I have mixed connective tissue disease. It is very similar to lupus, but since it is more rare, there are not the same support systems out there. I often fall back on the lupus forums for support when needed.

I have been diagnosed for 5 years now, and I am still able to work full time. I am a mommy of 3, and very busy (very tired!). I take enbrel (tnf inhibit), metho, piroxicam, etc.

Because of my disease and my medication, I catch every cold, flu, virus, infection, etc. That I am exposed to. I get sick so much. My husband and children rarely got sick until I started getting sick. Now they are sick all the time.

I already have to miss so much work due to my illness, but then I have to miss even more to take care of a sick family. Then they make me sick again...And it all starts over.

So my question is this. Is there something I can do to make a difference? We are big hand washers, and I try to feed them well. We isolate mommy to the extent possible everytime I am sick. What else can we do? Is there an air purifier or something like that on the market that reduces the germs in the air? Is there a special vitamin that kids can take that will help their immune systems (they already take a multivitamin)?

Any ideas, success stories, etc....Would be appreciated.