Constantly getting colds and bugs

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Boobytrap
Boobytrap Member Posts: 53
edited August 2018 in Working on Your Fitness

Hi All,

So my breast cancer is coming up for 7 years ago now. I used to get some bugs beforehand (maybe 3 per year), then moved to South Australia and other than the cancer, I was pretty much never ill in the 41/2 years I was out there. Since moving back to the UK the past 3 years I have spent at least 3 months all told of each year ill with viral bugs, snottiness, sore throat etc. I had been thinking of moving back to Oz but now I think I really have no choice but to do so and hope the dry weather makes me well again. I just don't understand why I can't go 2 months without getting something. Anyone else experience this? I'm fit, I eat well! Did the chemo cause irreparable damge to my immune system??? Or is it just me?

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited August 2018

    Hi Bobytrap, my first ideas in your situation are around the amount of Vit D you are getting. I suppose it depends on how much Vit D you got from natural sunlight in Australia, but perhaps you are not getting the same amount of sunshine back in the UK?? I know that years ago I was always getting some bug or another, and after finding out my blood levels of Vit D was very low, I started to take 5000 IU of Vit D per day everyday except in the summer when I get more natural sunlight generated Vit D. I now don't get colds or bugs very often--maybe once every year or two. Perhaps your doctor can check your Vit D. levels and you can get supplemented accordingly. Another thought--is pollution aggravating your immune system--do you have any difference between levels of exposure to pollution between the UK and Australia? More things you're allergic to in the UK? More stress? Less sleep? Working physically closer to colleagues and thereby spreading germs? Lots of things might be behind your increased viral challenges. I would look at your circumstances and not your immune system itself since iti sounds like you were healthier after BC when you lived in Australia. All the best to you as you explore possible causes. Ceanna

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  • Boobytrap
    Boobytrap Member Posts: 53
    edited August 2018

    Hi Ceanna,

    Thanks for your reply. Sorry I haven't replied sooner, but 1) I thought I'd get an alert with an answer and 2) I've been in bed most of these past 2 days with a bug! Yes, I've had my vitamin D levels checked before and it's been fine. I think I might start loading up anyway since it's so safe and maybe I need to run a little higher. In both environments I work in hospitals, but only 2 days per week in the UK, and more community than anything. I'm beginning to think maybe its just the dry weather in South Australia that protected me. Hey ho, will have to start looking on Ozzie real estate websites sooner than anticipated!

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited August 2018

    Sorry you had another bug!!! Increasing Vit. D may take quite awhile to kick in--it took me 2 plus years for my blood levels to get to the medium range of normal, but it got there!! Try going lower carb if you can also--it helped me. And I no longer shake other people's hands, if I can avoid it, to try to limit my germ load. Since you work in health care, you're probably exposed to bugs often!!! Wash those hands, and don't touch your eyes!

    LoopySmile

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