Supplements I've Tried

The Supplements I’ve Tried (I’m not endorsing any of these brands… I am just letting you know which brands I’ve tried and how they affected me):

Probiotics:

• Brand: ProbioMax DF by XYMOGEN (100 billion CFU)
• Review: This is by far the KING of all probiotics!!!
• Brand: Ultimate Flora Vaginal Support by Renew Life (50 billion CFU)
• Review: This probiotic is pretty helpful, especially if taken 3 at a time.
• Brand: Probiotic Cleanse by New Chapter Organics
• Review: This probiotic was minimally helpful.
• Brand: Saccharomyces boulardii/Florastor
• Review: I actually haven’t had the opportunity to take this on a regular basis yet because I am still in the “yeast killing” stage and I am waiting until things improve before I start incorporating this in regularly.
• Brand: Digesta Guard Forte 10 by PERQUE
• Review: I did not find this probiotic helpful

Candida Fighters:

• Betaine HCL/Digestive Enzyme
• Brand: Super Enzymes by NOW Foods
• Review: I’ve tried other digestive enzymes but this seems to be the best at relieving bloating and belching.
• ParaGone (1,323mg)
• Brand: Renew Life
• Review: I bought this for the Undecylenic Acid, which I’ve read is helpful.  I haven’t been taking it for very long but so far… it has really helped my stomach bloating.
• Garlic (1000mg)
• Brand: GARLITE Ultra by Nature’s Plus
• Review: I purchased this as a candida fighter and I believe it helps somewhat.
• Oil of Oregano (softgel 140mg)
• Brand: Oreganol by North American Herb and Spice
• Review:  I purchased this as a candida fighter and I believe it helps somewhat.
• Coconut Oil (4000mg)
• Brand: Fruitrients
• Review: I purchased this as a candida fighter and I believe it helps somewhat.
• Caprylic Acid (400mg)
• Brand: Nature’s Sunshine
• Review: I purchased this as a candida fighter and I believe it helps somewhat.
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) (250mg)
• Brand: NutriBiotic
• Review: I purchased this as a candida fighter however; I did not notice any improvements.  However, I should note that this is also supposed to be helpful for cystitis.

Other Miscellaneous:

• Magnesium Citrate Complex (160mg)
• Brand: Vitamin Shoppe
• Review: I bought this for constipation and it is effective for its purpose.
• Cascara Sagrada (390mg)
• Brand: Nature’s Sunshine
• Review: I bought this for constipation and it is effective for its purpose.
• Multi-vitamin (Chewable)
• Brand: Life Guard by PERQUE
• Review: This multi-vitamin is great for helping my body absorb nutrients.  I’ve noticed since I started taking it, my nails no longer have ridges.  However, when I stopped taking it for about a month… the ridges came back.  As long as I stay on the vitamin, no nail ridges.
• Vitamins:  I’ve started taking several vitamin supplements in addition to the multi-vitamin (including: Co-Q 10, L-Carnitine and 5 HTP) however, it is too soon to tell if these are helpful).

• L-Glutamine (500 mg)
• Brand: TwinLab
• Review: Only took one dose and felt so sick after taking it that I am hesitant to try it again.
• Malic Acid (800mg)
• Brand: Nature’s Life
• Review: I purchased this for muscle and joint pain however, I did not experience any benefits and I later found through the Organic Amino Acids test that my Malic Acid levels were actually too high (so it’s a good thing I stopped taking it).

• Milk Thistle (150mg)
• Brand: Standardized Silymarin Extract by Jarrow Formulas
• Review: I haven’t really 

Current Considerations

• Oxygen Therapy - Hyperbaric Chambers
• My doctor said that this is often helpful however, it is expensive, insurance would not pay, and it is impossible to actually get in to the clinics that have the hyperbaric chambers because they are reserved for burn victims and etc…
• Anti-depressants
• Not super excited about more prescription medications so I haven’t gone down this route yet.
• Colon HydroTherapy/Colonics – I’ve read differing opinions on this but I decided to go ahead and try it out.  I definitely experienced die-off but it wasn’t a one time cure.
• Hair Analysis (to test for heavy metals) by Great Plains Laboratory
• Not sure how reliable this is… but I am considering this in the future.

