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Candidiasis?

I was treated with Zithromax by my doctor last October. Ever since, I have experienced chronic watery diarrhea accompanied by constant rumbling in my large intestine and bloating. The watery diarrhea continued for 3 months. I was treated with Flagyl and took Fibercon, both with no effect. Blood tests, stool, and a colonoscopy came up negative. No parasite infection or blood found in the stool. I even had an HIV test with negative results. The doctors have pretty much given up on me and labeled me as an IBS case. I have complained that I doubt very seriously that IBS can cause watery diarrhea 100% of the time. I have had some success treating myself for candidiasis by taking Primal Defense, good bacteria, and yeast fighters- all hearbs. Additionally, I have stayed on a high protein, low carb diet. As a result, almost normal bowel movements have returned. It seems that if I slip up and eat a high carb meal, I have trouble. The bloating still returns intermittently. What still concerns me most of all is that I detect a sligh bulging under my right armpit that is always there and seems to get more prominent depending on how tired I become; nothing that you can feel with the hand or see with the eye, but I know it is there. Also, have been suffering from insomnia since this whole thing began. Can you help?
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Avatar universal
Help is here.  Organic grade b maple syrup and organic aluminum free baking soda cures candida and cancer.  I did it doe 10 days and I removed colonies of candida.  On top of that I had a skin infection that I did not even realize.  I started the maple syrup again this week and I am cleaning out candida from urinary track.  Search maple syrup and baking soda and you will get all the information you need.  Just remember it is your body and you have the power to heal it.  This does not taste the best but it better than the antifungal drugs from the dr.  Candida is a monster growing in us and it calls for drastic measures.  Peace and good health
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Avatar universal
I have had candidiasis and I quit feed it those hungry bugs. They love sugar. So I cut out the sugar. I learned to read the information on all products and its amazing what all has sugar in it. I bought a yogermet yogertmaker and eat lots of that also which has balanced the good bugs in my system to reduce those bad bugs. I also take caprylic acid capsules. Most carbs are full of sugar so check that out before you eat them.
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Sorry to keep doing this.  I have also had an abdominal and pelvic CT with contrast.  They were normal.
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I wanted to add the following information.

I considered that it might be a fungal problem when I would develop recurring non-itchy rashes that come and then disappear within a day or two on my thighs every time I wear pants.  I think this is why my GP agreed to let me try the Diflucan remedy.

I already live a low carb lifestyle, but did use sugar substitutes, cheese and wine.  I have cut all of those out since having that horrible flare or die off or whatever it is.
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Avatar universal
Interesting thread.  Here is my story.

Late August 2003, I went to England where I suddenly developed gross hematuria (heavy blood in urine) and a nasty case of urgency.  I went to the closest ER, and basically the doctors said I either had a UTI or bladder stone.  On Keflex for a week, and ultimately they sent me on my merry way to come back to the U.S. to see my regular doctor.

Upon my return, I saw my GP who put me on Cipro for a week and sent me to have an X-ray to make sure it wasn't a kidney stone.  According to the radiologist at the time, I had a tiny kidney stone.  During this time, the minimal pain I had felt has begun to shift upward going largely into my upper left abdominal area, and radiating to my back.  (I remain convinced that I have a UTI of some variety.)  After it did not pass on its own, I went to a urologist who ordered an IVP (x-ray with contrast).  Low and behold that tiny white spot was not in my urinary tract, as you could see it beside the tract.  He was not interested in figuring out what the tiny white spot was.  The urologist said everything looked normal and for all intents and purposes patted me on the head and said "go away little girl."  But he did say I had a little bacterial vaginosis.  How that is possible after the antibiotics I had been on is beyond me.  Regardless, I was then on Flagyl for a week, which had this been a GI bacterial infection due to the Keflex and Cipro, the Flagyl should have killed it.

Well that didn't work, and now I'm thinking perhaps the pain is purely vaginal.  So I go to my gynecologist who decides it's cystitis of some variety.  He prescribes bactrim/septra but notices a vagina yeast infection -- go figure -- and prescribes a local topical for that.  Urinalysis negative.  I also demanded HIV and ghon/chlamydia testing just to be safe.  These were all negative.  (Then again, few bacteria would have survived that course of antibiotics anyway.)

