A Few Questions About Candida....

[jmengert]

I've been gluten-free for about 2.5 years and am still having problems. I have the big D every day, sometimes several times a day, and I've cut out soy and dairy and nothing is helping. My blood levels have gone back to normal, and I just had a endoscopy a few months ago that showed that things have healed. So, why do I still have these problems?

I did have candida several years ago (before I was diagnosed with Celiac disease), which they found when I was having bladder problems, and now I'm thinking that could be what is causing it. My questions are, would candida cause diarrhea for that long? If you have candida, how were you diagnosed with it--can any doctor diagnose it, or should I see a specialist? What are the treatments?

Thank you for anyone who has any information--I'm very frustrated with still feeling bad!

[Guest cassidy]

Candida could certainly be the issue. My D got much better after going gluten-free, but I was still going several times a day and it wasn't fully formed. I went to an integrative doctor. She did a 3 day stool test and found some nasty stuff. I had candida overgrowth and almost no good bacteria. She gave me nystatin, a prescription antifungal. My mom has celiac too and self-diagnosed using my results. She tried Threelac, a probiotic that you can buy online. She got better faster than I did so I ended up taking the Threelac at the same time as the nystatin for a month or so.

I'm not sure how many doctors think candida is a valid diagnosis. The Threelac is just a concentrated probiotic, which is beneficial to anyone, so there would be no harm in trying it even if that wasn't your problem. Depending on your insurance and whether you have a holistic doctor (mine doesn't accept insurance) it may be cheaper just to buy a box and try it.

I would definitely look into Threelac. If you google it you can find out where to buy it. Many other people have had success with it.

The other thing to think about is other food intolerances. I kept a food diary and found out that I can't have tomatoes, or potatoes. They both give me D. So, you might try varying your diet and see if the symptoms get better or worse depending on what you eat.

[jesscarmel]

i think im going to look into the threelac as well........has anyone had good experiences?? i just cant imagine cutting out all sugar and rice in addition to the gluten

[jerseyangel]

I had the 3 day stool test--but nothing showed up.

I had ongoing D, or sometimes things just weren't "right" for months after going gluten-free. With the help of an allergist, I did an elimination diet and found that i have several food intolerances. They call them "delayed food allergies".

I got better almost immediately after cutting out legumes, coconut (it's in filtered water), corn, and soy. I was already dairy, and of course gluten free.

It couldn't hurt to look into the probiotics, and also maybe keep a simple food diary of what you are eating, and how you feel.

Start with foods you are relatively sure you are ok with (simple things) and add one questionable thing, one at a time, every 5 days. See if you can observe a pattern.

For me, the foods most likely to cause a reaction were things I was eating frequently--like legumes. This complicated matters because I was eating green beans almost daily. It took literally months to figure out that one!

[Genie75]

i think im going to look into the threelac as well........has anyone had good experiences?? i just cant imagine cutting out all sugar and rice in addition to the gluten

Hello,

I have lots of good things to say about ThreeLac. It is one of the few and only things that has made a difference for me. It is costing me a fortune, but I know it helps. I really want to discuss 3Lac with anyone who is currently taking it, or has taken it.

I started taking 3Lac about a year or so ago. What happened was I was having nightsweats and googled "night sweats" and came up with ThreeLac for Candida overgrowths. I was surprised to see the list of ailments it could help, including diarhea, cause I have suffered from chronic diarhea for many years. Anyways, I did try it. I took maybe one or 2 packs everyday for about a year, and curbed my sugar intake, although I did not eliminate. You know what, I got better. After about I don't know how long. I could even occassionally eat some glutens without getting sick while taking it.

My biggest mistake was stopping to take it after I was "better". I ended up getting very sick after a few months, and my insides were so inflamed that they were rejecting anything I ate.

Anyways, it took a couple of months of eating striclty paleo to get the inflamation down. I am now back on 3Lac, and I am trying to increase by a pack every week, cause I want to beat the candida. I am currently up to 3 packs a day. I am doing very well.

