sick of being sick

[Fl_Gator]

What is the problem now...why can't I fight this stuff like I used to?...my last bloodwork came back in normal range...I don't understand....

...I ended tx meds back in November...almost immediatly afterwards I got bronchitis. I still have a slight cough from that and now I have a nasty cold...today it feels like it is moving into my chest...I am sick of being sick...

All of my life I have avoided most of the common flu bugs and colds going around. Even when my children were sick and I had close face to face contact with them...I avoided getting sick...I worked 2 jobs...70 hour work weeks...never missed a lick...still didn't wear myself down enough to get sick....now it seems that I can't avoid anything going around.

[susan400]

I think that perhaps, there's several things involved here, my friend.  First off what people mentioned above with your body needing time to just reset itself.  But, also, even people w/o your health history..., with the amount of stressors you've had lately, it would tax their immune system as well.  Let's see, you have had your gramma pass away, who you were very close to and prior to that, she was ill(so you were concerned-worried about her).  You've been caring for your little granddaughter and nobody can tell me that, caring for a small child is not work and not stressful to a certain degree.  Then, there's everybody's stressors right now, the economy and all.  So, with all these things in mind, I am not surprised that your body is having a time of it.  Give yourself some time and these things will get better.  Be kind to yourself right now.  Try to make sure that you get enough rest, drink enough fluids, eat healthy and take some walks(which helps with the stress) and eventually, you will be feeling back to normal again.  That's my advice.  I hope that you find yourself feeling better soon.  Susan400

[kickboxingmom]

I just wanted to send my well-wishes your way.Your immune system will bounce back.My opinion.Your to strong not too ! Sending - Hoping you feel better soon and all these symtoms will be behind you.Over done with gone ! Good Luck,   Tammy

[Kristina538]

When you said 'back in the normal range' for your WBC, do you mean that they are back to your baseline readings pre-tx, or higher, or just within the normal range?

I'm trying to be as cautious as possible post tx as at 4 weeks my bloods (while bouncing back) were nowhere near the baseline level (which was lowish anyway but within the normal range).

I think it takes some months to be superhuman :-) again.....

[GreatBird]

It makes sense that after the onslaught of tx, it would take the immune system a while to rebalance itself. I'm no where close to that point yet, but I'm thinking that a careful diet that includes probiotics and no sugar, along with regular exercise would be really helpful.

[Isobella]

So sorry to hear you are still not feeling well.  I hope you are able to take a bit of a break.  I know things have been tough lately, but ya gotta take care of you, too!

Take the weekend off....put your feet up.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Andiamo1]

I always became prone to colds and flu when I stopped therapy.  Within a year I was back to normal.  This time, I am already back to normal at 9 months.  Normal resistance to flu and colds that is; no one I know thinks I am normal in any other regard -- LOL.

eric

[Fl_Gator]

I know my red and white cell counts are back in normal range...Spoke w/NP today

If Interferon is a naturally occuring part of the immune system...
interferon fights viruses...
and having HCV will cause the body to always produce extra interferon...

a) Does it mean that I fought off illness better while I had HCV and that's why I never got sick?

b) Will my body auto correct to fight illness? or

c) Will I always catch every little thing now for the rest of my life

[Debbie556]

This is so scary ithere are so many things you read and are told that it is a wonder anyone gets through this at all. I know we were told that during the treatment the drugs would cause you red and white blood cell count to go down this could cause you to become more seceptible to infection and illness. I don't know what is correct but I hope you are over this soon Best of luck

[lapis]

It certainly does make sense that it's the withdrawal of the extra interferon from your immune system that's making you susceptible to other stuff right now.  I'm sure it's really frustrating for you!  I don't have any great advice, at least, nothing you don't probably already know from going through tx anyway, just wanted to say I'm sorry you're still having a rough time.

Yeah, I had this great idea that when I finish tx everything's gonna be wonderful, but I'm learning from this forum that it may take some time to recover from the tx itself.

Sure hope you feel better soon!!

[copyman]

it is very rare that someone gets the flu or cold during tx. I think I have read it is because of the interferon.

[Debbie556]

As far as I was told the drugs compromize the immune system and you do have to be extra careful in keeping yourself as healthy as possible. There are alot of things out there to help you with it.. Best of luck

[copyman]

just a theory but the interferon amps up the immune system and now without the extra bump your immune sys is weaker and you are having a hard time fighting off these colds, etc.  I think our immune system needs some time after tx'ing to recoup and get back strong.