Prone to catching every virus and infection going.

[SheffieldJane]

Has anyone else noticed that they catch everything they come in contact with?

My grandson comes home from nursery with a runny nose more often than not and almost immediately I'm down with some variation of it. I dread people coughing near me as I seem to have no resistance. I also run high temperatures at the drop of a hat with all the attendant flu aches and pains. It is hard to sort these symptoms out from a flare as I hover around 10 mgs Prednisalone.

My pregnant daughter needs more support than I feel able to give and can hardly believe it when I say I'm sick again. This is very lowering!!!

[Hidden]

Hi Jane

Just read this after replying to you in another thread.

I'm a bit OCD re sick people, I had Chemo Sept-Nov '15 & had to be so conscious of not catching anything while my white blood count was low & l'm now back on MXT again so have to be careful!

I'm still Mrs Handwipes 🖐🏼 & l just don't let people hug me anymore, if l appear standoffish, so be it but l just do not want to be ill!

I don't have Grandchildren & my great niece hugs me around the thighs! 💕

I was at a Family Do when everyone lunged to kiss & hug me but l said Please Don't & one guy said, perhaps for the best, l have a really sore throat! Thanks a Bundle, he was about to kiss me too!

Prednisolone does lower our immune system & you need to be extra mindful of Chicken Pox & the Measels!

I've just been in the Chemist, l always use my own pen everywhere but especially in the Chemist! The pen thing is a throw back from working in a hospital!

Take Care & Get Well Soon 💐

Mrs N x

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

Some time ago they replaced the little pull off paper numbers at the blood lab with an electronic thing which you have to press a button - everyone has to touch the same button whereas before the paper ticket was unique to you! I always cover my hand, never touch that button.

Good tip about avoiding public pens.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

At the hospital they have laminated numbers for you to take when you go for bloods; when I was having Chemo my lovely husband took it for me holding it with a tissue!

Can you imagine how many hands had held them! 😱

[Jackoh]

Yes agree with Mrs Nails. I have grandchildren too and after a chest infection followed by norovirus in October last year, followed by a very bad cold, viral infection then topped with a bacterial infection in December I am more cautious than I used to be!

I do carry around one of those little bottles of hand gel. I do wash my hands well when I come back from the shops etc and when I've seen the grandchildren. I do try to stop touching my nose and mouth until I've washed my hands! All sounds again a bit OCD but only my husband and I ( and now everyone reading this site!!) know this.

I also try to wear gloves a lot more when I'm out. I have Manuka honey every day in my lemon and hot water and vitamin C but I think especially when you're around children and again especially when they're at nursery, they end up sharing more than you bargained for.

Although we need not to be OCD I do think,like Mrs Nails said , that we need to be sensible as our immune system is so low.

Do hope you will soon be feeling much better - from your posts you have been through a bit of a rough patch. Spring will soon arrive though and with it better weather and hopefully it will be onward and upward!! Think you have done well to get to where you are pred wise.

Jackie x

[SheffieldJane]

Thank you for all your tips and reassurance. I had begun to feel like a freak especially when family are getting exasperated. I am going to follow your advice and become Howard Hughes if need be.

I think the self care that you are all demonstrating is commendable and probably psychologically helpful. The lack of control this disease generates can be frightening and lonely. Thanks guys!

[piglette in reply to SheffieldJane]

I said to my brother I was becoming a bit like Howard Hughes, his reply was " What very rich"!!!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've probably been lucky - I've had fewer infections. But then - I don't have close contact with a viral-incubator in the form of a grandchild!

However everyone: did you see the research about vit D the other day? IF you are depleted in vit D then taking higher dose supplements to get the level back to a decent level helps reduce the incidence of infections.

So - get your vit D checked...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Jane,

Would agree with herself, as usual, check your VitD levels.

I also take Vit C supplement all year round, not just winter, have done for about last 12years when I was still at work and OH at home and suffering chrontic cardio problems. Didn't want to bring any bugs home!

Probably asking for trouble saying it, but haven't "gone down" with anything since! Despite grandchildren etc!

Take care.

[SheffieldJane]

I am taking Adcal-D3 and I crave lemons in any form. The poor old body tries hard to help. Many thanks for your attention. 🍋