Do opiates weaken your immune system?

[Leaveurfearsbehind]

I'm over 2 months clean but I've noticed that I'm more sickly than when I was on opiates. I was on them for 10 months and I don't ever remember being sick. In the past two months I've had a sinus infection and 3 colds that lasted a few days. Nothing bad just felt like crap. I'm taking vitamins and exercising daily put I just feel that my immune system is run down. Is this normal after getting clean? Maybe it's just bad luck but wanted to know if anyone else had this problem? Thanks.

[Leaveurfearsbehind]

Thanks for all the comments. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one with this problem. Thanks again.

[Bubulous]

Way to go Dr clean.  I was ok with the assumption.  Now that is is a reality I have to stock the cabinets with hand sanitizer and wear gloves everywhere I go.  : )))))), just kidding, have a great day.

Larry

[nbhope]

I never got sick either on pills, weird :/ I remember feeling nausous like having the flu but the pills seemed to ease up that tho. I am praying with vitimins and I to use e~mergency, will help keep it all away :)

[clean_in_ks]

Definitely, for sure, for sure LOL!  Our immune systems take a HUGE beating!  I, too, didn't pick up bugs or colds while taking pain pills....the "bugs" seemed to pass me by.  Now that I'm clean, even tho I'm majorly beefing up my nutritional needs, I just got this horrible A strain flu that is sweeping the nation!  Man I forgot what it felt like:(

Just read this article again.....it has a lot to say about a lot of things....not just our immune systems.  I found it to be VERY helpful.  I had read it once before, but sure couldn't remember what it said so read it again LOL

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/Ingredients-that-Help-with-Opiate-Withdrawal/show/593?cid=66

One of the nutritional supplements mentioned that I've been taking is Emergen-C.  Those little packets are FAB....full of vit c, all the B vitamins, most essential minerals, antioxidants and electrolytes.  You can pick your flavor, pour powder in glass, add water....and your cells instantly receive the nutrients (vs. waiting for a cap or tab vit/mineral to make it's way thru our GI process)  Right now, since I'm sick with this horrible stuff going around, I am drinking it A LOT thru out the day.  The vit c and b vitamins are water soluble, so you don't have to worry about too much....you will expel whatever your body doesn't absorb in your urine.  You will know that because your urine will be bright yellow.  That's what is telling me how nutritionally deficient I still am........don't have yellow pee very often LOL

Not only are our pain receptors/neurotransmitters worn out and not producing natural chemicals we are suppose to benefit from naturally, our hair, skin, nails, lungs, on and on are begging to heal.  I know I trailed off on that one.......but that's what I do right now....can't stay on task yet....
and for today......it's ok.....either that or NEVER share cause my brain is still healing in a BIG way....

  

[Bubulous]

Makes a little more sense now, thanks.

[YesLife4Me]

I am by far no expert, but I do know that opiates block histamines and that's why we don't sneeze or seem to have a runny nose while using them (unless we have a cold/flu). But then again, maybe if we do have a cold/flu while on them, the histamines are being blocked enough to where we just don't notice it as much?   I know that I have had a couple 'bugs' in the past month since getting off them and I have read many posts about people's immune systems being weaker after going through detox.  

[Bubulous]

I do think there is a dynamic to it that I don't understand but maybe somebody else can explain it....

[Leaveurfearsbehind]

I thought maybe it was just me but I never got sick while I was using. I've always had sinus troubles and have always had to use nasal spray to breathe but never did while using. I'm sure it will take a while to get 100% healthy.

[Bubulous]

I never got sick when I was using, ever, in the whole six years of using.  I actually realized early on the first time I did get legitimately sick that after taking a pain pill it went away.  I am not sure why it worked like that and I know everyone is different but I have been clean for around 150 days and have been sick twice, not the worst thing that could happen though : )