My immune system's decided to quit on me - Immune Disorders Message Board

DottyG · 06-02-2004, 12:01 PM

Help.

On July 3 of last year, I fell in my home. It's all a long story, but suffice it to say that I spent 2 months in a wheelchair because of my injury. On October 16, I took my first steps since the accident. But, the knees were still weak, and I fell again and broke my ankle on November 5.

During all this time with the legs, I wasn't eating or sleeping or anything else like I should have. Yet, I did not get sick. I kept thinking that my immune system must be compromised, but I wasn't getting sick, which surprised me.

Now, I have the ankle cast off and am back in physical therapy learning how to walk and everything again.

And, now my immune system is failing on me.

In February, I had a really bad cough. To the point that I had to have a chest x-ray, because I started coughing up blood (x-ray came back "normal").

In April, I had a respiratory infection that caused me to be out of breath - almost an asthma-type reaction. I had to have a temporary inhaler, because I couldn't get any air into my lungs. I was on a short course of antibiotics as well.

Last week, I had a severe sore throat/throat infection. It was so painful that nothing would take the pain away. I went to the doctor and was on Augmentin XR - my last dose of this was last night (a 10 day course). I stayed home from work for 2 days, because I was so weak and in so much pain.

Yet, yesterday, I started having "sludge" down the back of my throat. I'm so scared I'm getting sick AGAIN. I can't be sick again. I just can't. I can't take this anymore.

I don't know if my body is just now catching up with all the stress I put on it while my legs weren't working. Or, if there's something else going on.

If I had a serious immune system problem, I'd be even sicker than this, right? I mean, should I worry about this?

I'm hoping to get some bloodwork done in the next few days - just to make sure things are as they should. But, is a blood panel/CBC going to show what might be going on?

How do I increase my immune system? What can I be doing to get it strong again? Are there ways to boost it when it's down like this?

Help. I'm scared.

DottyG · 06-03-2004, 09:14 AM

Bumping up.

Any suggestions on how to improve the immune system? Any thoughts on why I keep getting sick?

careyb31 · 06-03-2004, 08:45 PM

Large doses of Vitamin C are good for Immune system, saunas, and lots of sleep. I'm trying to build mine back as well. Good luck

DottyG · 06-05-2004, 05:52 PM

Does it make sense as to why, when I wasn't doing anything to take care of myself, I didn't get sick. But, now that I'm getting better leg-wise, I'm getting sick? Almost like my body saved up all the illnesses it normally would have spread out over that time. Either that, or maybe the body is just "tired" and can't handle anything more?

Has anyone else had an injury or knows how the body deals with injuries?

I've been trying to get more rest. And, I've restarted taking my vitamins and trying to eat really well (lots of vegetables and things that are good for the body). But, is this enough?

Are there other things I can be doing to jumpstart my system? There's got to be something extra I can do, since there's obviously a deeper thing going on.

And, this part:

Quote:

If I had a serious immune system problem, I'd be even sicker than this, right? I mean, should I worry about this?

really does worry me. Should I be concerned that something really, really horrible is wrong with me? Help. I'm kinda scared.

Pretty please?! Doesn't anyone have experience with the immune system and know some things I can be doing?

(Perhaps this is in the wrong section. I thought this one sounded like the group of people that might know, but maybe this one isn't. Can you redirect me to the right one, if that's the case? I need to be actively doing something at this point. I can't stay sick the rest of my life. I've got to take charge now and be doing something proactive to assist my body.)

NancyH · 06-05-2004, 10:46 PM

Yes, I had surgery May 2003 and wasn't recovering as quickly, I developed immune defficiency syndrom, my white blood cell count and neurophils are very low, WBC 2.5 neutrophils.05. I tend to have a steady infection going on in the respiratory system, not bad enough to keep me in bed just nagging kind. Your immune system can get exhausted from injury trauma surgery but it does not necessarily mean you will catch every bug that flies around at flu time(no flu in 39 yrs for me)or every cold virus it just means you are at a higher risk to catching it. I take high dose of Vit C and E