just need to bite the bullet and do it all.

Original poster
Greensleeves · 31/07/2019 11:56

Yabbers, my last few years have been horrific as well, one awful family crisis after another. I felt like I was drowning in it. Honestly since we've made the decision to take control of diet/weight/exercise/smoking I feel much more resilient and positive and it's not added to my stress level, quite the reverse. My legs and feet hurt all the time (just not used to exercising and I have a dodgy knee after ACL surgery) but apart from that it's not been as hard as I expected. Just grit your teeth and take the plunge Flowers

Bloody bloody chest infection, grrr. I'm a black and white thinker so having to compromise and slow down now is intolerable.

OP posts:
dexterslockedintheshedagain · 31/07/2019 12:03

@Greensleeves
Wow! What you've done is bloody awesome! It's easy to think about changing your lifestyle (I do it on a regular basis) but NOT so easy to actually do it (I've also NOT done it on a regular basis Smile)

I've never smoked but I remember my Dad telling me how hard it was for him to give up, so for that alone you deserve a medal. And just think of all the money you'll save - cigarettes aren't cheap are they?! Plan a nice non-foody treat with the extra you'll have.

Rest up, take it easy, and you'll be back in the game before you know it.

All the best!!