Please help - I’m ill again and I need some advice on what to do

[Megsh85]

Since baby has been in nursery and after I caught Covid I have caught everything but I get it 10x worse. Colds, chest infection, conjunctivitis, stomach bugs, viruses numerous times. I’ve been signed off work two weeks to rest due to all the viruses and due back Monday. Finally felt better and lo and behold - another cold and I’m feeling crap again.

im at my wits end. I do have an autoimmune condition but in the 10 years I’ve had it I’ve never been this ill with so many things.
ive had my bloods done - all fine. Chest x ray - fine. I take multivitamins and eat well.

what can I do? I don’t want to be ill anymore it’s been nearly 6 months of this :( worried about work and being always ill. any tips and advice would be extremely appreciated. Thank you

Echinacea tablets, 10 days then take a break for minimum 10 days but preferably longer. Improves your immune system and helps you recover quicker but if you overdo it your immune system can come to rely on it and drop off when you stop taking them. Ideally for occasional use but if you're this low you might need a few rounds of them. It's a herb.

I’m going to suggest Kefir. A daily drink of kefir is proven to improve gut health. It does take a couple of months to fully boost the levels of good bacteria, which isn’t going to help right this minute, but maybe will help going forward?
I hope you feel better soon

https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k2179
Gut microbes are key to many aspects of human health including immune,6 metabolic5 and neurobehavioural traits

Extra vitC too on top of the multivitamin. Check the ingredients/amounts per dose of the multivitamin and compare with others to ensure you're taking the best.

Thanks I’ll try this as well, never taken enchinacea

Try Lemsip First Defence spray before going into offices, shops, nurseries etc. It coats the inside of the nose and makes it harder for viruses to get through. That doesn't address your underlying issue but may help with the frequency.

Be careful about boosting your immune system if you have autoimmune disease. I have autoimmune diseases and am on immunosuppressive drugs. You should check with your doctor. If your immune system is attacking your body, the last thing you need is to boost it.
Preventative measures are better IME. I use an antiviral nasal spray, I still wear a mask on public transport and I still use hand cleanser when I am out and about, especially after using public transport.
I was still uneasy when a woman got on the tube with a child with obvious chicken pox the other day. There are some things you can't do anything about.

I’m on immunesuppressants too, I didn’t think about that. Maybe I’ll call my rheumatologist Monday.
im really ill today, I just want to cry. I’m supposed to go back to work on Monday after two weeks off and back at square one. I’ve got a big project I’m working on, I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do.

I am so sorry. Being on immunosuppressants is so hard and it does mean you catch everything going. Good idea to speak to your rheumatologist.

Thing is you're ill not just with what you've got but the underlying condition too. It's no good thinking you can do whatever others do in terms of illness because those people aren't dealing with your underlying condition, so if you need more time off work that's how it has to be. You're not going to recover if you keep pushing yourself too far just because you think you "should" be better by now. If you dropped down dead work would find someone else to do that project, so they can find someone else this time if necessary. Take care of yourself and don't feel guilty. You didn't ask to be ill.