Pain lowering immune system - anyone?

[Catmag]

Not sure if anyone else has this or am I just a wimp?

Because of pain, depression & meds, I feel that I'm constantly getting every bug around. If someone sneezes I get a cough & laryngitis. Sorry to take us away from the lighter 'funny'.

[Hidden]

Hello

My condition is Psoriatic Arthritis with Psoriasis is an immune system problem and many medications I need to take cause my immune system to reduce and then I suffer colds and infections. Generally one of my medication groups is used in the treatments of Cancer so when on DMARDS they keep an eye on me with blood tests and if I become ill I have to contact my RA Nurse. Some other medications have a problem with weight gain so I need to watch what I am up to.

I you feel your immune system is not very strong see the GP.

BOB

[Catmag]

Thanks. Have an appointment next week.

[earthwitch]

I could be just part of a whole vicious cycle - pain makes you less active, less likely to go outside in the sun, or get those good endorphins going from just enjoying yourself, and pain can also likely make you less careful about what you eat. All that stuff then contributes to you being less "healthy" generally, and more likely to pick up bugs. Try to keep yourself doing the healthy stuff as much as you can, even if you don't really feel like it. Eat well, do exercise, especially things like gentle walking or swimming, and that might help a little.

[Barnclown]

For many years, decades even, from my 30s everything wrong with me was associated with my chronic spine pain...I.e. my chronic fatigue, brain fog, vertigo, my predisposition to infections, especially laryngitis, respiratory infections inc pleurisy...and of course I felt depressed by all this... etc etc etc..when I dared ask my gp, my pain consultant, or a neurologist again if there could be something else underlying my chronic spine pain....the answer was always: chronic pain is exhausting and this affects your immune system etc etc, try to take exercise, take more naps etc etc....I was on daily prescription NSAIDs & analgesics for years (they barely helped at all, but I was desperate) and I underwent a series of bilateral spinal facet joint denervations with IMS (deep acupuncture) follow up physio....+ I practice Alexander! pilates! yoga! meditation & an anti inflammation diet...whatever, I remained predisposed to daily pain & infections & feeling vvv low...my life was a living nightmare, but I tried to smile & not complain, and now I suspect those around me barely realised how unrelentingly tough it all was...no matter how well I minimised & managed my chronic pain & infection prone immune system, I was persistently poorly...well into my late 50s. I was v lucky to have an appreciative, tolerant boss!

Finally, 3 years ago, symptoms developed in my feet & hands which forced the nhs to look at me closely for an underlying autoimmune condition....and a vvvvv experienced rheumatologist diagnosed lifelong systemic lupus....and haha, my aged but totally alert & rational mother has told me that I was diagnosed with lupus as an infant & teen...but she never told me cause she thought I was cured....then I moved to another country at 21, leaving my medical notes behind

Anyway, 3 years on from beginning systemic lupus treatment, I feel less low, and much better generally all over my bod than I have since the 1970s...hardly any chronic pain, infections etc and much less fatigue....yes, I conscientiously continue all the lifestyle management, but I'm on 3 heavy duty lupus meds daily and off the prescription NSAIDs & analgesics. At 60, I feel reborn...

So, yes, do conscientiously try all the great lifestyle management techniques you can....but keep a log (inc photos) of your infections & their treatment...and any other persistent & recurring health probs...try not to be too obsessive, but this is the kind of info that has helped my rheumatologist to diagnose me and get me onto effective treatment....this lupus treatment has even reduced the referred spine pain inc synovitis that had lingered despite the undoubted success of the denervations & IMS

Take care & good luck xo

[mitziblue]

I think when you suffer all the time it's harder for our bodies to fight off the other bugs, etc... out there.

[Hidden]

Sadly I have suffered so long now that I do all of above and I can honestly say it all keeps me going

Barnclown you must admit we never get bored with all the techniques we learn.

BOB