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The flu...it's BAD

Messages
73
This is the first time in years my immune system has been normal enough to come down with a flu virus and actually fight it hard. The problem is I don't think I'm really strong enough. This year's strain is incredibly virulent and it's kicking my butt. I'm scared it's going to send me into a severe relapse. It's already been 3 nights of very bad sleep and I feel like I'm in a tailspin.

What can I do to prevent lasting harm from this? I'm on supplemental magnesium, potassium, and sodium ascorbate. I can't seem to tolerate vitamin D. It sends my magnesium needs way up. I also can't tolerate the methyl folate or methyl cobalamine.

Suggestions?
 

ljimbo423

Senior Member
Messages
4,705
Location
United States, New Hampshire
Suggestions?

I haven't had a flu in a long time but I did get a reactivation of the chicken pox (shingles), which is a virus, a couple of years ago.

I took fairly high doses of echinacea extract 1000-1500mg a day and stopped the re-activation in 2-3 days and was gone in a week!

My 28 year old son had a re-activation also around that time. He went to the doctor and got valcyte or an anti-viral like that and it took him almost 2 months to get rid of his.

Echinacea works very fast but reishi, astragulas, shiitake and cordyceps are also good immune boosters.
 

junkcrap50

Senior Member
Messages
1,330
I would load up on all kinds of immune support: Vit C, Vit A, Vit D, Olive Leaf, Astragalus, Lysine, Transfer Factor, Colostrum, Mushroom extracts, Zinc, Cat's Claw, Oregeno, Elderberry, etc. I also add adrenal support. I've accumulated a bunch of these supplements over time and keep buying them so I can fill a pill strip full of "immune boosting" supplements anytime I have a cold or feel like I'm getting sick. Many are individual supplements and I have a few "immune support blend" supplements.

If you have a terrible case of the flu and need to be hospitalized, read these two papers which may save your life if nothing else works. I bought the mentioned supplements (and also got a hold of some Tamiflu) when this flu season broke out, because I nearly died during the Swine Flu season.

https://paolomaccallini.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/the-flu-that-never-ends/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24865588
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27566378
 
Messages
73
I would load up on all kinds of immune support: Vit C, Vit A, Vit D, Olive Leaf, Astragalus, Lysine, Transfer Factor, Colostrum, Mushroom extracts, Zinc, Cat's Claw, Oregeno, Elderberry, etc. I also add adrenal support. I've accumulated a bunch of these supplements over time and keep buying them so I can fill a pill strip full of "immune boosting" supplements anytime I have a cold or feel like I'm getting sick. Many are individual supplements and I have a few "immune support blend" supplements.

If you have a terrible case of the flu and need to be hospitalized, read these two papers which may save your life if nothing else works. I bought the mentioned supplements (and also got a hold of some Tamiflu) when this flu season broke out, because I nearly died during the Swine Flu season.

https://paolomaccallini.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/the-flu-that-never-ends/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24865588
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27566378
My nervous system is damaged by two tranquilizer withdrawals and I have autoimmunity, so I have to be super careful about many different types of supplements. I have noticed that olive leaf extract and frankincense essential oil both have a good effect, so I'll get some tomorrow. Also I was just reading about mega dosing the magnesium during a virus so I'll try increasing that too.

What kind of effect have you noticed with cat's claw? I heard it's a good anti-inflammatory. Always on the lookout for good anti-inflammatory supplements I can tolerate.

Thanks for the links!
 
Messages
73
@junkcrap50. I just read those articles. I had already read a couple of them before now. Incidentally, I also read an article today on using high doses of selenium to prevent the cytokine storm. Reminded me to take some.
 

Wonkmonk

Senior Member
Messages
1,006
Location
Germany
I am thinking of getting the flu shot next year. There is concern that it might worsen CFS in some people, but I think actually getting the flu is also a risk of getting worse and it may be a greater risk.
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
I am thinking of getting the flu shot next year. There is concern that it might worsen CFS in some people, but I think actually getting the flu is also a risk of getting worse and it may be a greater risk.
It is sort of Russian roulette if you haven't had the experience of getting a flu shot since you've had ME/CFS--either the vaccination or the flu could cause big problems. There are threads on people's experience with flu shots so you might want to have a look to get an idea of the range of responses.
 

Seven7

Seven
Messages
3,444
Location
USA
My mom told to to take Star Anise tea (follow instruction on how to steep) and they actually make tamaflu from its components. I reacted very bad to tamaflu (I MEAN ABOUT DIED) not exaggeration. But the Star Anise made me feel much better.
 

junkcrap50

Senior Member
Messages
1,330
My nervous system is damaged by two tranquilizer withdrawals and I have autoimmunity, so I have to be super careful about many different types of supplements. I have noticed that olive leaf extract and frankincense essential oil both have a good effect, so I'll get some tomorrow. Also I was just reading about mega dosing the magnesium during a virus so I'll try increasing that too.

What kind of effect have you noticed with cat's claw? I heard it's a good anti-inflammatory. Always on the lookout for good anti-inflammatory supplements I can tolerate.

