Starting Today

[LocaJo]

Hello.
I have been planning and working up to a yeast recovery program since November and am putting the plan into BIG action starting now. I could sure use some support or buddies or someone to talk to that understands. I have started with eliminating the sugars, other dietary considerations and adding supplements. Having slipped some over the last week due to the holidays and a visit HOME, I am again withdrawing from sugars. I will start the antifungal agents in force January 1 or so. I am frightened of the die off, having attempted this sort of a plan about 15 years ago under a naturopath's supervision and having die off so bad I thought I was losing my mind and failed to complete the program out of fear (looking back, not especially good supervision, eh?!). So if anyone else is in this process or has done it or just wants to chat and support, be in touch ok? Thanks. LocaJo

[Hezz]

Hi Locajo- Wishing you the best in your endeavor to "slay the Yeast Beast". Fungal conditions (which yeast actually is) are/ or can be EXTREMELY hard to kill b/c the dna in yeast is SO similar to that of a human, so really the best way to kill it is starve it to death i.e. no sugar, grains, yeasty foods, etc. Low Carb is perfect! ;) The anti-fungals are also great w/rx like Diflucan, Nystatin & others, but the otc also work well too such as: olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, oregano oil, pau d'arco tea, acidophilus(good bacteria) & others. Just go slow if your "die off" if it is too much. Better to kill a little at a time than none at all. Definitely oust the sugar though and go easy on the antibiotics! Olive leaf extract and grapefruit seed extract are also good for bacterial infections,which is an added bonus :) . 'The Yeast Beast " can indeed be slayed, so just keep at it and don't give up! I'm trying to win the battle too after years of being over-dosed on antibiotics! :eek:
Hope this helps some! Take Care! -Hezz :wave:

[arnie]

Being a slave to sugar is one of the worst things in the world and couple that with the Beasty Yeasties and you have a royal mess. I've been launching a half hearted attack against these buggers for about a year now. My lack of dedication has caused me to go systemic. Whenever I eat too much sugar I get bronchitis, allergies flare up, and sinusitis runs rampid.

I made a pledge today to start an all out attack....no sugar...anti-fungal agents to fight this thing once and for all. I would love to buddy up with you to report and support each other during this battle. What kind of anti-fungals do you prefer? I'm using Yeast Cleanse, SF722 (short chain fatty acid), acidophilus/bifidus, vitamin C, garlic, and grape fruit seed extract. I was told to rotate each one from week to week in conjunction with the acidophilus/bifidus and Vit. C each day.

Let's do this!

Arnie

[LocaJo]

Ok, Arnie...ya got yourself a buddy...cuz I need one too. I am off sugar now two days...but each day is a new struggle. Also artificial sweetners 'cept stevia (which is real anway)...and refined flours. Not really counting carbs or anything...eating sprouted grain bread and drinking sparkling water! Just letting go of the sugar and diet soda and I have lost 4 lbs. I am starting Caprycin right after the new year. Right now I am using garlic, olive oil, ginger for healing, acidopholus and bifudus and biotin, lots of immune enhancing vitamins and minerals. I'm using a book called Candida Albicans as my guide, can't afford a naturopath just now though I have seen one in the past. It is a major commitment. I feel that I will be working at this for a minimum of three months and probably longer, and need to NEVER go back to eating sugar. Ever. And while that is difficult to think of, I think when it comes down to it, the three months OFF of sugar and sweetners will definitely change the brain and tastes. So what have been your stragegies and what will you do now? Jo

[arnie]

I too use stevia. I have not given up Diet Rite yet, but I know I have to in order to rid myself of sugar addiction. How is the sprouted bread? I was told that I could have a complex carbs after the first 14 days of meat, veggies, water, no white vinegar, no aged cheese, mushrooms, etc. I've been too afraid to add it for fear of a reaction. As soon as I eat something my body doesn't like I have an immediate reaction. My stomach blows up like a balloon! I am not counting carbs, just following the regular yeast fighting plan.

Have you heard of Karen Tripp? She has a page on Candida on the geocities website. She said she ate things with vinegar, cheese, and complex carbs as long as they were cooked. I think the cooking is supposed to kill the mold or something. When you get a chance, take a look and tell me what you think.

B- 1 egg-cheddar( I know not allowed), decaf coffee

L- turkey-salad

D- baked chicken wings, celery, and carrots w. Ranch dressing
fruit salad( not allowed)

[arnie]

I was under a doctor's supervision a year ago, but I too am going at it alone. I feel like I have enough resources, have read enough that I know what to do. I will ask my doctor about the Karen Tripp page. My homeopathic friend said that each person with candida is different. Some people can handle fruit and whole grain bread while others can not. She said you basicly have to experiment to find out what works for you. Before starting this I did go have a candida antibody test done, but the results were inconclusive, which meant I'm borderline systemic. That was before the cheating holidays, so I will assume I am no longer borderline.

