Infection "caused by stress"

[liz2mac]

Hi, does anybody else out there find that they get ill when they are stressed?
I've had a hell of a week dealing with some very stressful stuff. Had a sore throat yesterday & boom, this morning woke up with sinus, chest everything full of crap. Hey ho, back to filling jolly old pots with cough & spit. Makes me feel "such" an attractive wife to be with.
Liz.

[slf]

Hi liz
Their's no doubt i am sure,that stressful times leaves anybody more open to infection,In our cases this must be increased several times,I cant blame stress for all my infections,but equally really good stress free times should be good,although I am not living proof of that,though to be honest can't remember a non stress free time for quite a while.
Sorry you're having another rough time Liz,feeling under the weather too,I have no neck at the moment my glands are up so much,not a good look Mr Toad !!
Take care
Steve

[barbfrombc]

Absolutely! Liz there was a time before starting ivig, and in the early years of treatment, where I was afraid to get involved in anything stressful because it was a guarantee for an infection. My dr said it has to do with cortisol, which can get produced in abundance naturally when we are stressed. Cortisol, whether produced naturally or when we are taking something like prednisone, lowers anyone's immune system and of course, in our case, that can be serious. Now that I have been on ivig for about 6 years (wow, is it that long) the effect of stress is not nearly as bad as it once was. I try to pace myself but I am your typical Type A over-achiever so its difficult. In fact it's probably been the most difficult part of the journey for me. I hope you are feeling better soon. It does seem like a never ending story sometimes, doesn't it?

Barb

[liz2mac]

Thank you both. It's so good to be able to "talk" with people who really understand. Hope you're neck's better soon Steve.

[mali42]

I don't like stress either, I think people with normal immune systems get run down with persistent stress.
I hope your all feeling better soon.
Malcolm