Nutrition and your immune system, take this seriously ladies - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

cedesigns · 03-27-2005, 09:59 AM

Just wanted to check in with you guys, I have been gone for about a week. I got a bad case of the Chicken Pox

! Don't laugh! Something I didnt know, if you have had the Chicken Pox as a kiddo your body always carries the virus. When you get a bit older and your immune system is weak (for whatever reason) you can get it back, this time as an adult it is called Shingles. It is very painful, and it is totally yucky. One side of my body is covered with large open icky sores. The doctor in the ER asked me what I had been doing to weaken my immune system, and the only thing I could say was the bypass surgery. He said that could do it , any surgery, can take your immune system down a notch, but afterwards you normally would build up very quickly because of eating, exercise, and proper nutrition. After WLS, you arent eating much or "properly" and in some arent exercising for a while, so in some cases your immune system isnt building it's reserved back up.

I have been pretty good about taking my vites, but in the beginning I couldnt keep the vitamins down. So I went for a while were I wasnt taking anything.

I know a lot of you newbies don't think about taking your vitamins and minerals religously, and if that is you, think about it!! (Traci?)

If any of you guys know good ways to build your immune system back up, post me with some tips. I could use them. I am in quarantine right now

katlover66 · 03-27-2005, 10:02 AM

Wow!
Thanks for the info. I hope you feel better soon. I heard shingles are awfull.

JohnsWife4Life · 03-27-2005, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedesigns

Just wanted to check in with you guys, I have been gone for about a week. I got a bad case of the Chicken Pox

! Don't laugh! Something I didnt know, if you have had the Chicken Pox as a kiddo your body always carries the virus. When you get a bit older and your immune system is weak (for whatever reason) you can get it back, this time as an adult it is called Shingles. It is very painful, and it is totally yucky. One side of my body is covered with large open icky sores. The doctor in the ER asked me what I had been doing to weaken my immune system, and the only thing I could say was the bypass surgery. He said that could do it , any surgery, can take your immune system down a notch, but afterwards you normally would build up very quickly because of eating, exercise, and proper nutrition. After WLS, you arent eating much or "properly" and in some arent exercising for a while, so in some cases your immune system isnt building it's reserved back up.

I have been pretty good about taking my vites, but in the beginning I couldnt keep the vitamins down. So I went for a while were I wasnt taking anything.

I know a lot of you newbies don't think about taking your vitamins and minerals religously, and if that is you, think about it!! (Traci?)

If any of you guys know good ways to build your immune system back up, post me with some tips. I could use them. I am in quarantine right now

Hi Carol,

Actually Shingles and Varicella are of the same family, they are both herpes zoster. However, shingles is treated and varicella is not. Shingles usually stays on the trunk, where as varicella can and does cover the entire body. Shingles and herpes are treated with Acyclovir. It is possible to get varicella again if you did not have a good dose the first time. Varicella you let run its course. You may use the caladryil lotion for the itching, or the diphenhydramine. An infection may occur secondary to the scratching then you would be treated with anti biotics.

Varicella goes away once it runs its course, shingles may linger.

Hope this helps,

Hugs,

Traci

Groovey kinda Love · 03-27-2005, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedesigns

Just wanted to check in with you guys, I have been gone for about a week. I got a bad case of the Chicken Pox

! Don't laugh! Something I didnt know, if you have had the Chicken Pox as a kiddo your body always carries the virus. When you get a bit older and your immune system is weak (for whatever reason) you can get it back, this time as an adult it is called Shingles. It is very painful, and it is totally yucky. One side of my body is covered with large open icky sores. The doctor in the ER asked me what I had been doing to weaken my immune system, and the only thing I could say was the bypass surgery. He said that could do it , any surgery, can take your immune system down a notch, but afterwards you normally would build up very quickly because of eating, exercise, and proper nutrition. After WLS, you arent eating much or "properly" and in some arent exercising for a while, so in some cases your immune system isnt building it's reserved back up.

I have been pretty good about taking my vites, but in the beginning I couldnt keep the vitamins down. So I went for a while were I wasnt taking anything.

I know a lot of you newbies don't think about taking your vitamins and minerals religously, and if that is you, think about it!! (Traci?)

If any of you guys know good ways to build your immune system back up, post me with some tips. I could use them. I am in quarantine right now

Thats not good, I have had the shingles twice in the last 5 years and I can tell ya they do hurt. I figured I got them from working around the nursing homes for so long and was constantly fighting off what ever cold or infection all my residents carried. The last time I got them they ran down my under arms on both sides and down my side to wrap around to my back. They follow a nerve and show no mercy! I am sorry to hear how sick you was with them, hope you are feeling better now.

cedesigns · 03-27-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suezq

Thats not good, I have had the shingles twice in the last 5 years and I can tell ya they do hurt. I figured I got them from working around the nursing homes for so long and was constantly fighting off what ever cold or infection all my residents carried. The last time I got them they ran down my under arms on both sides and down my side to wrap around to my back. They follow a nerve and show no mercy! I am sorry to hear how sick you was with them, hope you are feeling better now.

Thanks SueZ,

The main thing as you say is the pain! They are not really itchy, in fact they don't itch at all. They hurt like He** though. Like a hot fire poker just jabbing at you. Mine started on my chest right over my heart. Since they begin in the deep layers of the skin, I thought I was haveing a heart attack. The pain is very deep and it stabs at you. I am taking pain killers and an anti-virul. But believe me I am going to go in and have an immunology study done! I just went in and had bloodwork done, and everything looked OK. But obviously something is awry~

watergirl · 03-27-2005, 05:20 PM

Oh my gosh Girl! God speed on getting over this and building up your immune system!

03-27-2005, 10:14 PM

Carl,
So sorry to here you have been ill. That makes sense about our immune system. I have been battling a UTI for over 2 weeks and I am on the 3 antibiotic. It sucks, but I think I am finally on the mend. I hope you are also!!

Hope to see you soon.

Rain

Gladitsme · 03-28-2005, 03:27 PM

Ya know,
This is something that sounds pretty scary to me. I hate to get sick, and I tend to get UTIs very easily. Is this common with all WLS folks, or is it a subset?
Nancy

Hope · 04-19-2005, 09:52 AM

Hello Everyone,

My Aunt is big on vitamins and minerals, so she keeps us stocked up on a supply of Emer'gen-C. They have an adult and kid version. What it is, it's a fizzing drink mix (just add water) that is loaded with vitamins C, A, B's, D & E and has 32 mineral complexes. Awesome for boosting your immune system. I can attest to the fact that my 10 y/o daughter has not missed a single day of school this school year. We can take it everyday or just when you feel something coming on. I'd say it works. I know I have seen it at Walmart. I hope this helps.

General question for you all. What is a good multi vitamin during this weight loss adventure and is liquid better than pill. I say liquid is more easily absorbed in the body but what do you all think?

Thanks
Hope (by the way, my real name is Tracy, I am just really hopeful that everything is going to be ok)

cedesigns · 04-19-2005, 02:53 PM

[QUOTE=Hope]My Aunt is big on vitamins and minerals, so she keeps us stocked up on a supply of Emer'gen-C. They have an adult and kid version. What it is, it's a fizzing drink mix (just add water) QUOTE]

Hi Tracy~
That sounds really good, but we are not supposed to drink anything with carbonation. It swells the pouch, and will actually fizz right back up your esophogus. But I agree about taking the vites! I take chewable multi-vites and calcium chews (with D & K) twice a day now. I hope that will help to support my immune system.

I did go and have a complete immunilogical blood panel run on myself after I got the shingles and everything checked out just fine. So for that I am very thankful!