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I was wondering...for those of you that have taken or are taking entocort, if getting sick ( colds, flu etc ) has ever been an issue for you since entocort info states that it lowers the immune system ?
I just recently started taking entocort again for a CC flare up, and after refreshing my memory the last few days by reading info on it I rememberd that when I took it for 16 weeks back in Oct '08 that I got really sick with a severe upper respiratory infection, double ear infection and sinus infection....took me 3 trips to the Dr, 2 rounds of Z-paks and 1 round of Ceclor to get over being sick...it was a miserable time. My family Dr treated me with the anti-biotics for the infections and suggested the reason that I gotten so sick could possibly be due to the entocort, however my GI Dr said he had never heard of it causing these types of infections...
Anyone else experienced illness from a lowered immune system due to entocort ? I was wondering if there is some type of immune boosting supplement that could be taken to kinda offset this side effect ?
Memory Entocort is a corticosteroid and will have some effect on the immune system. Fortunately only a small portion, about 10% of the active component budesonide makes it into the blood stream, the remainder stays locally in the GI tract. Budesonide has about 15 times the corticosteroid effect of prednisone. meaning that a 9mg dose of Entocort is equal to taking about 14mg of prednisone, which is a fairly low dose and is known to have a minimal effect on the immune system when taken over a moderate period of time. Even at that dose though some people may be somewhat more susceptible to infection. I believe the manufacturers information warns against exposure to live viruses and exposure to individuals with certain infections
Immune boosters are certainly the way to go, there are a wide range of vitamins and minerals that aid in this including: zinc, vitamin A, C, D and E. There are others on this site who should probably comment here as they certainly have more knowledge in the area of supplements.
Thanks for asking this question Memory, it's a good one
Yep, I know entocort is 'less harmful' than prednisone...( never been on pred. and hope I dont ever have to be ... it scares me ... lol )
I did research Echinacea as a immune sysytem booster ( my daughter takes it daily and swears she is never sick because it is just that good ) ... unfortunately one of the side effects of Echinacea is diarrhea, and I certainly dont need that !!
Thanks for suggesting the Vit A, E etc...I will ck them out ...
I've been taking Entocort for 3 years and haven't noticed any increased susceptibility to illness. Many of us take an increased dosage of vitamin D, which is getting recognition for helping reduce illness along with other benefits. I take 3,000 vitamin D units/day in summer and 4,000 units in winter. Others here take more units each day.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
I agree with Gloria - the best thing that you can do to boost your immune system, to help ward off cold and flu viruses, is to keep your vitamin D level up, (preferably above 50 ng/mL).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I agree on upping the vitamins. Some years seems like people get sick with one thing after another.. I had a year like that.. bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic sinus infections.. shingles.. all before I started taking entocort. Have been on entocort at least 5 years now..
grannyh
Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
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