TTC and low level illnes

[eurochick]

This is a bit of an odd one but since I have been TTC I keep getting ill. Nothing major but lots of colds, sinus infections, upset stomachs, etc. I've haven't been ill this regularly since I was a student at a foreign university many years ago and was presumably exposed to lots of germs my body was not familiar with.

Has anyone else had this? I'm aware that the body has to suppress immunity to let the embryo, a foreign body, implant. I was wondering if it could be linked. I am just a bit sick of always being ill!

Hey Euro. I got sick like you describe when I overtrained in rowing some years back. As I'm sure you know, too much exercise suppresses your immune system.

I have heard from a good friend who is a proper geek about this sort of thing that the reason for this may lie in your insulin production and thyroid function. I can't add too much further than that as what she said next was very technical and I didn't understand it, but it may be somewhere to start if you're digging for clues.

What I can tell you is that the doctors didn't help. I even when to a specialist sports quack who said, "when you train hard it is likely to show you where your body has weaknesses. Yours seems to be your immune system." FFS. Have I ever mentioned that I hate doctors...?

Thanks Brownie. I definitely couldn't be described as overtraining at the moment, although I am keeping up some exercise between the various minor illnesses.

I will look into the insulin link as PCOS messes with insulin levels. I've never heard before that could be linked to this sort of thin. Thyroid has been fine whenever I have had it tested (last time was about 3 months ago).

My friend is a proper geek and research is her passion. Especially when it relates to her own health issues. Doctors hate her because she quotes medical journals at them. I hope that it's not a red herring...

It's helpful to have something to look into.

BTW, I am not sure what is wrong with my typing today. I seem to be missing the las lette of som o m word.

When I was TTC dc4, I had constant low grade illness. I had a few sessions of acupuncture, and straight away felt better in myself. I conceived about a month after the last session and had the healthiest pregnancy out of all of mine.

Thanks for your post faverolles. I seem to be worse since starting acupuncture! She mentioned at the first appointment that she thought my problems might be immunity related so after a few more illnesses, I asked her if she was trying to suppress my immune system in some way. Apparently not and she is now trying to boost it a bit. But it doesn't seem to be working.

Hey euro. So weird, I have been ill lots since ttc but never made the connection til now. I've been to H&B this lunchtime to buy Manuka honey for yet another sore throat. Would be fascinated to know of it's linked to ttc in some way.

Weird, me too! 5 episodes of sickness in a rolling year! I spoke t

Weird, me too! 5 episodes of sickness in a rolling year! but also illness which I battled on.through. I spoke to my GP who figured is just become a bit immunocompromised. Eventually I've just come out the other side (6 months without time off sick last week!). Echinecea supplements have helped me in the past too.

I'm getting about two things a month. None of them have been worse than a heavy cold or a 48 hr stomach bug. Bloody annoying more than anything else. It's interesting that a couple of the other posters on the thread are experiencng something similar.