Candida overgrowth in gut
LAC73167
Posts: 114 Member
I've been diagnosed with candida overgrowth in my gut by my alternative doctor . After literally years of seeing medical doctors and dermatologists and a GI doctors, they couldn't Find anything wrong with me. I even had an endoscopy done still was told this was all in my head, I was even given a referral to a psychotherapist because they thought it might've been just depressed.
After I broke out in a horrendous sunburn like itchy rash all over my arms neck chest and face, A friend referred me to her alternative/holistic practitioner and after testing for food allergies, stool and blood tests she diagnosed with Candida overgrowth she put me on 225 CPUs of probiotics for two weeks, a gut repair supplement (for leaky gut) Candida forte and Chlortrimazole cream and in a very short time it cleared up for the most part i just continue to have crazy itching all over my body. this is the second time I got this in a year, the first being brought on by a aggressive prescription of sulpha based antibiotics, never really been the same since. I have had digestive issues for 20 years and I believe that this had something to do with it all along and it was never diagnosed although the antibiotics really blew it up and brought it to "life"
I'm following the Candida cleanse now to see if that relieves itching and hopefully gets rid of this for good. Just wondering if anybody else has similar experience and would like to share what worked for them for what has been working for them because I feel like this is going to be a lifelong change I'm gonna have to make and would love all the opinions.advice I could get
After I broke out in a horrendous sunburn like itchy rash all over my arms neck chest and face, A friend referred me to her alternative/holistic practitioner and after testing for food allergies, stool and blood tests she diagnosed with Candida overgrowth she put me on 225 CPUs of probiotics for two weeks, a gut repair supplement (for leaky gut) Candida forte and Chlortrimazole cream and in a very short time it cleared up for the most part i just continue to have crazy itching all over my body. this is the second time I got this in a year, the first being brought on by a aggressive prescription of sulpha based antibiotics, never really been the same since. I have had digestive issues for 20 years and I believe that this had something to do with it all along and it was never diagnosed although the antibiotics really blew it up and brought it to "life"
I'm following the Candida cleanse now to see if that relieves itching and hopefully gets rid of this for good. Just wondering if anybody else has similar experience and would like to share what worked for them for what has been working for them because I feel like this is going to be a lifelong change I'm gonna have to make and would love all the opinions.advice I could get
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Replies
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What is an 'alternative' doctor? Like a homeopath? Or an actual MD?0
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Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.4
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After being on several antibiotics over the years, my MD says that I should be taking a probiotic every single day to restore and reinforce the healthy bacteria to my body (gut), this will also help control Candida overgrowth. I have been on my probiotic (which is designed to survive stomach acid to reach the intestines) for 3+ months now and I feel so much better and I am not bloated like I used to be. Good luck and I hope you have a good Naturopathic Doctor...I wish they had one closer to me.5
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Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.
Science and research has shown that most "holistic" practices do absolutely nothing. Some can even be dangerous. The placebo effect is what usually happens (you think it will work and therefore you think you are starting to feel better). Science does not back holistic medicine at all.26 -
Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.
Science and research has shown that most "holistic" practices do absolutely nothing. Some can even be dangerous. The placebo effect is what usually happens (you think it will work and therefore you think you are starting to feel better). Science does not back holistic medicine at all.
I am not sure where you are getting your information from, but a lot of MD's these days are incorporating "homeopathic" and "Holistic" ideas into their practices.
Holistic providers may include medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and homeopathic doctors. A holistic doctor may use all forms of health care, from conventional medication to alternative therapies, to treat a patient. For example, when a person suffering from migraine headaches pays a visit to a holistic doctor, instead of walking out solely with medications, the doctor will likely take a look at all the potential factors that may be causing the person's headaches, such as other health problems, diet and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices. The treatment plan may involve drugs to relieve symptoms, but also lifestyle modifications to help prevent the headaches from recurring.25 -
Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.
Science and research has shown that most "holistic" practices do absolutely nothing. Some can even be dangerous. The placebo effect is what usually happens (you think it will work and therefore you think you are starting to feel better). Science does not back holistic medicine at all.
I disagree - but of course you're entitled to your opinion - I personally don't like to be filled up on pills and prescriptions and if the placebo effect was something that did this for me it would've worked the first 20 times I saw medical doctors.21 -
Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.
Science and research has shown that most "holistic" practices do absolutely nothing. Some can even be dangerous. The placebo effect is what usually happens (you think it will work and therefore you think you are starting to feel better). Science does not back holistic medicine at all.
I am not sure where you are getting your information from, but a lot of MD's these days are incorporating "homeopathic" and "Holistic" ideas into their practices.
