My immune system is virtually nil!

[phil-down]

I have Crohns Colitis and my symptoms arent generally too troublesome however i always have some sort of head cold or flu. its always either between a 3/10 or 9/10 severity.

I take a good quality multivitamin and prob biotics on top of my Asacol and i rarely feel without head cold!

Any advice on immune boosters?

Ive had blood tests that showed iron levels are ok too.

Any help appreciated as im at the end of my tether!!!

[willow24 Administrator]

Hi, other than head colds what makes you think your immune system is low? It is probably better to get your bloods checked by GP, just a normal FBC will show if your immune system needs improving, and under guidance of the GP. Things like echinacea are contraindicated in auto immune disorders and certain medications.

Stay safe x

[phil-down in reply to willow24]

Thanks for your reply!

I feel my immune system is low beacause i always have a head cold and phlegm, fatigue etc.

Ive had my bloods checked so many times and apparently they are normal!

The head colds and fatigue effect my life much more than the flare ups abdominal/colon pain and its realy gets me down as i just want a speck of energy and a brain that doesnt feel tired/squashed.

Just thought my body failed to fight this off so assume my immune system is abit rubbish?

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to phil-down]

I have Crohn's for 30 odd years and have been stuck indoors for the last two and a bit. I take a Vitamin D supplement, because of not getting enough sun, this has helped my mood a great deal. With the extra hand washing, sanitising and social distancing should make catching the cold virus a lot more difficult. Do you hydrate enough, when you have a flare and afterwards?

[willow24 Administrator in reply to phil-down]

Fatigue unfortunately is part of the crohns. Even in the few times I have been in remission, I still suffer with bad fatigue despite eating a healthy balanced diet.

Some of the meds for crohns can have side effects that include cold/flu/sinusitis type symptoms, even though these are not common side effects it may be worth investigating.

It might also be worth getting your sinuses checked to see if they are draining properly.

[Shoeysmum]

Asacol suppresses the immune system and so yes, your immune system will be low.

I live in the UK and have had a letter from our NHS (National Health Service) advising me not to leave my house for any reason whatsoever - not even to exercise. I have become, what is termed in the UK, 'shielded'.

Please stay home during this Coronavirus pandemic. If you have no one to do your shopping or to collect your meds then there is help to be had out there.

Stay safe.

[Shoeysmum in reply to Shoeysmum]

I forgot to mention that I'm on Asacol too.

[bantam12 in reply to Shoeysmum]

I have never been told Asacol suppresses immune system, been taking it for 22 years.

Just looked on the Crohns Colitis Foundation and it says 5 ASAs are not immunosuppressants 🤷‍♀️

[Shoeysmum in reply to bantam12]

I think you're probably right and so I apologise for suggesting that. However, I did read somewhere that they are but, having googled them again, I find that they don't suppress the immune system.

The 2 conditions, Crohns and Colitis, are auto-immune diseases so maybe that's why your immune system is so low.

[KEG1]

Hello, I was diagnosed with Crohn's and colitis when I was 20 in 2000. I was always advised to take a multivitamin, calcium with vitamin D and a probiotic. A lot of the treatments for Crohns suppress the immune system in order to keep the inflammation from the Crohns and colitis down. Unfortunately it can tend to make some people get more sick easily. I would ask your gastroenterologist for suggestions. Good luck!