Most of us are aware that many of the treatments and drugs offered for advanced PC can weaken our immune systems.. Our blood counts are carefully monitored to prevent a complete collapse of our ability to fight off infections..We are told to head for the ER at the first sign of fever..
I have contracted what seems like a common cold..the crappy feeling, the runny nose, the wet cough....Colds are virus infections, they must run their course, usually a week, maybe two.. But mine is in its third week, no better, no worse..I went and saw my PCP, he checked me over and agreed, told me to try a couple of over-the-counter drugs, Flonase nose drops and Mucinex . He told me avoid the "multi-symptom cold pills" as they can contain drugs that can be dangerous (cause blood pressure to spike) for people like us...I see my oncologist Monday, we will see how that goes..
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Fairwind
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There is still a bad flu going around in some states. Avoidance of the public is proper...Our systems are thrashed by treatments ... Grea5 luck with your MO . Take care ..
Has the Flonase made you feel any better (allergies)? The problem is that it could be allergies--itchy eyes, runny nose, cough, and fatigue vs a viral ailment---(LuLu is correct--it has hung on long this year)---runny nose, cough, and fatigue...if the Flonase helped and the blooming is going heavy--high pollen count--you could maybe try something like Claritin at night--check for drug interactions with MD--if that doesn't help--likely viral and can use Vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea , lots of rest, and water...Good luck...
Oh, you are so right about the treatments and drugs causing a weakened immune system. Just after my husband began chemo treatments last spring, he ended up with RSV which is more common in kids. He was running a fever and had chills - so we made a trip to the hospital and he spent the night there. A month later, he developed shingles...even after having had the vaccine. Seems like I remember that you were going through chemo. Is that still the case? I hope you can rest and feel better soon.
About shingles... there is a newer two part shingles vaccine that is 90% effective compared to 50% for the old vaccine. Everyone on ADT should consider getting the new shots since shingles can get really painful and last for months. Ask your PCP to arrange.
I recommend reading Dr. Vaclav Vetvicka's book "Beta Glucan" Nature's Secret (3rd edition) which explains how taking OTC beta glucan can be a powerful immunomodulatory strategy elevating the user's immune system. Dr. Vetvicka is at the Univ. of Louisville Medical School and is the leading researcher in this country on the therapeutic uses of beta glucan. His research indicates the most powerful beta glucan is Transfer Point's Beta 1,3-D Glucan. But he does not endorse any commercial products, he lets the research speak for itself. I have been taking it for 2 years. I don't get colds or the flu.
Vetvicka recommends taking resveratrol and vitamin C with beta glucan. He did a study showing a synergistic impact from mixing these 3.
I would like to get some Leukine for my post treatment drops in white cell counts. Dont have a dr anywhere who will prescribe it. Need find a renegade dr who will give me a prescription to it. I will have to pay for it because medicare wont cover it for use with Prostate Cancer.
When I was on Lupron in the 5th year I was sick with a cold and went to the hospital. They tested me and it was influenza. They gave me one of the two drugs (Tamiflu or Relenza). My symptoms went away after 3 days. This bug went through my church and most members were sick with it. The sooner you get these drugs the better they work.
Some supplements actually fight PCa while others benefit the immune system while
helping with sleep. It certainly is a customized list, but it is well researched. Is it the magic bullet ?
NO, but today, I'm doing well (more strength - hot flashes mostly gone - 'T' low but recovering slowly & PSA >0.03 and slowly rising) as I continue counting time since my withdrawal from ADT 1 year ago.
I'm being monitored closely while we watch and wait. I'm optimistic .....
I get a lot of my stuff from Amazon - read the labels carefully to select quality (bio-availability is # 1 and/or high extracted values of the key ingredient(s).).
Virividas = Deep Tonic branding.
You also need a fix of garlic - so I eat / cook with it OR supplement it with a product from the UK where 'allium' is extracted.
I also sip on a fish oil bottle (Omega 3) twice daily when I take my D vitamins, because they are fat soluble.
When I think of it (and look at the bottles) it looks like TOO much, but I sense the way I feel and use that as my QA pass.
No tummy upsets, no excess gas - nothing - everything seems in harmony.
I remember not long ago I couldn't sleep or had frequent insomnia.
Now, I am sleeping over six hours and sometimes more - that 4 me is a miracle !
As others have said our treatments weaken our immune systems . After two weeks or so of over the counters my PCP will usually put me on an antibiotic particularly if the mucous drainage turns greenish in color , not always but often a sign of a secondary bacterial infection . Also because much of the immune system is purportedly in the gut I try y to either take a probiotic or eat more pre- and probiotic foods . Feel well fellow warrior !
My wife and my son just went through a two week bout with the symptoms you described. They used Flonase which sort of helped... They both are Pca free....
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The positive effect of sleep on the immune system
An update from yesterday. How do you deal with a virus on top of a weak immune system?