Holistic providers may include medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and homeopathic doctors. A holistic doctor may use all forms of health care, from conventional medication to alternative therapies, to treat a patient. For example, when a person suffering from migraine headaches pays a visit to a holistic doctor, instead of walking out solely with medications, the doctor will likely take a look at all the potential factors that may be causing the person's headaches, such as other health problems, diet and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices. The treatment plan may involve drugs to relieve symptoms, but also lifestyle modifications to help prevent the headaches from recurring.
Since my practitioner is also an APRN, she also gave me the choice of a prescription and let me make the decision. I opted for the herbal supplements, because years of prescriptions did not work. This works.6 -
My sister dealt with this right after Christmas. Part of her regime was nixing all sugar in her diet. She also saw a holistic provider. I believe she took probiotics along with her no sugar (not even fruit) diet.8
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That's what I'm doing now - it works! How long until your sister felt better 100%?3
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Hi, I have had chronic illness after being incorrectly over prescribed stong antibiotics including the sulpha based double strength one combined with another (I had a severe immune reaction). A dermatologist treated the minor symptoms (mild blushing) with more meds and now I have trigeminal nerve pain in my face from that. I have a malabsorption disorder. I'm on a strict diet which has improved my symptoms tremendously. And probiotics and fermented foods. I see a Rheumatologist. I'm on waiting list to see a GI specialist. It's a year long wait. I have six more months left on my wait. I had to stop eating grains because of malabsorption (it was very bad). Also had to stop starch and fodmaps. Slowly adding fodmaps back and will eventually try starch again. I take ginger pills. I also make scrambled eggs with coconut oil, black pepper and turmeric. I eat vegetables with soluble fiber.
I don't believe in homeopathy. Just saying. But, I don't care what other people do. I'm not here to argue. I'm too busy dealing with my health issues. My Harvard educated Rheumatologist said her celiac patients got a lot of help from going to a naturopath to help with diet. She didn't mean go to them in place of her. But, that they tend to understand malabsorption disorder better than nutritionists, and medical doctors don't have time to help people manage diet issues. I tried it. I don't think it helped me any more than just figuring things out on my own, but I can see how it might be helpful to people. She can write prescriptions, so that's been helpful with my skincare (she can call in refills as needed). Oh also, I was tested for sibo and that was negative, so that's good. And hormone testing was informative as well.4 -
I'm sorry you are dealing with so much! I hope you. Good luck at your doctors appt. it's awful to have to wait that long to see someone!2
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Thank you! I am doing so much better than I was. My symptoms are basically 98% gone as long as I stick to this diet. I relapse if I eat the wrong thing. Oh, I also go to a neurologist. All they can do is prescribe meds for pain. I declined that. After all of this medical injury I will proceed with extreme caution for the rest of my life. I was the picture of perfect health before this. I lost one of my jobs for a year. But, I am going back this month! I live in Canada. They misdiagnosed me because I needed to see an Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor for a correct diagnosis, but they said it was a seven month wait. I ended up going to the US to see one, but at that point I had already been medically injured.4
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Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.
Science and research has shown that most "holistic" practices do absolutely nothing. Some can even be dangerous. The placebo effect is what usually happens (you think it will work and therefore you think you are starting to feel better). Science does not back holistic medicine at all.
I just did a brief pubmed search and found peer-reviewed studies showing benefits from complementary alternative medicine, and one study showed an herbal treatment to be just as effective as the prescribed medicine.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4030608/#R47
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3923011/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2249749/
Could you provide some links to support your claims? It seems from just my brief search that science is backing it at least a little.19 -
@LAC73167, this study found that a high amount of refined carbohydrates had a limited influence on Candida colonization, but also stated:Clinical follow-up studies should address the question of whether restriction of refined carbohydrates might decrease the number of C. albicans organisms colonizing the human gastrointestinal tract in specific patient groups, eg, in persons receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics or in heavily colonized, immunosuppressed patients with a high risk of disseminated candidiasis. Because long-term restriction of food groups containing mono- and oligosaccharides seems nutritionally unbalanced, a clear definition of those patients who would benefit from such a diet is necessary.
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/69/6/1170.long
You mentioned that you had had an aggressive prescription of antibiotics, so who knows, you might be onto something. I do agree with the last sentence and encourage you to pay attention to your nutritional needs.1 -
I have had to restrict those carbs (they are referred to as fodmaps for short). It was very helpful. It's supposed to be short term for 2 or 3 months tops. I'm adding some back now. The Monash University Low Fodmap Diet App is helpful.3
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https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/candida-and-fake-illnesses/
"One popular fake illness is chronic candidiasis. Candida albicans is a fungus that colonizes about 90% of the population (meaning it is present in the body but not causing an infection or any problems). It can, however, become an infection, usually at times of stress or immunocompromise. The most common manifestations are thrush (a superficial Candida infection in the mouth) and vaginitis, also commonly referred to as a yeast infection.
