How can I raise my immunity?

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rachel21mel
rachel21mel Member Posts: 51
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer

Just as a preface, I have been so, so sick lately. First strep, then bronchitis, and now pink eye. Part of it is due to having a preschooler. But, still, I want to be healthy. I can't afford to be missing grad school classes.

Sooo...my question is: How do I get my white count, immunity, etc up? Are there vitamins? Certain foods?

I feel like I eat pretty healthy, and I have recently begun taking a multi-vitamin (the RainbowLight brand--love it!). I just don't know what else to do. So any suggestions will be very appreciated.... 

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  • ratbait
    ratbait Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2011

    Call me kefir lady. Make sure you eat a probiotic daily. It won't improve your counts, but it can help you from getting sick.

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  • sandejosgirl
    sandejosgirl Member Posts: 57
    edited August 2011

    I agree with ratbait on the probiotics. Lots of Vit C also, lots and lots and lots.

    Whenever we are sick in our house we ACE it: Vit A-C-E.

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  • Melonda
    Melonda Member Posts: 309
    edited August 2011

    Wow youre sick again? This sucks! I agree about the vitamin c buy can't think of much else.

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  • echosg
    echosg Member Posts: 12
    edited August 2011

    I'm sorry you've been so sick.

    I recommend making an appointment with an immunologist just to see if all is well.  It's quite possible that you are perfectly normal.

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  • youyourbestthing
    youyourbestthing Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2011

    I am not a parent but was wondering if I might help to boost your sons immunity? Along with vit ace and probiotics for u, maybe also for him? I'm sorry you've been sick!

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  • momtomygirls
    momtomygirls Member Posts: 119
    edited August 2011

    I agree with Kefir!

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  • HeatherLS
    HeatherLS Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2011

    I have had the same issue recently (I also have a 2 yr old and a preschooler). It seemed like whenever anyone in the family got a little cold I was getting some crazy illness (pneumonia, etc) and it took weeks to go away. I started juicing about 2 weeks ago. Daily: Beet, carrot, ginger, lemon, cucumber, celery, parsley. Last week my family (including my husband who usually somehow doesnt get sick) got the stomach flu. Everyone suffered for several days and I had it for less than 24 hrs. Just a thought here, but it may be the juice. I figure my body is going to be able to fight off illness and disease better if its well equipped, right?

     It was also recently suggested to me that I start probiotics. I bought some but havent remembered to take it very often.

    I hope you find something soon because I know how frustrating it can be!

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited August 2011

    Probiotics are good, vitamins are important -- and zinc is essential for the immune system to function:

    http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

    I think the RainbowLight women's multivitamin provides 67% of the RDA of zinc (in the form of zinc citrate) -- but maybe you need a little extra for a few weeks? 

    This link (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/zinc-000344.htm) says you don't need much -- but when my son was about 8, growing like a weed, and constantly sick with colds -- making sure he got the RDA of zinc for a month really helped!  (ties in with what youyourbestthing said about probiotics for your son -- making sure he is getting the right RDA of zinc for his age might really help you both, too!)

    Zinc picolinate is supposed to be the best-absorbed:
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/250539-benefits-of-zinc-picolinate/

    Best of luck!

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited August 2011

    I started eating at least one container of yogurt a day, usually stoney field or activia, and had no problems during chemo or rads with counts or illness. I swear it helped keep side effects as well as keep germs/bacteria away.  I'm  a vit C and E person too, but also use echinacea when I feel a cold coming on, which happens to be this weekend.  Co-workers sick with colds, coming to work and passing those lovely germs around!!  I work with preschoolers each day, and the colds/and flu's this summer are never ending!! 

    Hope you feel better soon.

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  • NannaBaby
    NannaBaby Member Posts: 510
    edited September 2011

    Keep active and get your blood pumping.  Get out and get plenty of fresh air :) Drink plenty of fresh water. Eat a balanced diet.  Supplements don't necessarily have the same effect as naturally occuring vitamins, minerals and energy.

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  • LtotheK
    LtotheK Member Posts: 2,095
    edited September 2011

    When did you finish chemo?  It can take up to 2 years from all accounts I've heard to get back to your old, unchemoed self.  My body is a slow healer--a lot of things that were supposed to happen right away didn't.  And for sure, I got more colds in the first year after chemo, I was clear that was what it was!

    I am crazy for Kyolic.  I teach, and during the winter, it really helps to keep me from picking every cold and flu up.  

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited September 2011

    I had 4 kids (all grown now) and I pretty much stopped getting sick when they graduated from high school!  Day cares and preschools are the worst, because those little kiddies touch everything and put things in their mouths. 

    I looked up foods to boost WBC when mine tanked after one AC chemo where they thought it would be a good idea to skip Neulasta.  I couldn't find anything specific, other than eating lots of green and leafy veggies.  But that advice holds for pretty much anything.

    I suspect time is the answer.  And I take a pre-natal vitamin (needed the iron/folic acid boost).  And if your child is in preschool, check to see if they have the kiddies wash their hands upon arrival to the classroom.  My grandchildren's preschool does this and it probably helps a little as the kids are starting out somewhat germ-free...at least for a couple of minutes!

    Michelle

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