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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/27/2008 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Since you were diagnosed with UC how would you rate the performance of your immune system in dealing with flu bugs, colds, infections etc. For instance does your immune system

a) Deal with flus, colds etc with the same efficiency as it did before you had UC

b) Deal with flus, colds etc with better efficiency than it did before you had UC

c) Deal with flus, colds etc with less efficiency than it did before you had UC

Posted 10/27/2008 3:11 PM (GMT 0)

Definitely a. My immune system is a champion. It doesn't get knocked down by anything - not 5-ASA's, not immunosuppressants, not steroids. Barely by Remicade. That's my problem.

Seriously, I get a cold about once every two years. Two UTI's in my life. One yeast (and that was when I was on Imuran).

Posted 10/27/2008 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
C, especially after starting Remicade. A cold will knock me out; I can't do anything b/c I have no energy.
Posted 10/27/2008 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely C. I don't necessarily get colds more often but when I do I feel like complete crap and I go into a mini flare with D. I don't think my immune system works well to begin with and with UC its completely knocked down
Posted 10/27/2008 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
C, for sure.
Posted 10/27/2008 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't had a day off work for a year or so, so I reckon mine has to be A.

I think taking immune suppressants for UC stops your body reacting to some other things. Like the summer I was on cycolsporin for the first time ever I didn't get hayfever. And when everyone else in my house caught some horrible virus and were stuck in bed for a week I was fine.
Posted 10/27/2008 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Z.  I hate my immune system.

Posted 10/27/2008 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
A, definitely A- I rarely get sick, & when I do it's short-lived. My immune system kicks butt also- so far it's manufactured antibodies to every drug I take! The meds are barely keeping ahead of it.... go meds! yeah
Posted 10/27/2008 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I guess C, I don't get sick too often but when I do I have a hard time getting rid of it. I also used to get UTI's/bladder infections and bacterial vaginitis on a monthly basis, it's been awhile since I've had either of those though *knock on wood*
Posted 10/27/2008 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Vin...right with you at a "Z"
Even before being diagnosed w/UC..... I never had a common cold
I always have bronchitis, sinus infection, pneumonia
Nothing simple for me!
I have a chronic elevated white cell count for 6 years with NO explanation
Posted 10/27/2008 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I dont understand why I got UC. I have an exceptionally strong Immune system. I get sick maybe once every few years.
Posted 10/27/2008 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
I would say, C.

Although I don't get colds more frequently than I did before, but when I do they are so much worse.
Posted 10/27/2008 6:03 PM (GMT 0)

SocalJohn said...
I dont understand why I got UC. I have an exceptionally strong Immune system. I get sick maybe once every few years.

Maybe that has something to do with it? They say it's a result of an overactive immune system attacking the colon, so maybe it's too active and caused colitis while also keeping other bugs away.
Posted 10/27/2008 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I rarely ever get sick, not even once a yr...I cannot even tell you the last time I had a stomach flu, it's gotta be at least 9 yrs or so, and I've got 2 kids that are out in school which usually increases the risk of them bringing home some nasty bug but I have hardly gotten sick after 17 yrs of having IBD. When I've gotten sick it doesn't seem to hang around too long either, so it's surprisingly nice considering...although they do say our immune system is malfunctioned, because they cannot seem to agree if it's over active or under active, and it's more than likely different for each IBDer, likely some are over and some are under but one thing researchers agree on is that our immune system is malfunctioned.

:)
Posted 10/27/2008 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
To SocalJohn,
My son also never got sick, but my other 2 sons did. He still never gets the flu or colds, but he got UC at age 30 and is now 40. He too has a strong immune system and he even smokes! Go figure.
He applied for help to get Remicade since he has no insurance.
He is now on 6 Asacol a day and 3 Purinithol but has left sided UC.
No pain or blood, just frequent loose BM's and occasional cramps in tummy if he eats certain things. Last flare was Sept. 07, really bad.
Ended up in emergency room very dehydrated and weak. Took prednisone for 2 months and tapered. Hopes Remicade will put him in a good remission.
Posted 10/27/2008 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
A. I don't really remember before UC, but after I got it my immune system seems to work better than average. I rarely get colds and if I do it only lasts for a week or less. I don't know if inflamation has to do with the immune system, but I do get pains and inflamation (like arthritis).

