Suppressed Immune Systems (Or My Body Is So Busy Attacking Itself, My Immune System Can't Fight Things Off)

It's a busy day at work and suddenly, from across the room, someone sneezes. Immediately, my senses go on high alert and my mind goes into Def-com 5 mode, running through the lists of my "avoid illness" supply list at home.  Or I'm spending time with family, and someone coughs a bit, I try not to make it obvious as I avoid being close to them.

And no, I'm not a hypochondriac.

The unfortunate reality is that a common cold or the latest flu virus that makes a "normal person" sick for a few days can knock someone like me out for a few weeks.  The fact is that when someone's immune system is occupied with attacking one's own body, there's not a lot left over to fight off the viruses and bacteria that are out there that makes people sick. And so it means that it doesn't take much exposure to something to make one of us sick and we can get sicker with the bug and for longer than the average.

All this in addition to the pain and fatigue--how did we get so lucky!

I currently have a cold that my husband brought home with him.  As soon as he felt something coming on, we went through the steps.  Zicam for both of us, check!  Healer's Chai Breath Drops for me, check! Halls Vitamin C Drops, check!  He got over it very quickly, in maybe a day and a half.

I'm on day 5 of the cold, and it seems to still be picking up steam.

Chronic Pain Conditions, Autoimmune Conditions, and all that are associated already tend to isolate those individuals dealing with them, but to have to avoid people during cold and flu season?  That tends to just add to the feelings of isolation.  So how does one deal with all of this?  Please note: This is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Always seek out a physician for medical advice pertaining to your health circumstances.

Here's a few tips I use to try to stay as healthy as I can:

• Good sleep hygiene
• This means going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time everyday;
• Minimizing television and other computerized device usage in the evenings before bed; 
• Minimizing caffeine intake in the late afternoon and evening; 
• Minimizing alcohol intake (it can keep people awake and disrupt sleep); and
• Minimizing sugar in the late afternoon and evening.
• Good hand hygiene
• Not sharing utensils or drinks
• Regular light exercise
• Stress Management techniques
• And the utilization of homeopathic/holistic treatments when necessary.  (Please note that I am one of those individuals unable to take the flu vaccine, and the common antiviral medications make me more sick than the virus does typically.)

The fact is that I know I won't be able to avoid getting sick in some instances, and then I rely on water, tea and honey, homeopathic treatments, and good ol' soup (seeking medical attention when the symptoms appear to be more severe or different from what is associated normally with a cold or flu virus).  

And I tell my family to buy stock in Kleenex Tissues.  :)

Definitions of Medical Conditions Listed in My Medical Chart

ADHD and Fibromyalgia (Or...Squirrel!)

Okay, so I have something to admit.

I get distracted easily, especially if I'm dealing with a lot of stress. I've joked for years that I had some weird form of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but as it turns out, there have been a number of studies showing that there is a link between ADHD and conditions like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. And when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.

Disrupted Sleep
Let's face it: when you don't sleep well at night--or sleep well consistently--it impacts the ability to concentrate and focus on tasks. And Chronic Pain Warriors are notorious for disrupted sleep. Since we have disrupted sleep, our ability to concentrate and focus on tasks can decrease, and the more the sleep is disrupted, the more challenges we have.

Increased Sensitivity to External Stimuli
Working in mental health, I've worked with kids who deal with ADHD, and I once heard a description that I think describes the experience perfectly:  Sitting in a classroom, trying to focus on the task in front of the student, but the brain keeps picking up on things like the ticking clock or the rustling of papers and it makes it difficult to focus on what the teacher is saying.

Those of us with conditions such as Fibromyalgia have an increased sensitivity to sounds, smells, and other external stimuli. So, the ticking of the clock can be extremely distracting (and potentially irritating).  In times of increased stress, our sensitivity can increase, making our ability to focus even more challenging.

Increased Fatigue
This is also linked to problems sleeping, but living in a body that is in constant pain is fatiguing. When the body--and brain--are fatigued, the ability to concentrate and focus on tasks becomes more challenging.

Co-morbid Conditions
First, "co-morbid conditions" means other conditions that tend to exist in addition to the "main disorder".  For instance, for individuals with Fibromyalgia, it's not uncommon to also develop conditions such as Reynaud's Syndrome, Hypoglycemia, or Migraine.

Using these three as examples, if you're dealing with poor circulation in your extremities, such as in the case of Reynaud's, it's going to be difficult to focus on things when your hands and feet feel as if they're freezing off.  Or in the case of a Hypoglycemic moment (low blood sugar), the ability to focus can fly out the window. And Migraine? Well, anyone who has experienced the nausea, light sensitivity, and feeling of inexplicable pain in the head can tell you how hard it is to focus when one of those things hit.

While I was writing this post, I found myself distracted a number of times by the cars driving by outside, the sound of the A/C clicking on, the show on the television, my phone, more cars driving by, by a piece of paper on the front lawn, by my dog dreaming on the floor, by the headache that's starting to form because of this cold that I've caught....

The list can go on and on. In times of higher stress (physical, mental, and/or emotional), my ADHD is worse. It can be exhausting, working to focus on tasks, particularly if I find myself getting distracted easily. My husband has learned that if he wants to talk to me about something, he has to make sure he has my full attention before starting the conversation. It's not uncommon for me to become distracted by my own thoughts while I'm having a conversation with someone. It's definitely worse when I'm having more stress or pain.

The biggest lesson that this has taught me is that I need to slow down, focus on one thing at a time, and be gentle with myself when I'm more distracted.  I've learned to laugh it off at times, despite the fact that in a world that moves 100 miles an hour, it's not the easiest thing to do. It takes time, practice, and patience.

Be gentle with yourself today. Wishing you low pain, high energy, and laughter.

Definitions of Medical Conditions Listed in My Medical Chart