Sick

[iyamamaschke]

Again Please help. I need some help I have to figure out something to help build up my immune system as it really is bad from all my medical problems. It seems I just get to where everything is great and I get sick. Is there anything you know of that will help I am at this point desperate not to get sick, I'm sick of it I see all the posts of people feeling great and here I am sick every month with something. HELP PLEASE. This really throws a stitch into my exercise as right now I have Bronchitis and running is horrible. I did it any ways but it was horrible.

Sarah

[Sarah1341]

Re: Sick

Are you taking all of your vitamin supplements? And, have you consulted your doc? Sorry, I'm not much help, but I'm sending you healthy vibes!

[Reveal]

Re: Sick

Sarah,
Hang in there, Sweetie! I had this same problem for a few years, and it wore me down. I once had Pneumonia FOUR times in nine months!! In fact, with the help of my dedicated and really nutrition/wellness conscious doctor I just started getting over it last winter. It took months but I feel better now than I have since high school. First, bear in mind this is all just what helped me, and it does take a bit of finagleing.

The first thing my doctor made me do was rest - a LOT. Like, mandatory naps after work. Must get a full 8 hours of sleep at night, even though it meant dropping my evening volunteer activities.

Second, I started taking a whole food supplement my doctor advised me to try. I don't want to get all "oooh, this stuff saved my life!" or anything, but it did help. It's a "Garden of Life" product called "Perfect Food". The entire Garden of Life line is nice, but it can be expensive! I bought mine off eBay, and it was always cheaper. The powder lasted longer than the tablets, though those were obviously easier.

Third, I had to start taking a high dose of Vitamin C. I personally like these Vitamin C drinks called "Emergen-C" that come in flavors. They've got 1,000% of the vitamin C RDA and at first my doctor recommended two or three a day (there is no upper limit on Vitamin C, by the way. In fact, the RDA number is simply the lowest possible dose that will keep you from getting scurvy! So we should all be getting much more than that.)

My doctor also made me track all of my food in Fitday for a few weeks, to see what vitamins/nutrients I wasn't getting enough of consistently, and then if I was under the RDA (or even close) she had me buy supplements for that nutrient. It really wan't a lot for me - folate and magnesium - so they're cheap but I know that's what I don't get enough of consistently.

Also, and this might sound obvious or weird, I had to hire a cleaning woman. *g* I hired my mother (she's good that way *g*) because my lung infections were aggravated by dust and mold, so every other weekend my mother cleaned while I took myself out for a walk.

So, those are just a few of the gradual building blocks that took my immune system to a higher level, but you know, I can tell a huge difference from this time last year. This time last year I barely had the strength or fortitude to stay awake (much less active) for the entire day, and that was just my body's way of saying TAKE CARE OF ME!

I know not everyone can get a cleaning person, but the Emergen-C drinks aren't expensive, and rest is free, so if you can achieve only those you'll be doing better than a lot of folks!

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. And good luck!

[Oreo]

Re: Sick

I know I will sound like an old lady but this advise was handed down from my grand-mother who was a R.N. back in the 40's-50's

My Mother, her siblings, their kids, my siblings, all lived by her wise advise.
None of us are sickly. Any Dr's visit are very rare and then it's usually for stitches or a broken bone.

This isn't a cure more like prevention. Kept us all healthy.

Wash hands frequently and also esp before eating, brusing teeth, preparing food, sex (yes, even before sex)

Never go barefooted- never, not even in your own house. Slipper's or Shoes but not in just socks.

Always wear a hat outdoors that covers the ears on a windy day and any day that's cold.

Don't run to the dr for any little infection - if you take to many anti-bodies your body will never fight infections on it's own. (Sadly, a lot of kids these days live on antibodies and yet they stay sick)

Never drank or eat after anyone.

Never sit on public toliets.

I can't remember everything at the moment and maybe they are just old wives tales but I do have heatlh insurance and thankfully it's never been used.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Sick

Thanks for all the great advice it's awesome. I do take a ton of vitamins a mit full I swear but, it's not helping I have been doing this for well over 3 months so HMMM.

Any how I will keep a plugging. I always wear my shoes everywhere I'm bad for that but I don't always cover my ears LOL.

Take care and thanks for all the great advice.

Sarah

[Elizellen]

Re: Sick


Just wanted to send you some Hugs Sarah and hope you are feeling better soon.

[qbu]

Re: Sick

Echinacea is an herbal supplement that helps to boost your immune system. I take it when I start back to school to boost my immune system. Seems to work pretty good.

[Hinen]

Re: Sick

I have been impressed with your progress and attitude and I get the impression you are a real sweetheart.
I offer this to you in the hope that it is a useful way of looking at things. I am not sure I believe this and I am sure its not scientific. When fat deposits are laid down sometimes other things are stored with the fat, like emotions, or possibly in your case illness, as I breakdown the fat I am forced to confront the other stuff I stored with the fat. I have been struggling with anger, with feeling soooo angry and learning it is a trigger for me to want to eat. Is it possible this is old anger I stored away with the fat? that I am having to experience again and deal with finally?
I take a multi vitamin and regular naps, they seem to help with fatigue but its also massively cyclical and I'd love to know what tips the balance.

[ttdriver]

Re: Sick

Sarah, if there is a health food store/vitamin store near by you, pick up some ELDERBERRY EXTRACT (it comes in capsule form) .. it really strengthens the immune system. Its worked for many people I know, including me! Take it at the first sign of symptoms and its amazing. I take it along with vitamin c and echinacea and it has literally zapped sore throats within a matter of hours!

HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOON, SWEETIE!

Betty

[Kisseslikepearls]

Re: Sick

I really don't have any advice since I'm blessed with a strong immune system. The most I do is pop Vit C like candy when I start feeling off.

And to repeat what's already been said, SLEEP. I had mono so bad last fall that I was in the hospital for two weeks and spent another month and a half unable to stay awake more than 4-5hrs at a time. What did the doctor say was the issue?? I was in college full time and working full time, I almost never slept more than a few hours and ignored my sore throat and fatigue for weeks.

However, I do have an idea for you:
You said that you took alot of vitamins in pill form. Ever thought about a liquid form? The idea is to hold the liquid under your tongue for 30 seconds then swollow it. Mine tastes pretty good: like flat black cherry coke.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Sick

Never thought of Liquid Vitamins and I'll have to try the Elderberry and see.

I do think that the sickness being stored with the fat is very likely as you lose your body released toxins and I have been losing really fast lately so I am just to thinking this may be something. Maybe I need to drink twice as much water I'll try that along with some other things suggested.

Oh, about the rest thing I totally wish I have 3 kids and run a dayhome so it's nearly impossible to rest but, it sure is a great idea and I would LOve to do that.

Thank you soo much

Sarah

[ttdriver]

Re: Sick

Yes, rest as much as you can, Sarah!!


Betty

[Brook]

Re: Sick

I'm a big believer in Zinc & Vitamin C, as well as plenty of rest. That's what works for me. And soap!! Lots of antibacterial soap/handwashing for everyone in the house. I love the kids to death, but they're little germ factories and those of us that get sick easy..well, I don't have to tell you!.

Oh!!
<steps up on toothbrush obsession soap box>
Replace your toothbrush! Seriously. Most people I know don't do that after they've been sick & they're just jamming more germs in their mouth every time they brush their teeth! No! No! No!
</steps off toothbrush obsession soap box>

There's some fantastic advice in here. Jotting a bunch of it down for future reference!

~Brook