My immune system is shot. Tips for boosting it.

[Aubergines]

I am really down about how often I am ill. In the last year I have caught a bug on average every six weeks. Each time I end up bed ridden with raging fever of 39-40. All diffrent illnesses: mastitis (x3), d &v (x 3), flu symptoms (x 2).

I have had a blood test and am awaiting results but doubt it will show anything. I am desperate to address this as it's affecting how much time I spend with the kids and making me look flaky as I keep cancelling plans with friends.

I eat pretty well (cld eat more fruit & veg but I never have processed foods), the house is clean, I sleep well, I am not depressed.

Any tips on how to boost my immune system?

do you eat alot of sugary foods by any chance ? sugar weakens the white cells ( the cells that fight off infection) fruit & veg strengthens these good cells ,

I feel your pain as I was ill with one thing after another for a while earlier this year. Touch wood been fine for 6 weeks now.

Firstly, avoid woo. No evidence that vitamin supplements would help. Secondly, two of those things not down to your immune system really. You didn't
catch mastitis for example - have you got feeding sorted out now or do you think seeing a breast feeding counsellor might help avoid it again. Also D&V down to hygiene and can be avoided by fastidious hand washing and lots of bleach and steering well clear of anyone with anynof those symptoms for good few days after they feel better. Flu feeling yes immune system to blame and after all the other stuff I can see why you wouldn't be able to fight it. But you didn't actually get flu ( or did you?), so your immune system is working just fine IYSWIM.

I don't meant to sound unsympathetic as I know how totally run down I felt, but if you are having a good diet and are not too stressed, then apart from making sure you take exercise regularly there is nothing else you can do. Keep it all up!

I don't eat much sugar. I have the occassional bar of dark chocolate (once a weekish), the occassional pastry (maybe once a fortnight) and pudding even less often. I suppose I have jam on toast most mornings. I could cut back further on sugar but given I eat less sugar than most I would be surprised if it were that.

Thanks for the tip though. Anything is worth a try.

Get some fresh air and exercise everyday,

don't drink alcohol

eat lots of fruit and veg and fish and nuts

air your house everyday

Thanks wing (but what is "woo").

Mastitis sorted now. Not had it for months but when it was recurring I had five different types of antibiotics so that may have killed off come of my defences.

I don't feel I have avoided flu as you put it. Maybe I should think positive like that. Instead I feel o have been floored by several cold/flu bugs that DH and the DD1 fought off with only minor symtoms but the baby and I were knocked for six by.

The D&V bugs are awful. I do dettol the house and wash my hands all the time but they keep coming. One was caught from the kids but the others came from nowhere and the rest of the house avoided them.

I work fulltime and commute on the tube which doesn't help but I wash my hands as soon as I get off the tube.

It just feels so unfair. I shld be at the theatre with DD1 as we speak but instead I feverish and achey and praying the baby's nap continues until DH gets back. I feel like I am letting the family down time and time again.

If you have been on antibs it might be worth taking probiotic drinks too.

Are you getting enough zinc?

Link here dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/FactSheets/Zinc.asp for food containing zinc.

I hope you recover soon. Don't get down on yourself, it happens. Esp when you're putting everyone else before yourself. Take care.

Yes I will try probiotics. And airing the house. Both are new ideas. Will also make sure I eat one raw piece of fruit a day on top of cooked veggies and salads. Am googling and making a list.

Is echinacea any good or is it just a myth? Garlic capsules (I eat lots of cooked garlic)? Acupuncture?

I know how that feels. I missed DDs birthday party and large parts of her starting school.

I think your work might be a large factor. You have clearly got your hands full with that and the kids. I bet you are taking minimal if any time off work, and trying to carry on as best as possible. I know it's virtually impossible but if you do get ill again take proper time off and get over it properly and draft in as many friends and family as possible to assist. Otherwise you end up not fully recovering and just bowling from
one thing to another just like you have been. View it as a week well rested with save you future weeks if further illness.

Do you have time off over Christmas and can you use that to rest and look after yourself?

Oh and woo is alternative therapies and anything without any proven medical worth. Probiotics are in that list. No actual evidence they work I believe though am prepared to be corrected.

Echinacea only proved to reduce duration of colds. Garlic capsules, accupuncture = woo

Airing house good idea

Acupuncture can help you relax properly after a one off treatment, which in turn could help your body get closer to functioning more efficiently. The effects last for a couple of hours. If you have it done, you would most likely want to sleep straight after, so make sure there's someone on hand to look after dcs.

Echinacea has never worked for me, though, I know people who swear by it.

I've always eaten garlic. I know it's used as an antioxidant, so could help.

I thought acupuncture was medically proven as a relaxant/pain relief. Though not proven for any uses. ?

any other uses ?

I'd personally avoid the 'woo' too, having wasted A FORTUNE on it in the past to absolutley no avail.
I do feel your pain, becasue I went through a few years of what felt like constant ailments and it is a real drag.
More fruit and veg, more excercise (this really helped me) and keeping your hands clean and away from your face all help you minimise catching and developing bugs.
WHat age are your older kids btw? If they are young and at pre-school, it is pretty impossible to avoid colds and stomach bugs, but if you have lots of good food and excercise, you will be better able to fight off the germs. And rest, yes, though easier said than done. Being so run down makes you more susceptible.
Tbh, it sounds like you have a hell of a lot on your plate and need a rest and a little time to recover. There is no magic 'woo' solution, just a bit of time.
Hope you feel better very soon.

Thanks everyone. I have drawn up a plan of action and going to try a combined attack with more careful eating, more water, a structured exercise routine, zinc, vit d and echinacea. I havetwo weeks off work for Christmas so this is a good time to tackle it.

My kids are pre-school so I know it's inevitable we will get bugs but I get more than all the other parents I know. I mean I am ill more often than the kids themselves.

You could have hidden mould and are inhaling the spores. Google 12 step for maintaining a healthy immune system. Also 100 mold allergy symptoms. QUOTE :Protect yourself from mold. Household mold is a hidden invader that can weaken the immune system and cause respiratory illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and other diseases. If you suspect mold, have a professional evaluate your home. And wash or replace pillows and mattresses to remove any hidden mold that you may be inhaling during sleep. There is also a DIY test kit available online. Hope this helps.

Sounds like a sensible plan, Aubergines.
Good luck.

Immune boosting is something we should all be actively seeking, unless you are the type that has a rock solid constitution. I disagree with the earlier post that suggests that vitamins and supplements do not help in this regard. They most certainly do.

Mycology or mushroom nutrition has been proven to do just this. There is plenty of data out there to support this. Vitamins and supplements in there typical form also do a great job

Don't believe all you read, HH.

Hi,
hope your blood test results are helpful.
I have part of my immune system totally missing (one of the 5 antibodies that keep us from infection) and have many infections. Picked up in blood tests, referred to immunologist at hospital and thankfully I have got the more important ones there and don't need hospital transfusions every month!!

I have found having a well balanced diet, a clean house and strict hygiene measures help me catch less infection.

If you are on the tube I would suggest carrying a small bottle of antibacterial handgel with you - I have one at all times, only £1-2 from all chemists/supermarkets. Getting those in your house to have good handwashing techniques and regular practice can also help keep everyone healthy.