Yeast/Candida/Fungus 2009 Support Thread
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free skin care · Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:17 pm

Is anyone kicking off a fungus elimination plan for 2009? I had to start mine on 12/8 due to a candida rash outbreak all over my body.

If anyone wants to join me, I would love some support in 1) getting the beasts under control, and 2) keeping them that way throughout the year.

And for anyone who thinks "yeast" and just thinks *vaginal* think again...it can impact you anywhere on your body (including your brain). I have attached a picture of a rash on my neck that is definitely candida-related.

free skin care · Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:00 am

What is your master plan? I have been battling several the last two months after taking long term anitbiotics (doxy) following my surgery in October. It's getting old as I feel my immune system is the lowest I have ever seen it.
There was a great thread here in the lounge that Scally and ScottsLass had going on this. It's worth the read for those who haven't read it. It used oil of oregeno as the main proponent and I used it before. That's what I am going to try next since two rounds of diflucan didn't keep it away.

free skin care · Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:31 pm

Annie, when you say 2 rounds of Diflucan, do you mean 2 of those pills taken a week apart, 2 months worth, or??

Right now I am taking:
- 3 Nystatin tabs 3x day
- 3 OoO gel caps 3x day
- Psyllium fiber 1x day

I also:
- Wash with Nystatin dandruff shampoo with contains an antifungal
- Use the Lotrimin powder spray for jock itch on any rash areas
- Eliminated the majority of carbs and all alcohol as of 12/8
- Purchased 4 books on Candida, since this is probably something that I am going to have to deal with for the rest of my life. Sad

I had read that yeast played a major role in some of the medical diagnoses I have been given (see my history below), but one of the books I am reading is discussing this in much more detail and it is scary to see how much yeast has really been proven to impact from a health standpoint.

My master plan is to decide on a longer term plan after reading these books. But I do plan on changing to a different antifungal at 3 or 4 weeks, as well a different natural approach (I will probably switch to Diflucan and Caprystatin for the next 3-4 weeks). I know that I need to address this from a bloodstream perspective too, and unfortunately neither the Nystatin nor the OoO gel caps do that...Diflucan will though, as well as sublingual OoO.

Here is some of my history as posted on the Weightloss thread:

bethany wrote:

So here is my story, including some history...

Background:
I have consistently had a problem working far too many hours my entire career...about 7 years ago my body just started shutting down, and that resulted in thyroid and adrenal issues, plus I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. I also have had a systemic Candida (yeast) infection for 20+ years which makes it even more difficult to lose weight. [editing to add: the Candida is most likely due to long term antiobiotics as a teen, or possibly inherited from my mother who also has fungus problems]

I made a life change 6 years ago to manage my hours and stress levels, took a year off from work, and concentrated on my health. My Fibro specialist put me on a very specific plan, and I eventually dropped 45 lbs, but still wanted to lose another 10lbs to reach my optimal weight. But I am now right back in the high stress job scenario, and need to focus on that again too.

The Breaking Point:
All was well until 18 months ago when I had to have major surgery because my nose was literally collapsing on my face due to a bad deviated septum repair 20 years ago. Shock

The surgery kicked my butt (probably due to the Fibro), and I was unable to work for a month, and VERY exhausted for 9 months. I also had to eat soft foods for 3 weeks (pudding and ice cream) and it basically restarted my carb cravings. I have not been diligent about managing my carbs since then, and I ended up regaining 21 lbs. Sad

Add in the wine I was consuming as part of my dermarolling numbing routine, and my yeast levels were happily flourishing...I could probably produce my own bread at this point, though I had no symptoms. Rolling Eyes

Action Required:
It finally all blew up the first week of December, and I broke out in horrible skin rashes in numerous places on my body...total agony to say the least. I was already planning to focus on weight loss on Jan 1, but I was forced to make some severe diet modifications early to get the yeast levels under control, plus add in some heavy anti fungal meds because the outbreak was so severe. But a perk of this should be (and better be!) that I lose some weight in the process.

My Game Plan:
So I have started my diet on 12/8...because it is so critical to get this yeast under control, I will not be tempted in any way by anything that is not on my very restricted list of foods (I am basically living on salads, tuna or salmon,and vegetables throughout the day in 5 small meals)

I am also using Fitday.com (free) to track every thing I put in my mouth...it makes me VERY accountable to my caloric intake and protein/fat/carb balance.

free skin care · Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:39 am

I had to take 4 rounds total of the diflucan, which is supposed to work as a one time pill. It did not for me. I am now off of the anitbiotics and am taking oil of oregeno and cranberry capsules, along with drinking water mixed with a tsp. of ACV.

