Hi Everyone,
I have have been sick for the past few weeks. I have taken a Z-pac and now I'm on my second round of antibiotics and steroids. The doctor says upper respiratory infx. Chest x-ray was clear. I took a few days off of work to rest. The problem is I don't feel like I am getting any better. I am exhausted. I have laryngitis and my voice does not seem to be coming back.
I have gotten sick off and on since I developed neuropathy but not often.
Is it common for illness to be worse or last longer if you have an auto immune neuropathy?
hopeful

That is painful to read. So sorry you have this problem!

Did you get adequate Vit D support? I'm reading in the science magazines, that you can cut colds/upper respiratory infections by up to 62% by raising your D levels.

Hubby and I have not had a cold or flu for 3 yrs now on the higher D3 we both take. It has been a wonderful experience!

Another thing that helps are essential fatty acids. Flax oil and fish oil. These strengthen the membranes of the lungs and bronchi and help resist infection. I did that over a decade ago, and fixed my GERD and asthma so I need no drugs now for either.

Some lung infections are resistant now to Z-pak. If you do 500mg daily for 3 days, instead of the 250mg regimen, it tends to work better.

Another thing that helps is Mucinex DM (there are generics for this, at WalMart (Mucus relief DM-- and Walgreen's.). This is like Robitussin DM liquid only in tablet form. The DM helps the PN... I have a post here about it even from 3 yrs ago, and the guaifenesin helps the mucus move out and not stagnate. Clear mucus is good. Sometimes after an infection, it continues for 2-3 weeks, as the body over-reacts to the invasion. Helping it move out, reduces your discomforts. Drinking alot and I mean ALOT of water helps too.

Hubby and I have allergies and when we get congested we use 1/2 Mucus relief DM at night when we go to bed. This reduces the congestion and prevents further incidents of potential infection.

Hopeful - its true that this is hard to read because you are obvously in a lot discomfort.

Yes, with my autoimmue neuropathy it takes me a lot longer to get over a bugsometimes , othertimes not so much - it is unpredictable.

As mrsD says, use the mucinex (I live on this from feb-July and then when ever I get a chest cold other times of the year) and Vit D all year long - I have been told by way too many people that vit D is essential for Autoimmune PN!

I have also found that a humidifier gets me through the congestion quite a bit quicker than with out one - I don't know if this just me though.

I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks Ladies,
I have D3 here I will start that right away. I will get the mucinex also. I just came from my accurpressurist. She worked on my sinuses. I also brought some peppermint oil and a cold and flu oil for my chest while I was at the chiropractor. I am praying that all of this will work.
hopeful

i was just sick with a respiratory infection/ marathon asthma for 5 weeks. if you got a prednisone dose pak and you are still sick it might help you to get a prescription for a higher dose such as 40mg for 3 days 30 mg for next three days, 20 mg next three days then 10 mg for 3 days, 12 days total. this is what i have to do . sometimes it starts as high as 60 mg depending on how sick i am. also if the z pak antibiotic doesnt knock out the infection biaxin may be called for. unfortunately i have become an expert in this area due to 10 years of chronic respiratory infections. i can feel them coming on early and if i dont get the regimen going i ll be flat on my back for weeks within 24 hours. i also have a nebulizer but unless your infections or asthma are chronic then you probably wont need that.

HI Everyone,
I feel a little bet but I a still exhausted and I still don't have my voice back. It has been two and 1/2 weeks. I have taken the D3 & finished my steroids and I'm almost done the second round of antibiotics. I have also tried a neddy pot(not sure if splled correct) that flushes out your sinuses. Mrs. D. I did forget the Mucines so I will get that today.
I have tried peppermint oil and a cold and flu oil that cost me $70 from my chiroprator and still no go. Can the loss of voice be the neuropathy? I have a voice but does not sound at all like me!
I'd appreciate anyones suggestions. I am working and going home and laying down.
hopeful

You're not mentioning where your neuropathy is? How long has it been around and where is it? What aggravates / what makes it better?

My neuropathy is pretty much full body. There are many things that bother it. To hot or cold. Sheets, sometimes clothes, wet weather. My meds help a little. I've had it for 3 1/2 years