Recurrent infections & antibiotic use following treatment

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Twiceasnice
Twiceasnice Member Posts: 117
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hi everyone!

Its been a while since I've posted to this board.  A long while-- I finished chemo in April of 2010 and Herceptin in Dec 2010. In terms of a drug regimen, chemo was followed by the neratinib study (in which I don't think I received the drug) and then ongoing Tamoxifen use. 

 Here's the thing:  Since I finished treatments, I've had recurrent infections. I never just get a cold--but I get a sinus / strep combination.  That's usually followed by a UTI.  That has been the pattern for the past 2.5 years or so.  And I get this combo a couple times a year.  

 Here are my concerns: 

1) What is the cause of these recurrent infections (my WBC are always slightly lower than normal when I get my blood checked every 3 mos ) Is it residual chemo effects? 

2) If the infections are an indication of weakened immune system--then how can my body fight back cancer if there is a recurrence (I was HER2 + ER/PR + and Stage IIIB)

3) What can I be doing to boost my immune system? Is it all linked to diet or something else? 

 Thanks! 
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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited October 2012

    Hi gemini,



    I will be interested to see the answers to this question. I am in the exact same boat. Sinus infections and utis, too many to count. Never had sinus infections prior to this and only got utis when pg.



    My pcp did say that premenopausal women and menopausal for that matter are more prone to utis. My onc didnt seem too concerned.



    I have been uping my immune system with vitamins and supplements and my naturopath onc recommended nettipot to help stop sinus infections. I just got the nettipot so i have not tried it yet.



    V

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited October 2012

    Count me in with the sinus stuff. Didnt' have a thing while on chemo. I'm on round 2 of antibiotics now for the worst sinusitis/sinus infection I have ever had. Ruptured ear drum as well.  Started using the neti pot, affectionately know as the "snotti potti" in my family. It is the most disgusting thing I have ever done but I have to say, it works. Hope you start to feel better. This chemo aftermath sure isn't for sissies!

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  • amlg1
    amlg1 Member Posts: 596
    edited October 2012

    I am on chemo,2nd bout.Since I have been on chemo last Oct, I keep on getting UTI infec.I go on antibiotic, and 2 weeks later it comes back.Went to urologist ,he tells me I have a dropped bladder,I went to my gyno,she said it wasn't dropped,make a long story short,went back to uro.and his prtner checked me out ,and slightly dropped,go back to a different gyno,which I did,and he said slightly dropped.I am not a candidate for surgery,but they can put in a pessary,which holds the bladder up.Well i decided not to do anything,I will keep on taking antibiotics if I have too.The gyno doesn't think the pessary would do much,for infectios.

    I think this is from chemo,never ever had this trouble.Do you take probiotics in pill for?Urol.told me to take cranberry pills which I do.   Thank You  annamarie

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  • IsThisForReal
    IsThisForReal Member Posts: 384
    edited November 2012

    Just goes to show how different we all are.  Pre-diagnosis I was always on antibiotics for sinusitus.  Post treatment I am having very few infections.  I used to use a probiotic called Super 8 for yeast because of all the antibiotics I was on.  Next, I started eating clean, then I put a humidifyer in my bedroom.  I also used the 'snotty pot' (love that term!) but the humidifyer seemed to make the most difference for me.

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