1. < Transplants

fighting off a minor condition, like a cold

Posted by JK @contentandwell, Mar 31, 2018

I have had a miserable cold for almost a week now with no improvement whatsoever -- my throat is sore, I have a headache, I cough all night. It occurred to me that taking immunosuppressants means I have no defenses to fight this cold off like regular people.
This may seem very minor, but what do people do when they have something like this? Antibiotics don't help with a cold of course so what can a person do to lessen the severity and length of time of the cold or whatever else a person may have? I think it may be premature to call my transplant team but my head is killing me. Things do tend to improve in the afternoon, as typical with a cold, and then they worse again at night.
JK

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @johnbrowne "I have colds in the past and I always go to my GP to make sure..." + (show)
@johnbrowne

I have colds in the past and I always go to my GP to make sure it is just a cold. Antibiotics can help with a post nasal drip.

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@contentandwell,
JK, Can you take OTC products for the symptoms? I am approved for some, as long as I stay within the dosage requirements.
Do you have a good soft pillow to prop up on, or a comfy recliner and warm blanket?
Are you monitoring your temperature?
Rosemary

REPLY
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @johnbrowne "I have colds in the past and I always go to my GP to make sure..." + (show)
@johnbrowne

I have colds in the past and I always go to my GP to make sure it is just a cold. Antibiotics can help with a post nasal drip.

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Yes, that truly makes it more concerning with the no resistance, @contentandwell. I'm really sorry you are not feeling well. Really unfortunate that lying down is making it worse right now. My thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery for you.

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@contentandwell and @gaylea1 I think rest, tea and some homemade chicken noodle soup do wonders for..." + (show)
@jodeej

@contentandwell and @gaylea1 I think rest, tea and some homemade chicken noodle soup do wonders for healing, no matter if you are pre or post transplant.

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@jodeej Great advice. You are an awesome caregiver! Tell your husband, "Thank You" for sharing you with all of us;-)
Rosemary

REPLY
teresatopeka | @teresatopeka | Mar 31, 2018

I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my family was freaking out because they just got me back and then I catch this deadly flu. I started with symptoms that I thought were allergies...runny. Law and excessive watery eyes. The minute my throat started to tickle, I went immediately to my PCP for a flu swab as well and respiratory panel and chest X-ray. I had influenza B. But they didn’t take any chances and I was started on a 10 day. Purse of Tamiflu and a 5 day Z-pack. I made sure to get plenty of rest. It when I was awake I made sure to keep moving so nothing would settle into my lungs. I stayed super hydrated and had orange Airborne twice a day. Also had Throat Coat Tea and Breathe Easy Tea by Traditional Medicines. Also tried to keep my protein levels up by making mixed berry smoothies with Greek yogurt and protein powder and orange juice. (felt great on my throat and has lots of vitamin c and antioxidents)...it took about 2 weeks to get over it since I was on such high doses of immunosuppressants. I was also on an additional antibiotic for some cellulitis that developed under my incision. Despite all that I survived. The key for me was nutrition, rest, gentle exercise, and proper medical management! Feel better soon. I also took OTC sudafed, Tylenol, Claritin, and mucinex.

REPLY
18 replies
teresatopeka | @teresatopeka | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @teresatopeka "I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my..." + (show)
@teresatopeka

I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my family was freaking out because they just got me back and then I catch this deadly flu. I started with symptoms that I thought were allergies...runny. Law and excessive watery eyes. The minute my throat started to tickle, I went immediately to my PCP for a flu swab as well and respiratory panel and chest X-ray. I had influenza B. But they didn’t take any chances and I was started on a 10 day. Purse of Tamiflu and a 5 day Z-pack. I made sure to get plenty of rest. It when I was awake I made sure to keep moving so nothing would settle into my lungs. I stayed super hydrated and had orange Airborne twice a day. Also had Throat Coat Tea and Breathe Easy Tea by Traditional Medicines. Also tried to keep my protein levels up by making mixed berry smoothies with Greek yogurt and protein powder and orange juice. (felt great on my throat and has lots of vitamin c and antioxidents)...it took about 2 weeks to get over it since I was on such high doses of immunosuppressants. I was also on an additional antibiotic for some cellulitis that developed under my incision. Despite all that I survived. The key for me was nutrition, rest, gentle exercise, and proper medical management! Feel better soon. I also took OTC sudafed, Tylenol, Claritin, and mucinex.

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I may have had the flu, but the flu did not have me!

REPLY
jodeej | @jodeej | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@contentandwell and @gaylea1 I think rest, tea and some homemade chicken noodle soup do wonders for..." + (show)
@jodeej

@contentandwell and @gaylea1 I think rest, tea and some homemade chicken noodle soup do wonders for healing, no matter if you are pre or post transplant.

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@rosemarya thank you! I'm trying!

