Constant infections ...

[Rosie_rabbit]

So I'm feeling pretty fed up right with what seem like never ending infections.

I've been trying to find the right biological for a while now and I've been on abatacept for just over 6 months. I also take mtx 20mg injections, 8mg preds daily plus meloxicam and a few other bits n bobs!!

I usually stay fairly healthy in spite of having 3 children and the bugs they're forever bringing home. However for the last 4 months I've had a run of it. I started with Norovirus which was awful. I then had a urinary tract infection and then at the beginning of April a nasty cold. It wasn't flu but enough to knock me out for a few weeks. It went for just short of a week before either coming back or a different bug coming along. This has gone to my chest and sinus this time and I'm just about to start my 2nd course of antibiotics for it after seeing my GP this morning. So that'll be my second week without abatacept or mtx and I'm not sure what's going to happen with my RA???

Anyway, I'm wondering if others have experienced similar and what, if anything, they did that might have given their immune system a boost as mine seems to have given up completely now and I'm just fed up with being ill.

My GP couldn't suggest anything, I eat well. I had bloods on Wednesday which showed raised white blood cells and neutrophils in line with an infection and the usual raised crp.

Thanks for any advice xx

[Simba1992]

Hello Rose rabbit,

I am afraid that your infections and antibiotic treatments may have really stressed out you immunesystem The meds do not help to build it up again so it might be a good idea to take vit. D3 (clinical dose), vit. C 2000mg daily, vit B6, probiotics, magnesium, zinc and potassium and Colostrum powder. Keep away from sweets, eat a lot of fruits and vegies, try not to stress, Cook a big batch of bonebroth and drink daily. This is one way to build up your defense system. Good luck

[Rosie_rabbit in reply to Simba1992]

Thanks Simba and I'm sure you're absolutely right. I've already ordered some decent probiotics to take once I've finished my antibiotics and I take Vit D3 and calcium daily, prescribed by GP. I'll have a look at the others you've recommended.

I'm definitely up for the drinking daily although it might be wine to comply with your other thought of trying not to stress 😂

Xx

[Simba1992 in reply to Rosie_rabbit]

Good idea with the wine😊Red wine always worked for me!

[KayEP]

I know how you feel! I'm taking zinc, propolis and cranberry to help with urinary infections, but there is not a lot can stop the colds, etc. I've also had Norovirus and C Diff. which I contracted whilst visiting other people in hospital so I now try to stay away from hospitals. Sorry couldn't be more help!

[Rosie_rabbit in reply to KayEP]

Yes avoiding the bugs in the first place is always good Kay thanks and I'm sorry to hear you've not had a great time. I think if you're immune system is more healthy it does help to keep the colds etc. away or not let them develop into bacterial infections as mine have. Hope you stay well x

[Salsagirl13]

I m experiencing similar repeated bouts of illness resulting in on average 2 days off work in every 6 weeks or so. This worries me greatly as how do you tell your employer if it's a result of your disability or not?? I m about to hit attendance management procedures. This really naffs me off as I ve always had great attendance until the last year!!

I eat reasonably well try to exercise (when I m not so knackered I can barely stand) don't drink or smoke. Any tips greatly appreciated!!

Hope you feel better soon x

[Rosie_rabbit in reply to Salsagirl13]

I'm sorry to hear you're not having a great time too. This has caused me to have more time off than normal and my Bradford Score (what they use to measure acceptable levels of sickness where I work) now exceeds the limit for 1year just in the last 6 months.

Like you say it's hard to show that it's down to your illness. If you have a union I would definitely get them to help you. I've had some issues with my work changing their mind on agreed reasonable adjustments and they were really helpful.

None of this solves the problem of how to stay well tho! I spoke to my rheumy nurse this morning as I'm about to miss my second week of mtx and biologics. I asked her if there was anything I could do and she said the only thing that would really help would be coming off the steroids. That's not easily done when you're constantly unwell as you're not meant to taper them if you're unwell!

I'm upping my fruit n veg intake although my diet is already well balanced. I've bought quality probiotics to take once I've finished the antibiotics. I've read a bit about the immune system in the last couple of days and they said there was no evidence that these 'immune supporting supplements' actually make any difference to your immune system if you have a healthy diet. Gut health was felt to be more important. Have you had antibiotics recently? Perhaps if you have look into taking some probiotics or something to replace the good bacteria the antibiotics will have killed off. I've bought some acidophilus and bifidus, a 30 day course. Nothing to lose as it wasn't too expensive.

Good luck and let me know if you find something that works for you

Xx

[Salsagirl13]

Ah thanks! No I rarely take antibiotics I tend to be able to 'get over' things with a couple of days rest although that's not easy with an almost full time (had to drop a day mid week to help me cope) and 2 kids.

I ve seen quite a lot about gut health and 'leaky gut' being the root cause of auto immune disorders. I may do a bit more research into it.

Good luck 😉