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Prednisone, PMR, and Colds
I have PMR and currently taking 8 mg prednisone per day - slowly decreasing. Since our winter here in eastern Ontario started I have had three almost concurrent colds and other than taking daily zinc and vitamin C supplements, I am wondering if there is anything else that would safely boost my suppressed immune system. I tried echinacea/american ginseng supplement for one day and had an unfavourable reaction. Thanks for any input.
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Hi Pauline (@paulinef) -- I also have PMR and currently at 2 mg and tapering off. I live in southern Minnesota and have been pretty lucky with not getting colds. I did not get a flu shot this year because shortly after I got one last year I got sick with the flu bug. One thing I really do during the cold season is to wash my hands a lot and keep them away from my face as much as possible.
Mayo Clinic has some good prevention information here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605
I have no medical training or background but do think taking care of yourself and being proactive like you are doing is a great step to help with prevention. I used to take the zinc drops and still get a lot of vitamin C but not through supplements but I'm not sure they do much for prevention. I did find a website that has some good overall information in boosting your immune system:
http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/wellbeing/170330/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
Hoping we will get some others to share their experience with tips to boost the immune system.
John
Hi well I also have PMR & am on Prednisone started on 20mg/day in March 2017 now down to 7.5mg/day. Now one of the side effects of being on Prednisone is that it suppresses you immune system so a strong warning that comes with being on pred. is stay away from infectious people. Now I know that is pretty difficult especially this time of the year when everyone is celebrating but one has to be cautious. I myself only get a cold once every 3 years or so but I am on my second one since October. Have a good & healthy New Years.
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1 ReactionMy girlfriend who is a MD suggested I use high dosages of vitimen D, which I am now taking 10,000mg every day as immune support....
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1 Reaction@johnbishop Hi, John. I just noted your bit about washing hands more often. I spent a little time a few days ago looking at my routine. A few years ago I started washing my hands more seriously. I have not had a cold since, and only one bad flu, although I did have a case of bacterial pneumonia a couple years back. I wash my hands both before and after every event that might be a problem, including meals, coffee, keyboarding, pee, taking insulin or other meds, rising, going to bed, opening outside doors, telephone, petting the cat, shaking hands in introductions, etc. Not counting showers, I now wash my hands with soap and water, warm if possible, around 40-50 times per day. Sounds like a lot, but I am convinced it has helped me stay alive. I still have many bacterial/germ issues, but it is much better than before. In other things, pee as soon as you can after feeling the urge. Clean urinary area before and after. Never let unused table ware remain on the table between meals. Just saying.....
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1 ReactionHi @oldkarl — I am doing pretty much the same thing when it comes to washing my hands. I do find that I need to put hand lotion on to keep them from being to dry and cracked. I think you are right about it playing a big part staying healthy.
Happy New Year!
John
Thanks for all the advice - I’ll certainly up my hand washing even though I do a lot. Also vit D - seems that I can increase my 1010 daily intake quite a bit
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1 ReactionI also take 10000 mg vitamin D3 (5000 mg in the morning and evening). Lots of information supporting it's use...
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=vitamin+d3+for+immunodeficiency&hl=en&as_sdt=0,24
John
Thank you for your post with all the helpful information. I two have PMR . One question, why should you not let unused table ware remain on the table between meals.
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1 Reaction@alanbruce Thanks for the note. Tableware left there between meals is an open target for many things your body does not like. Cat or dog licks. Insect droppings. Fly droppings. Bug spray. Almost any kind of spreadable disease such as colds, measles, etc. Then, when you take a bite with your utensil, guess what goes inside.
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1 ReactionDo you have any calcium deposits under your skin? Commonly called calcinosis? I have an autoimmune and through research it said high doses of Vit D can result in this. Just wondering if you had anything like this?