Go you!!!!!! 4lbs from eliminating sugar and diet soda. What's your strategy for preventing or not giving in to a sugar urge? Last night I caved in with the fruit salad. My plan today is to get a large glass of water and just walk away! I figure its going to take at least a month of no sugar to get this body and brain trained.

Arnie

[susieb]

ok, you've found a buddy. me. i started my new life about two weeks ago - yeast so out of control it was a bit frightening. back in the saddle. i'm feeling sooooo much better just as a result of lc'ing. lots of supplements (had been a heavy drinker, eater - huge carb addict...night eating syndrome (yuck) - gained close to 50 lbs in the last year - BRAIN FOG not to be believed, and the added bonus of an aggressive rash (itchy - yikes!)). i got so tired of being tired and having such a low level of interest in life. but honestly i felt so terribly miserable physically (night sweats, no sleep, mood swings, 'roids...the list goes on and on) i had been beating myself up re losing weight forever. nothing happened...i could not motivate until i woke up one morning and felt like a bloody train wreck! it was a bit scary to be honest (oh, did i forget to mention the lovely nail fungus i have on my poor big toes?i live in dallas, tx - where folks are quite groomed - expecially in the nail and toenal department. and, as the weather is quite warm, sandal wearing is the norm. i feel as tho the whole world is focused on my icky feet). i am rambling..sorry. so here we are - i am going to get better. i am so very focused and clear headed for a change (no alcohol will do that, yeast or no yeast!) that perhaps we can hold hands and do this thing together! are you game?

[arnie]

Yes I'm game. To kick these buggers we're gonna have to do a lot of hand holding. Are you taking any supplements? If so, which ones. I'v e been fighting a bout of bronchitis for the last 10 days, so I haven't been LCing like I should, but come Monday I'm back in the saddle for good.

[LocaJo]

I just made this long post and then RAN off to yoga and forgot to send it...and now it's gone. :mad: Oh well. Needless to say, the yoga was good and I am home now. I won't try to regenerate the same post though. Sorry I missed your post Susie. Looking forward to the threesome of yeastbusters! Keep on the lc no sugar etc thing and let's meet here often! Arnie, remember that die off is often a worsening of your symptoms...be careful not to fall off the yeastbeater diet when you feel bad...becomes catch22. Not good. I am being a scarty cat about starting the antifungal but I gotta do it soon. Sugar free, artificial sweet'ner free, refined flour free...just quit the other sweet stuff like honey and fruit (at least temporarily) and am as ready as I will ever be. Friday...right? Friday I will start the capricyn...slooooooowly. BTW, I have looked at that woman's site that you mentioned. There were things about it that were helpful. I have read a lot of stuff on the web. And that resources guide is GREAT in the other thread here. Ok, gang, keep up the good work for the healing of our beloved bodies! Hear soon! LocaJo

[LocaJo]

I took ONE capricyn Thursday. Two on Friday. Today will be the first day of a full (3), if small, dosage. A week of that then increasing slowly and watching for the die off. That's the plan.

How are you guys doing?

Jo

[arnie]

Doing great, so far so good. Cut out the sugar free soda, still eating roasted almonds though. I spoke with my doctor and he seems to think my bronchitis was brought on by a vigorous reaction to taking too many supplements to fight the yeast. I'm better now, so heres to tomorrow.

[LocaJo]

I am going So SLOW! But so far not feeling too bad. The worst thing I have had so far is more cravings for sugar. Think I got that under control again, and have gotten up to 2 Capricyn 3 times a day. That's good. Added more Vit. C to help with the detox, nearly 4 g a day now, bowel tolerance is the key to how much is too much...it all washes through in the bathroom anyway! :) SusieB are you still around? Arnie, go slow, be alert to die off...but don't give up! This is definitely fixable.

Jo

[Abbeydog]

I found this entire site awhile ago but just recently bought the Atkins book once I was alert enough to realize that I could do this lifestyle for Candida. I was diagnosed a few years ago with yeast problems and have so many issues associated with them at this point I need to get my butt in gear! I am currently six months pregnant with my first child so I am not really looking to lose weight until after breastfeeding. However, I definitely would love the support of others to keep me on track.
I have used stevia for quite a while and it works great for me. The cookbook hasn't gotten much use because I am lazy in the kitchen but that is going to change soon. I am in school for two classes this semester ( I am 28 and someday I will finish!) so I have the time to cook and adjust my diet. One thing that may help you all is the use of Glycine. The stuff I have comes in capsule form and if you poke a small hole in the capsule you can squeeze it out like a pixie stick. It has a sweet taste to it and can help curb the sugar craving. I got it from my doctor who is a kinesiologist which is how I was diagnosed. I strongly recommend this approach to anyone! Kinesiology is a form of muscle testing where your body shows resistance to the things you have problems with. I was very skeptical at first but after being tested for everything under the sun in four years I was ready FOR ANYTHING THAT WOULD HELP. It is amazing to me how many of my health problems are related to sugar and yeast. When I took the yeast quiz in one of my books I saw how things that were happening to me were attributed to the yeast and sugars I was consuming.
Anyway, this is running on it seems but I look forward to joining the fight if you don't mind. It doesn't seem like this board in particular gets a lot of use so I shouldn't get lost.
As for the cleansing, I have never done it because I went to my doctor who tested me bi-weekly for the progress of my problems. Once I got on the right track I felt a million times better. Unfortunately I didn't stick with it because I quit my job and had no money to keep going. Oh well, live and learn!

