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Fee1Senior Contributor
Hello everyone. Has anyone had any trouble with getting a lot of viruses and flus since going on medication? I have been on medication long term and always seem to be just getting over a virus or just getting something. Is a real pain. My psych. says this is not a common side effect but everyone reacts differently to the meds. Sorry I Havent responded to tags this week. Been a bit sick with a virus.
Cheers
Fee1
In response to: Medication and the immune system
Unknown userMember
Hi @Fee1,
Thank you for your question. I haven't quite come across another thread bringing up the way in which medication can weaken/affect the immune system. Hopefully, other members on the forums have some relatable experiences and can shed light on this.
However, you may be interested in calling the Medicines Line. I have listed their details below:
Medicines Line:
Providing consumers with information on prescription, over-the-counter and complementary (herbal, ‘natural’, vitamin and mineral) medicines.
1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) NAT
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST (excluding NSW public holidays).
www.nps.org.au/contact-us/medicines-line
I hope the above service is helpful to you, and may serve to answer some of your questions.
Kindest,
Amour_Et_Psyché
In response to: Re: Medication and the immune system
Fee1Senior Contributor
Thanks @Former-Member, that was a good idea. I called them and they confirmed my long held view that the meds are affecting the white blood cell count, which I guess I already knew but might have forgotten. I guess the real question is what can be done if one can't come off the meds... I would be interested to know what others are doing to stay healthy.
I spoke to one woman on the weekend who said she takes a lot of vitamin C everyday and never gets sick. I have tried vit C before but never seemed to make much difference. Maybe I will try again with bigger doses. Also, a homeopath thinks he can help but I have faltered a bit with them in the past making me feel rather odd.
Kind regards, Fee1
@TheVorticon @Shaz51 @Ant7 @Adge @Amour_Et_Psych @Anony18 @Rockpool @River9 @Chamomile @frog @MummaMia @Lunar @Nell23 @Scout @Acacia @Sherry @5-HT @Lauz @NikNik @Demi2017 @Fee1
In response to: Re: Medication and the immune system
Birk1989Contributor
that's an interesting point of view, will discover this info here and ask to write a research paper on the topic, what can we do to come off the meds
In response to: Re: Medication and the immune system
Fee1Senior Contributor
In response to: Re: Medication and the immune system
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Medication and the immune system
Fee1Senior Contributor
thanks@5-HT. Yes I have been to an immunologist who has run some tests and said with the rudimentary tests they have available nothing shows up, though the meds I'm on do have a side effect of suppressing the white blood cells (according to the manufacturer). thanks for your thoughts. Might cut down on alcohol, that might help. Regards, F
In response to: Re: Medication and the immune system
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Medication and the immune system
Fee1Senior Contributor
Thanks @Former-Member, that's a really interesting article. Yes of course it could be a coincidence...all I know is that 20 years ago when I started on the meds, that's when my immune system started playing up. The product info does say that the meds reduce the white blood cel count and years of working with doctors and immune specialists hasnt helped. I am also salicylate sensitive so that cuts out all the herbal remedies that are supposed to boost immunity, and homeopathics have not helped - usually making me feel off balance and wierd. So I just wondered if anyone here has had the same experience - it is hard to compare as we are not able to say what meds we are on...thanks for your response.
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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