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Immunity boosting?

1stTimeStage2
1stTimeStage2 CSN Member Posts: 38 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

I finished radiation in October. Ever since then, I feel like I fall to every single cold, stomach bug, etc. that goes around.  And I have a much longer recovery time than others. Is this normal post radiation? How long does it last? Has anyone found anything to boost immunity? Thanks!!

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  • Sasu
    Sasu CSN Member Posts: 39
    #2
    Immunity

    congrats on finishing your radiation.  I had chemo and radiation and know that I pick up everything going around.  It"s almost as if my immune system had to restart itself.  I just remember the basics about hand washing and avoid places....like the cold and flu section of the drugstore. It does help.  Then I visit my grandkids and get everything anyway.  

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  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA CSN Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    edited January 2017 #3
    Sasu said:

    Immunity

    congrats on finishing your radiation.  I had chemo and radiation and know that I pick up everything going around.  It"s almost as if my immune system had to restart itself.  I just remember the basics about hand washing and avoid places....like the cold and flu section of the drugstore. It does help.  Then I visit my grandkids and get everything anyway.  

    Simple things that may help

    When I did chemo years ago, I was very conscious of trying to avoid picking up germs, and I've continued a few simple things -- I really do think they help, and they certainly can't hurt:

    - Hand sanitizer -- I have a bottle inside the door at home, and on my desk at work, and am faithful about always using it whenever I enter.  I also buy the cute, inexpensive "PocketBac" hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works (usually on sale for $1 each, and come in lots of fun scents), and am never without one in my purse.

    - Public pens -- I try to never, ever use a "public pen," especially at the doctor's office (sick people!), but also when signing the credit card slip at a store, etc.  I always have a pen in my purse, and try to have it at the ready in any of those situations.

    During cold and flu season, what I REALLY want to do is just roll around my day in a plastic bubble Smile -- but, since that isn't possible, I just try to do my best with preventive things like these.

    Traci

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  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl CSN Member Posts: 1,077
    edited January 2017 #4
    My go to "cocktail "~☆

    I work with elderly people and try hard to stay healthy.  I drink a beverage that consists of a tall glass of ice, half water half juice and a packet of EmergenC.  It makes it a little fizzy! I try and do 3 throughout my day, less in the non cold/flu season. They make a variety of flavors, and have immune support as well. The blueberry acai  is yummy!

     

     

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  • button2
    button2 CSN Member Posts: 421 Member
    edited January 2017 #5
    Exercise and diet

    Ever since I started running I almost never get sick. The same results can be achieved with a walking program. Also I eat a diet based on vegetables and fruit with lots of beans, lentils, chick peas, wholegrains etc. I try to get a variety of colorful foods in my diet and make sure to eat a citrus fruit every day. Squeezing lemon on foods helps get lots of vitamin C too! And the sanitary precautions mentioned by the other ladies are great.

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  • Kats2
    Kats2 CSN Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2017 #6
    A good multivitamin too!

    Hi 1st time....The suggestions listed by the other women are great! I'd add a good multivitamin to the mix, preferably from a Health Food Store where the vitamins are made of Whole Foods and are natural, organic, free from artificial coloring, gluten- free etc. I'm getting mine there now and though they're more expensive, I think they're worth the investment.

    Good luck with everything!   Kats2

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