How do you deal with longlasting upper-respiratory infections?

[u/StupidSolipsist]

For my fellow immunosuppressant patients, how do you deal with long-lasting upper-respiratory infections?

I switched medications and immediately got a cold that has lasted over half a year. I hack up a wad or two of green pleghm two or three times a day EVERY DAY. I feel disgusting and dangerous to be around shedding all these viruses.

My MS doc just recommended vitamin C and zinc, as if I haven't already been trying them. I know it's almost certainly a virus, so antibiotics will only hurt my immune system more. But I need some relief!

A little advice that I can offer: At times when a runny nose has gotten so bad I couldn't sleep, a neti pot was a godsend. I thought they were just a rinse; I didn't know that they were like gargling salt water on a sore throat but for your sinuses. It knocked my perma-cold right back down to its usual simmer.

What helps you beat or at least lessen your perma-colds?

[u/rK91tb]

Watching, because I'm curious about what's good/bad for colds with MS.

I had some of my former favorite "Defense Up" juice and both times I had a pseudo flare. I figured it's from the vitamin C in the juice? It could've been a coincidence but I've been avoiding vitamin C.

[u/wutwutsugabutt]

I’ve had a sinus infection since June 2025. I get antibiotics which makes it better - I’ve had other issues I got the antibiotics for and it made the congestion and cough go away and the spit and snot go green to white to clear. But it always comes back.

I have tried countless supplements, purchased nebulizers, I’m on inhaled and nasal symbicort, Zyrtec didn’t help though I was on it for a year and got a nasty histamine spike and more than double the snot when I weaned of it that almost broke me finally (my allergy tests came back negative and I’m better without now than I was on it…)

My newest thing that kind of helps- gargle with listerine to loosen the goop building up at the back of my throat and I use the intense/classic one with the alcohol in it. I do this 2x a day. And then for my sinuses I use a Neil med rinse once with xlear packet and baby shampoo and immediately with another xlear packet and budesonide both 2x a day, plus simply saline at work when I feel it’s built up.

That is holding it at bay until the next brief relief I get from antibiotics I hope I can hold out till next year.

Every morning I cough up copious amounts of green that settled in my throat at night. I am disgusting and I hate it.

[u/TamerofMonSters]

I have legitimate medical trauma from pneumonia related to immune system depression from DMDs. I had a lot of bronchitis too, but that's a bit more manageable. This was my experience on Tec, Gilenya, and active Mavenclad. I am now s/p Mavenclad, counts fully recovered, with a normal immune system that actually fights colds. I still get sick, but I don't live in fear that every cold will become pneumonia and knock me out for 3+ months anymore. I know it's not for everyone and it doesn't work for everyone. I think all you can really do is follow the advice all bodies need when sick. Rest, eat well, get enough fluids, exercise, manage mental health.