"Regular" illnesses with Lupus

Hi Aralyn

Sorry to hear you are having a struggle. 😏x

You have obviously succumbed to the dreaded ’lurgi’ like many of us over the festive period. It’s no meant feat- I can vouch for that. I too have had severe sinusitis, chest infection and laryngitis for the past 8 weeks. I have had 6 weeks + the 2 over Christmas period. I am still not coping well too. I have asthma and am on the second lot of antibiotics and steroids. 😏Asthma has been aggravated by the chest infection, sadly.

People that do not have AI disorders recover quicker and with less ‘add on’ complications. A suggestion perhaps, (not easy, I know) would be to try not to stress about your return to work ( I was doing this but realised it was counterproductive to recovery) let the steroids and antibiotics do their job. Do you use inhalers too?

Try not to eat anything that will cause mucous build up. Drink plenty of cooled boiled water - thins the mucous. I am avoiding anything milky/dairy based. Clear soups are good for keeping your airways and sinuses less clogged. 👍🏼🤞🏼

When I went to the GP to obtain a fit for work note ( of which I am still clearly unfit) she said after having a virus/infection along with the never ending list of ailments you are then sometimes left with chronic fatigue- and recovery can take even longer - which is a double whammy, especially when hoping to return to work sooner, rather than later.😔

I don’t feel like I’ve offered much advice, but I can truly appreciate how you are feeling right now and wanted you to know you are not alone.

I do hope you manage to hang on to some of your spoons until fully recovered. 🤞🏼

Sending get well hugs your way.

((X))

Hi sorry you are having a tough time when I get a cold not going to say Man flu 😷🤧 my joints normally get worse and when I was on methatrexate it was particularly bad and took a long time to get over don’t forget most of us take 1or more immunosuppressive drugs to help the lupus/MCTD simptoms hope you feal better soon

I also have big problems with catarrh every time I get even the sniff of a cold. Drinking seems to help, but I also resort to catarrh pastilles (Boots) when it is bad.

Sorry that you are having bad days... I hope they will pass soon

Herbal tea is good! I add ginger, peppermint leaves, cinammon, lemon... lots of hot fluids to rid of mucus.

Rest all you need, take good care of yourself even if it means to say "no" once in a while to teenagers.

A year ago I had influenza, it was hard on top of MTX effects ... after that my rheumy prescribed vitamin D3, she says it regulates the immune system... I haven't had other flu/cold/sniffles.

Maybe you can ask your Dr if vit D3 is good for you?

Wishing you well!

My sympathies! My father in law had a cold and gave it to the family over the holidays. Of course everyone else gets better but I get Strep as a complication. The way I understand it is like everyone else. We’re at higher risk with Lupus and even higher when on immune suppressants. I know it sucks to have these things drag on and on especially when you have to work. But, I think you just have to give in to the fact that our bodies heal slower. It’s taken me years, but after this last infection I’ve had to just make peace with it. And figure out ways to have flexibility in my job (work part days, break up the day, work more days with fewer hours per day .... stuff like that).

Take care and feel better soon!