Candida And Celiac

[Lisa79]

Hi

Just wondering how many others suffer from Candida and how you treated it and how long it took to recover? I am also curious what you ladies ate when on a Gluten Free Candida diet.

Thanks

Lisa

[burdee]

My Doctors' Data stool tests showed +1 Candida for about 2 years, but that lab considered that 'normal levels'. When I did a DNA Microbial Stool test from another lab, they advised to treat (erradicate) even +1 levels. Since I already had 7 food restrictions (with celiac disease and 6 diagnosed food allergies), I didn't want to use a special diet to get rid of candida. So I used Nystatin for 2 months. My next 3 stool tests (during the next 2 years) were clear of candida. So I think Nystatin killed off my Candida. I no longer have any candida related symptoms.

SUE

[jackay]

My Doctors' Data stool tests showed +1 Candida for about 2 years, but that lab considered that 'normal levels'. When I did a DNA Microbial Stool test from another lab, they advised to treat (erradicate) even +1 levels. Since I already had 7 food restrictions (with celiac disease and 6 diagnosed food allergies), I didn't want to use a special diet to get rid of candida. So I used Nystatin for 2 months. My next 3 stool tests (during the next 2 years) were clear of candida. So I think Nystatin killed off my Candida. I no longer have any candida related symptoms.

SUE

Did you eliminate fruits, sweets and dairy while taking Nystatin?

[burdee]

Did you eliminate fruits, sweets and dairy while taking Nystatin?

My diagnosed food allergies are gluten, dairy, soy, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. So I did eliminate dairy and cane sugar, but not all sources of sugar. However, I'm not a big sweet eater, because most sweet/processed foods contain cane sugar, which I must avoid. I sweetened drinks and cereals with stevia, but I occasionally had agave sweetened foods. I did not eliminate fruit.

Rather than waiting for my candida to 'die off' by 'starving' it or not feeding it sweets or sugar, I killed the fungus with Nystatin, an antifungal. That drug has some initial side effects (nausea, bloating, cramping pain). However after 3 days I adjusted to the Nystatin and no longer had side effects. So it was very easy to take long term. I also took high dose probiotics while taking Nystain. So I could replenish my intestines with good bacteria, while killing off the candida fungus.

SUE

[burdee]

I don't know why I keep getting Lisa's signature, but that doesn't describe my history. So I thought I'd add another post to see if my signature came through.

SUE

[burdee]

I don't know why I keep getting Lisa's signature, but that doesn't describe my history. So I thought I'd add another post to see if my signature came through.

SUE

WEIRD!!! I can't seem to get rid of the incorrect signature. However, I did accidentally omit eggs, when I described my diagnosed allergies in the previous post.

[Lisa79]

That's great you have such a good gut doctor, I have not been so lucky! How did you find the GP?

Might have to take another trip back to the GP.

Thanks so much for the replies.

[jackay]

Rather than waiting for my candida to 'die off' by 'starving' it or not feeding it sweets or sugar, I killed the fungus with Nystatin, an antifungal. That drug has some initial side effects (nausea, bloating, cramping pain). However after 3 days I adjusted to the Nystatin and no longer had side effects. So it was very easy to take long term. I also took high dose probiotics while taking Nystain. So I could replenish my intestines with good bacteria, while killing off the candida fungus.

SUE

Great to hear that you were able to rid your candida with Nystatin and not incorporating a candida cleanse diet. I may see if my doctor will try that route with me. I have been trying for about four months to rid myself of candida and was feeling better for a while but felt I never really got it down to where I had it controlled the way it should be.

I stuck to the diet and supplemented with Candex and then tried antifungals: oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract and caprylic acid complex (also contains Pau d'Arco, garlic, grapefruit pulp, papain and golden seal root). Today I started taking olive leaf extract. With each change of antifungal, I would get die off symptoms, so knew I still hadn't rid myself of the candida.

I made a big mistake by adding tons of junk food to my diet the past two weeks. I got addicted to it and I now am trying so hard to go back to my healthy eating. I didn't feel the effect right away so just kept adding more and more. Needless to say, I got to feeling pretty crappy but still couldn't stay away from it. We are going on a one week vacation in a few days so it is going to be hard to stick to healthy eating during that time. I'm hoping I can be tough.

