I'm a big fan of bleach wipes, too. I use them at home and work and carry them with me all the time. In addition to the items Maggie mentioned, I use them on telephone receivers, computer keyboards, pens and pencils, silverware in restaurants, and lots of other things.

During the first couple years when I was very sick with DM, I pretty much avoided crowds. I stayed out of the mall during busy times at Christmas, sat way up on the balcony at church, and did what I could to stay far away from others. I wear a mask and gloves when I examine patients at work and have become almost OCD washing my hands so much.

All of these precautions have worked well for me, and I've actually had fewer infections while I've been immune-suppressed than before. However, now that I'm down to only 5mg of prednisone, all my respiratory allergies are coming back and I've been trying to get rid of a stubborn sinus infection for almost 2 months. Go figure! ~Lucky

When I get cuts (when I try to prune my bogunvilla for example ! - I rinse my cuts in peroxide and that helps - at least for 2 days to make sure. I do try to stay away from crowds and sick people as well. I will have to try the wipes - I have the bottle of purel with me in my purse.

I have a sinus problem as well Lucky Bee that goes to my ear - I take Advil Congestion that seems to help - but can't keep doing that for a long time!

Love Hugs and Prayers :-)

I use the concept of 'universal precautions' which basically means assume everyone is infectious and wash your hands and don't touch your face. I carry a hand sanitizer with me and use it when I feel exposed, especially on airplanes and enclosed places. We went to the hospital for some tests the other day and brought our water bottles. We are so used to always carrying water with us it is just automatic to bring it. After we were there a little while I said this is the most germ infested place we could be in, and I don't know if it's paranoid or not be we threw our water bottles away while we were there and went out and got new ones. I found these new ones that are glass, made by Lifefactory and love them. I try not to touch handrails and door knobs if I can avoid it. You know those buttons for the walk light at intersections.... I call them the 'cold and flu buttons'. Is this paranoid or is it careful?.... it's a fine line but I just know I don't like to be sick and I will do what I can to avoid it.

I agree with you all, especially about constant hand-washing and bleach wipes. I also use hand sanitizer for many situations, such as after (1) shaking hands at church, (2) going to my favorite used book store, (3) touching the keys on the ATM or credit card reader, etc. A few other things to help are (1) sanitizing your toothbrush or buying a new one regularly, (2) not going outside with bare feet, (3) remembering that your purse might sit in germy places, (4) staying away from children who just received vaccines, etc.

Heres something else that you might not think about, but it happened to me recently. All the time I was on prednisone, I managed to stay healthy despite being around lots of people. After stopping oral prednisone, I talked to the doctor about my constant sinus congestion, so she gave me a prescription nasal spray with a steroid in it. A few days after using it, I developed a sore throat, then a cold, followed by swollen glands, and infected eyes. I had to take an antibiotic and use antibiotic eye drops (also containing a steroid). The eye drops have irritated my dry eyes badly, and I look like a raccoon with red rings around each eye. Have I mentioned lately that I hate steroidsall forms. Stay healthy, everyone.

I use Purell when I go out and use the grocery cart wipes at the store to clean the handles. I use my sleeve to open the restroom doors or any door handles not at home. I always use my knuckle to push elevator doors and carry my own pen for when I have to sign for anything. I especially use Purell when I'm picking up a script and have to use their auto pen to sign the machine. Don't even get me started about when we go away! LOL
Blessings,
Kim

madison and nanny,
What is it with all the sinus stuff? Several years before DM, I tried to ignore a sinus problem because I was too busy to go to the doctor. I ended up with a chronic infection that antibiotics and steriods didn't touch. The active infection caused polyps to grow in my sinuses, and I was miserable until I finally had surgery to clear up the mess.

The only positive side effect of taking prednisone for 5 years was the relief from my life-long dust and mold allergies and no sinus problems. Well, now I'm down to 5mg, and guess what? The allergies are back :( Last week I heard/felt the familiar crackling and popping sounds way up in my nose meaning the polyps are back, too! This time I rushed to my primary care doc, got 30 days of antibiotics and the latest, greatest (and most expensive) steroid nasal spray. I have an appointment to see my ENT at the end of the 30 days, I want it to be cleared up by then.

I'm probably going to have a hysterectomy in a couple months, so if I need to have the sinus surgery again, maybe my docs can coordinate and do both at the same time. A two-fer - two procedures for the risk of one anesthesia. Oh, the fun just never ends!!!
~Lucky

Lucky, I had a discussion with a compounding/holistic pharmacist about the sinuses....he said that it is common that immune-compromised people have sinus and rectal (!) issues....

Love everyone's hints and comments...keep them coming!

Oh, one that I forgot....my docs have told me to never dig in the dirt with bare hands...always use gloves...

Two to add. When I work in the garden or touch any dirt or plans, I wear garden gloves. I also ALWAYS use my own pen when in public places. Those pens in doctor's offices gross me out!!

I think I get sick often because so often, I need to use handrails to get up steps and such. Although I try to wash my hands after or use Purell, it doesn't always seem to keep the germs away.

In addition to all the good ideas that have already been mentioned, I teach music at school so I come into contact with 1376 kids every week. I use an air purifier in my room to cut down on germs. I send kids to the library that come to my class with a cold, flu or infection. I have all the students use hand sanitizer when entering my class. I take lots of vitamins especially C & D. I wear a mask on open house night if I enter a cafeteria filled with people.

I like using the vitamins and herbs..Herbs for sinus

regarding the dust/mold/cat allergies and sinus problems...mine got much better when i eliminated wheat from my diet. also, have you ever tried a neti pot with a saline soulution?

@Maruskapogo
I agree that my sinus problems eased up a bit when I went gluten-free, but it didn't take care of everything.

@luckybee and @MaggieShortt
Very interesting tho'ts and comments about sinus issues. I had a sinus infection several years ago that just never seemed to clear up. With this latest problem, the antibiotics seemed to help a lot. But now that the 10-day prescription is done, the sinuses are becoming a problem once more. But I'm not going to use the nasal spray again. I feel sure that left me open to the infections and sore throat. In fact, one website online listed patient comments on the spray. Several complained of sore throats and colds. I think I would rather deal with the sinus/allergy problem.

An additional tho't on this topic--Taking my own pillow to a motel, plus using bleach wipes to clean the motel room when traveling.

I'm still new to the meds, about a month in, haven't got sick yet. I'm sure it will be a lot worse this winter. I have started getting myself into the germ killing mode though. Lots of purell, I never touch my hands to my face after touching public things like shopping carts. I refuse to touch elevator buttons. And even though its a bit extreme, I've made myself get in the habit of showering as soon as I come home from closed in places like grocery stores or hospital/doctors offices. I'm a really bad sick person so ill do just about anything to avoid it lol.

Thank you for all the information and suggestiions. I never knew about the connection between sinus and autoimmune problems. Funny thing is that when I was on higher doses of meds (and more immune-compromised) my sinuses were great because prednisone kept down the inflammation and swelling.

I know I'm not gluten sensitive because I've tried gluten (and many other food ingredients) elimination several times over the years when my allergies were being evaluated, and it never made a difference. I also use Neil-Med sinus rinse, which is similar to a netti pot, but much easier to get the saline solution up into your sinuses.

I've been highly allergic to dust and molds all my life. HEPA filters and allergy injections always worked well for me in the past. But now I can't take injections due to the risk of pissing off my immune system again. I've been on antibiotics and Omnaris nasal spray for about 10 days, and it's definitely getting better. The true test is whether the polyps will shrink so the sinuses can stay clear after I stop the meds in 30 days. I really, really, really don't want to have surgery again. ~Lucky