However, one thing I want to say, is that depending on how bad your candida is (how bad your symptoms are), you may have a period of time where your bowel movements are worse. This can be very discouraging. I believe what is happening when this happens is that the candida is dying off in the intestines, but that it is "sore or raw" inside, hence you body starts rejecting food. And it needs to heal. This is what I believe they call inflamed. It really doesn't take very long for the healing to take place. I got up to 3 packs, but then got a bad vaginal yeast infection and sores all around my rectum, and was running to the bathroom a lot, so I had to ease up on the 3lac for day. Did one day without any, then went back to 3 a day again. And the sores are all healed up. But be warned, that you may have an occassional diahrea spell if you are a bit inflamed inside. However, that is not because the 3 lac is making you sick. It is doing it's job. It's killing the yeast, and I believe, from my own experience, that some inflammation does occur with this process. But it is usually very short lived. Drink more fluids and avoid excess food and too much roughage till the inflammation goes down. The paleo diet is very good for that.

Good luck with it! I swear by it!

Janet

[AliB]

The following is the gist of a comment I posted on under a different topic.

Candida is a nasty virulent little demon of a bug that once it gets a hold is very hard to control. I say control because you can't ever get rid of it. It is part of the intestinal 'flora' and as long as it is under control it is pretty harmless just processing the sugar we eat. Unfortunately it luuurrrves that sugar and carbs. So much so that if allowed to get out of control it actually makes you crave the things it feeds on! The more carbohydrate we consume the more it grows. We are the ones who are encouraging it by our carb consumption. If you put sugar in your gas tank, the car won't go. It messes up the engine. Sugar does the same to us.

The only way to control it is to eat the things it doesn't like. Nice healthy food. Get back to the 'stone age' diet. Protein in the form of unadulterated meat, fowl and fish, very limited fruits, organic veg, pure water, healthy fats (Olive oil, Coconut, butter). Easier said than done I know, but it does work. Trouble is we are constantly surrounded and bombarded with images of yummy scrummy stuff that is like the proverbial carrot and most are not allergic (unfortunately) to sugar. We live in a Society that has a VERY sweet tooth. In many products that have been in production for many years is as much as twice the sugar now as there was originally. There are many many problems out there, but it is almost certain that sugar consumption followed closely by Candida is the root trigger for the vast majority. And extremely certain that it is behind Gluten Intolerance and other 'allergic' responses.

You can take Anti-fungal preparations but the problem with them is that they are at best only a temporary fix. Not all the Candida gets killed off and as long as we continue to eat the carbs and the sugar, within a short time it will regroup and come back with vengeance, stronger and even more resistant to the medications. There are herbal remedies that can help - the Candida does not become so immune to the natural controls. Garlic is a powerful natural anti-fungal, as is raw Coconut, cream and oil, and also things like Pau D'arco (taheebo). Use one remedy for a while, then change to another one. That way the Candida does not get too complacent! We can take Probiotics, but again they are only a sticking-plaster if we are still eating sugar and carbs. We have to learn to have sugar and carbs as an occasional treat, not an everyday indulgence.

I know many feel deprived if they don't get their sugar fix every day, but we have a choice here. We either have the sugar and carbs or we have the Candida. Simple as that. The body can exist quite happily on Protein, Fat, Water and some veg - the Nomadic tribes and Eskimos have lived quite healthily and happily (without Candida!) for centuries. Because of the overuse of sugar, our bodies have become extremely inefficient at processing it properly and some are worse than others. Candida takes advantage of that fact. We are happy bimbling about our business, completely oblivious to the havoc being waged inside our bodies and what the consumption of that lovely sugar is causing.

Whilst most in the Medical Profession treat the idea with contempt, Candida is doing far more damage than many realise and is undoubtedly behind most of the allergic reactions known to man. Their drug remedies do not work in the long term. The thought of it spreading out its invasive mycelial fingers letting all the toxins out is enough to turn my stomach. If only turning my stomach was enough to get rid of it.............. Who's for a bit of internal 'dry rot' then?

[AliB]

Oh yes, and I forgot to mention that there are many drugs out there that will encourage it but the worst is Anti-Biotics.

[moldlady]

Jmengirt,

If you still have problems after treating & not feeding fungus and being faithful to anti gluten type lifestyle, then you might have heavy metal issues.