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @teresatopeka "I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my..." + (show)
@teresatopeka

I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my family was freaking out because they just got me back and then I catch this deadly flu. I started with symptoms that I thought were allergies...runny. Law and excessive watery eyes. The minute my throat started to tickle, I went immediately to my PCP for a flu swab as well and respiratory panel and chest X-ray. I had influenza B. But they didn’t take any chances and I was started on a 10 day. Purse of Tamiflu and a 5 day Z-pack. I made sure to get plenty of rest. It when I was awake I made sure to keep moving so nothing would settle into my lungs. I stayed super hydrated and had orange Airborne twice a day. Also had Throat Coat Tea and Breathe Easy Tea by Traditional Medicines. Also tried to keep my protein levels up by making mixed berry smoothies with Greek yogurt and protein powder and orange juice. (felt great on my throat and has lots of vitamin c and antioxidents)...it took about 2 weeks to get over it since I was on such high doses of immunosuppressants. I was also on an additional antibiotic for some cellulitis that developed under my incision. Despite all that I survived. The key for me was nutrition, rest, gentle exercise, and proper medical management! Feel better soon. I also took OTC sudafed, Tylenol, Claritin, and mucinex.

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@teresatopeka Airborne is on the list of drugs from my hospital that you are not supposed to take when you are on immunosuppressants, perhaps when you are under a doctor's care that changes. Obviously it works the opposite of the immunosuppressants though.
I think you are right that good nutrition, plenty of rest are the best antidotes. I have figured at this point that my cold has become bronchitis. Apparently bronchitis can develop from a cold but bronchitis is not contagious. It does last longer and even after a person feels better the cough can last for a month.
I feel more comfortable now knowing that my body will eventually be able to fight this off, it will just take longer. What I was concerned about was that I would end up back in the hospital like I did when I had Legionnaire's Disease. From what I have read online, there really is not much you can do for bronchitis except try to alleviate the symptoms. I dread going to bed though, I cough all night. I am doing everything that it says to do - my head is on an incline, I am having tea with honey before bed, and I am taking an OTC that is supposed to help with a sore throat and cough.
JK

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @teresatopeka "I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my..." + (show)
@teresatopeka

I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my family was freaking out because they just got me back and then I catch this deadly flu. I started with symptoms that I thought were allergies...runny. Law and excessive watery eyes. The minute my throat started to tickle, I went immediately to my PCP for a flu swab as well and respiratory panel and chest X-ray. I had influenza B. But they didn’t take any chances and I was started on a 10 day. Purse of Tamiflu and a 5 day Z-pack. I made sure to get plenty of rest. It when I was awake I made sure to keep moving so nothing would settle into my lungs. I stayed super hydrated and had orange Airborne twice a day. Also had Throat Coat Tea and Breathe Easy Tea by Traditional Medicines. Also tried to keep my protein levels up by making mixed berry smoothies with Greek yogurt and protein powder and orange juice. (felt great on my throat and has lots of vitamin c and antioxidents)...it took about 2 weeks to get over it since I was on such high doses of immunosuppressants. I was also on an additional antibiotic for some cellulitis that developed under my incision. Despite all that I survived. The key for me was nutrition, rest, gentle exercise, and proper medical management! Feel better soon. I also took OTC sudafed, Tylenol, Claritin, and mucinex.

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I'm so glad you recovered. Did you to go back to hospital? Do you know how you contracted It?

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@contentandwell and @gaylea1 I think rest, tea and some homemade chicken noodle soup do wonders for..." + (show)
@jodeej

@contentandwell and @gaylea1 I think rest, tea and some homemade chicken noodle soup do wonders for healing, no matter if you are pre or post transplant.

Jump to this post

@jodeej The problem with being post-transplant is that you are very limited on what medications you can take, both OTC and prescribed. They don't want you to take anything that could conflict with the immunosuppressants.
JK

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @teresatopeka "I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my..." + (show)
@teresatopeka

I caught Influenza B this last February , only 4 weeks after transplant. I think my family was freaking out because they just got me back and then I catch this deadly flu. I started with symptoms that I thought were allergies...runny. Law and excessive watery eyes. The minute my throat started to tickle, I went immediately to my PCP for a flu swab as well and respiratory panel and chest X-ray. I had influenza B. But they didn’t take any chances and I was started on a 10 day. Purse of Tamiflu and a 5 day Z-pack. I made sure to get plenty of rest. It when I was awake I made sure to keep moving so nothing would settle into my lungs. I stayed super hydrated and had orange Airborne twice a day. Also had Throat Coat Tea and Breathe Easy Tea by Traditional Medicines. Also tried to keep my protein levels up by making mixed berry smoothies with Greek yogurt and protein powder and orange juice. (felt great on my throat and has lots of vitamin c and antioxidents)...it took about 2 weeks to get over it since I was on such high doses of immunosuppressants. I was also on an additional antibiotic for some cellulitis that developed under my incision. Despite all that I survived. The key for me was nutrition, rest, gentle exercise, and proper medical management! Feel better soon. I also took OTC sudafed, Tylenol, Claritin, and mucinex.

Jump to this post

What is coat throat tea?

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