So I go see a different urologist who decides that I should have a cysto of my bladder.  Cysto shows that I have polyps in my bladder, and they are removed.  I receive IV antibiotics and a few days of preventative Cipro afterwards.  She thinks perhaps the polyps blocked normal flow and prevented me from getting rid of a low grade infection.  She notices that I have "white flakes" coming from my left kidney.  So, she does a 24 urine collection and kidney function.  This reveals nothing; so she sends me on my way.  (Anyone else frustrated yet by the fact that strange things keep showing up, but nobody is doing a great job trying to figure out what it is?)

I go back to my GP, and say, "look.  I know that you all think I'm nuts by now, but this isn't normal."  I tell her I want to go on a fungicide in case the real problem is that all these antibiotics have caused me to develop a yeast infection in my urinary tract or GI tract and want testing for H. pylori (ulcer-causing bacteria) since I have a history of ulcers.  At this point, she basically says "okay" to my suggestion, and I've now been on Diflucan for a week.  200 mg on day one and 100 mg every day since.  I also started taking probiotics at the same time.

Four days into treatment, I get this large dry patch on one of my arms and what begins to feel like a vaginal yeast infection.  Needless to say I am shocked by the prospect of Diflucan causing a yeast infection.  By day five, my arm feels like it is on fire, and I feel like I have the worst vaginal yeast infection every experienced.  Bad, bad, how-will-I-get-through-this-day bad.  So I did a little research and learned about the "Die off" of yeast.  I'm now doing some of the relief suggestions, and they seem to help.

The abdominal pain has lessened a small amount, but not much, and I have more energy already.  (I had been sleeping 10-12 hours a night since this started.)

So here are my questions:

1.  Ever heard of a UT or GI tract die off that caused a vaginal reaction, or is this just a chronic vaginal infection that's taking a while to kill?

2.  Ever have abdominal pain with candidiasis of the GI tract?


I note that I've always had a little bit of gas and indigestion, but I've assumed it was just my cruddy GI tract giving me a hard time.  These problems have decreased since taking the Diflucan and probiotic.

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PAJ
Kate, There are many causes of stomach cramps, but yeast infections are endemic so are a prime candidate , you should have other symptoms fatigue is big on the list as is stomach noises with plenty of flatulence . But these not universal
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PAJ,

Can a yeast infection cause abdominal cramping?

Kate
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PAJ
Teresa , I think you need to put the evidence before your doctor and then ask for a trail taking Nystatin , Nystan alone  will not cure you  a systemic drug is needed also , but the drug is dramatic in alleviating  gut symptoms.
Download this information http://www.candidaallergy.com/us/article.asp    see how your doctor responds
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Avatar universal
Can you descibe your illness and the symptoms you are experiencing?
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Avatar universal
The 3 drugs were Nystatin, sporanox and amphotericin B.  Diflucan can be used insstead of sporanox.  These drugs are not with out side effects.  Your liver and kidney function have to be monitored.  Nystatin is probably the safest as it is not absorbed from the GI tract so it mainly kills the yeast in the bowell.  Paul's articles are very thorough and you can read on google under candidiasis.  Good luck!!  Primal is on the web at www.gardenoflifeusa.com (I think).
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Avatar universal
Rick, I do battle with sleeplessness. I think my gastro systems wake me up and also, I have a high stress job which keeps me up at night. Let me know if you trying ridding the yeast I am going to attempt this solution.
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Avatar universal
wOULD YOU ADVISE WHAT TRIPLE-MEDICATION THERAPY YOU USED TO DEAL WITH THE YEAST. I NEED TO TELL MY DOCTOR WHAT TO PRESCIBE.I'M NOT SURE MY DOCTOR WILL BUY THE YEAST SOLUTION BUT HE IS REASONABLE TO PROBABLY PRECRIBE IT IF ITS NOT HARMFUL. I READ THE ARTICLE BUT I SEE NO SUGGESTIIONS ON WHAT MEDICATION PEOPLE USED TO RID THE YEAST. THE DIET ISSUE IS DIFFICULT---LIKE I SAID I FELT BETTER ON A NO CARB DIET--BUT BEING THE LUCKY ONE I BATTLE TYPE I DIABETES AND HAD A MISERABLE TIME CONTROLLING MY SUGARS. INTERESTING ENOUGH, THE DOCTORS HAVE TOLD US DIABETICS OF THE EVILNESS OF FAT IN THE BLOOD SUGARS WHEN I WAS ON ADKINS I COULDN'T KEEP MY BLOOD SUGARS UP, RAN LOW--I ALSO HAD HORRIBLE HEADACHES. OBVIOULY, I COULD DO A LOW CARB.BECAUSE I'M A TYPE 1 I AM SUSPICIOUS I HAVE A LOT MORE SUGAR IN MY SYSTEM THAN NON DIABETICS WHICH WOULD STIMULATE YEAST RIGHT?
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PAJ
Rick ,it
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Avatar universal
You can find Primal Defense simply by doing a search for it on the internet. There are a number of sites that sell it. I was fortunate enough to find it at a well stocked health food store. You may be able to do the same. I believe that I paid approximately $40 for 60 tablets. Let me know how it works for you.
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Avatar universal
You can find Primal Defense simply by doing a search for it on the internet. There are many sites that sell it. I was able to find it at a well stocked health food store near me, and you may be able to do the same. I paid approximately $40, and I think that was for 60 tablets.
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Avatar universal
I can't thank you enough for the time and detail that you put into your responses to me, Paul. I will research the site that you sent to me. I consider the information that you have provided to me in your response as invaluable. Now I know that, even though I am seeing results, I must keep up the battle for a long period. Thanks to you, I know what I am fighting now.
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Avatar universal
Does anyone have an idea where I can find Primal Defense?
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233190 tn?1278549801
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
One consideration would be C Difficile colitis.  This is an infection that occurs after antibiotic use.  This should have been evaluated during the routine workup - but I would ensure that it was done.  Flagyl typically is the medication to treat this, but there are some resistant cases.  