Here is a fabulous thread to read that Scally started with great info. Hope it helps.
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=22020&highlight=candida

free skin care · Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:39 pm

Annie, Diflucan really doesn't work that well when used in that manner...you will quickly develop a resistance to it as well.

My doctor put me on Diflucan 200mg daily for 60 days...it worked like a charm, and the candida stayed away for years until I did some heavy duty antiobiotics after surgery, and then fell off and was run over by the low carb wagon. Sad

free skin care · Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:41 am

Exactly-I am with you on cutting out the carbs. My immune system just got wrecked so now I am trying to get it back up, not easy this time of year! Good luck on your plan and hope it works for you.

free skin care · Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:46 pm

AnnieR wrote:

Exactly-I am with you on cutting out the carbs. My immune system just got wrecked so now I am trying to get it back up, not easy this time of year! Good luck on your plan and hope it works for you.

Thanks!

free skin care · Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:06 am

AnnieR wrote:

I had to take 4 rounds total of the diflucan, which is supposed to work as a one time pill. It did not for me. I am now off of the anitbiotics and am taking oil of oregeno and cranberry capsules, along with drinking water mixed with a tsp. of ACV.

I'm on 8 rounds of diflucan, once a week. I saw results after the first four doses, but I'm doing more than what the dr prescribed...OoO sublingually, plus digestive enzymes and probiotics specifically designed to combat yeast. I fell off the sugar/alcohol wagon due to holiday parties, and definitely saw the negative impact. I hope I haven't totally undone the past four weeks. Confused

free skin care · Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:47 am

Hi Nadine!

Staying on the wagon is TOUGH. I have had one slip up, and was itching within an hour. Rolling Eyes

I was tempted to do a dermaroll (which requires mucho wine for me) but then I kept thinking about the impact on the yeasties so I didn't. Doing this sucks, and during the holidays is even worse!

But if I can get rid of the yeast symptoms AND lose some fat in the process, I am going to try and tough it out, sigh. I think I am going to write down WHY I am doing all of this and reread it every time I am tempted to stray.

free skin care · Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:25 am

I started taking acidophilous as well. We will see if that helps. I have to be gone for the holidays so it will be very hard to keep on my regime but I will try. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
You stay strong and beat it for 2009!

free skin care · Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:32 pm

Here is a great tip from Birdlove...

birdlove wrote:

BETHANY ---

THIS WORKS FOR ITCHING!

Sorry for screaming in capital letters, but I wanted to get your attention. When I had horrible yeast die off last year, I had the same full body "scratch your skin right off" itching you are describing...

Baking soda and water are a Godsend in this regard.. (I learned about this on my Lyme support forum). Make a paste of baking soda with a little water, and cake it on the area that itches. It's messy, but my goodness it helps!

I also have had pretty good success with a product called Candi-Gone, which is an herbal combo to fight yeast.

free skin care · Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:46 pm

I am still plugging away on my yeast-killing diet, and made some changes on the meds front. I am pretty much following the protocol below:

Quote:

From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD (chronic fatigue and fibro treatment)

Yeast Treatment:

Nystatin - 500,000 IU/day for 1 to 3 days, increase by 500,000 IU every 1-3 days (slower if die off reaction is great) until you are taking 1,000,000 IU 2 to 4 times/day. Take this dosage for 8 months.

Diflucan or Sporanox - One month after beginning Nystatin, add 200 mg of D or S every morning for 6 weeks. If symptoms recur after stopping, continue for an additional 6 weeks at 200mg/day.

If yeast recurs down the road, use Nystatin for 6 weeks and possibly Diflucan or Sporanox.

As of 12/8 my meds were:
- 3 Nystatin tabs 3x day
- 3 OoO gel caps 3x day
- Psyllium fiber 1x day
- Low carb diet
RESULT: The yeast related rashes diminished greatly in 2 weeks, and were completely gone by 3 weeks.

As of 12/31:
- 2 Nystatin tabs 3x day (intestinal focus)
- Diflucan 200mg 1x day (bloodstream focus)
- Psyllium fiber 1x day
- Low carb diet

I will do the current meds for 2 months, and then move to:
- Caprystatin (intestinal)
- OoO sublingual (bloodstream)
- Low carb diet

BTW, I recently read that my 302 Face & Body Bar is anti-fungal, so it is nice to have another option besides Nizoral!

