My immune system is different since my double-lung transplant

I thought about my immune system in a completely different way before my double-lung transplant seven years ago. Boosting my immune system to fight infections was par for my course, given the cystic fibrosis (CF) in my lungs. Now, it’s dangerous to boost my immunity too much. Finding a balance has been a learning curve.

Before the double-lung transplant, my life’s mission was to boost my immune system. I took all the natural supplements to elevate my ability to fight an infection, and I kicked it into high gear and drank elderberry syrup while downing a ton of vitamins. Knocking out an infection meant a continual influx of remedies.

While my immune system was never robust, I didn’t have to worry about overdoing my boosting efforts. If anything, I couldn’t do enough! Getting sick before my transplant resulted in the illness reaching my lungs. Fighting the infection on top of being continually congested was a recipe for disaster; the germs took up residence in my lungs and turned into full-blown respiratory infections every time.

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Thankfully, I don’t need to worry about germs taking up residence in thick, sticky mucus anymore because my new lungs are clear and don’t have CF.

I wasn’t prepared for this post-transplant world, though. Because surgeons sawed through my chest, I have nerve receptors between my lungs and my brain that aren’t connected, so it feels strange to be sick and yet sometimes have no symptoms. When I do catch a respiratory infection, it doesn’t register right away in my lungs.

My immune system also takes a while to catch up because, post-surgery, it’s purposefully suppressed so I won’t reject my lungs. If my immune system is too responsive, it’ll recognize my lungs as foreign objects and develop antibodies. The DNA in my new lungs doesn’t match the DNA in the rest of my body, so when my immune system is elevated, my body builds up T-cells to combat these “foreign objects.” Increasing my immune response, therefore, is a risk.

Since the transplant, balancing my need to fight infections without over-boosting my immune system has been tricky. I used to take honey, prebiotics, and probiotics, but now I have to be careful. Unpasteurized raw honey may contain bacteria that can make me sick, while the “good bacteria” in prebiotics and probiotics could become a pathogen and also cause an infection. Before I take any natural remedies or supplements, in fact, I have to check with my transplant team. Some of those supplements interact with my anti-rejection medications, either by increasing or decreasing their effects. I need a carefully calculated vetting process.

In some ways, it’s scarier for me to get sick now because I have fewer options for fighting off infections. That’s why a sickness is such a big deal for me. I don’t have the immunity to fight off colds and illnesses as “normal” people do, so I can’t just throw back anything to ward off an infection. Getting sick also hits me harder that most, since I can’t do much to assuage it. I just need to wait it out.

There’s a dramatic difference in my immune system since my transplant, but I’m learning how to make the necessary adjustments to my health. It’s a pretty small price to pay for breathing strong with new lungs, I’d say.

Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.