[no-more-muffins]

I see that there are several people here who have experience with candida. I think I have it. I don't have celiac and techincally I don't even have a gluten intolerance but I do know that I react to gluten. I have been sick for months despite being gluten-free for 3 months dairy and soy free for 2. Last time I at gluten accidentally I was sick for a week. I am sicker when I eat sugar.

I don't have the typical nail fungus/ thrush/ symptoms etc. I do have lots of the other symptoms though, and I did have 4 courses of antibiotics in about 3 months about a year and a half before I got sick. I have been on oral contraceptives for years. I have lots of "celiac like" symptoms. In your experience, does this sound consistent with candida? I am so desperate for answers and I feel like I am getting to the end of my possibilities.

I went to a N.D. today and he seemed ok to go along on the candida theory with me. He gave me diflucan and an out dated diet plan (including plenty of whole grains including barley as well as "whole grain flour"). I am mostly looking for some validation on this. Do you have any advice for me? My biggest obstacles through all this have truly been my drs. who have not successfully been able to help me at all. Everything I know about gluten and celiac and candida I had to learn on my own. (This isn't a debate about drs.)

For those who have had candida, how did you know. What to you think of those internet questionairres? It is hard to find info that isn't connected with products. And one more ?. What was "die off" like for you? I had major withdrawals (fatigue and headaches, and anxiety) when I went off dairy and gluten.

[RiceGuy]

Symptoms can vary quite a lot from person to person. Some of the more common ones I know of include:

A "spaced out" sort of feeling
Brain fog
Achy all over
Feeling uncomfortable in your own body, like there's something wrong all over
Skin problems such as rashes, eczema, psoriasis, etc
Irritability
Sleep issues
Lack of concentration
Sensitivity to light and/or sound
Migraines
Nosebleeds
Itching in "private" areas
Sensitivity to weather changes
Sensitivity to certain food ingredients, including sugars, yeasts, vinegars, and alcohols
Body aches and pains
Bad breath
Food cravings
Whitish coating on the tongue

What worked for me was caprylic acid capsules. It is often recommended to start out with one per day, and work up to the full dosage over a week or two. This is because the die-off can be quite unpleasant. Basically, die-off means that lots of yeast are dying, and that can release a lot of toxins into the body all at once. So starting out slow limits how much of those toxins you have to deal with at any one time. It is also recommended to avoid all sugars, yeasts, vinegars, and fruits. This is what I did, and it worked wonders. Most of the more pronounced symptoms where gone in a month or two. Interestingly, I was still eating tons of pasta and bread. So I have my doubts about the typical suggestion of cutting complex carbs. It may be necessary for some, but I don't know for certain. Perhaps it depends on what kind of microbes have proliferated. Candida is just one of untold types, though it is apparently one of the more common ones to get out of control.

There is a good portion of caprylic acid in coconut oil, so using this in place of butter/margarine, and in all your cooking and baking can help too. Other candida fighters are included in this product.

[no-more-muffins]

Does taking an antifungal make the die-off worse? I am bracing myself for some bad days ahead.

I am not totally eliminating all carbs. I have been eating a limited amount of corn tortillas, brown rice and quinoa. I plan to eat corn chips and mabye some pancakes made with brown rice flour. And a very limited amount of fruit. (like 1/2 per day)

It's hard to find consistent information on the diet. It varies so much.

And my dr. told me to take the diflucan for 2 weeks, eat the diet for 3 and then go hog wild and see how it makes me feel. I asked why he'd recommend that and he said so you know if your symptoms are food related. Yeah, thanks for that great advice. I know I won't be cured in 3 weeks and there's no way I am taking a huge step back like that. I think that was terrible advice.

[AliB]

Hiya - we have been chatting about this at the end of the 'Specific Carb Diet' thread if you want to have a mooch at the last few pages.

As Riceguy said, whilst Candida is certainly a good contender there are other microbes that could also be implicated. Antibiotics, in killing the 'goodies' let the 'baddies' that are not touched by, or that are resistant to the antibiotics proliferate and get into places they shouldn't be, like the upper intestine.

Some people continue to eat carbs during treatment, but I'm not so sure that it doesn't just end up prolonging the agony.

As I have mentioned on other threads, you might like to check out Bee Wilder's website (healing by Bee) as she seems to have a pretty good Candida protocol. From all the different suggestions I have seen, her site is very comprehensive and seems to cover most angles.

It can be a beggar to get rid of. I am still battling with it after 18 months, although I can see signs that I am winning, certainly in some areas.

Die-off is an issue and not an easy one to deal with. It is good to have some other support - herbal and vitamin whilst doing it, and to make sure you are drinking enough (that's my problem!) to flush the toxins out of your body.

I am taking coconut oil and oregano oil, but we have been discussing the merits of olive leaf extract on the other thread too.

Like you, I am very gluten sensitive although not diagnosed Celiac and have had to rebuild my digestion after it collapsed. It has taken me 18 months so far following the SCD, but I am a lot better than I was. Getting rid of the Candida et al is the final hurdle and one I am determined to win if I possibly can.

[chatycady]

no-more-muffins, on Oct 8 2009, 09:39 AM, said:

Does taking an antifungal make the die-off worse? I am bracing myself for some bad days ahead.

I am not totally eliminating all carbs. I have been eating a limited amount of corn tortillas, brown rice and quinoa. I plan to eat corn chips and mabye some pancakes made with brown rice flour. And a very limited amount of fruit. (like 1/2 per day)

It's hard to find consistent information on the diet. It varies so much.

And my dr. told me to take the diflucan for 2 weeks, eat the diet for 3 and then go hog wild and see how it makes me feel. I asked why he'd recommend that and he said so you know if your symptoms are food related. Yeah, thanks for that great advice. I know I won't be cured in 3 weeks and there's no way I am taking a huge step back like that. I think that was terrible advice.

I hope you are successful. My sister is taking an antibiotic to deal with candida. I'm taking the natural approach. I don't do well with anitbiotics and for me I believe antibiotics caused this problem.

Here are some tiips that work for me. I found them on some website. (You are right there is tons of websites wanting to sell us something.) Maybe you won't need these tips and will do fine, but just in case here's what I've fouund.

Eat raw fruit on an empty stomach and alone. Lots of fresh fruit and veggies- boosts the immune system and starves candida. You may want to check out raw foods and candida.
No grains. Only fresh meats, frozen or fresh fruit and veggies.
No additives of any kind. No sugar. Honey works for me and I have a little each day with my yogurt.

Eat meat, yogurt and veggies together.
Eat nuts and beans together and separate from meat, dairy, etc.
Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
No dairy, except butter and homemade 24 hour yogurt.
Eggs are okay. Coconut oil a couple times a day.
Make sure your vitamin D, iron and B-12 levels are okay. A deficiency of these cause candida to multiply. Also take extra selenium as a deficiency is believed to cause candida also.

I follow the SCDiet with these added rules.

May you find what works for you and are healed completely!