Hearing everyones different responses (either A or C) I wonder if our immune systems are "broken" or if they are working as they should considering what's going on inside our guts...

Posted 10/27/2008 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I'll have to say A but I rate my immune system a "C"  because I tend to catch colds about twice a year for sure. They settle in my larynx or worse, my chest, with greenies no less.... more often than not and my voice tends go (I have one now and although I'm fighting it off well, I've had absolutely NO voice for 3 days).  I have had to be on meds to help with the infections when I get them if they last too long....zithromax is awesome for me.

I don't tend to get gastro bugs often, however, even though I do eat out a lot.

I pretty much attribute it to having asthma more than UC, that's what's affected with every cold. When I was first diagnosed with UC, colds didn't happen as often...but it could probably have been because my exposure to people was much less.

Working in a school...ugh...I had whatever last longer, the flu twice, strep throat, a nasty gastro virus twice, almost no voice for 4 months, sinus infection forever and whatever was floating around. The last year working in a school was the worst but it was almost emotionally stressful .

I don't do well with working and being sick, for I tend to stay sicker longer. I have the ability to adjust my schedule with my hair clients now, but do feel somewhat guilty about having to do it even though I'm relieved at their flexibility (must give myself a break on that one).

I've grown to be pretty intolerant of being inconvenienced with colds, some are definitely worse than others....must change my attitude I guess. Too much happening at this time with some home renos and being at the mercy of others' schedules and work quality), and now my husband is getting it as well....looks like I best get a grip already.. :-\

quincy
Posted 10/27/2008 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
When I was a kid, I rarely got sick. I got my tonsils out at qge 7 and from then on I was an amazingly healthy kid. I was so proud. I went from grade 5 through grade 11 without missing one school day. I remember most of my class being sick with flu and half the teachers and I never got sick. Then my junior year I got UC and missed three months.

Now I get a sinus cold about once every year or every other year. When I smoked the colds lasted long and went to my chest. Now, I am miserable for about three days and then its gone. Speaking of which I got mine yesterday and I am miserable today.
Posted 10/27/2008 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
After more than 20 years, I don't remember!
But I was a really healthy little kid, never missed school. My mother was the school nurse, so she probably helped us kids build immunities.
Posted 10/27/2008 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I am with the others that rated a Z!!!!

Im a little different tho, as im already immune deficient. All of my mucus membranes are affected. Sinus inf., respiratory infcts, ear, eye, GI, vaginal, ect...

How one could be immune deficient and have an over active immune system is beyond me!!!!
Posted 10/27/2008 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I would say if anything I get less colds etc when symptomatic then I do during my now rare remissions. Also, I didn't seem to get any more colds etc when on meds like Imuran (I just started Remicade so I'll have to wait and see) but on Imuran, when I did get a cold or sore throat, it seemed to drag and drag sometimes for a couple months. Also, on Imuran I got suddenb bursitis on the elbow a couple of times, from nothing more than accidentally leaning on the tip of my elbow or banging it on a hard surface. I defintiely suffer from chronic barain fog and being run down, whether symptomatic or in remission but on drugs like pred and Imuran.
Posted 10/28/2008 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
A for me. I rarely get sick, and when I don't feel good it's usually 'cause of this blasted UC!
Posted 10/28/2008 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
I should have added that regardless of how severe my flares were in the past it didn't have any impact on me getting sick easier with the flu, moderate flares or severe, I still never got the flu very much thankfully.

I've never gotten the flu shot either, my mom (whom has UC) used to get the flu shot but it made her sicker, now she doesn't and she does fine, especially for being 81, she does still get sick but not every yr.

:)
Posted 10/28/2008 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
A

I have seen sick kids and have them sneeze in my face. Treat people with flu, and never even worry about getting sick. If I do happen to get sick, I get over it pretty quick.
Posted 10/28/2008 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
The average healthy male / female should get, on average, 2 flu bugs a year with some sort of chest / nasal infection assoicated with one of those. With that in mind doesn't sound if we are too far from the norm!!

D
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