Improving Immune System

[Eve]

Am on a bit of a mission at the moment.

I have health issues to sort and medication to get back on and have a consultant's appointment in a few weeks but am hoping to try and get myself a bit more sorted.

I just seem to be coming down with infection after infection. I saw the doctor a couple of weeks ago who diagnosed an infected cyst and put me on antibiotics. They didn't really help and a few more cropped up then I got a couple of mouth ulcers. Managed to shift both of the but I ended up being sent up the hospital tonight with the remaining one which won't shift which they said is an abcess. They haven't lanced it yet but have given me stronger antibiotics to see if they help first.

Dr there kept saying I should be investigated for inflammatory bowel (which I am being) as he said that may be causing it as I also have gastro symptoms, inflammatory arthritis and malabsorbtion.

Can anyone suggest anything I can do in the meantime to try and boost my immune system so that I feel better generally and can fight off, ideally prevent, getting so many infections.

[bednobs]

ok, not sure about medication etc but from personal experience, i always feel much better if i am eating healthily, have a good work/life balance and are doing some exercise

[anneasquith]

have you tried some high calorie drinks ? if you do make sure they are really cold

[society]

Jenna, I'm curious to know what your diet is like.

[Eve]

My diet isn't great I have to admit.

I'm not good at eating much during the day when I'm at work a lot of the time as I'm so used to it making me feel crap. Trouble is I tend to keep myself propped up on things like coffee then try and eat something more substantial in the evening when it's easier to deal with.

I can't eat first thing and quite often just end up on coffee until lunch. The last week or so I've found found hard to stomach so have just had a hot chocolate at lunchtime for some sugar and one of those Special K breakfast bars (and odd office treats every now and again) then have been trying to eat more in the evening when I can crash, the last two nights have had a grilled pork chop and a load of veggies and gravy.

I'm hoping if gastro put me back on my malabsorbtion meds in a few weeks I will get back to normal a bit. They helped so much but only had an initial 3 months supply and then was meant to see gastro after 5 months to assess but as usual with gastro waiting lists the appointments keep getting put back and back so it's been a lot longer than anticipated.

[scotman]

If you are on normal caffeine loaded coffee I would try to cut back.
After I hade minor surgery I was advised to take Vit C and zinc supplements. I have to admit I did feel better. Also basic diet is important(isn't it always?)

[Eve]

I really do need to cut back, might get myself some herbal tea to take in or green tea or similar to substitue for coffee, drink more water and get some more manageable snacks to try and keep me going more during the day as my energy tends to crash late afternoon especially as I tend to work long hours. So hoping I can get something sorted with gastro in a few weeks as feel I'm running on empty at the moment.

[pastafreak]

Here are two sites with some information that may help you...it's all really a lot of common sense-with a bit of research thrown in.

http://www.health.har...our-immune-system.htm

http://www.feelingok....rticles/dietart30.asp

[pastafreak]

You ARE running on empty! Coffee,hot chocolate,breakfast bars and more coffee are doing you absolutely no good.....no wonder you feel so poorly.
Carry some nuts and seeds,dried fruit,a banana,small cartons of natural juice,or skimmed milk,oatcakes,mini cheeses, ....these can give you some energy and a bit of nutrition as well.

[slinkycat]

How about echinacea? Not sure if thats the right spelling, its a herbal supplement to boost the immune system