[burdee]

My doc is not a 'GP'. He's a licensed MD who specialized in naturopathy. He's an ND, who has celiac disease and dairy allergy, who visited my local celiac support group meetings. Eventually he opened his IBS Treatment Center, where I went after abstaining from gluten, dairy and soy did not resolve all my gut problems. Although he specializes in celiac disease, gluten intolerance and food allergies, he's not as knowledgable about treating gastrointestinal bugs (parasites, yeasts and bacteria). Fortunately he uses a great testing lab (Metametrix) which offers a DNA Microbial stool test. That test identifies the bacteria, parasite or fungus and then tests the bacteria or fungus for sensitivities to drugs or herbal supplements, which can kill the bacteria or fungus. For parasites, my doctor follows traditional medical treatments, which can be risky and ineffective. I'm currently struggling with dientamoeba fragilis (parasite) after 2 different, unsuccessful drug treatments.

SUE

[Lisa79]

Sue, that's fantastic. Would love to find someone like that in Western Australia.

I have an appointment with a new Naturopath on Friday be good to have a second opinion. Cant wait.

I have so many of the symptoms, anxiety, food intolerance's, headaches, ocd, foggy brain, major sugar cravings, sore throats, low sex drive, honestly just about every symptoms I can find on the candidia sites.

I might question those Nystatin. I am on day 4 of the candidia diet, although its amazing how you can search so much and find so much conflicting diets. I have given up sugar, of course Gluten and I don't eat dairy anyway, I am limiting my rice and corn (organic cornlakes every second day), hot water and squeezed lemons and herbal teas. I have had a few almonds which is ok on some diets and not on others so its a bit confussing. I had a headache for two days, work up today with no headache although definately hungry in my stomach.

Thanks everyone, would love to keep updating how we are all going?

Lisa

[jackay]

I might question those Nystatin. I am on day 4 of the candidia diet, although its amazing how you can search so much and find so much conflicting diets. I have given up sugar, of course Gluten and I don't eat dairy anyway, I am limiting my rice and corn (organic cornlakes every second day), hot water and squeezed lemons and herbal teas. I have had a few almonds which is ok on some diets and not on others so its a bit confussing. I had a headache for two days, work up today with no headache although definately hungry in my stomach.

I, too, am confused about everything I've read about the candida diet, candida drugs and supplements. It seems like it is all conflicting.

About four months ago I started one of the candida/elimination diets along with Candex. My headaches also went away and I started feeling better. However, I don't feel as good as I think I should so think I'm still dealing with candida. Starting the diet and the Candex definitely improved my sleep. That is another issue that I feel should improve more. On the whole, I sleep fairly well most nights but still get occasional nights when I hardly sleep at all.

Jackay

[Lisa79]

OK something is a bit weird, dont know why its coming up as Jackay

LISA

[burdee]

I forgot to ask everybody who replied to this topic, but: HOW WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH CANDIDA?

I was diagnosed by stool tests. 3 consecutive tests from Doctors' Data Lab showed positive candida, but they considered +1 levels 'normal'. (Normal or not, I still had ongoing symptoms!) A year later my doc switched to DNA Microbial stool tests from Metametrix. That lab considered my +1 level necessary to treat. After previously trying to follow the very restrictive candida diet along with my other 7 allergy/celiac disease restrictions, even though the lab thought my level was 'normal', I decided to use Nystatin. I had suffered candida long enough (at least several years) and I didn't want to spend another year trying to 'starve' the candida fungus. Fortunately Nystatin killed off my candida. Unfortunately taking Nystatin, despite taking probiotics at the same time, upset my intestinal microfloral level enough to make me vulnerable to developing a c-diff infection. I believe we need to weigh the risks of any course of treatment for gut bugs (fungus, parasites or bacteria).

SUE

[jackay]

I was diagnosed by blood work and don't know how accurate that is. About six months before that test, it was not detected in a stool sample. However, I was on antibiotics between those tests.

I have been doing the saliva test by spitting the first morning saliva in a glass of distilled water. If there is stringy and cloudy saliva, candida is present.

I continued todo this test every week or so while doing the candida diet and natural cleanse with Candex and then antifungals. The stringiness got better but the cloudy saliva in the bottom of the glass didn't go away. My headaches went away, sleep improved and I felt all around better for the most part.

