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Colds and flus trigger flares?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/24/2007 1:17 AM (GMT -6)
 Well, flu season is here again. ....and I just couldn't wait to start the season off with a bang....God forbid I should skip this one. I have a miserable flu which is bad enough ..but I always, always end up with a crohns flare after a bout of the flu or even just a cold. Does this happen to anyone else. It often puts me in the hospital, with  a flare of my CD in my esophagus and TI. Antibiotics don't seem to prevent the CD flare.  Even a sinus infection can trigger a flare and it seems that I am always battling sinusitis here in the west coast of canada with our incessant rain and humidity.

If anyone else shares this problem , are there ways of preventing a flare when you are in the throes of a flu?

tired, tired old Mary

Posted 9/24/2007 6:30 AM (GMT -6)
My plan of action is to avoid, as much as possible, exposure to the flu because I know that if I get sick and need an antibiotic (not for the flu but for the pneumonia that sometimes accompanies it) that is what will set off my crohn's. During the flu season I avoid malls and most other public places and when I have to go I wash my hands like a maniac.

I've been doing this since starting on imuran (three years) and I have only had one cold -- after a cross-country airplane trip.
Posted 9/24/2007 8:38 AM (GMT -6)
My GI makes me get a flu shot every year.

I wonder if your getting the flu every season has more to do with the fact that you're already flaring, and your immune system is compromised?
Posted 9/24/2007 9:47 AM (GMT -6)
I've been battling ongoing sinusitis since coming to the states. I even had surgery a couple years ago. I tend to battle
with it, rather than constantly getting antibiotics, as it's those that will trigger a bad flare, quicker than anything else.
As far as flu shots go, my doc wont give me one yet. She says that I'm not in the best of health, me thinks she has
a long wait (smile). However I did get a pneumonia shot, during one of mt hospital stays last year. Judy, do they only
last 5years, I thought it was a lifetime thing...
Posted 9/25/2007 12:40 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks for your replies. I do try to get a flu shot when they become availabe in Canada which isn't until Oct. or so. Went to see the doctor today and I do have full blown pneumonia and am being hospitalized tomorrow morning. Darn. I think I also have a bowel obstruction. I sure am feeling crappy. It looks like my CD in my esophagus is acting up as well.
I hope ( I'd better be out of hospital by MOnday Oct. 1st.) we are having a baby shower for my daughter. Her first baby..... my first grandaughter. Mom's name is ASHALEE . she had a terrible time finding a name so I told her to pray about it, and ask this little girl to introduce herself. Well Ash woke up in the mornnig and said "mama, I know what her name is. I dreamt I was at the beach with you and the baby. She had a waterlogged diaper on and kept running away to play. I kept saying Emmalee come back here....she would look back at me and smile! " Ashalee hasn't changed her mind about that baby's name since. 2 months and some to go. I've been worrying about how I am going to manage to help her when the baby comes. Ash will be living at home with Emmalee and my other daughter. Daddy is around but he is desperately working overtime to provide....wants to get a family car and new house. etc.
I am supposed to be with her when she delivers. I think that will be the best moment of my life.
Sorry about ranting. and going on. I have so many plans , ...have managed this disease fairly well. Last big flare up was 4 years ago...... I won't forgive myself if I ruin everything for her.

Thanks for listening friends.

Mary
Posted 9/25/2007 1:30 AM (GMT -6)

First of all, all the best wishes for the forthcoming new little family member!!!  I remember when I gave birth to my first daughter, my mother was even more excited than me!!! Now my daughters are 11 and 7 years old, and my parents love them so much, they could die for them....

Now regarding colds, whenerver I catch a cold it usually begins with a runny nose, a sore throat and sometimes a low fever.  Then after 2-3 days, my bowels start screaming!!!!  So I know exactly how you feel.  Try not to stress too much about a possible flare, because then you will definately have one!!  I am going to be the maid of honor to my best friend's wedding this Saturday, and I have all these dark thoughts of needing to go to the bathroom etc.  But I try to convince myself that everything will be just fine, and that I'll enjoy myself.

Keep smiling, and try to focus on your new grandaughter!!!

greek warm hugs,

Christina

Posted 9/25/2007 1:33 AM (GMT -6)
Mary,
So sorry to hear your not well and off to hospital. Now get well soon and get your strength back so you can enjoy your baby grand-daughter once she arrives.
[[[[[[[[[hugs]]]]]]]]]]]]
Tess
Posted 9/25/2007 8:48 AM (GMT -6)
Definetly get a flu shot. Those really help me not to get sick. Knock on wood, I havent had the flu in years. Congrats on the granddaughter coming soon. Emmalee is a beautiful name. By the way Athensgirl, I am a grandma to 5. I too am crazy about my grandchildren. Actually I have a saying, if I would have known how much fun grandchildren would be, I would have had them first. LOL

God Bless,
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 9/25/2007 9:53 AM (GMT -6)
I've never hadt he flu? I am on Remi, my doc never mentioned the flu shot? I was just at the dentist and I had a reaction to the meds they put in my mouth, now I don't know if I can get remi on friday.  What a nightmare not having an immune system! I am also now losing my voice.
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