Lupus Support Group

Yolanda.....Welcome to the world of a suppressed immune system. This is why it is so important for us to stay out of crowds and away from places where germ parties are going on behind our backs. I caught the stomach bug from an outside pet expo. I will catch anything thats within 20 feet of me since I have been on pred. and mtx. Im so sorry you have gotten sick again. This is what has been suggested to me by my pharmacists and dr.s. Stay away from places where there are alot of children. They are major germ carriers. If you have to go out in the real world, we need to wear a mask with 95% protection/filtration. I know, embarassing, but it is one of the things that can help protect us. I try to go do errands when I know there arent going to be alot of people around. We are immuno compromised. We have no defense when it comes to germs/viruses. People around you need to know that if they feel like they may be coming down with something they need to stay away from us.

Garlic oil capsules and pro-biotics can help ward off germs. Apple cider vinegar with the mother is also beneficial. I know these things are all safe for me to take while being on plaquenil, prednisone, mtx, aspirin, folic acid. You can ask your pharmacist if it is safe to take these things with your meds. Also, if there is no drug interaction to grapfruit seed extract, this is a natural anti-viral supplement. I always start to take this if I feel like Im coming down with something. To be perfectly honest, I have turned into a recluse already in fear of getting sick again (or worse, the swine flu). I feel safer this way and less anxious. Of course, no one else really understands my feeling of wanting to live in a plastic bubble. I know what your going thru.
Hugs

My husband starting getting sick yesterday and now I am starting to feel it. I am super scared its the H1N1. I think he might have picked it up through work, or his friend who WAS sick but I thought he would be over it. I am not sure what his friend had. He doesn't have a fever so I am praying its not the piggy flu. I do not need this at all right now. But I tell you from the beginnings of it, its not going to be fun. I wish we didn't have viruses to deal with on top of everything else. I'm not on immunosuppressants but I still catch alot more things now as well.

I've always been very lucky in the "not catching anything department" but Melissa is right when you are immune suppressed there are places and people to avoid. I am now taking Cyclosporin so I am going to be vulnerable to anything that's going....bit frustrating and pretty scary.....Hope you feel better soon.

yeah I have already had like every virus this fall... it's ridiculous. I am not going grocery shopping anymore even as a family like we always did on Sundays... Hubby is going to do it now and I am going to stay away from a lot of holiday parties... it sucks but in the winter I have to be a freaken hermit... not like i'm not already but yeah... lol

Hey there...I had some kind of flu/tummy virus back in May...and just last week had another 48hr bug....felt like a pile o crap for a few days but seemed to have gotten over it both times...my immune system is not suppressed at this time because I am not on an immuno-suppressant like Imuran like I was on a few years ago...when I was on the Imuran it seemed like I was sick the whole time and felt horrible for nearly a year....every day! but now I have what seems to be an over active immune system and can quickly get over a bug...whew...I hope that I can ward off the H1N1!!
I dont know if it is normal to pick up every bug that comes along but if you are on an immuno-suppressant then your system will definately be more compromised....take care....be well