This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I'm guessing that its just a simple 'Yes' or 'No' but I was unable to find the answer i was looking for... With MS, because it affects the CNS, does this mean it is easier, or more likely for a person to get sick over a person who doesn't have ms? And when I say sick, Im just talking about the common cold, or the flu or whatever. Thanks.

Actually I would think it is the opposite because it is an overactive immune system thought to be at fault.

I have been sick 2 times in the last 10 years and that includes working 2 years at a school district. Both were for one day when everyone around me got sick as dogs.

My experience is that I don't get the flu or a cold much at all. I believe that this has been due to chronic activation of my immune system. In years past, I've also had very bad allergies to pollen. I used to have to take an antihistamine nearly every day during the spring and early summer. However, it seems that ever since I've been on Avonex that my allergies are much less severe and I usually don't have to take anything unless I go out to a park or someplace else that is saturated with pollen. Moreover, other than issues related to MS, I still don't get sick much.

NHE

Hey thanks for such fast replies! Both make a ton of sense to me now! I just need a different way to look at it! Personal experiences from both helps too thanks so much

Interesting topic.

I used to stay sick all the time for weeks at a time. Then almost overnight it stopped. I have had maybe 2 colds in 10 years. No flu or viruses either. Like someone else said when everyone else around me at work was falling out with colds, flu, stomach viruses etc... I did not get sick??

I have had tubes put in my ears and an ear infection since the tubes. The tubes were for fluid in my middle ear and they did not help. Made some things much worse.

I had my first MS symptoms in Jan 2000, almost 10 years ago.

Cat

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9/3/09 Stanford - Dr Dake - Stent in R-J to unblock Arachnoid Cyst in Sigmoid Sinus. Stent in narrowed L-J. Balloon in narrowing where R & L Jugulars meet.

I'm going to post this ignoring my superstitious side. Since I've had this I get sick WAY less than I used to. It's not like I was sickly before MS, but I would get 2 or 3 colds and a sinus infection or something. It just doesn't seem to happen anymore. I also think it has a bit to do with eating right and using my NETI pot and all that as well.

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I rarely get sick too...just sick of MS

I still get sick a couple times a year, but it has lessened dramatically and I don't get sick as badly as I did as a teen.

My horrible, miserable allergies that plagued me all my life suddenly vanished 3 or 4 years ago.

my husband catches every cold and flu we do, and during every cold or flu, he is badly affected....much worse trying to walk for one thing, balance issues as well. Do you think there is a difference from a person with ppms as rrms?

I wonder as well if an Ms'er is more susceptible at times vs others, like after an attack would one be more likely to get a cold or the flu if its going around? and/or vice versa? hmmm....

As far as allergies go, mine have diappeared as well. Do you ever think that your immune system just gets tired, old like the rest of our systems, and just doesn't have the energy to keep up the MS AND allergies and reaction to viruses and bacteria for that matter...

Well, my personal opinion (knowledge based guesstimate? ha) is yes, your immune system would get tired, but, ... theres always 'but... lol... i think as long as your keeping a good regimen and taking care of your body the best way you can, then in turn would help your immune system a ton, and give it more of a break if ya know what i mean snd maybe when your immune system does get tired and just goes kaput then A) either more susceptible to having an attack, and or B) will have an attack.

but i guess not really getting sick as easy is because your immune system is in 'overdrive' if i may and doesnt even give the sickness or the common cold or whatever a chance. ---- I think that all the passed sicknesses as well the body keeps a track record of everything and knows what to do, but its going full throttle thru the colds. and when and if you get cold it isnt until those real bad times because your body hasnt seen this sickness at all, and because ms'ers dont get sick as much... maybe the white blood cells, and all the other "things" that help the immune system, are in a relaxed mode in that sense while its so focused on the body itself.. that its just kinda "oh we'll get to that cold later, after we finish this mystery bug" ---still thinking that it will be done shortly... .... so takes awhile before they come, and wait until it becomes a little more "potent" ... ?

again... im very young so sorry for the... long/kid version... lol but i dont know maybe that may shed some light? idk probly not right but kinda in a sense? maybe? lol [/quote]