I have had a really bad headcold for 8 days now, and it seems to be dragging on longer than it should. I wonder if any of this is die-off related? Confused

free skin care · Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:56 am

At the request of my new friends over on the weight loss thread, I thought I'd pop in and say hi... I'm another candida fighter, due to having Lyme disease and being on lots of antibiotics long term.. they've saved me from the depths of h*ll, but they do wreak havoc on the bacterial balance of the body. Plus, Lyme is an immune destroyer in itself, so I was having candida problems *before* I even started the antibiotics...

I don't have much to add to the expertise already present here and in the earlier threads, except to say that I'm actually having better luck with Ketoconazole than I did with Diflucan... I was great with Diflucan for a while, but then I apparently developed a resistant strain of yeast, and it stopped working. Ketoconazole seems to have kept working long term, but I believe it is even harder on the liver than Diflucan was (I was on Diflucan daily, and now Ketoconazole daily.. that's how persistent my yeast gets).

As far as herbal stuff goes, I've had the best results from Candi-gone -- that will give me major die off if I'm in a yeast-flare. It's the same ingredients as most of the yeast fighter complexes out there, but it has a lot of clove oil (and is both tablets and a tincture) and I find it works best, for me, of everything I've tried on that front.

Other things I've tried that have helped are garlic tablets and tons of probiotics. As already mentioned, boric acid capsules work well for vaginal yeast.

Diet is a huge factor for me: the lower carb, the better... and of course, alcohol is a huge yeast offender. If I do drink, I am much better off with spirits than with wine or beer (both of which will send me into a yeast tailspin very quickly...) I don't even touch my beloved beer anymore Sad

I do very occasionally drink wine, but like Bethany, I pay the price.

Anyhow, I'll check in here periodically, and will certainly share anything I find that may be useful. Y'all have reminded me to get back on my OoO, too... though I take the capsules, as the actual oil seriously makes me want to vomit from the taste....

free skin care · Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:33 am

Thanks, birdlove! I really appreciate your input. I have just been diagnosed with this fungus less than two months ago, so I still have alot to learn. It really helps to read what other members are going through!

free skin care · Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:55 am

nadjazz wrote:

Thanks, birdlove! I really appreciate your input. I have just been diagnosed with this fungus less than two months ago, so I still have alot to learn. It really helps to read what other members are going through!

Ditto...very much appreciated!

free skin care · Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:57 am

I am cross-posting this from the weightloss thread, in case people with systemic yeast infections are not aware of how yeast impacts their weight:

bethany wrote:

Woot for ME! Something is FINALLY working! Very Happy

I dropped 3.5lbs on the scale this morning over yesterday's reading, and 2.5lbs over my previous low. Shock

Now this is obviously water weight, but 2 of the 3 offenders in my system all cause water retention:

- Sodium causes fluid retention, and I have a known sodium sensitivity. I dramatically cut back my Diet Coke intake, switched to the Splenda version 2 weeks ago, and as of a few days ago I eliminated it completely. The reduction in aspartame might factor in here too somehow.

- Yeast also causes fluid retention by increasing cellular fluid levels to counteract the toxins created by the yeast organisms. I have been on anti-fungals [Nystatin] for a month, but just added a stronger version [Diflucan] about a week ago.

- The low carb diet I have been on for a month also causes water loss, but you usually see that in the first 2 weeks. My diet hasn't changed a bit for a month, so it has to be one of the other factors.

At the end of the day, I'll take it and be DARNED happy! Woo hoo!! Very Happy

free skin care · Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:10 pm

birdlove wrote:

As far as herbal stuff goes, I've had the best results from Candi-gone -- that will give me major die off if I'm in a yeast-flare. It's the same ingredients as most of the yeast fighter complexes out there, but it has a lot of clove oil (and is both tablets and a tincture) and I find it works best, for me, of everything I've tried on that front.

Bird, I just checked out the Candigone on Vitacost...that looks like some pretty potent stuff!
http://www.vitacost.com/Renew-Life-CandiGONE-Advanced-Cleanse-System

I purchased the Caprystatin because virtually every book I read recommended it, but I am definitely going to do the Candigone once I finish up the Caprystatin.

http://www.vitaminusa.com/00-33984-00550.html

Unfortunately for my wallet, I am planning to stay on some type of anti-fungal for a minimum of 6 months. And once I get it completely under control, I am going to try very hard not to blow it again by eating too many carbs. Sad

free skin care · Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:05 pm

Well, my weight loss continues, and I think the yeast die-off is definitely helping.

