Common cold

[adrienneioannou]

I woke up this with a scratchy throat and drainage going down when I swallow. I have yet to figure out how to fight this on my own. How do you all do this?

[Ilse70]

One day at time sweetheart. Just take each day as it comes.

[MargaretGail]

Paracetamol and throat sweets but if it's an infection you need the doc

[jamg3916]

Let it take it's course, that's all you can do. Take the usual remedies like paracetamol etc plenty of fluids and keep a watch for any signs it might be turning into something more serious. It's a real downside of Lupus that we are so prone to infections....I make sure I always have soluable paracetamol in the house and tins of soup. I have found I have adjusted my lifestyle to make allowances for things like this, e.g. always shop online for food, and many other household items...that way I avoid a lot of social situations when I could catch things and can also manage fatigue better so better able to fight infections. Good luck

[Diane26964 in reply to jamg3916]

Hi just read u comment on catching things n since I been diagnosed in May I have been ok and just like to say that I'm a teaching assistant in primary school so I cud get what's going lol x

[Cann]

A good diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, rest when necessary and exercise likewise - managing stress keeping off the mobiles/wifi using wired technocology as much as possible and getting some vit D from outdoors sometime each day - not easy, but the only other choice is drugs and they just make me suffer more!

[jamg3916]

Especially in Primary, I was a teacher in Secondary and I did pick up everything, all the coughs, colds and sore throats..even the Swine flu that was going around a few years back. I have had to take early retirement as it got to the point where I just coldn't go on...horrid as I miss my job. Hope you can keep germ free...

[Starbright3x]

Ugghh..I am in your boat..Woke up last Wednesday with runny nose, headache, sore throat congestion. .When I get sick, I get a flare..It wasn't as bad as the one I had in April, thankfully. ..It has been a week since I first got symptoms, sick, but I am starting to feel alittle better.Mine is just the regular head cold, so I did not go to the doctor..Everyone was off for our 4th of July anyways...Best thing is rest, gargle with salt water, definitely eat healthy (we are what we eat)..Fruits..veggies, a good multi vitamin.And just put yourself and needs first..It is ok to take care of ourselves.I have no signs here of infection, but if you do, definitely get into your GP..HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER XX

[Whathappned]

Hi

Ive not long got rid of my sore throat. Initially a tickle and I could cope but by the afternoon at work I was exhausted and finding it hard to stay awake. It did turn in to a nasty sore throat but the fatigue improved pretty quickly.

I just used the flu remedies you buy over the counter, numbing lozenges and ibuprofen with plenty of fluids and rested initially (day off the second day). Gargling aspirin often helps too.

I have that wonderful nasal drip still and a really irritable throat still that gets worse at night. I'm doing a little too much recently and now I'm exhausted and irritable.

So, REST if you can and take the meds to keep you comfortable, especially your temp and lots of fluid.

As long as it doesn't persist or get worse, eg chest infection, this should be enough. any sign of infection or persists without improvement get checked out.

Hope you feel better soon x

[Adam2014]

I catch a cold often (even with flu-jab, which does help!) and I also get a few infections each year. I'll share what I do, but don't promote it as being how you should go about it - only that it works for me. A sensible and thoughtful GP is always the best person to trust about this (and if you don't have one, change your doctor or practice!).

I try to avoid conventional medicine as much as possible, especially antibiotics. I used to be very trigger-happy with meds, but then it quickly became clear that my body would find a way to overcome them after a couple of courses.

I then avoided them completely, unless I was/am really unwell (we all have our own threshold). And it worked! I found that my immune system improved (for someone with SLE) and that on the rare occasions that I felt so bad that I needed to take antibiotics, they suddenly became much more effective.

In summary: Don't suffer, but at the same time give your own immune system a chance - they often surprise us!

[adrienneioannou]

Thanks for all the advice. I am drinking loads and trying to rest as much as possible. I try not to go to the gp as I feel like I live there already. I think I will fight this! Positive toughy 😊

[Adam2014 in reply to adrienneioannou]

That's the right attitude. Well done and good luck.