Low Immune System and Infections

Hi,
I'm posting because I had laser surgery last thursday to break up a kidney stone that I have had for quite some time. The surgery was an apparent success but they had to do alot of fishing around to find the stone with what they call a flexible urethascope. Basically they go up through the uretha with a telescope and a little basket, find the stone and then laser it into tiny sand like fragments. Well I have been in alot of pain and have been on Endone, panadol, nurafen and bucapan and then can still feel the pain in my kidneys and have had the same symptoms as a UTI. I told the specialist this and he said it was just cause of all the digging around they did and fobbed me off. Well to cut to the chase I found out today that I do have a kidney infection which may explain why I have been so slow to heal and need to go on AB. I have always been really prone to infections though and already this year have been on AB about 8 times. One of the reasons for the AB was a nipple ifection and my nipples still haven't healed preperly despite being on the strongest AB and it was about 2.5mths ago.
I had Impetigo about 5 yrs ago which lasted for about 2 years and I was hospitalised twice with this and needed introvenous AB not to mention lots of oral ones as well. Ever since then my immunity has been extremly low and I always seem to be getting infections. Does anyone else have this problem? If so what can I do to boost my immunity and should I have immune testing done? I'm really depressed that my body keeps on letting me down! Please help.

If there's a good health food store near you, look into a chinese herb called astragalus. I have taken it on a number of occasions to help boost my dodgy immunity (ironic as I also take drugs to suppress my immune system, but that's a whole different thread!) and it has helped me get over a few different viruses that I haven't otherwise been able to shake. I take a brand called health fusion - the ones that are astragalus blended with a whole bunch of other chinese herbs (I think there's 8 all up) work better than the ones that are just straight astragalus.

BW

I agree with everything BW has said - but would recommend you go one step further and see a naturopath. They will be able to work with you over a period of time to identify and heal any weaknesses in your system. It might also be a good idea to see your GP for a full blood-workup and a referral to a specialist if they think it's warranted.