Other causes for diarrhea would be malabsorption or pancreatitis (although watery diarrhea would be an uncommon presentation for these diseases).  Tests for celiac disease or fecal fat tests to evaluate for fat malabsorption can be considered.  If the symptoms abate with carbohydrate restriction, you may want to evlauate for forms of carbohydrate malabsorption (i.e. lactose deficiency).  

Finally there are very rare tumors, known as VIPomas (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)) that can cause excess watery diarrhea.  A VIP level can be drawn to evaluate for this.  

Regarding the armpit swelling, you may want to inquire about a surgery referral to evaluate for a possible biopsy.  

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.
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PAJ
Rick,How long to heal from a yeast infection depends on how extensive the infection is , what medication you take & if any co-infections are present. I would consider three months minimum treatment with triple drug therapy [see cranton] the probability is you will need longer therapy. Yeast is intracellular that is can invade the living cell, With myself It took eighteen months of prescription antifungals to bring my infection under control ,I
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your detailed response, Paul. If this is candidiasis, do you have an idea how long it will take me to get rid of it?
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your response, Kwag. I'm glad that you and your son are doing better, and thank you for your prayers. I actually got some valuable information on treating candidiasis from the following site where a parent talks about treating their son for autism, similar to your situation:

http://www.redflagsweekly.com/mead/2002_sept16P.html

What I learned from the aforementioned site, was how important it is to starve the yeast by eliminating carbs and sugars from the diet. I noticed an immediate improvement once I started the high protein diet, but yes, I think that it really is the Primal Defense that has helped me the most. I found the Primal Defense through a forum such as this, and was impressed because many people with problems similar to mine were praising its benefits. I was so skeptical when it came to herbal treatments, but I have to honestly say that Primal Defense has helped me immenseley where prescription drugs had failed. If you really stick to a low carb/no sugar regimen and supplement it with Primal Defense, I think you are on a good path.
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Avatar universal
i thought yeast infection causes constipation,not diarhea
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PAJ
Yes sounds like a text book yeast infection, welcome to the club.  Your one of millions ,You may wonder why your doctors didn
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Avatar universal
On the subject of Candidiasis, I have been researching this for quite sometime.  I have suffered many of the symptoms myself and now I have a 7 yr old son with autism.  I am treating us both with Primal Defense and other garden of life products as well as other things.  As soon as we started the candida treatment, my son looked like someone coming off heroine.  It's been a struggle but he has made improvements and so have I.  I would make much more improvement if I would stick to the very low carg(no sugar) diet.  When I do well, I feel better.  I have alot of the muscle and neuro problems as well.  I believe that chlorinated water plays a big role as well and the standard American diet (all processed high carg foods).  As well as antibiotics and hormones.  You say you are doing Primal, how is that going?  I'm interested to see if it is working for people.  There are other products to heal the gut lining as well that you need to look into.  I thank God that we are doing better and I pray that you also get well.
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