Neuropathy and Illness
 

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. :hug:

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