Do I Have Candida Overgrowth

[kpm2319]

I'm a 34 yr old male. I was diagnosed with celiac 2 years ago and I've been gluten-free ever since. I still have some troubling symptoms: constant bloating, dizziness upon standing, saliva overflow(sometimes I have to swallow in mid conversation), fatigue, numbness in my lower forearms when laying down, seborrheic dermatitis(itchy, flaky skin on face), depression and anxiety, mood swings, blepharitis(chronic dry, red eyes).

I was diagnosed with bacterial overgrowth and was prescribed 2 different antibiotic treatments sofar and neither worked. I took the spit test for candida and my saliva sunk to the bottom the first time and had spider legs the second time, though I've heard this test isn't accurate. I also took Dr. Crook's questionaire and scored an 85 which means its a possibility I have candida. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions whether I have or don't have candida. Any insight is much appreciated.

Thanks-Kevin

[loraleena]

I'm a 34 yr old male. I was diagnosed with celiac 2 years ago and I've been gluten-free ever since. I still have some troubling symptoms: constant bloating, dizziness upon standing, saliva overflow(sometimes I have to swallow in mid conversation), fatigue, numbness in my lower forearms when laying down, seborrheic dermatitis(itchy, flaky skin on face), depression and anxiety, mood swings, blepharitis(chronic dry, red eyes).

I was diagnosed with bacterial overgrowth and was prescribed 2 different antibiotic treatments sofar and neither worked. I took the spit test for candida and my saliva sunk to the bottom the first time and had spider legs the second time, though I've heard this test isn't accurate. I also took Dr. Crook's questionaire and scored an 85 which means its a possibility I have candida. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions whether I have or don't have candida. Any insight is much appreciated.

Thanks-Kevin

I think you need to get your thyroid checked.

[chatycady]

I think you need to get your thyroid checked.

I think you are like a lot of us who don't get better on the gluten free diet. Yes you may have candida or yeast or all sorts of bad bacteria growing in your damaged intestine.

You may want to check out the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It's the original diet for celiac disease, before just "gluten-free" was found to be the answer. Find the book "Breaking the viscious Cycle" and read the chapter on celiac disease. It's very interesting.

I hope you find and answer and get feeling better soon!

[kpm2319]

Thanks for your posts. I actually just started the SC Diet yesterday and I'm taking coconut oil and probiotics.

[RiceGuy]

How are your fingernails? Although you may have a yeast overgrowth, I'd highly recommend a sublingual methylcobalamin (active form of vitamin B12), B-complex, vitamin D3, and probably some mineral supplements, including magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Some omega-3s should also be helpful.

[kpm2319]

How are your fingernails? Although you may have a yeast overgrowth, I'd highly recommend a sublingual methylcobalamin (active form of vitamin B12), B-complex, vitamin D3, and probably some mineral supplements, including magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Some omega-3s should also be helpful.

My fingernails are fine. I thought about the B12, I think I'll start taking some. Thanks for responding.

[CMG]

I was diagnosed with yeast syndrome 13 years ago. I figured it out myself based on Dr. Crook's book "The Yeast Connection" and made an appointment with one of the doctors listed in the appendix of the book. He diagnosed me by looking at a drop of my blood under a microscope and found lots of yeast in the blood drop. apparently, there shouldn't be yeast in your blood.

If you are interested in finding a doctor who believes that yeast syndrome is real, "The Yeast Connection" is a good resource. Also, I also have found www.acam.org. Under the "yeast fighting program" tab, there is an option to find a healthcare professional. You can search within a specified mile radius of your zip code, and the results list each doctors' specialties, including yeast syndrome.

If seeing one of these doctors is not an option, I also have used a probiotic called Threelac when I felt that some yeast symptoms were returning last year. I used it for my 4 year old daughter, too, when her symptoms were only partially resolved on a strict gluten-free diet. I found Threelac to be quite effective for both of us. Do an internet search and you'll find quite a bit of information about the product - some people like it, some don't, of course!

[RiceGuy]

In addition to Threelac, there are a number of other products you may wish to consider. There's Florastor, Theralac, caprylic acid, and products which contain a bunch of things in combination, including Pau D'Arco, Black Walnut, Oregano Oil, Biotin, and Caprylic Acid.

I chose caprylic acid capsules, which worked very well. I think it took around two months or so, and around two or three bottles. There was further improvement even after stopping the caprylic acid, as my body continued to right itself.

[kpm2319]

I was diagnosed with yeast syndrome 13 years ago. I figured it out myself based on Dr. Crook's book "The Yeast Connection" and made an appointment with one of the doctors listed in the appendix of the book. He diagnosed me by looking at a drop of my blood under a microscope and found lots of yeast in the blood drop. apparently, there shouldn't be yeast in your blood.

If you are interested in finding a doctor who believes that yeast syndrome is real, "The Yeast Connection" is a good resource. Also, I also have found www.acam.org. Under the "yeast fighting program" tab, there is an option to find a healthcare professional. You can search within a specified mile radius of your zip code, and the results list each doctors' specialties, including yeast syndrome.

If seeing one of these doctors is not an option, I also have used a probiotic called Threelac when I felt that some yeast symptoms were returning last year. I used it for my 4 year old daughter, too, when her symptoms were only partially resolved on a strict gluten-free diet. I found Threelac to be quite effective for both of us. Do an internet search and you'll find quite a bit of information about the product - some people like it, some don't, of course!

Thanks for responding. Did you also have to go on a special diet or did the Threelac work by itself?

[kpm2319]

In addition to Threelac, there are a number of other products you may wish to consider. There's Florastor, Theralac, caprylic acid, and products which contain a bunch of things in combination, including Pau D'Arco, Black Walnut, Oregano Oil, Biotin, and Caprylic Acid.

I chose caprylic acid capsules, which worked very well. I think it took around two months or so, and around two or three bottles. There was further improvement even after stopping the caprylic acid, as my body continued to right itself.

Thanks for responding. I'm taking extra virgin coconut oil with caprylic acid and oregano oil. I switch off every 5 days. Did you have to go on a special diet too or did the capsules work by themselves?

[RiceGuy]

Did you have to go on a special diet too or did the capsules work by themselves?

In addition to taking caprylic acid, I avoided all sugars, yeasts (including yeast breads), vinegars (including ketchup), and fruit. I actually didn't cut any carbs. In fact, this was before I went gluten-free, and was eating a pound of pasta, and half a loaf of bread nearly every day. I've never eaten much meat though, and I suspect that this made a difference. Recently, I read that proteins in the gut can lead to the production of ammonia, which apparently feeds yeast.

I waited several months before adding back any fruit, and even then it was only one piece in any given week at most. I haven't gone back to eating any sugars or yeasts ever since, so I don't know how well it might be tolerated. I do enjoy more fruits though, in moderation of course.