Weak Immune System

[makavelica]

Hi everyone. My son is 4 years old and he was diagnosed with HFI when he was 8 months old. Since then he is on safe diet and was doing fine until his second birthday, when he suddenly had allergic reaction on tree and grass pollen, dust and many more stuff according to allergy tests. Since then he got asthma and his immune system is so weak that sometimes he has flu twice a month, frequent stomach viruses, ear infections and has to take many antibiotics and it appears to be worse every time. The doctors say it is normal for child to be frequently ill, but twice a month? To me this is not normal. We tried to give him safe multivitamins but they didn't help. So I'm wondering if someone had similar experience raising a child or any advice what to try next.

[lukesmom]

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your child. My son Luke is HFI and was diagnosed at 3. He is now 9. We regularly see an immunologist, as he also has many allergies and is borderline asthmatic. He has been taking the immunotherapy shots for three years now. They're not helping much, but at least we're trying something! The immunologist helps keep his symptoms under control. We've tried several different medications from over-the-counter to prescription, and they are all safe for HFI. So are the inhalers. If you are not currently seeing an immunologist, you should see one. It Is not unusual for kids at this age to develop allergies. And I have had lots of friends with "normal kids "who have had to have tubes in the ears, are asthmatic, etc.

Luke has also had some other strange illnesses that are not typical to other kids. I don't need to to you tell them here, but his pediatrician says that there is something lacking in his immune system. We don't think it's related to the HFI, but it is not unusual to have more than one situation when a single situation is present (comorbidity). He was often sick in his preschool years- there are exposed to SO many germs-but by the time he got to elementary school, he had a much better system.

Even with the allergies, he is growing well and thriving. One Of the hardest things about being an HFI parents is always wondering if the things that happen with our children are related to the HFI.

Best wishes- contact me any time

Amy, Luke's mom

[lukesmom]

Also, obviously, be sure what you're giving him a safe. How are you giving him an antibiotic? Is it the syrup?

[makavelica]

Thanks for the answer lukesmom.
No, we are not giving him syrup. The doctor gives us the pills for adults (which have no substances that are unsafe for HFI) and we take them to pharmacy so they can adjust dose for his weight. Then we take that powder and mix it with little water and give it to him with syringe. That is how we give him all the medications that he must take. He has two inhalations a day for his asthma. We will try to go to immunologist, if we can find one.

[charlie]

Hi, although my daughter does not have HFI she has CSID and FM however she also had a low immune system when she was younger and had cold, after flu, after bug after cold and really suffered each time. The trouble is often they coincided with a food reaction many times so I never actually know what is causing it until she got better. But the good news is as they get bigger and stronger and their liver matures they get less and less. When I think back now to the sleepless nights of high temperatures and vomiting it now seems just like a bad dream. Now we have got her diet right she gets alot less but you can guarantee if we break it she will get whatever bug is going round but 10times worse.. so hang in there, dose as you can, find a good multivitamin if you can and keep the diet as simple as you can when he is poorly until he is well past the bug so his immune system has as little to react to as possible.

One other thing we use now, Meg had a really bad bout of "hayfever" two years ago, but it coincided with giving her some sweets i got form germany frusano company and now I find her reactions do seem to be like hayfever so as soon as she starts to get itchy eyes and feels sick I automatically give her sugar free anti-histamine.

Don't forget also that kids can have more than one totally unrelated problem so you do have to treat as separate issues sometimes.

Good luck

[makavelica]

Thanks charlie. I'm afraid that he has some other problem besides HFI but the doctors just won't listen what I have to say. That same thing was happening when he was 5 months old and going hypoglycemic after eating solid food. They were always saying that it is some kind of virus that is causing his condition, that we are paranoid parents worrying too much because it is our first child. Even now when we go to some of the doctors and we say that he has HFI they say: "Oh, just that. So what he wont be able to eat fruit. Big deal. I thought that there is something really wrong with him."

[ukbill]

HIs Immune system will not work well if his liver is being challenged all the time. you need to make sure he is running 100% HFI safe for 6 months or more and then you should see an improvement.
Although giving him a slow release Vitamin C with Zinc is pretty much essential he will get no Vitamin C naturally form his food. be aware high fiber foods are bad also for HFi the digestible part of the fiber breaks down into Sucrose in the gut!
At 4 years old he will be able to eat lots of foods like fish, meat pasta home made bread, milk, cheese, Yogurt etc.. so you should have no problems keeping him fed

Try to get him to eat liver pate (check ingredients carefully or make your own) this is full of the essential nutrients he needs and lots of B vitamins too. I try to eat Pan fried chicken livers or other liver based products once every 2 weeks or so and it seems to help.
Yeast extract is very good too.

[venusillegitima6]

I was diagnosed with HFI when I was 8 months old. Doctors told my parents I couldn't eat fruit and sugar but never told them anything about vegetables so they literally made me eat them. Despite that, I had excellent immune system as a child. I was sick either like any other child or even less... and I wasn't on 100% HFI safe diet. Talking from my experience only, I don't think immune system has a lot to do with HFI. In fact, I found that with my diet (meat, meat and more meat) my blood count is far better then those of my friends who don't like eating meat but eat fruits and vegetables.

I don't know if it can be taken by small children and whether your son is allergic to any of it's ingredients, but I use Ecomer for my immune system and I'm very satisfied. Again, I don't know if he can or should take it at all. Also, I use long lasting Vitamin C (in orange/yellow bottles you can find in our pharmacies). I don't have problems with either of them. Still, I guess this should be considered when he gets older.

Btw, I'm also allergic to pollen and as far as I know the best way not to get affected by it is to stir away from cut flowers (I found I have no problems with potted plants). I used Presing for my allergies, but the last time I had an allergic reaction to pollen I used some other brand, something like a new generation of Presing. I tried finding the box to tell you the exact name, but couldn't The only thing I remember is that it begins with X (I think). And again, I have no idea if it can be taken by small children. And of course, there's a possibility it can be conflicted with asthma, etc.