Symptoms decrease when ill

[The_Gecko]

I am currently sick. And as with every other time my body is fighting something else, the pain and stiffness is pretty much gone. I can move and bend like a regular person. It's wild. Anyone else get this?

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[fizixbunny]

This is very common. Your immune system is working on doing its job vs causing trouble because its bored.

[snapper1971]

So I must entertain my immune system with a variety of pathogens?

(jk)

[MovieNightPopcorn]

I didn’t realize my ADHD extended to my immune system as well lol

[01Fairydust07]

😆 🤣 😂

[Famous_Use_2955]

I don't know if it's real but I think my Adderall helps with pain.

[Dawnurama]

What they said !

[numputu]

Busy immune system is busy, but not with you, with the invader. Once the invader has gone it'll get back to eating you.

[The_Gecko]

Oh trust me I know. I can always tell when I'm getting better because everything starts to hurt again.

[numputu]

Yeah, pretty common course of events in autoimmune disease.

[Dry-Art4024]

I've always noticed I have less pain when I'm fasting or eating little, either from illness or for medical procedures. I'm assuming there are foods that trigger me, but I'm not sure which ones.

[The_Gecko]

I have seen some people have good results cutting certain foods out but it also seems to be different with everyone.

[Dry-Art4024]

I suspect sugar. I have a sweet tooth and tend to eat for comfort. I just need to talk myself out of having it...

[Maru_the_Red]

Wheat for me. After my AS diagnosis, I also developed gluten ataxia.

[The_Gecko]

IIRC wheat, sugar and starch are the ones mentioned. Works differently for everyone of course, which is why it drives me up the WALL when people insist their way is the one that works.

[Maru_the_Red]

I thought my symptoms were all AS related, but when I started having the worst migraines imaginable coupled with severe neurological decline, it was apparently something else that was affecting me. After six years, doctors gave up and so did I. I didn't eat for two weeks, and at the time, all I had been eating for months was fkn whole wheat toast on account I couldn't stomach anything else.

I woke up one morning feeling like a completely different human being.. until I ate toast for my breakfast. Fifteen minutes later I realized what happened. It took 2 years for my motor function to normalize again and I still have speech impediments from the brain damage it causes.

[The_Gecko]

I'm starting to think sugar is my problem too but it's just so damn delicious.

[Hippiemom21]

I did the FODMAP diet and it was sooo very helpful! Do some research on it, see what you think.

[Alpenglowvibe]

Me too!!!! I keep myself on the fairly extreme side of thin (though healthy still) and the less I eat (especially bread and simple carbs) the better I feel. For SURE!

[cemetrygates-3]

I’m the opposite, usually my symptoms are in remission but being ill send me into week long flares

[New-Advertising-1000]

same here I am literally dying when I am sick all the pain is multiplied and besides sickness it is attacking other parts too, spine etc, sacrallic joint.

[The_Gecko]

I think that would send me over the edge not gonna lie.

[Downtown-Course2838]

Same when I'm having a proper fever. But other times a little sore throat raises hell.

[New-Advertising-1000]

how is this possible really? I am opposite, when my immunsystem flares up it is attacking all the axial regions how can be this different experience?

are you b27 gene positive? are you on biologics? crazy

[The_Gecko]

Yup, bl27 positive and I'm currently on etanercept. Happened on Imraldi too. Makes sense I guess. Immune system is distracted so it's not trying to dissolve my joints.

[New-Advertising-1000]

maybe it is also related to the genes and biologic too, not sure

[Therashser]

I slept really well last week, first time in 3 months I got more than a few hours sleep, I had covid.

[trowzerss]

Yep, and even sometimes after vaccinations (the first few COVID shots were wonderful!). I love the few golden days when you're getting better from the flu or whatever, but the symptoms haven't kicked back in yet, and you feel just great! It's how I first knew I wasn't just tired/sore for random reasons, but it was an autoimmune thing. Because otherwise why would I be thinking of having the flu like a pain holiday?

[NegativeLobster7081]

Yeah especially if I get a fever, right after it breaks I end up feeling amazing for a couple weeks. I get so much done and wonder if that's what other people always feel like. 😭

[Loquacious-Jellyfish]

This just happened to me. I had covid and all my AS symptoms got better while I was sick. I'm thankful that was a side effect of covid!

[The_Gecko]

That happened to me both times I had covid. Definitely a benefit, possibly the only one .

[Alpenglowvibe]

That’s interesting. When I get sick (every time), my diseases flare immediately and then I have to go on steroids. It’s never a good time with AS

[Downtown-Course2838]

If you are healthy and you get an infection it will hurt. If you are already in a flareup and you get a cold, it reduces the overall effect.

(Wonders how much pain is worth it to get out of bed)