Fecal Yeast and Diarrhea, how do I get rid of it?

[Spirit76]

I need some advice on if my doctor is taking me down the right path to recovery. I am 45 years old and overweight. I have had IBS for over 20 years. It only affected me when I was nervous or ate a large meal so I was able to control any problems.

Last year I started feeling nausea, stomach pain and or weakness before and while going to the restroom. My movements were very loose, like melted ice cream in large amounts or diarrhea 2-3x a day, not always with much warning. The doctor (a GP) felt the nausea was a symptom of my GERD and the rest IBS. He changed my medications.

I began feeling worse and became depressed but the depression would come and go in waves for an hour or 2 at a time and it would usually ease after going to the restroom. I chalked my emotions up to various family deaths in the past 2 1/2 years.

The doctor started tests when diarrhea began 4-6 times a day along with fatigue, daily nausea and depression that lasted all day. We have tested for lactose, gluten, colonoscopy, celiac, malabsorption, blood work galore and stool tests. Everything looked good.

He did find yeast in the stool. In August I suggested Acidophilus after reading about antibiotic induced diarrhea on Vitamin Websites and he said that was what he was thinking too because he wasn’t sure of what else to do. I started with 50 Million live Microorganisms I am now up to 3 Billion 3x a day. As well as 50 Billion in the yogurt form a couple of times a week. I am dosing myself with guessing since he has never prescribed this for anyone.

The most recent stool test shows improvement. Which I suspected since I am feeling better and the depression is only occasional. I truly beleive my depressing thoughts are tied up with my upset stomach. I don't believe Paxil is helping because when my stomach is upset for a long time so are my thoughts even now.

The stools are occasionally showing shape but are usually either loose or diarrhea but only 1-3 times a day now. The Doctor also has me on a Gluten free diet for the past 3 weeks, I don’t see a difference but I am determined to hang in there because I'm not certain which has me feeling better. At least I can go shopping now and leave the house for short periods of time and I would hate to loose that freedom again.

Does anyone know about the use of Acidophilus as to when it’s not enough, too much or how long I will need to take it? Or any information about Fecal Yeast and something I can do to rid myself of it? Or even how I got it in the first place so I can keep from getting it again? (I did have antibiotics in Nov. but the antibiotic version usually leaves the body in a few days, this has been almost a year.)

I understand that there are 3 other patients at my clinic with Fecal Yeast too.  Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The concept of fecal yeast has not been proven in the peer- reviewed medical literature.  There are a lot of holistic opinions and treatment regarding this, but again - I am not aware of consensus medical opinion regarding this.  

You have mentioned comprehensive medical tests for this, including lactose malabsorption, gluten intolerance, colonoscopy, celiac disease, malabsorption, and stool tests.

There are persistant infections, such as Whipple's disease, Giardia, Amebae, Cryptosporidium, and Cyclospora which can be associated with chronic diarrhea.  They should have already been tested for before settling on yeast as a cause of your symptoms.  

Antibiotics are unlikely going to get rid of the yeast - you would require antifungal therapy (i.e. fluconazole).  If these symptoms continue, I would suggest a referral to an infectious disease specialist or gastroenterologist for further evaluation.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[yoshi]

have you been tested for h pylori bacteria??

[surgeon]

fecal yeast can be present normally; it may or may not be significant. I'd say it's time to see a gastroenterologist.

[MyBellyHurts]

I had the same problem as you did.

I took Sporonax (very powerful prescription anti-fungal) to get rid of intestinal yeast infection.

Then started Natren's Healthy Trinity probiotics.

www.natrens.com

I've been fine, and it's been six months. Everything is cleared up, and I feel great. Plus, the probiotics stopped me from bloating up after meals.

[Spirit76]

Thanks for all of your help. I have a call into my doctor to see if any of your sugestions were tested for or not. He hasn't been the most forthcoming with answers before but I hope to pin him down. The antifungal medication is one thing we haven't tried. If he's not willing to do so I agree it's time for a specialist. It's so nice to know that I haven't run out of options yet. Thanks for the peace of mind.

[tla1270]

I have very severe sinus problems and have for over 20 years.  There has been a major problem with my doctors overprescribing antibiotics and prednisone, too.  I have even tried switching doctors, and they keep pitching me right back to this doctor at the university because they say he is the best around.  However, I do not agree that he is the best.  Back in June of this year, I had surgery for fungal sinusitis, but it has come back over five times and it is only November.  My major problem is that they keep giving me antibiotics one after another and gave me steroids for over a month.  Now, I cannot take an antibiotic for more than a couple of days without getting severe stomach cramps and diarrhea.  Since my immune system is so trashed from the steroids, I have been sick three times since August 28 and have needed an antibiotic to get rid of the upper respiratory infections that I have caught.  Now I am pushed back in a corner.  Even acidophilus isn't straightening the problem out.  At first it was, but I still am going to the bathroom it seems at least six times a day and the diarrhea is starting again.  I think that I have a yeast (candidiasis) problem, but I cannot convince the ENT doctor or my family doctor of this.  Does anyone agree with the yeast (candida) theory or am I out of my mind??  I think Sporonox would work better than Diflucan since Diflucan doesn't do the job very well anymore.  I am a real mess.  Does anybody think that I did the right thing begging my ENT to send me to an infectious disease doctor to see if I can get my body back on track.  Herbs aren't doing the trick either.  Can someone please give me an opinion or some serious advice???  Thanks!!