LymeNet Flash: if we have Lyme are we automatically immune compromised?

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Posted by jentytib (Member # 14375) on :

Can someone explain this?

So if we have Lyme are we automatically immune compromised?

If so then what's the deal with T cells?

I have read we DON''T get sick (common colds etc) because of T cells.

Well isn't that a good thing?

I don't get it.
Thanks!

Posted by pryorka (Member # 13649) on :

I have Stephen Buhners book and it he explains that certain parts of the immune system become overactive and other parts underactive. I kept getting tonsillitis while I have lyme so some things do seem to be easy to get while maybe others aren't. Overactive might sound good at first but it's not because it can result in autoimmunity and excessive inflammation. Plus when one part of the immune system has all the focus other parts of the immune system end up underactive. But regardless we should all do ourselves a favor and try our best to not catch anything else while we try to beat this disease.

Posted by ping (Member # 6974) on :

quote:
Originally posted by jentytib:

So if we have Lyme are we automatically immune compromised?

Yes. As explained in the post above mine, it's different for everyone and in different ways. Anytime the immune system is not working correctly, whether overactive or underactive to any degree, it's considered "compromised" [Frown]

ping
"We are more than containers for Lyme"

Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :

People seem to have different reactions. I myself seem to have a super immune system in that I never get any common ailments (I should say that before Lyme I was in excellent health, though. Even as a kid I'd never get frequent illnesses. I may have had a cold once or twice a year and that was it).

"Compromised" in the sense people usually speak of it is the definition that arose from AIDS - that your immune system is so weak that you are incredibly vulnerable in infection - is certainly not the case for all Lyme complex patients.

I should note however, that I don't have the "Overactive" inflammation markers or cytokine reactions that some other seem to.

There's a wide variety, really. It actually makes a lot of sense that if you have a good function immune system with lots of practice against something as difficult as TBI complex, "lesser" bugs like the common cold won't stand a chance.

[ 05-30-2009, 04:01 PM: Message edited by: Blackstone ]

Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :

I Never get sick.... even when everyone else in my house is sick... I somehow stay healthy. We always laugh about it cause it seems I'm super healthy in terms of never catching colds/flu but yet I'm very ill fighting lyme (or whatever it is I have).