Winter bugs!

[MrsDuvet]

I saw recently, on an Endometriosis forum-type page, a question asking for sufferer’s worst symptoms. For me, the seemingly weakened immune system resulting in quite frequent cold-type viruses at this time of year is one of the most frustrating. Almost worse than actually feeling crap so frequently is having to say that that is the case to people who ask, ‘have you got another cold?’ I am currently on a week’s leave which I was really looking forward to, only to find myself dosed up with swollen glands and feeling rubbish for the third or fourth time this winter. Does anyone else experience this? (In addition to the standard awful endo symptoms!)

[Chrysta123]

I get ill every single winter without fail! For me tends to be sinusitis but i also get the odd cold here and there, sometimes I somehow manage to get ill in the summer as well, it does my head in! I have found that eating a better diet, exercising more, and taking vitamins + folic acid + omega 3 capsules has helped cut down the frequency of how often I get ill, do you take any multivitamins or anything?

[MrsDuvet in reply to Chrysta123]

I don’t take anything, no. I agree that the change in habits over the winter - heating on all the time, going out less etc. makes a difference I think. I have problems with my sinuses chronically too! I have tracked the flare ups of bad sneezing incidences that I have over the years and they are definitely always around ovulation and period. I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself this week as I’m on leave and planned to do some nice things for myself. Instead, I’ve been ill since Sunday!

[Chrysta123 in reply to MrsDuvet]

It might be worth getting checked to see if you have any vitamin deficiencies or anything, I get that which makes everything even worse, I would ask if you are constantly tired but that is also an endo symptom! A few others I have spoken to over the past few years also had this issue though...

I would be feeling sorry for myself too, how horrible I hope you feel better too

[jasne77]

Hi, you are not alone. This is one of the many symptoms of endometriosis as is fatigue. The endo weakens our immune system with its inflammatory processes, which can lead to vitamin (e.g. vitamin d and/or b's) and mineral (e.g. iron, magnesium) deficiencies. Also common among women with endo are food intolerances and autoimmune diseases. You are also more likely to get vitamin or mineral deficiencies if you use hormons and/or pain killers as well as antibiotics.

Since last year my immune system is like non-existant and on top of that I'm permanently exhausted. I find it worse than the pain itself. I've tried a lot from exercise to diets to supplements. Some things help others are useless, but I couldn't find the big breakthrough. Here is what helps me so far.

supplements:

vitamin d

vitamin b-complex

selenium

magnesium

gluten free diet (with anything unprocessed from vegetables to dairy to red meats)

foods rich in iron

no alcohol

plenty of rest and good sleep

walking

Good luck and get well soon

[MrsDuvet in reply to jasne77]

Thanks for that advice 🙂

[LCI1]

I also get every cold going. I work in a school..... however I would rather the colds than the sickness and diarrhoea!

[MrsDuvet]

I too worked in the classroom for 10 years and was the same. Always got the colds but never the tummy bugs! I was diagnosed with coeliac disease when I was 37, the year before then also being diagnosed with endo after a lifetime of very heavy periods and in the last year before diagnosis, some excruciating pains and even heavier than normal blood loss.