Thanks for the links!

Eh, I don't notice very much. No supplements have really ever helped with my inflammation. My naturopath told me to take some a long time ago and I still have the drops from them. Now, I just add it with all my other immune support and take it when I'm sick. The handful of supplements (1 of each immune boosting thing I have in my cabinet) does help me avoid getting sick and shortens the length and severity of my colds.
 

Wonkmonk

Senior Member
Messages
1,006
Location
Germany
It is sort of Russian roulette if you haven't had the experience of getting a flu shot since you've had ME/CFS--either the vaccination or the flu could cause big problems. There are threads on people's experience with flu shots so you might want to have a look to get an idea of the range of responses.

Thank you, Sushi. I have seen those threads and I am aware of the dilemma. I think there is not nearly enough research out there to come to a definitive conclusion, but the research I have seen make me lean towards having the flu shot in the future:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17364497

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14720070

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26475444

 
Messages
46
Location
Holland
I suffered for 8 months really bad from cold and flu symptoms,
After the cold maybe also the flu not sure. I was so messed up.
I tried liposomal vit c and high dose ascorbic acid.
But it didn't help anything.
I went from having 30% energie to 10%.
Very scary to have that for 9 months now.
Also loss of libido.
I don't tolerate b12 shots,
But what really helps me is eating rare steak everyday. 2 portions of 50 to 75 gram is best for my digestion.
125 gram at dinner is disturbing my sleep.
Still experementing with it. This is the first week i'm really eating steak everyday. I notice my libido is getting better.
The zinc or b12 in the steak i think.
Next time i buy a couple of kilo extra instead of supplements.
Instead of vitamine c supplement i grow mung bean sprouts at home.
Very easy. And you don't catch anything from buying it in the store :)
Next year i plan to stay at home alone from dec to march.
I let my grocery's delivered to prevent catching something.
In the last 3 months i didn't catch anything by staying home alone.
Hope i go from 30% to 40% with that regime.
 
Last edited:
Messages
73
I slept a little more last night, so I'm a bit better. Hydrogen peroxide in the ears helped this morning. Also the Bach flower remedies have been helping keep my mood pretty stable.
 

perchance dreamer

Senior Member
Messages
1,691
I had a horrible case of the flu over the holidays. These are the things that helped me get over it, and I wish I had had them on hand before getting sick.

OrthoMolecular Viracid
This is what my ENT recommends. It has a lot of great immune boosters and antivirals, including elderberry. Although it has a lot of vitamin A, I did the suggested loading dose for one day.

It's mostly integrative pharmacies that carry it, but you can also buy it online. It should be about $35. Amazon jacked the price way up, but other places are reasonable. Search on Viracid retailers.

https://www.orthomolecularproducts.com/viracid/viracid/525060/

NuMedica ImmunoG PRP
One of my nurse practitioners asks everyone who works at her clinic to take this because they see a lot of sick people. It's bovine colostrum, which I tolerate fine even though I have a cow dairy sensitivity. You can get powder or chewables:

https://www.pureformulas.com/immunog-prp-chewables-120-tablets-by-numedica.html

Gaia Herbs Brochial Wellness Syrup
This stuff is fabulous. It not only helps a cough; it actually helps you get well. It has plantain and helichrysum, which I hadn't realized could be used internally for health. Take more than the recommended dose:

https://www.amazon.com/Gaia-Herbs-B...1D1TLLiTaL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

Good luck!
 
Messages
73
I had a horrible case of the flu over the holidays. These are the things that helped me get over it, and I wish I had had them on hand before getting sick.

OrthoMolecular Viracid
This is what my ENT recommends. It has a lot of great immune boosters and antivirals, including elderberry. Although it has a lot of vitamin A, I did the suggested loading dose for one day.

It's mostly integrative pharmacies that carry it, but you can also buy it online. It should be about $35. Amazon jacked the price way up, but other places are reasonable. Search on Viracid retailers.

https://www.orthomolecularproducts.com/viracid/viracid/525060/

NuMedica ImmunoG PRP
One of my nurse practitioners asks everyone who works at her clinic to take this because they see a lot of sick people. It's bovine colostrum, which I tolerate fine even though I have a cow dairy sensitivity. You can get powder or chewables:

https://www.pureformulas.com/immunog-prp-chewables-120-tablets-by-numedica.html

Gaia Herbs Brochial Wellness Syrup
This stuff is fabulous. It not only helps a cough; it actually helps you get well. It has plantain and helichrysum, which I hadn't realized could be used internally for health. Take more than the recommended dose:

https://www.amazon.com/Gaia-Herbs-Bronchial-Wellness-5-4-Ounce/dp/B00F1J6X9C/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1520869578&sr=1-1&keywords=bronchial+wellness&dpID=41D1TLLiTaL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

Good luck!
Thank you! Very helpful. I've tried colostrum and it seems to overactivate my immune system in a way that causes pain and inflammation. But I might look for the other two.