Post-pregnancy Immunocompromise

I have had similar experiences. My child is 11 months old, and since having her I have been sick. I was diagnosed with asthma back in November and ended up in the ER a couple of weeks ago when I couldn't breathe. I have had many rounds of Brochitis, I have had colds, etc. I have credited it to the fact I am not sleeping as much, my child is in day care and exposing me to everything. I even got an ear infection! I totally understand what you are going through. I was never sick before!

Hi I.,

Are you still taking your prenatal vitamin? If so, is it absorbable? Are you nursing?

Childbirth can be exhausting on a body and it needs to be strengthened. The illnesses come and go and you can rebound back to health but the antibiotics will actually break down your immune system so you'll get sick again and the doctor will give you more antibiotics. The body is meant to fight off infections by itself. Antibiotics were created for life threatening illnesses. We live in a "fix it now" society so doctors don't allow the body to even try to heal itself.

If you're not on an absorbable multivitamin, find one. I take one that is guaranteed to absorb and I can feel it. You also need eight hours sleep a night. If you're not getting it ask hubby to help out. Exercise is great. Do as much as you can, but try not to overdo.

I detoxed my home and I don't get sick anymore. I also have a chiropractor as my primary physician. Chiropractors understand the immune system and how it is supposed to function. Keep things like Beta Glucan and Elderberry syrup in the house so when you feel something coming on you can help your body fight it. It's much easier to prevent something than to cure it.

If you do decide to do the surgery, there are things that you can do before hand that will help the healing process. I can point you in the right direction if you like.

God bless,

M.

Several years ago, I experienced abnormal pap smears on repeated occasions. The treatments performed by my ob/gyn were only temporarily helpful. In a desperate attempt to find a real solution, I searched the web and found www.alotek.com. I had my last abnormal pap smear, then took their Betamannan for three months and went back for a normal pap smear. I have continued taking Betamannan all these years and while my husband and other family members suffer through colds, flu, etc., I am never (knocking on wood) sick. I also have never suffered another abnormal pap smear. It is $30 per month, but well worth it in my opinion.

I'm another mom who had the same experience. Our son didn't sleep through the night for the whole first year. I think the most consecutive hours of sleep I had was six and that was weeks in between. All of us were constantly sick and went through colds and stomach flus and I don't know how many infections. I think part of it was daycare but the other part was just that we weren't able to get the rest and take the supplements we needed. Once little boy started sleeping and we started sleeping, I was able to think clearly enough to do some research and got us on the right vitamin regime. Hang in there....you're on the right track by questioning what's going on with your body. I went to a naturopath and received a ton of help from her!

I.,
I had this problem too, and it made me feel insane (Dr.s told me it was co-incidence for the longest time). I had 20 verified illnesses in 10 months (other than viruses). For example, I had strep throat 8 times. Yuck! Finally, my health became desperate. I had to make taking care of myself the number 1 priority. Eat right, sleep, and take time for yourself. I also went on gamma globulin. They hate to prescribe it - but when you are desperate, it is a lifesaver. It is the amalgamation of the components from about 200 immune systems, so it will fight just about everything. If you don't take care of the problem, it will get worse.

Good luck, Jen

Dear I., your intuition regarding the same troubles healing post-op is accurate, in fact, they will be worse. Additionally, I know exactly what is causing all the above described health challenges you have shared, and will be glad to explain this to you. Just give me a call at ###-###-####.between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. C.S.T. (closed 12-1 p.m. for lunch).
The best times to reach me are 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

In the event, I am unavailable when you call, please ask my assistant to schedule a Free Inquiry Telephone Consultation for you at our earliest convenience. Meanwhile, you may visit my website at www.AdvancedClinicalNutrition.com

You may also be interested in one of my recent blog posting on "How To Birth a Healthy Child" centered around the topic of Infertility. A section of this blog discusses what happens to the health of mothers post-delivery, and their children, especially multiple births. You can read this at:
www.DrDonnaSmith.blogspot.com "Ask Dr. Donna" Blog.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Donna Smith

Hi I.-

I have 3 kids and after having my first one back in 2005, I went through something very similar to you. I had not been sick in years prior to this and during the first year, I had strep throat twice (which I did not even think one could get past the age of 18!), stomach flu (which again, I could not even tell you when I had this last) and numerous colds. My son was not necessarily sick during these times but I was. I did speak with my dr about this and they told me I was more run down taking care of a baby and was exposed to all these germs when going to places like kindermusic, gymboree classes, etc. Things got better as he got closer to a year.
I too have been in good health during my life and ate mostly well and have exercised. Prior to staying at home, I worked in an office environment at Ford for 60+ hours and never seemed to get sick really at all. I think I had to build up immunity to all these germs again. Hope this helps.

I., All those antibiotics are killing your immune system. Pro-biotics would be an EXCELLENT idea. Antibiotics kills ALL the bacteria in your digestive system---even the friendly ones ( and MOST of them are friendly). Now you need to re-populate the friendly bacteria. Some people eat yogurt, which does have lactobacillus in it, but that is just one strain. Garden of Life Primal Defense (you can get it at Whole Foods or Sprouts) would be a great choice.

I have a very similiar time after giving birth. I called my OBGYN and was told it woudlnt have that effect but I believe otherwise. With in the first year after giving birth I had constant colds, got the seasonal flu, stomach virus, and strep for the fist time in my life. I have never been sicker than then.

When I had my first child I remember being sick all the time. I thought it was simply because my daughter was in daycare, and I just thought I was picking up all those germs from her. But I do remember feeling kind of run down that first year. Now, it seems that my immune system is a lot stronger.

Hi I.,

I market a product that has been proven in studies published in medical journals to help support the immune system and aid in healing faster after injury or surgery. It sounds like you could really benefit from it.

Contact me for details and I'll tell you more. The sooner the better!

Blessings,

M.

I had this problem as well. In addition, I had to retake some of my vaccinations as the tests came back that I had no immunity. Two of the diseases that I had to be vaccinated for were Chicken Pox and German Measles - both of which I had had! And Chicken Pox I didn't get until I was 23. That meant for the next couple of years I got everything that came close to me to rebuild my immune system. My daughter is now 8 and I am back to normal. Good luck.