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

[Greensleeves]

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?

PLEASE don't give in!! You're doing amazingly well, all that's happening is that your lungs are now getting rid of all the crap from the years of smoking.
Don't try to exercise with a chest infection, your body needs it's resources to heal. Just be kind to yourself, and keep telling yourself it's a temporary thing, and it will pass. Which it will, and you'll feel amazing once you get through this.
lt's a blip. You've done fantastically well so far. Good luck! x

DH gave up smoking, and had a horrendous chest infection weeks later that needed steroids, inhalers and antibiotics. Dr felt it was very common when you stop smoking.

Even not having smoked for 3 weeks will help your lungs improve quicker. Lots of rest and gentle exercise will soon kick it into touch, and eating healthier will make you feel better too.

You're doing amazing - don't let one small setback change the direction you're heading in

Going to bed early, not smoking, drinking more water and eating healthily with lots of veg is only going to help you get better! Keep at it OP!

Very unfair, but I think it's quite common to come down with chesty things when you are giving up smoking - your lungs are getting rid of all the tar having realised it's now an alien deposit. Hope you feel soon and good luck with keeping off the cigs.

@flouncyfanny

Yeah! Neither will I!! haven't had a drink since 2008

Fabulous achievement! If it makes you feel better my husband had terrible cough & infections after quitting smoking but after a few weeks it cleared... I see it as all the rubbish finally getting out of your system.

Then his skin went bad for a few weeks as well (sorry) but after that cleared he noticeably looked better and commented he felt better too!

@flouncyfanny

There’s one off your list already. Well done!😄

Make something vaguely pizza like instead?

Pita bread pizza or pizza topped chicken (butterfly a chicken breast, top with tomato purée/veg/little bit of grated cheese and cook in oven)
Or Oppo ice cream is v good!

@flouncyfanny you're on!

Chicken pitta pizza sounds lovely, I may try that!