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).

Vivonex/Elemental Diet

After 4 months on Nystatin, I felt that I was still having problems with my candida so I decided to take a different approach.  I thought maybe I had treated the candida successfully and I was left with leaky gut?  I’d read that people with Intestinal Permeability/Leaky Gut benefit from an “Elemental Diet” or a liquid diet.  So I purchased two weeks worth of Vivonex Plus.  Let me just say that… before Vivonex, I had never used the word “vile” to describe anything – but that stuff was VILE. I always thought I was one of those people that could be on “Fear Factor” and eat the bugs… I can eat anything, but wow… Vivonex was gross. I bought some flavor packs from the grocery store (Hansen’s Natural Fruit Stix – Strawberry Lemonade was the best, it is made with truvia) and that helped a lot.  After starting the Vivonex, the first day I felt fine, in fact my stomach felt perfect. Day 2 – The diarrhea started and it didn’t stop until I stopped the Vivonex – Diarrhea for 14 days straight, really fun! 

I’ve read online that some people think Vivonex would promote Candida growth but I honestly can’t see that. There have been medical studies showing that it decreases small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO) and the dietary treatments for SIBO are similar those for Candida. Although Vivonex is mainly carbohydrates (76%), its already predigested, so supposedly the carbs do not even make their way to your intestines. Also, based on my experience with Nystatin – the Vivonex just felt like it was creating die off. If it was Candida growth, I think I would have stomach bloating like always (instead, I just felt like I have the flu). Who knows though… It was expensive and I could have justspent $700 to feed the yeast?

Prescription Medications (Including: Diflucan, Nizoral and Nystatin)

I’ve taken 3 doses of Diflucan (saw no improvement), two weeks of Nizoral (saw no improvement) and the thing that has been the most helpful at getting my Candida under control - Nystatin.  Within two days of taking Nystatin, I could feel the die off symptoms begin.  Prior to die off… I always thought I was having die off, but when you really have it, you know it. I probably had about a month of die-off; I was out sick from work on several different days, and seriously thought my life was ending. However, I believe the Nystatin was vital for my initial die off.  My doctor prescribed enough for about 4 months. I tried Nizoral again and I was supposed to take that for a total of 3 months (to get the whole effect, I guess) but it hurt my stomach so much, I decided to stop taking it.  So… Currently, I regularly take:

o      Vitamin B12 Injections (twice a month) – seems to help?

o      Progesterone Cream (40mg) (nightly) – Definitely helps!

o      Vitamin D (50,000 IU) (twice a week) – seems to help?

o      Synthroid (50mcg) (1x daily) – seems to help?

Candida Begins!

Who knows what the overall cause was… IBS, too much alcohol/poor diet, birth control, poor immune system or stress?  It was probably a combination of all of the above! 

The weekend of my 26^th birthday was the weekend I remember my stomach changed for the worse.  For ten years, I had always experienced IBS but all of a sudden, my stomach symptoms changed.  My stomach was so bloated that I looked 7 months pregnant and couldn’t even wear my belts or pants.  The next symptom was probably the worst… I had ridiculous heartburn everyday for months.  I would take up to 6-prescription strength Prevacids a day with no results.  I started a food log and began a gluten free diet after noticing that wheat was definitely NOT helping!  During this entire debacle… I was going to different doctors who were not helpful! Finally, after losing almost all hope – my mom inspired me to go to a health food store and talk to someone there.  I was able to learn a little about candida from the staff at the health food store. I told them about my heartburn and they recommended I take a digestive enzyme with Betaine HCL.  The hydrochloric acid was a lifesaver – I felt better within 30 minutes of taking two pills.  I also started taking a probiotic, which was recommended by the staff at the health food store. I’ve found that the key to probiotics is that they need to be at least 50 billion CFUs, multi-strain, and rotated.  By rotate, I mean… My body would get accustomed/adjusted to the probiotic within about 1 or 2 weeks and in order to get the same benefits; I have to rotate to a different probiotic. Please see my supplement section.  I was finally officially diagnosed with candida approximately a year and a half (and soooo many doctor appts) after my initial symptoms began (a very long time).

Also… I was referred to Dr. William Crook’s book “The Yeast Connection”

Candida History

History:

When I was about 16, I remember getting food poisoning or the stomach flu and being so incredibly sick to my stomach that I was in tears.  After that terrible experience, my stomach was never the same.  Soon afterwards, I was diagnosed with IBS.  I remember it was the most traumatizing experience.  I had just been accepted into college and when I went to the family doctor to find out what was wrong – there was a college intern (who went to the same college I had just been accepted to) who sat in during the appointment (for developmental purposes).  He was probably 5 years older than me and I had to sit there and tell them about all my digestive problems – ugh, thinking about it still today makes me cringe.  However, I’ve become a little tougher about telling people what is wrong with me (on a need to know basis) but I’m still easily embarrassed.  My IBS problems continued throughout undergrad and grad school, but didn’t keep me from doing well in school, going out on the weekends, and drinking with my friends.  My IBS did, however keep me from staying away from the house for very long or going on a lot of overnight trips.  I knew my stomach would be sick in the morning and potentially any other time of the day, and again I didn’t want to have to tell people about my digestive problems. I tried several different types of hormonal birth control while I was in college but I didn’t seem to tolerate them very well. Throughout college, I maintained a very active lifestyle– never really sat and watched TV because I was way too fidgety for that… I always had to be on the go.  After grad school, I moved away and got a job.  My stomach was still bothering me so I tried probiotics but they didn’t work (only later I would realize that I just wasn’t taking the right probiotic).  The move from college to work involved a lot of changes – changes in responsibilities, locations, and friendships/relationships, which ended up being the most stressful time of my life.  I lost 15lbs during the transition… Although, I have to admit, I was probably drinking too much alcohol to help me deal with the transition. My job also became stressful and soon I realized that my stomach issues were progressively getting worse and worse. About 4 months after noticing that I was feeling worse, I got the flu (H1N1) and was out of work for about a week.  About two months after the flu, I got some kind of random virus that affected my joints and muscles and was out of work sick for about two more weeks.  For several weeks, I was so weak that I could not get out of bed but I slowly started to feel better. I could get up and clean the house for a bit without getting as tired (but still not 100%).  Four months after that virus… I knew something was really wrong.