I've been treating and eating antifungal for 8 years and could never seem to stray much and be back to feeling bad. Since I have getting rid of heavy metals and now anti gluten, things may turn around in another year or so.

These things take time for most of us.

moldlady

[LoriC]

I was diagnosed with DH in August of 07, i have been on a gluten-free diet since then and was on dapsone up until 3weeks ago..most of my rash is controled now by the diet..but i never got rid of an itch in my pubic area..it's all external, nothing internal. My ob/gyn put me on a med for a yeast infection, plus gave me a cream, its not really helping. I have no rash there..i might get an occasional pimple. It's a pinchy, dry itch feeling. Should i go back to my dermatologist? I may have glutened myself this past weekend, becuase my GI problems have reappeared, i am nauseated off and on and i don't have an appitite. But my itch in my private area has been there for a while..not since this weekend. Just wondering if this could be Candida or a form of it.

[loraleena]

To the first women who posted. What kind of bladder issues did you have with the candida. I have what they call intersicial cystitis (causes pain, frequency and sometimes burning). I believe in my gut that it is actually candida overgrowth. Any thoughts?

[mattj]

I'd just like to add a question here:

I suspect that I might have a candida problem, but I saw a gastro enterologist the other day and he said that candida would have been seen during my endoscopy. Is this true? The endoscopy (and biopsy) were carried out to confirm my celiac disease, so would they have even been looking for candida?

Thanks.

[jmengert]

Regarding the bladder problems and candida, I went to a specialist because she suspected IC; however, she said I had a sort of "precursor" to it. She said I had some of the bacteria that caused it but didn't have the full blown disease yet. My mom has, IC, however, and keeps hers in control with diet.

I actually haven't had too many bladder problems since going gluten-free (this was all pre-diagnosis).

[moldlady]

I'd just like to add a question here:

I suspect that I might have a candida problem, but I saw a gastro enterologist the other day and he said that candida would have been seen during my endoscopy. Is this true? The endoscopy (and biopsy) were carried out to confirm my celiac disease, so would they have even been looking for candida?

Thanks.

Mattj,

If you have a great deal of fungus in the intestines, it can be seen. One would have to be immune compromised in order for them to see the white overgrowth in the intestines... like in an aids condition, or cancer patient, etc. If you just have a bit of problem, it is microscopic and cannot be seen... or if it is systemic embedded in the tissues, it cannot be seen.

If they looked at the biopsy under a microscope, they could see the fungus. If they cultured the biopsy in a potato starch media and incubated 37 degrees C. it would cultivate fungus if you had it there.

My guess is that you are not that bad and it cannot be detected and they did not culture it.

ML

[moldlady]

To the first women who posted. What kind of bladder issues did you have with the candida. I have what they call intersicial cystitis (causes pain, frequency and sometimes burning). I believe in my gut that it is actually candida overgrowth. Any thoughts?

Loraleena,

Repeated courses of antibiotics actually force the bacteria into the tissues and they embed in order to survive. Or, they form biofilms with fungus in order to survive and be protected. So in essence, repeated bladder problems is usually fungus and then it gets so bad that bacteria gets in there too because the immune system is weakened. Then, you have two things going on ....bacteria and fungus.

One must battle both at the same time and push probiotics to re implant. Take antifungals that are also antibacterials and push probiotics too.

Being celiac will leave your tissues in a constant state of inflammation and you will not be absorbing the nutrients that your system needs to battle diease effectively.

Eating in such a way to not feed fungus is very important. No sugars of any kind and no white grains.... If you are celiac that leaves gluten free whole oats and brown rice. Very restrictive but you can survive it if you want to be well.

ML

[mattj]

Mattj,

If you have a great deal of fungus in the intestines, it can be seen. One would have to be immune compromised in order for them to see the white overgrowth in the intestines... like in an aids condition, or cancer patient, etc. If you just have a bit of problem, it is microscopic and cannot be seen... or if it is systemic embedded in the tissues, it cannot be seen.

If they looked at the biopsy under a microscope, they could see the fungus. If they cultured the biopsy in a potato starch media and incubated 37 degrees C. it would cultivate fungus if you had it there.

