Bolstering Compromised Immunity: Our Collective Experiences

Hello, All Compadres ~

Over time, many of us have experienced compromised immunity ~ caused by various things ~ hospitalization, chemotherapy infusions, & ongoing treatments.

Several of us are also on prescription medications that can also lower one's immunity.

Teaching at my school, I suddenly realized I seemed to catch more colds than usual this past year.

I have an old work colleague who was famous for saying this:

"We can stand here together and 'admire' the problem, or we can roll up our sleeves, dig in, and do SOMETHING about it."

So ~ with compromised immunity being a prevalent concern amongst our members here, let's work TOGETHER and share first-hand strategies that you felt bolstered and enhanced your immunity.

Who has a helpful strategy to share?

For the good of the cause ~

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Thank you, Boomer, for kicking things off here & sharing first-hand experiences. That's what it's all about ...

I'm going to state that I feel exercise (in whatever form that takes for each one of us) can bolster immunity.

I think we sometimes forget that common tasks like gardening or mowing the lawn can count as exercise, too. I volunteer often at a large food bank warehouse, and realized how much exercise I was getting, while volunteering.

For me, I try to walk on the outdoor trail that is right next to my place most evenings after work. Being on ADT, I feel it bolsters my energy.

At my school building, I have been there the longest of anyone. I swear I have more energy at day's end than most of the younger teachers.

I honestly attribute that to my daily trail walks.

When winter rolls around, and the trail gets icy, I try to bring a small gym bag with tennis shoes - so I can walk inside the 🏫 school before going home. I need to work towards even more consistency on inclement weather days.

I do keep up my walking routine on weekends.

Lately, I have been trying to walk twice a day --- 45 minutes right after school and another 45 minutes in the early evening. I have lost 15 pounds of "winter weight" since February.

Hey, it's a start!

I have done outdoor recess duty for decades, but was needed to cover lunchroom duty this year instead. I am going to volunteer for recess duty next year, because I think the time outside is beneficial for me.

I was just reading an article entitled "Can Exercise Strengthen Your Immunity?"

It appeared online, and was published in the NEW YORK TIMES in September 2022.

Some salient points that really resonated with me while reading:

* The British Journal Of Sports Medicine reported on research that showed exercise may help fight off viruses and infectious bacteria by increasing the circulation of our immune cells.

* Exercise can signal the release of proteins known as cytokines, which help direct immune cells to fight off infection.

I liked this description of exercise's benefits a lot, from David Nieman, a professor of health and exercise science at Appalled State University, in which he stated exercise actually has a "vaccine-like effect" for warding off infectious diseases like the flu and colds.

An underlying theme in the article was that even if you get something like a cold, those who exercise regularly will often have lessened side effects and shorter recovery time.

Honestly, I just got back from a trail walk and I plan to walk again this evening!

C-Y-C-L-O-N-E ~~~ # Iowa State University

How do 'we' define immunocompromised for this discussion?
Could be temporary (after a certain treatment, but not 'forever') or forever (e.g., after a transplant).

The next aspect of maintaining immunity and general well-being centers around getting adequate sleep, each day.

When I was younger, I was famous for "burning the candle at both ends" and then sleeping in on weekends.

All of that came to a crashing halt when I was suddenly juggling chemotherapy infusions, then radiation treatments, while teaching school full-time.

During treatments, in the later evening, I would suddenly hit an energy "brick wall" ~ and have to get to bed when I "hit the wall." I learned to get everything organized for the next work day before bedtime.

Nowadays, I have really tried to find a "better balance" ~ getting to bed at a reasonable time and already "stirring" right before the morning alarm goes off on school days.

A sharper learning curve for me was following the same bedtime routine on weekends. For me, that's been key.

I don't set an alarm on weekends, but find myself getting up at the same time as I do on school days.

When that happened, I felt I was finally finding my "balance" in terms of adequate sleep.

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

An excellent discussion. Cyclone--your comments about compromised immunity hit the nail on the head. Boomer (Ron)--My wife and I do the same thing and wear masks everywhere.

For those interested, an RSV vaccine coming out later this year is recommended for all immunocompromised and older adults.

Agree with everything said so far. I would add, from things i've read it seems that healthy Vitamin D levels are very important to immune system function. And Zinc has been mentioned as well. I was vitamin D deficient when i was diagnosed with PCa (not saying that was a cause at all) and since then i've been taking 4-5000 IUs daily of D. Since Covid came on the scene I've also been taking 2000 mg Vitamin C, which i think is well accepted as a plus for immune system.

