Always Sick! - Columbus,OH

Updated on June 28, 2007
M.S. asks from Columbus, OH
10 answers

Every since I had my daughter almost 14 months ago, I am always sick! I never used to get sick (maybe once every 2 yrs or so) and now I have been sick 6 times in the last year! My daughter has always been healthy, but around 7 months, she started getting colds about every other month, so, for the last 7 months, her and I both have been sick every other month and I am losing my mind. It's not just a sniffle, or allergies, it's like a rotten cold and the whole shebang (sore throat, cough, congestion, no energy, etc) and it lasts like a week at a time. She isn't around other kids, and I always make sure I use sanitizing hand gel all the time, and I wash her hands frequently. Neither one of us has been exposed to anyone who is ill, and we both eat and sleep well, so what is going on??? Is this normal? I can't afford to be sick, what feels like, ALL the time. Has anyone else had this issue since having a child, and is there anything I can do?? I take vitamins and do everything you are supposed to and I am at my wit's end.

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So What Happened?

Hi everyone.
I just want to thank-you all for the responses. I guess you could say the culprit isnt really anything sinister lol, rather, just me being stressed. I didn't even think about it, but I have been under a lot of stress the last 6 months or so (back in school, working a lot, just out of a relationship, etc) so I think it has been taking its toll. As for my daughter, her Dr said it's normal and that once she is older, and her immune system is more built up, she won't be as sick as often, soooo...I think with the stress I've been under the last few months has left me vulnerable to catching whatever seems to come around. Thanks everyone, though, for their input!!

More Answers

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S.H.

answers from Columbus on

I can tottaly relate. It wasnt right after I had my daughter but it was just recently. Me and my daughter were getting sick very very often same symptoms as you are experiancing but weird thing was my husband was NOT and even if it were somthing as cold or flue shouldnt my husband be getting it. We were in lowes and i had seen a flyer about black mold and the symptoms were exactly the same. my uncle who does this for aliving came in and sure enough our bathroom was COVERED in mold and mildew. Even though when we bought the house only 2 years ago they said it was mold free well it wasnt. We got the bathroom gutted out and everything replaced and me and my daughter are feeling 100% better~!just to be safe you should check your home nothing to loose

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K.J.

answers from Dayton on

I know exactly what you are talking about. I never used to get sick (once or twice a year at the most) and ever since I had my daughter (she's almost three) I have had a ton of colds and it seems like one of us is sick all of the time. I was worried about it at first but I've talked to my daughter's doctor and other moms and although its absolutely no fun, I think it is probably normal. The average child gets 6-10 colds/year (check out http://cold.health.ivillage.com/coldupperrespiratory/comm...) so if your daughter is sick every other month, that is probably about right. I think we are probably getting sick more because our little ones are picking up the germs. I think they catch more because when they are out places, they tend to put their hands in their mouths and on their faces more than adults do and their immune systems aren't mature yet. If you are both taking vitamins and getting enough sleep you are probably doing everything right.
My only suggestion would be to try taking Airborne (or another product like it). It's a vitamin supplement that I take when I start to feel a cold coming on or when someone in my house is sick. Sometimes it seems to work. Hopefully with summer coming and flu season over you guys will feel better. Good luck!

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M.

answers from Cincinnati on

Could also be an undiagnosed food allergy - biggest culprits would likely be cow's milk products or wheat. The way to find out if this is the case (the only truly definite way to find out) is to eliminate cow's milk products in any/all forms (milk, yogurt, butter, whey, cheese, casein, etc.) for at least 6 weeks. If you both get better, the food you eliminated could be the cause. You then re-test by adding the food back in and seeing how your bodies respond - if you get sniffly, colds start returning and persisting, you'll know your answer.

Also, just in general to help w/ immune system, add some healthy bacteria into your diet - you can get dairy-free probiotics in capsule form, and medicle studies have shown that healthy probiotics make your stomach/intestines healthier and more able to fight off any viruses and bad bacteria. Go to a site like vitacost.com or papanature.com and search for "probiotics" or "primal defense" to learn more (you don't have to buy from those sites - I just know that they carry some of these products so you can have a visual of what I'm talking about).

Hope you guys can find the cause of the recurring colds and heal up soon - I know it's no fun to feel run down and sick all the time! Hang in there!

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L.F.

answers from Cleveland on

I saw a Dr. Phil show with Dr. Sears, whom I love. He said that kids get sick 10 times a year. I notice that my son gets sick a lot of times after going to the library or church where he is exposed. I started carrying clorox wipes in my car to sanitze every shopping cart, which has helped cut down on sickness in my house, but this year my son has been sick every month it seems.

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S.L.

answers from Erie on

i know exactly how you feel! i've been going through the same thing for 20 mths. next monday i'm having my blood tested to see if Hypothyroidism is the culprit i sugest you make and appointment with your doctor to discuss how you've been feeling. i've done a lot of research and hypothyroidism can be caused by giving birth. here is a checklist of all the symptoms that are associated with hypothyroidism. http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/checklist.htm

hope this helps!

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J.G.

answers from Canton on

Hi. For u it may be as simple as the chemistry in ur body changed. I am more concerned about ur daughter. See my son was the same way for about a year an a half. I was getting frustrated with it. So i finally asked my pediatrician to refer us to a specialist.. We went to see dr. Kishore(wonderful doctor) at akron children's. He did an exam on jamie and we found out that he has asthma and allergies. It took about a year for everything to get striaghtened out with keeping him healthy. He has had no more big problems with getting sick. He has had nothing more than the occasional cold which is normal. I am so glad we finally have him straightened around. Now i don't worry about it getting colder out or him being around others that r sick for fear that he will certainly get it. I hope this helps. Good luck, jocey

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W.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I can imagine how hard this is for you! It sounds to me more like the flu (with the lack of energy and sore throat), but have you spoken to a doctor about it? They can do a test for some flus.
You said she's not around kids, but what happens when you are in school? It doesn't take much exposure--even older kids coming in from their activities/school can be carriers.
Hand gel is not as effective as washing hands. It's best to use REGULAR soap (NOT anti-bacterial) and scrub for at least 15 seconds. Most people don't really wash hands properly.
Lastly, there are things that depress your immune system, like sugar and alcohol. So even if you are taking vitamins, they could be getting used up. Not all vitamins are created equal, either--some are absorbed better than others. Maybe you just need to try a different brand? Make sure it has plenty of Vitamin C especially.
Let us know if you figure this out!
Blessings,
Lynn

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C.M.

answers from Dayton on

M.,
It could be the chemicals in your cleaning supplies. I know after I had a baby I wanted to have everything clean so I cleaned all the time and then found out the stuff on the store shelves had chemicals in them that are not good for any of us but I could not afford GNC prices. I have found an online store that has comparable prices as Walmart or Target and their products are all natural. I have converted my home and love it. I order all my products via the internet now. I have even seen a change in my autistic son, hallelujah. If you would like more information email me at ____@____.com

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L.E.

answers from Columbus on

Maybe very simply; household enviroment? Mold? Carbon monoxide?

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B.H.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi M., If they are store Brand vitamins or even gnc you are not getting all you need. if you would like some info on where i buy our vitamins along with non-toxic products down to our toothpaste let me know. I found out there was formaldehyde in my toothpaste, shampoo and soap blew me away they even have something to build up you inmunne system B.

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