Linda, I am so sorry you have had a bad cold, it is nice you are over it pretty much. I have not had a cold or flu since I got this illness, well actually I did twice get a cold like sickness, but it was so different from anything I had had before that I wasn't sure what it was. It started in my sinus's & over 4 days slowly moved down my throat into my lungs & then it was gone. Just a small sore throat that moved, weird huh? I have often wondered if it was possible to get a real cold, but I don't know. I used to get about 2 colds a year because I worked in a drugstore/pharmacy, the ill came to us, lol.

I take dark chocolate for cognitive problems. It doesn't take care of it all, but it helps so much that if I don't take it for a few days I can really tell. I used to use Lindtz 85% dark chocolate about an ounce twice a day. Worked pretty good but with my being on disability I had to find a cheaper way so I switched to a black cocoa that I use in my mocha's. This may help you too. I hate to say it will work because we are all so different.

Hope you feel better soon, take care, hugs, Denise

Hi, honey. I guess I see it a little differently. When I was diagnosed with NMH, POTS, and CFS, I was told that I had an immune deficiency. In contrast to an autoimmune issue, this would mean that I am MORE likely to get the cold and flu. In fact, I was told to be very careful about pneumonia, as it could be quite serious for me. I have gotten bronchitis and pneumonia several times and it is always quite difficult. I am struggling with cognitive issues as well. I am going to have to try the chocolate thing because I have yet to find something that works for me. Best of luck, dear one.

Hmm, I get viruses but not often, every couple of years... and then I'm often unsure if it is just allergies. When I do get a virus they tend to be shorter, about 5 days...or much longer if they develop into something needing antibiotics. A couple years ago I went from Sept to March sick with bronchitis and sinusitis. (all my things seem to be "itis"es (inflammation related).
I have a couple autoimmune disorders but I don't think that they necessarily mean my entire system will be on guard all the time for the run of the mill cold.
Like you I take a while to get past it entirely.

When I first became ill I would get a serious cold every couple of months and the coughing would last for weeks forcing me to miss work and often turning into pneumonia. Then after about 10 yrs it changed and I haven't had a cold now in about 7 yrs. I get a sore throat at times and my glands swell, but I don't think it's a virus but rather CFS causing that.

Don't understand it at all. I can say that my CFS became a lot more serious about 7 yrs ago.

could be a good sign you had a cold...might be an extra bit of post viral with your brain. I would rest it as much as possible and give it time to recover. Cocoa is good for mental activity.

Maybe that cold temporarily set you back and your cognitive abilities are the last to improve?

I find myself confused between the rev'ved up immune system and the immunity deficiency theories. I imagine immune status is confirmed by blood work. My bloodwork is average except sometimes indicates inflammatory responses. (I forget what type of test...crp?)

I have a slight cold now...but I used to be sick every year with a flu or major cold. Streep throat into my late thirties. I really don't know what this indicates

Hi Linda - So sorry you're having this difficulty.

I agree with Triunfadora in thinking ME/CFS leaves us with an impaired immune system. I wish the cognitive impairment would go away the MOST it's always there and I often think I need a keeper. I'm very grateful for my GF who willingly takes up the role. (Her memory seems supernatural to me!)

Be that as it may, historically I've always gotten colds at the turn of the seasons, spring and fall. Due to the cognitive issues, I can't remember if I have or haven't gotten them since I got sick, but I did this fall, just as I remembered them. Of course, this time it drained me for weeks, even though the cold passed in a week or so (as I recall...?).

I haven't tried the chocolate, I'll have to do that! FWIW, I've found D-ribose as suggested by Dr. Teitelbaum to be the most helpful thing I've tried, other than good sleep. I'm just now starting his energy revitalization formula and have good hopes for it.

I hope this resolves well for you, and soon. Best Wishes and Hugs, Jack

I just read about the flu problem in ME. I can recommend taking ProBoost as early as you notice flulike symptoms! It's extremely effective. Sometimes it even prevents the flu to break out (if taken early enough). Otherwise it shortens the outbreak.

If your cognitive was improved before the cold you will probably get it back. The cold just caused too much stress on your body. The more stress I have the worse I get. My husband thinks it's cute when I can't say my words correctly or I use the wrong word entirely. I just think it makes me sound stupid and I hate it. I think he's actually glad that my memory is now as bad as his, because I can't get on his case about him forgetting things. I know I am still an intelligent person, but my brain and the rest of me just don't work like they did before all this hit me at age 16. I'm now 40 and still have no answers to why my body can't handle stress.