But any time I have too many carbs, I am itching within an hour...it's just crazy! Thank goodness for my Lotromin spray. But if I reach a point that it isn't cutting it, I am going to spackle on Birdlove's baking soda paste. I was almost there last night with the itching under my breasts, so I am going to buy a fresh box of baking soda tomorrow.

free skin care · Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:21 am

I am glad your diet is helping. Mine disappeared pretty quick once I stopped taking the anitbiotics and started on the O of O and probiotics. Drinking water for me helps a lot too.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

free skin care · Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:37 am

AnnieR wrote:

I am glad your diet is helping. Mine disappeared pretty quick once I stopped taking the anitbiotics and started on the O of O and probiotics. Drinking water for me helps a lot too.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks. I have had this for 20+ years, so it is pretty well established. And I definitely ate totally excessive carbs over the last 18 months since my surgery, so I sort of deserve this. Very Happy

But things happen for a reason...being forced to be aggressive with my diet has caused me to drop 12.5lbs, and I needed to do that. Smile

Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:17 pm

Hey everyone,

Google coconut oil and candida.

free skin care · Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:42 pm

ginderella wrote:

Google coconut oil and candida.

I already have caprylic acid which comes from coconut oil, but I did find this to be interesting:

Quote:

Besides caprylic acid, two other medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil have been found to kill Candida albicans. A study done at the University of Iceland showed "capric acid, a 10-carbon saturated fatty acid, causes the fastest and most effective killing of all three strains of Candida albicans tested, leaving the cytoplasm disorganized and shrunken because of a disrupted or disintegrated plasma membrane. Lauric acid, a 12-carbon saturated fatty acid, was the most active at lower concentrations and after a longer incubation time."2 This study shows great promise that all the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil work together to kill Candida albicans.

http://www.coconutdiet.com/candida.htm

free skin care · Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:24 pm

The quick research I just did also showed that coconut oil helps stabilize blood sugar, and can help with weight loss.

I just ordered a coconut cookbook that has recipes on how to make salad dressings, etc. I don't usually use any butter, and seldom actually cook Embarassed

but I am going to see what ways I can squeeze in, because I really don't see myself sucking down 3 tablespoons of ANY fat every day. Shock

But then again, I suppose it all comes down to how badly I want to get rid of this crap! Very Happy

free skin care · Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:36 pm

I am also plagued by the dreaded fungus, not candida, but mild but rather persistent tinea versicolor on my shoulders/back/chest and some accompanying pityrosporum folliculitis (apparently the 2 often go together, or so I’ve read). I have oily skin, and humidity here is often over 90% so I know I’ve got an uphill battle.

Have been blitzing with lots of topical anti-fungals over the past 4-5 months, and all looked clear, thought it was gone, however a month ago it reappeared ... I was not happy, not at all. Not sure what else I can do except keep experimenting with topicals (would prefer to avoid oral anti-fungals).

Things I have tried so far, some still using -

ZNP bar
DermaZinc bar
Dermadoctor Born to be Mild cleanser
SasTid bar
Miconazole
Terbinafine
Clotrimazole
LacSal
Body lotion with sulfur
Body lotion with 12% AHA

I’ve just started on 50% ACV/water spray, with added tea tree oil and oregano oil. You can imagine how deliciously fragrant this stuff is. I highly recommend an overnight application of this if you want to get rid of your current bed partner Laughing

Actually this seems to be working, but need to give it more time, only been a couple of days.

Latest lead is mandelic acid, and have just ordered the new (I think) MCK Labs cleanser and serum from EDS.

Also today I bought 2% Nizoral shampoo and Selsun shampoo (selenium sulfide). Haven’t used either yet.

Am also considering sea salt baths, but as I don’t have a bathtub at home, wonder if it will work in spray bottle form?

Now after that list, is there anything else I can try? Confused

free skin care · Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:22 pm

Appletini, it is most likely in your bloodstream, and topicals will probably not be sufficient. (though Nizoral is great)

I can understand not wanting to use the oral Rx antifungals, but would you consider any other oral topicals like Oil of Oregano? You could take it sublingually under your tongue, and it will get into your bloodstream. BirdLove also recommended Candi-Gone, which will help fight all types of yeast.

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