I'm pretty strict on masks as well, it annoys me that i am now an anomaly. I think people just dont know what they dont know (about long covid). But thats for another thread (which i think i probably shouldn't even think about starting)

Speaking of vitamins, B12 seems to be often overlooked. My PCP included B12 on a blood panel and mine came back off the chart low. Even if folks have a lot of animal products in the diet it's not uncommon for those over 60 to not absorb the vitamin.

My searches have shown B12 to be very interesting. It's the largest and most complex of all the vitamins with essential roles in a wide variety of important bodily functions.

After two months of weekly B12 injections I really do think I'm feeling better, though it could take months to get the full benefit. Is it a placebo effect? Maybe, but so far I don't think so.

My oncologist agreed to include B12 and Folate tests on my blood panels going forward.

It's a concern that is easily checked for Forum comrades who are getting regular blood draws anyways.

Lots of good input here. Mine may be a bit simplistic but…

I live alone and don’t work. Many times I can find myself sitting in my recliner…thinking about my problems.

When I do something I truly enjoy it tends to take my mind off things. It doesn’t matter what it is. As long as it’s an enjoyable diversion from myself. Whether it’s driving my little car at night after the traffic has sub cited, being with those whose company I enjoy or even just running an errand to divert my thinking into a more “engaged with life” mode.

I’m a firm believer in the “mind/body” school of thought. And any relief from dark thoughts is better for my immune system. (At least that’s what I like to think 😊).

Like I said, simplistic (maybe to the point of untrue). But, it doesn’t matter. I feel better when I’m not thinking about my issues and, instead, think more positive thoughts. That will almost always require some kind of “doing”.

YMMV

Good thread.

.

Post Edited (island time) : 5/31/2023 10:18:20 PM (GMT-8)

Side note: Doc says leuprolides and enzalutamide have compromised my immune system. How bad and how permanent are something we will find out as we go along. First blatant signal is 'skin issues', which I have had in spades. Better now I have been of those chems for 18 months.

Me too.
Got shingles right after I got the first injection of Eligard, despite I had gotten Zostavax. Got Shingrex , but still got shingles again when I went back on Eligard + Xtandi, also severe Pruritis (left scars) and eczema. Very dry skin as well. Improving now..somewhat.

The topic of preventative vaccines has been touched upon ...

Respectful of all viewpoints, here's a first-hand experience that might help another reader here ...

My oncologist is also an expert in infectious diseases.

A few years ago, we sat down and made a short list of vaccines that we both felt needed to be given - OR updated. We discussed each one together.

He stated we could give two or three of the vaccines that very day.

I stated I wanted only one vaccine at a time ~ to assess any side effects or reactions, for future knowledge.

From there, we made a plan ~ and at the next few appointments, I got all the vaccines we had agreed upon together.

I especially wanted the newer SHINGRIX vaccine to help prevent shingles.

I updated other vaccines, as well, and he is a strong proponent of getting the annual flu shot ~ especially since I teach at an elementary school.

Just lately, the FDA has announced plans to approve the vaccine for RSV, for adults 59 and over. It was on the news today.

So ~ for me ~ talking over vaccines with my oncologist was yet another proactive way that I felt I could help protect myself, going forward.

Best to each & all ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Cyclone,
Thank you for your input on this subject (as well as all of the other subjects). You are an inspiration to me. My wife calls me driven when she sees me doing some kind of physical activity every day. I told her that I have to do workout even on the days that I just don't have the energy to do anything. I explained that the day I give in and not exercise, is the day that the "monster" gets a step-up on me. I refuse to give the monster that step-up. Tomorrow, I'm flying down to Atlanta to play in a golf tournament (I'll be wearing a mask the whole time I'm in the airports and on the plane). When I arrive in Baltimore, I'll walk while I'm waiting for my connecting flight, then, when I arrive in ATL, I will walk from the plane to baggage pickup instead of taking the shuttle train. I refuse to give a step-up to the monster!
Ron (Boomer)

My dad stands alongside us here ~ as a fellow prostate cancer patient, a "long covid" survivor, and a long-term leukemia survivor.

In the mornings, he takes a long walk around the hometown where my family has lived for over 120 years ~ 8 generations now.

His story is inspiring to everyone who knows him. Everyone who passes by hollers & waves at him on his daily jaunt.

He spent a few months in the hospital ~ on oxygen ~ with covid ~ before the vaccine became available. He had to re-learn how to walk and climb steps again. Determination and a steely iron will got him to where he is today.

Dad has walked for decades, but now his walks help bolster circulation, strength, and breathing.

His main doctor has said, "It's so great you get out there and walk. Even if you walk for 20 minutes, there's benefit in that."

Dad replied, "Don't worry ~ I walk even longer than that ~ trust me, doc!"

After a busy day at work ~ or when it's windy & chilly outside and I consider skipping my walk ~ Dad's example, back in my hometown, is a constant source of inspiration for me.

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University