Candida can also rarely cause serious systemic infection, but this is mostly restricted to those with compromised immune systems, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy or with advanced AIDS.
Candida became the focus of a fake illness beginning in 1986 with the publication of The Yeast Connection by Dr. William Crook. In this book Crook proposed the idea that systemic candidiasis, or Candida hypersensitivity, was responsible for a host of common conditions and non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue, sexual dysfunction, asthma, and psoriasis.
Over 25 years later Candida hypersensitivity remains an unproven claim, but popular among “alternative” practitioners. The claims have also spread, unhindered by logic and evidence. For example, in a 2009 article in The Huffington Post, Kim Evans claims:
'First, an estimated 90 percent of the population has a problem with candida overgrowth, although most don’t know it. And second, candida overgrowth can be the root cause of literally hundreds of different problems in the body....'
...There is absolutely no science behind the claim that 90 percent of the population “have a problem with candida” or that Candida causes cancer, or that cancer is actually a fungal infection."
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/12/10/we-all-have-candida-and-its-ok
"One of the more common online health fictions I encounter is that of a mythical condition called "Candida overgrowth." I've been confronted enough about this purported condition by misinformed patients that I've decided it's finally time to set the record straight.
You may not have heard of Candida albicans – a species of yeast – but you almost certainly harbor it in your digestive tract. Exposure to Candida is so universal that doctors sometimes use skin or blood tests that measure response to Candida in order to verify that one's immune system is working properly....
So what of those tests your naturopath ran which s/he used to diagnose your alleged Candida overgrowth? They may be antibody tests that confirm nothing other than that you have been exposed to Candida environmentally, and your healthy, well-functioning immune system appropriately developed antibodies against it, as it does for all foreign proteins. Or they may be stool tests that show, under a microscope, you indeed harbor Candida in your colon ... as would be expected.
Of note, there is no established "normal" value of Candida in the gut; therefore, interpreting any test result as indicative of an abnormally high value of Candida lacks scientific validity."32 -
@LAC73167, this study found that a high amount of refined carbohydrates had a limited influence on Candida colonization, but also stated:Clinical follow-up studies should address the question of whether restriction of refined carbohydrates might decrease the number of C. albicans organisms colonizing the human gastrointestinal tract in specific patient groups, eg, in persons receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics or in heavily colonized, immunosuppressed patients with a high risk of disseminated candidiasis. Because long-term restriction of food groups containing mono- and oligosaccharides seems nutritionally unbalanced, a clear definition of those patients who would benefit from such a diet is necessary.
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/69/6/1170.long
You mentioned that you had had an aggressive prescription of antibiotics, so who knows, you might be onto something. I do agree with the last sentence and encourage you to pay attention to your nutritional needs.
Thanks for the information!! I"m sure it was the antibiotics, because during that course of treatment, things just went off of the rails. iappreciate all of the information.0 -
Yeah, I don't know anything about Candida in the gut. But, my doctors are all very aware that extreme overtreatment with antibiotics can cause problems such as dysbiosis. As long as you get better, that's what matters.4
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Is homeopathic really- - - -> home and path to refrigerator? Yogurt, pickles, miso, and sauerkraut. Who knew?!?3
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Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.
Science and research has shown that most "holistic" practices do absolutely nothing. Some can even be dangerous. The placebo effect is what usually happens (you think it will work and therefore you think you are starting to feel better). Science does not back holistic medicine at all.
wow, I work at a Natural Health College/University and the students who used to be allopathic surgeons or nurses that have done a 180 degree turn in their beliefs really prove how wrong this statement is, especially in the many uncounted clients who have discovered cures from our holistic practitioners when they could not find it in their personal GPs. I do not practice but am only part of the admin team, and since I worked here, my family have never needed to visit our doctor in the last five years because the herbal tonics and supplements actually work. My friends who have pets also use homeopathic and natural remedies for their animals which heals, this in itself can be a true rebuttal on your placebo effect argument.16 -
Umm... try scienceI am not sure where you are getting your information from
So what? What does that prove? Homeopathy is complete nonsense, it can only work if it were to violate all laws of physics and biology.but a lot of MD's these days are incorporating "homeopathic" and "Holistic" ideas into their practices.
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/a-systematic-review-about-nothing/#more-42689
So if an MD is incorporating homeopathy into thier practice then
Naturopaths, chiropractors and homeopaths are all based on pre-scientific notions of how the human body works. And all have far less education and training than an MD or DO. They all prey on the worried well and rip people off, usually by diagnosing them with a fake disease, such as candida overgrowth and then giving them a prescription of useless supplements, which they sell right out thier office, which is against the law when it comes to real medicine by the way.Holistic providers may include medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and homeopathic doctors.
If it is proven to work then it is medicine.A holistic doctor may use all forms of health care, from conventional medication to alternative therapies, to treat a patient.
