Immune system

[BabyK]

Hi everyone hope ur all well. I had my first hospital appointment this week and came out feeling so relieved. Consultant was great. Answered all my questions and put my mind at rest however I forgot to ask her if I'm more prone to other diseases due to a dodgy immune system. Anybody know the answer?

[Sachin1234]

Since our immune system is weaker than normal people we are definitely more prone to others..that’s why we vaccinate all kinds😁

[BabyK in reply to Sachin1234]

Hey thanks for that. Only had the flu jab should I be asking for anything else?

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to BabyK]

Are your immunizations up to date? They are not just for pbc patients. Off the top of my head:

MMR, Hep A, Hep B, DTap...

[MissusTee in reply to Sachin1234]

I would say it was the opposite funnily enough! Autoimmunity corresponds to having an overactive immune system, so I would say that our immune system needs dampening down, rather than boosting, I don't know what others think?

[Hidden]

I know who knows as many answers as you'll need: PBC Foundation! The best reason to join (free to members) is that they have the widest knowledge of the latest understanding of PBC and they have global reach to sufferers. This is a condition that affects people in so many different ways and you will benefit from knowing that there are people who do and people who don't experience what you do. You can benefit from encouragement from them in every way that you will need. You will be in touch with people who understand, and you dont have to spend your life trying to explain yourself. They get it. I know this isnt a direct answer to your question BabyK, but it is a point in the right direction and I hope you find the answers that put your mind at peace. Best wishes.

[BabyK in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to BabyK]

BabyK, just remembered I had shingles vaccine as well as flu vac, in past couple of months on advice of practice nurse. She said even if I wasn't more likely to get them than anyone else, if I did get these viruses they'd be likely much harder to get over than someone who isn't immune compromised. I was a bit anxious about if the vaccines would fire up an auto immune response but in a russian-rouletty moment I chose to have them. (They didn't have any bad effect at all).

[Rosehip19 in reply to Hidden]

Spot on!

[Hidden in reply to Rosehip19]

Rosehip, I try to avoid known and likely causes of PBC flare-ups, even if most are unavoidable but lately I've remembered how the worst flare-ups came after emotional disturbance - from death of friend at one end to worry about making ends meet financially. Does emotional upheaval affect you this way? Is there anyone else who finds that it seems to?

[martinap in reply to Hidden]

Yes definitely these big stressoren impact flares with me. As well as heat, direct sunlight/uv light. Continued physical stress. What other triggers do you have?

[Hidden in reply to martinap]

As with yourself, also continued physical stress; not drinking enough water; not responding in 24hours to the previous two neglects!

[liver-bird]

My understanding is our auto immune systems are overreactive and attacking what they shouldn't i.e. bile ducts. We are more likely to get other auto immune conditions. For example I also have coeliac as my autoimmune system has decided to attack gluten. Some of us have other ai conditions but some don't. No one knows why the ai system over reacts in this way or how to switch it off without stopping it doing what it should be doing. So pleased you have found a helpful doctor. Suggest you also join PBC Foundation as they are very knowledgeable and helpful. Hope this helps BabyK and welcome to the club ☺☺