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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gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "After my transplant in 2009, I learned that my own body will usually take time and..." + (show)
@rosemarya

After my transplant in 2009, I learned that my own body will usually take time and half to twice the 'normal' time to recover. This is pretty consistent with all minor ailments as well as those minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. I also take my temperature regularly if I am beginning to feel like I might be getting sick, and I go into 'Take care of me' mode. Staying hydrated, too, is very important.

I have located an older discussion that you might like to look at, @gaylea1, since you are waiting for your transplant. "Can a cold or ear infection delay getting a transplant?" It is a short discussion, and should be fairly easy to view. It contains some good information from our Transplant moderators. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/question-204e2a/

Have any of you figured out why these things always happen on weekends?

@contentandwell, I hope you feel better soon. I think that staying home (avoiding more germs) and getting rest are good choices. That's what I would do. I actually missed my granddaughter's 1st birthday because of my own advise.
Rosemary

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Thank you for your reply Rosemary.

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JK | @contentandwell | 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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@rosemarya I have a couple of sheets with instructions on medications that are OK and medications that are not OK. They were common brand medications but it would have been more helpful if they listed the ingredients that are OK because I couldn't find anything that exactly matched the pictures they had put there, all had variations.
I have one of those gradual incline wedge pillows because it was recommended when I went to a gastro at MGH for my Barrett's. I start with it but often discard it during the night because sometimes my head must go in an odd direction and I get a stiff neck.
I am monitoring my temperature. It's pretty normal all of the time.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | 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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@lisalucier Thanks, Lisa.
JK

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gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | 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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Thank you JoDee.

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 31, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "After my transplant in 2009, I learned that my own body will usually take time and..." + (show)
@rosemarya

After my transplant in 2009, I learned that my own body will usually take time and half to twice the 'normal' time to recover. This is pretty consistent with all minor ailments as well as those minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. I also take my temperature regularly if I am beginning to feel like I might be getting sick, and I go into 'Take care of me' mode. Staying hydrated, too, is very important.

I have located an older discussion that you might like to look at, @gaylea1, since you are waiting for your transplant. "Can a cold or ear infection delay getting a transplant?" It is a short discussion, and should be fairly easy to view. It contains some good information from our Transplant moderators. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/question-204e2a/

Have any of you figured out why these things always happen on weekends?

@contentandwell, I hope you feel better soon. I think that staying home (avoiding more germs) and getting rest are good choices. That's what I would do. I actually missed my granddaughter's 1st birthday because of my own advise.
Rosemary

Jump to this post

@rosemarya Thanks Rosemary. It's good to know that our bodies will recover, that it just takes more time. I was really dismayed when I was googling and discovered that I probably have bronchitis and that even after the bronchitis is gone the cough can linger for a month. I would like to resume my water aerobic classes, that's almost essential for me, but I don't want to have anyone concerned that I might be passing germs.
JK

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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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@gayleaf1 If you put a @ sign, followed by the name of the person your comment or response is directed to, they will know there is a response specifically to them. It makes it easier if there are a lot of messages and you can't give each the attention that you would like to be able to, plus in a case like your response here, it's impossible to know whom you are asking.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 31, 2018

Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions. I know my problem is pretty small in the scheme of things so I really do appreciate that it was given as much consideration as it was. I really feel better about it all now. I had visions of having to go into the hospital again, something I really do not want to have to do.
JK

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2 replies
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | 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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Hi, @gaylea1 -- I believe you are asking if the Legionnaire's Disease @contentandwell mentioned sent her back to the hospital and if she knows how she contracted it, correct?

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Apr 1, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions. I know my problem is pretty small in the..." + (show)
@contentandwell

Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions. I know my problem is pretty small in the scheme of things so I really do appreciate that it was given as much consideration as it was. I really feel better about it all now. I had visions of having to go into the hospital again, something I really do not want to have to do.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell, I hope you will have a restful day. Please keep alert for any sudden changes in your condition. A cold is bothersome, but it can open the door to secondary infections etc. Note: "Can" not "Will". That is not a medical opinion, but my opinion from my 9 years keeping this body and organs happy:-) Rosemary

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Apr 1, 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

@gaylea1 I recall that you will transplant at Mayo. To reduce a little bit of your worry, you will receive instructions from the transplant team after transplant about how to live and stay healthy with your new organ. They also have a 24/7 phone line to transplant services, and you will have a post transplant nurse.

Keep asking these great questions because we are all learning so much together!

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