Not sure where you get your information from but every MD will treat migraine this exact way, except maybe spritual pracrices, which has nothing to do with migraines anyway.For example, when a person suffering from migraine headaches pays a visit to a holistic doctor, instead of walking out solely with medications, the doctor will likely take a look at all the potential factors that may be causing the person's headaches, such as other health problems, diet and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices. The treatment plan may involve drugs to relieve symptoms, but also lifestyle modifications to help prevent the headaches from recurring.
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I went through hell for a few years after several rounds of antibiotics, one that was life saving. I read several books on candida and followed the diet for a while. I was on several antifungals(nystatin, diflucan, nizoral), I took store bought probiotics and followed a no sugar diet, but what really helped was homemade probiotics like kimchi and kefir and vitamin c and zinc pills. Now I can eat a fair amount sugary foods and feel fine.7
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Yes, she practices holistic health. She doesn't just treat the symptoms like I feel most medical docs do, but she talked to me for an hour and askef me about all aspects of my life. She treats the whole person, which is the foundation of holistic medicine. She works with herbal treatments and food as medicine. This May not be for everybody but it totally worked for me.
Science and research has shown that most "holistic" practices do absolutely nothing. Some can even be dangerous. The placebo effect is what usually happens (you think it will work and therefore you think you are starting to feel better). Science does not back holistic medicine at all.
I disagree - but of course you're entitled to your opinion - I personally don't like to be filled up on pills and prescriptions and if the placebo effect was something that did this for me it would've worked the first 20 times I saw medical doctors.
You can disagree all you want, science says you are wrong and that @elphie754 is right.
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-national-center-for-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-nccam-your-tax-dollars-hard-at-work/
http://reason.com/reasontv/2015/09/04/alternative-medicine-racket5 -
I agree that homeopathy is nonsense. And a lot of naturopathy is as well. But, some of what a naturopath does is work with evidence based dietary issues. It depends on the naturopath and what training they have. They can prescribe evidence based prescription meds as well. But, sometimes people have conditions that aren't helped by meds, are worsened by meds, or caused by meds. I wouldn't go to a naturopath exclusively or give them full trust. But, they can help some people in areas that are not life threatening and not dealt with by doctors. You don't have to go to a naturopath, though. A lot of the info is available by other sources and by doctors that have further education in these areas. Perhaps a GI specialist, but I am still waiting on this year long wait to see one. I'm glad I figured out how to manage this before then because I was underweight and suffering very much due to my malabsorption.5
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Ok guys. Thanks for all of your opinions. Was looking for people who were/are experiencing what I do and not to have to argue my beliefs or what works for me. I don't understand why people can't just scroll by things that are not in line with their beliefs. I don't force mine on you, don't try to convince me of yours. People are going to believe what they brlieve, what works for them. I don't understand the need to be "right".
I appreciate the thoughtful comments.21 -
Avoid refined sugars.
I like an acidophilus that comes in a chewable wafer from whole foods... refrigerate after opening, they taste good; strawberry or blueberry.
I eat one every morning on an empty stomach.
Lots of plain yogurt. (Sweeten w honey, berries or all natural fruit preserves no sugar added)3 -
Thanks Nancy. I'm currently taking a heavy duty probiotic (225cpu) that is helping. I didn't think I could eat natural sugars I thought any sugar would stir this up...3
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Ok guys. Thanks for all of your opinions. Was looking for people who were/are experiencing what I do and not to have to argue my beliefs or what works for me. I don't understand why people can't just scroll by things that are not in line with their beliefs. I don't force mine on you, don't try to convince me of yours. People are going to believe what they brlieve, what works for them. I don't understand the need to be "right".
I appreciate the thoughtful comments.
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I'm sorry but for those who don't believe candida overgrowth in the gut is real - you are wrong! I thought I was going crazy several years ago, MDs were of little help. Thankfully, I found a nutritionist and a very open-minded allergist for treatment, as well as books by William Crook. I gave myself daily allergy shots for candida overgrowth from allergist for three months, then took diflucan daily for 6 months. Also, medical strength oil of oregano, mega doses of probiotics and implemented a food rotation diet that essentially cut all refined products from diet (carbs, breads, pasta) and anything with sugar. It changed my life. I had gotten to point where I would fall asleep/weave on road if I ate an ice cream cone or doughnuts 30 minutes earlier. If I ate jelly on toast, I fell asleep for 30 minutes.
The diet, medications and herbs changed my life. It affected my work, concentration, everything about my life for a long time. Now I'm good - I eat probiotics when take antibiotics, try to watch diet a little more closely. But it is very, very real.
Good luck and stick to the treatment plan - you will notice results in as little as a week (I did, at least) As an aside, within a few days, my skin was glowing! I believe it was because I was eating food without preservatives for a few months!11
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