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Defending against infection while on immune-suppressants

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/13/2008 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
I am close to starting Remicade.  Just wondering how the heck does one defend against infections and for that matter, fight off infections that you inevitably get.  As a normie, one would take various things to boost the immune system- mega dosing on Vit C or ester C, certain Chinese herbs, etc. ... but who knows what the heck you are doing mixing immune boosters and immune suppressors, though to my mind it would be one option temporarily.  Is there much one can do apart from try like heck to wash ones hands all the time, not touch your face etc to avoid getting the germs of others?  There are of course all these anti-cold/virus gimmicks out for sale now for traveling etc, most all of which look like worthless scams.

 

Posted 10/13/2008 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I've not seen any information that any of the herbals are not okay with Remi. I really haven't been troubled with more infections since on Remicade, in fact I think I've had one cold in the past 2 1/2 years. I do make sure to wash any cuts or scrapes and put antibiotic ointment on them, but I was doing that even before thanks to the growing prevalence of MRSA.
Posted 10/13/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have not taken Remicade, but do take 6mp and have taken pred many times. I also have a actaul immune deficiency.

Precautions i take are, washing hands alot, i carry antibacterial wipes to use on all shopping carts and after shopping where im opening doors ect that others touch. When i pick my son up from school, i disenfect his hands before he gets into the car, then i change his clothes when he gets home. I get my flu shot every yr and vaccinate my entire family also.

When i notice htat im getting sick, i get to the doctor RIGHT away, rather than wait a few days to try to fight it off.

I know some of this is a little over kill for the average person, but just wanted to give u some ideas.
I can say that after 5 yrs on 6mp, i have not noticed a increase in sickness.

Good luck
Posted 10/14/2008 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Besides the usual wash your hands all of the time, stay away from people who are sick, and make sure you get enough sleep - remember that when your colon is in good condition it is a major defense point for the body. So, in theory, if the Remicade heals your colon, you should be better able to fend off illnesses. This doesn't mean you should purposely expose yourself, but it does mean that you don't need to freak out about things while taking appropriate precautions.

Stay well :)
Posted 10/14/2008 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Eat right, exercise, and rest are all good natural ways to keep healthy. It sounds simple but most dont do it.
Posted 10/14/2008 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all. I am an exercise-aholic so that isn't difficult, esp. if Remi actually gets me in remission- ditto on getting a good night's sleep, which is rare now due to gut pain.
Posted 10/14/2008 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with all of the above, and when I start to feel like I'm getting a cold, before I hop on a plane or if the cold is going around the work area, I use Zicam. It's worked well so far! Take care and good luck with the Remi!

Posted 10/14/2008 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
I've been a little concerned about this as well. I just got put back on Azasan yesterday and am going to try it for three months and if I haven't improved my doctor said we have to go to Remicade.
I work in a hospital (operating room) and we get C-Diff, MRSA, VRE, etc patients allll the time. Granted I have no actual contact with them as I'm a secretary, but I still get a little paranoid that someone helping them won't wash their hands, I'll touch something they did, whatever. I guess I'll just have to keep up on washing constantly. Luckily we have sinks and hospital grade soap all over the place.
Posted 10/14/2008 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Believe it or not, since I started on 6mp, I hardly ever get sick anymore! I take the extra precautions though just like everyone else. I wash my hands alot and/or use antibacterial lotions. I am careful not to put my fingers around my eyes or nose. In bathrooms, I use my sleeve when I open the bathroom doors - just stuff like that. But when I DO get sick, I get SICK. I am almost guaranteed to get some sort of virus right around my birthday (lucky me) and each time I end up on antibiotics and I also run high fevers. However, I would much rather have that one illness compared to many of them.
Posted 10/14/2008 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
last year when I went on Aza I got my flu shot and other then being careful about making sure not to stick my finger in my eye for any reason unless my hands were washed and washing my hands before eating anything using my hands, that was all I needed. Also, my friends and I love to go out and try fancy drinks well I stopped trying theirs and letting them try mine.

It was really just basic hygeine.

We always have snacks in my office more so during the holiday's, I never ate any b/c the person next to you could have just touched something someone sneezed on and not even realizing it picked up a cookie next to the one you touch and also I never see anyone wash their hands before they eat a snack or go to lunch, so they get the germs too.

I just realized that I still eat snacks and stuff at friends holiday parties, so maybe that whole theory doesn't work? At least it keeps me from eating snacks @ work.

Last year my sis had 5 bad colds, my husband 3 and I had the sniffles for 3 weeks. I think just basic handwashing and using hand sanitizer when not able to wash your hands works.
Posted 10/14/2008 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Remicade since February and haven't gotten so much as a sniffle. I've unknowingly been around a few sick people in that time and was fine.

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