Diagnosis

The only other results I had that came back abnormal were… a previous (IGG not IGM) CMV virus, Epstein Barr virus and Coxsackie B infection. Based on these viruses/infections (and the virus that I initially experienced immediately prior to the candida onset), I’ve also been diagnosed with Post-Viral Fatigue/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I’ve seen three gastroenterologists, a rheumatologist, an OB/GYN, and a dermatologist.  None of these individuals were able to diagnose candida, in fact… they all stated that they believed yeast overgrowth did not exist. I switched primary care physicians to find one that believed in more alternative treatments.  My new primary care physician was the doctor that ordered the Organic Amino Acids Test (which diagnosed my Candida) and she also stated that I have problems with leaky gut/malabsorption. 

Tests

o      Blood Work: I’ve had tons of blood work done for everything from Celiacs disease, Lymes disease, Lupus, to Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Also, they tested my blood for candida and that came back negative.  Everything came back normal.

o      Comprehensive Stool Analysis from Genova Diagnostics:  I had a stool analysis and once again everything came back normal with the exception of the “good bacteria” which indicated that I had no growth of lactobacillus and minimal growth of bifidobacterium. Mycology for yeast came back negative.

o      Colonoscopy and Endoscopy – Normal

o      Gastric Emptying Study - Normal

o      Organic Amino Acids Test by Great Plains Laboratory – After a year and a half… this was the only test that actually confirmed my diagnosis of candida!  In addition, this test noted several other areas of concern (e.g. all my B vitamin levels were low).

Symptoms

Symptoms:  Each of my symptoms differed in severity and not all are/were present all the time. 

Abdominal pain/bloating, acid reflux/heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, food allergies/sensitivities, alcohol intolerance, belching, IBS, leaky gut syndrome, itching/eczema rash, anxiety, depression, ADD, brain fog, memory loss, canker sores, dry mouth, thrush and geographic tongue, acne, cystitis, urinary frequency, irregular menstrual cycles, PMS, loss of libido, dry eye, eye twitching, hypothyroidism, insomnia, heart palpitations, numbness in hands and fingers, panic attacks, estrogen dominance, and finally... The worst symptoms: chronic fatigue and muscle aches, joint stiffness, and weakness. My most debilitating symptom was pain in the heels of my feet (similar to what is described as plantar fascitis (however, I know it was the yeast because I also had the same feeling in my fingertips, which was obviously not as painful since you don’t walk on your fingers).  The heel pain prevented me from walking, standing, and often left me sofa/bedridden.

Alkalinity/pH

I’ve seen several websites discussing that the acidity/alkalinity issue is the key to controlling candida.  I bought some strips to measure my urinary pH and according to those strips, I am very acidic (actually I’m in a “dangerous acidic pH range” according to the strips).  I am not sure how much I believe in that… but I’ve started occasionally incorporating about a teaspoon of dissolved baking soda into a glass of water.  I’m not sure how much I’m on board with the whole body pH theory… but it is an inexpensive approach.  I’m trying to measure my pH with these strips from VÄXA to see if I have any improvement.

Diet

My diet initially consisted of no sugar, no alcohol and only gluten free grains.  However, I found after several months that I would have to remove all grains/carbs.  I also removed soy from my diet and began incorporating in unsweetened coconut milk, which is supposed to have caprylic acid.  I still eat nuts including: almonds, pecans, and walnuts however; I avoid peanuts.  Also, I eat pumpkin seeds.  I am pretty much on the Atkins diet.  The other item I’ve not been able to give up is coffee… With my chronic fatigue like symptoms, I desperately need the caffeine.  I’ve read that one cup of coffee a day will not hinder your candida progress (but then again, I’ve also read coffee/caffeine is evil) but I’m going with the first opinion for now.  I do not eat any fruit… with the exception of lemons, limes and blueberries.

Typical Breakfast: Avocado or Bacon and Eggs with unsweetened coconut milk

Typical Lunch: Leftovers from dinner the night before

Typical Dinner – Chicken/Fish/Turkey and a green vegetable

Typical Snack – Pumpkin Seeds or a small imitation cereal (mixed crushed almonds, walnuts, and pecans with about a dozen fresh blueberries and unsweetened coconut milk).