My guess is that you are not that bad and it cannot be detected and they did not culture it.

ML

I doubt if they cultured it or even spent any extra effort looking for anything but the celiac disease. This is the NHS we're talking about.

[moldlady]

Matt,

From what I have learned, do your best to get a diagnosis and then go forward with a lifestyle that will heal the body. Listen to your own body and keep trying things... as we are each different in how we respond and our genetic tendancies are a bit different.

ML

[loraleena]

If there is bacteria in the bladder how come cultures are negative for it. The IC diet helps me, but if I stray or walk too much or have sex it flares up again! Can I have tapioca flour on the candida diet? How about cheese? I was on this diet before being gluten free (very strict version) and wasted away. Got so thin I stopped getting my period. I was trying Threelac, but it irritated my bladder (or maybe the candida was dying and caused a flare). What antifungals do you recomend? How about oregano oil?

[moldlady]

If there is bacteria in the bladder how come cultures are negative for it. The IC diet helps me, but if I stray or walk too much or have sex it flares up again! Can I have tapioca flour on the candida diet? How about cheese? I was on this diet before being gluten free (very strict version) and wasted away. Got so thin I stopped getting my period. I was trying Threelac, but it irritated my bladder (or maybe the candida was dying and caused a flare). What antifungals do you recomend? How about oregano oil?

Hi Loral,

The bacteria and fungus maybe protecting themselves with a biofilm that shields them from the drugs. They are there and continue to cause irritation and inflammation.

Oregano is a strong anti fungal and anti bacterial but you have to take enough of it and for a while in order to kill these resistant germs off. The diet/lifestyle is essential to starve it and then kill it off with antifungals.

I've heard that lemon oil (ingestible clean kind) in water first thing in the a.m. can really help the liver and kidneys and bladder too. Drink 32 oz. of warm water first thing in the a.m. and some fresh lemon juice and oil. Add a bit of stevia to sweeten and help get it all down. I'd start out with just 3-4 drops to get used to the oil. Lemon oil is a very strong anti fungal and would rotate well with the oregano oil caps.

Cheese is really not good because it is usually already contaminated with fungus even if you can't see it. If you have to have it, get the gouda from Norway that uses no hormones or anything extra like BSE. Then, when you get it home freeze immediately what you do not eat. That way it will kill any mold and will keep a long time with out spoiling. Gouda has the least amt. of carbs. which means it is almost totally fat.

ML

[moldlady]

If the problem an overgrowth of Candida it is easily seen in a stool examination. I had persistant problems with Candida for several years. An ND told me to use Pau d' arco herb. I put 1/4 cup in a cup of water and simmered for 20 min. Then I sipped the tea during he day. It took several weeks to work. It also helps to stop eating anything sweet - with sugar. Even gluten free grains will break down to provide starches and sugars to feed the yeast.

You may also have picked up a bacterial infection or a parasite like Giardia or an amoeba or even a viral infection. Medical doctors may not be very helpful. I would suggest you go to the DR. Clark Information Center online and look at her Bowel Program and Parasite Cleanse. Another helpful website is Cure Zone.

Marian,

I've used Pau d'arco herb and it works but one has to take it continually for a long time. It should be rotated with other antifungals for best efficiency.

I agree that even the gluten free grains will feed fungus unless they are whole grains and taken less frequently. I would suggest only whole oats and brown rice occasionally and see how you do.

I forgot to say that when the bacteria and fungus are pushed back and into the cellular tissue of the bladder it is very hard to detect and many tests will not show a positive.

Yes, cure zone is a good site.

You probably already know this but cranberries and blueberries are pretty effective in keeping the germs from embedding in the bladder wall.

ML

[RiceGuy]

I found caprylic acid capsules work very well to clear candida. As has been stated, avoid things that feed the little buggers, like sugars, simple carbs, vinegar, etc. Stevia is a great natural sweetener too, regardless of any problems with sugars.

Some things that are supposed to help kill candida are Pau D'Arco, Black Walnut, Oregano Oil, Biotin (a B-complex vitamin) and Caprylic Acid. Here's one of many products which has them: Open Original Shared Link