After going on a two week binge eating lots of sugar and carbs, the stringiness came back, as did headaches and increased muscle pain in my right upper back and shoulder.

Right now I have cut way down on the carbs and sugar but not cut them out completely. I am taking a caprylic acid complex and olive leaf extract. Will see if that helps any. After returning from vacation, I can cut out the sugar completely and cut down more on carbs and see what happens.

Reading Sue's post, Nystatin doesn't sound that safe.

[jackay]

Fortunately Nystatin killed off my candida. Unfortunately taking Nystatin, despite taking probiotics at the same time, upset my intestinal microfloral level enough to make me vulnerable to developing a c-diff infection. I believe we need to weigh the risks of any course of treatment for gut bugs (fungus, parasites or bacteria).

Sue,

Were you able to get rid of the c-diff infection? What was used for that?

Jackay

[burdee]

Sue,

Were you able to get rid of the c-diff infection? What was used for that?

Jackay

Hi Jackkay:

YES! After 2 unsuccessful rounds of metrodiazonole (flagyl), I used vancomycin qid for 2 weeks followed by a month of tapered and pulse dosing to kill off the spores. Many people get recurrent c-diff if their doc doesn't treat it aggressively the first time. Obviously, mine didn't, because flagyl is only suggested for 'mild' c-diff. I'd had symptoms for at least 2 months by the time he prescribed flagyl. C-diff bacteria create spores which are immune to attack by antibiotics. Once antibiotic treatment ends the spores morph into full blown bacteria and begin producing toxins (and creating the pseudomembrane which causes c-diff associated colitis) which make the patient very ill. So the trick is to let the spores morph and then zap the bacteria again with tapered and then pulse dose treatment. A 2002 study with recurrent c-diff patients had great results with that treatment regimen. I read about it and convinced my doc to let me try it after I had 3 c-diff recurrences (2x with flagyl).

SUE

[burdee]

Reading Sue's post, Nystatin doesn't sound that safe.

Actually Nystatin is VERY safe, compared to other antifungal drugs which are absorbed systemically. Nystatin only affects (and kills candida in the) intestines. Other antifungals are absorbed by the whole body and can potentially cause liver damage.

However, I've also heard that capryllic acid (derived from coconut oil) is very effective for candida. I used that to eradicate 2 other bacterial infections (enterobacter cloacae and achromobacter). However, capryllic acid also has some uncomfortable side effects (bloating, gas, cramping pain, nausea). So I wanted to try Nystatin, because I read posts by others on this board, who successfully used Nystatin to kill candida without following the restrictive candida diet.

SUE

[Lisa79]

Oh wow, thanks everyone. I did have doubts about the meds, so now I have more reason to worry about taking anything. I am seeing a new naturopath/Homeopath today, cant wait. My first Naturopath has given me lots of supplement to heal the gut lining and digestive enzymes etc which I have been doing for over a year, so now I just want a different opinion and thought might look at Homeopath. Can wait, will let you all know how it goes and what he recommends

I have not been diagnosed with Candidia, I have just been reading so much about leaky gut and candida and I have nearly all the symptom of both, I am also doing the spit test, it actually is still really stringy at all times of day not just morning.

Lisa

[burdee]

Oh wow, thanks everyone. I did have doubts about the meds, so now I have more reason to worry about taking anything. I am seeing a new naturopath/Homeopath today, cant wait. My first Naturopath has given me lots of supplement to heal the gut lining and digestive enzymes etc which I have been doing for over a year, so now I just want a different opinion and thought might look at Homeopath. Can wait, will let you all know how it goes and what he recommends

I have not been diagnosed with Candidia, I have just been reading so much about leaky gut and candida and I have nearly all the symptom of both, I am also doing the spit test, it actually is still really stringy at all times of day not just morning.

Lisa

I forgot to add that the DNA Microbial stool test which diagnosed my candida also told me that my specific strain of candida was sensitive to nystatin (and a few other drugs or botanicals). So I knew nystatin could effectively treat my candida. Getting tested with a good lab test can give you info about which treatments will most effectively eliminate your candida.

However, I wanted to also mention that many of my gut infections initially had similar symptoms to my candida infection. Most of my bacterial and parasitic infections began with nausea, constipation and bloating, which is similar to my candida symptoms. So don't necessarily assume candida causes your symptoms.

