A Cold Is Dangerous For CFS/FM Patients

I admit that I am extremely paranoid about getting sick. I know some of my family thinks I worry too much about getting sick, but it is very hard being me. It’s as simple as that! A simple cold to a normal healthy person is not a little deal for someone like me who has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. My immune system is such that anytime I am around young children usually within 24 hours afterward I am sick.

According to Rich Carson, founder of Pro Health and Immune Support:

For patients with Fibromyalgia or ME/CFS, catching a cold is fraught with dire risks. Consequences can include cold symptoms that are far more severe and last longer than in non-patients, but the scariest risk is that a cold can lead to an FM flare or full blown ME/CFS relapse.

Secondary bacterial infections are also of special concern to patients, and these frequently cause more trouble than the cold itself, often necessitating medical treatment to help deal with the ensuing chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, or pharyngitis. The usual course of action is prescription antibiotics, and although frequently effective in killing the bacterial culprit, antibiotics can exacerbate the digestive problems that already affect an estimated 80% of FM/ME/CFS patients who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome – IBS.

Rich also confirms how I think and feel with this:

Cold viruses are usually spread through touching something that an infected person has touched. To reduce the risk of becoming infected with a cold or anything else, wash your hands regularly. Do not touch your hands to your face, mouth, nose or eyes. I am pretty obsessive about washing my hands so I’m covered there!

One can therefore easily understand the fear and anxiety a patient experiences at the first sign of an oncoming cold. To a patient, it means the possibility of several months of suffering.Patients need to exercise extra caution in order to reduce this risk, and fortunately, there are some amazingly effective things you can do to stop a cold and prevent a relapse.

You can also drag the cold virus and other viruses into your home from items when you have been out somewhere – particularly on your cell phone and keys. Use Clorox or some other type of disinfectant wipe to clean off these items.

Even being extremely careful can still cause you to come down with a cold or other virus. Rich suggests three “aresenals” to add to your medicine cabinet:

Of course, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are an even better defense to begin with! Stay healthy!

ZicamR Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (or Gel Swabs) – backed by impressive double blind research studies showing that it dramatically reduced the severity and duration of the common cold. It is hypothesized that the products ionic zinc disables common cold viruses (generally rhinoviruses) by preventing their ability to infect and re-infect cells. Regardless of the mechanism, the product is worth its weight in gold.Your second weapon is Zicam Rapid Melts, or Cold-EezeR throat lozenges. These products can be found in most drugstores in the cold care section, and provide ionic zinc in a very pleasant tasting form. Although both are backed by five or six published medical studies that prove their efficacy, I prefer the Rapid Melts because the lozenge dissolves and coats the mouth and throat in about two minutes; Cold-Eeze takes about 10 minutes.

Your third weapon, AirborneR, is available at most drug and grocery stores for about $9 and works as a potent immune stimulant. Although surprisingly effective at stopping a cold dead in its tracks, Airborne is not without at least some risks: Patients should be aware that immune system stimulants may cause a temporary worsening of FM/ME/CFS symptoms. Although this is temporary, Airborne may also cause wakefulness if taken late at night; patients should exercise caution and take the product only in the morning or afternoon.