Anecdotal, but running could boost immunity

[PeggySusi]

I am reading a lovely book of essays called These Precious Days by Ann Patchett. In the title essay a friend of the author is taking part in a clinical trial, having chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. As you will know, Chemo destroys white blood cells which provide immunity, so you have to have a high enough count to continue with each session. When the friend’s pre-treatment test showed that her count was too low, she would run up and down stairs for a while. (A big hospital in Nashville) and retest.. it would raise her count just enough to get another treatment..

[Gthants]

Fascinating. Totally different situation for me, but after three years of illness and (almost) a year of running, I am stronger, have more stamina and am just pushing through a bug that a year ago would have flattened me and 18 months ago would have put me in bed for weeks ...

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That's so interesting, the benefit we know about but in science

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

Love this - although not the part about the poor lady having pancreatic cancer!

I am sure that my fatigue is kept [mostly] manageable because I refuse to just sit on my bum all day, every day, like many in my situation seem to do.

Not sure about it helping my immunity, if the frequency of my viral infections is anything to go by, but I will keep on keeping on as just having a walk in the fresh air does so much for me psychologically at least - especially if accompanied by a dog or two who are the best listeners in the world IMO 😍🐕🐕

The GP is talking about a possible referral to an immunology service. Like many other people, Long Covid seems to have destroyed my immune system and he has a colleague just over the border in England that has a specialist interest - just need to persuade the Welsh Health Board to fund it now 💷🫰 Don't hold your breath mind, I'm not!

[Petem56 Graduate]

That's really interesting, I should now be totally immune now, knackered but immune from all the bugs.🤪