SUE

[mushroom]

Back in the 90's I was diagnosed by stool test through Great Smokies (now Genova) Labs with c. diff. and candida. I went to an alternative medicine MD. The testing showed that my c. diff. was responsive to either an antibiotic or gentian formula, so I chose the latter, of course, since the problem was created by longterm antibiotics. The candida was treated entirely by supplements, most of which I have forgotten the names of, but one of them was deglycirrhizinated (sp?) licorice, and another was evening primrose oil. It was cured in a couple of months. If you use the stool testing, most labs seem to give a natural and a pharmaceutical cure for c. diff (they test your strain for sensitivity to various rx's).

[burdee]

Back in the 90's I was diagnosed by stool test through Great Smokies (now Genova) Labs with c. diff. and candida. I went to an alternative medicine MD. The testing showed that my c. diff. was responsive to either an antibiotic or gentian formula, so I chose the latter, of course, since the problem was created by longterm antibiotics. The candida was treated entirely by supplements, most of which I have forgotten the names of, but one of them was deglycirrhizinated (sp?) licorice, and another was evening primrose oil. It was cured in a couple of months. If you use the stool testing, most labs seem to give a natural and a pharmaceutical cure for c. diff (they test your strain for sensitivity to various rx's).

You were lucky to have a lab which cultured out c-diff strains. Maybe back in the 90's c-diff wasn't resistant to so many drugs. Now flagyl and vancomycin are the drugs of choice. However, there are a few botanicals which can be useful for milder cases. By the time I was diagnosed I'd already had symptoms for a few months and had to wait another month for stool test results. My doc was not very familiar with c-diff. (I taught him everything he knows. SIGH) So he started me with flagyl (which is recommended for milder cases). That allowed my c-diff to flourish and recur several times. If I had never read that study about vanco tapered and pulse dosing to treat recurrent c-diff, I might still be battling c-diff.

SUE

[mushroom]

Wow, vancomycin seems like tapping in a brad with a pile driver Has it really become that resistant, through ignorance I suspect? Well, come to think of it, I had a doc who prescribed vancomycin for something that it was not needed for not knowing at the time that it was really a drug of last resort at that time - I think she just wanted me to be gone! And a dermatologist prescribed rifampicin along with flucoxacillin for a staph infection without even checking what other meds I took, and it interfered with my beta blocker It is no wonder that things become resistant when the antibiotics are tossed around so freely and randomly.

[soblessed128]

I have candida along with what I think is overgrowth of bacteria. Anyone have one have any suggestion for overgrowth of bacteria? I heard the diets and meds are about the same but I have had no luck with the SCD diet and I am vegetarian. Any suggestions?

Aria

Gluten free, egg free, dairy free, sugar free.

[Coolclimates]

I suspect that I have Candida overgrowth. I have many symptoms of it and have struggled with vaginal yeast infections since I was 13. But I also feel very tired, sinus congestion/headaches, depression/anxiety and a number of other things. I was diagnosed with Celiac back in May 2010. But I just saw an alternative medicine doctor and she said that there was no doubt about it, I have leaky gut. She wasn't sure if I had yeast overgrowth, but suspected it. For the last month or so, I've tried to reduce the amount of sweets that I eat drastically. This has been hard because I am such a sweet tooth and have constant cravings for sweets. But I feel a little better now. However, I have acid reflux and I have taken an anti acid med for 7 plus years, which is making my stomach acid less acidic. But that's a problem because my stomach acid doesn't kill enough bacteria and yeast and I probably have all kinds of undigested garbage in my intestines that my stomach acid won't get rid of. And because my intestines are constantly irritated with all this junk, it contributes to the damage which opens up small holes and contributes to leaky gut. At least that's what I can make of all of this. The problem is, if I stop taking my acid reflux meds, I get terrible heartburn. I'm not sure what to do.

[Swimmr]

I've never been diagnosed or treated with medical attention. I just started taking Candida Freedom and Candida Digest when I did an elimination diet last winter and have continued to take them to current. I know that I've established both regularity and tolerance to yeast and milk again. I assume it's due to that because prior to starting on them, I couldn't tolerate both without a lot of gas.