[Hezz]

Hello! I am a 29 yr. old mother and actually nursing my 5th, but trying to kill this "yeast beast" too! :mad: It is SOO stubborn! Right now I've been using olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, pau d'arco (pill form) and garlic to try and destroy these NASTY critters! These are also good for infections too, as I seem to have chronic sinusitis and allergy problems, so they are kind of a 2 fold help right now w/keeping infections under control and as anti-fungals. I'm SOO tired of feeling tired and run doowwnn! :( So I hope to get this under control w/low carbing and supplements. I was MAJORLY OD'd on antibiotics for years and also had a POWERFUL sweet tooth which is a DEADLY combo! I still struggle w/some powerful sugar cravings, but am trying to incorporate more fat (good ones) into my diet to help "satiate" these cravings. I also use some a.s. such as sweet n low, splenda and stevia w/fiber. I haven't actually given up tea, cheese or vinegar, but am not trying to induce to HEAVY a die-off at first. My big problem is not getting enough water in - so am trying to work on that one. My weight loss has been kind of slow w/nursing and all and the candida on top of it, but I'm not giving up as I NEED to feel better! I'm also trying to add at least 30 min. of exercise in which sweating helps release toxins from your body too. Well I wish you the best in your pregnancy and after and in your continuing battle for better health! :wave: Take Care!
-Hezz

[LocaJo]

The kinesiologist I went to for awhile before I moved to where I am now did not diagnose candida nor do any sensitivity testing. He did however recommend and sell me a bunch of the supplements I am taking now through my own research. :) My only complaint about naturopathic medicine is that the practitioners have a tendency to not be very forthcoming with their methods and practices so it comes off LOOKING like woowoo medicine to an already skeptical world brainwashed by the AMA. (Not me...I want the woowoo, I just wanna know what it is they are doing and a detailed account of what is happening in my body as far as a professional can tell.)

Congratulations on your baby! And I am 43 and would love to be in school to finish my BA! :)

I am doing ok with the slow cleanse and the no yeastfeed (sugar, refined grains...THEIR food). The only time I have any cravings is when I have had a slip and the after effects of that. I also think one of the die off effects is a bit more desire for these things I do not eat anymore, but nothing unmanageable. I do not follow an especially close lc diet...the book Candida Albicans recommends 50-100 grams of carbs a day. Cutting out the sugar, going easy on the whole grains, making that goal is fairly easy. I am a GO diet fan and probably the way I eat could be construed as that plan. Lots of vegies, adequate protein, lots of fiber, and cultured milk...kefir mostly, the occasional other cultured item (yogurt, fil mjolk), all of which I make myself. But still, mostly I am just paying attention to the sugar thing. And I am loosing slowly but steadily.

Sure hope you will come by often (and not get lost). It'sgreat to have some bodies to talk to!


jo

[LocaJo]

I nursed a couple babies and don't think I lost even ONE lb. doing it! :)

while I have cut down on many of the things that are possible yeast feeders, the only things that I know for sure effect me are sugars, white flours, and alcohol. What I HAVE done in relation to the other items is moderate and go as strictly as possible with organic products to avoid the hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals. If the process gets too complicated, I am less likely to do it, so I work to keep it uncomplicated. I keep reading about the elimination and challenge to test for sensitivity, but haven't got around to it yet. That is one way to do it for a shorter time, and find out for certain what kind of things are bothering you.

Something that really AMAZED me was cutting out artificial sweetners when I stopped sugar...the cravings were nil and it was the easiest time I had ever had giving up sugar, and it has LASTED!!!! Even the diet pepsi, which was a BIG deal in my life! I use only stevia and fruit for sweetening. (I make a bran muffin recipe that calls for raisins and/or applesauce and I just leave out the sugar that it calls for...it's excellent...and the only baking I do :) ). Anyway, you might consider how you use the sweeteners and adjust that to help with the cravings. Also recommended by the book I am using is L-glutamine, amino acids, a supplement called Glucose Tolerance Factor which contains chromium...and several smaller meals with adequate protein.

Well, it's really good to "hear" new voices here! Keep stopping by when you can!

LocaJo

[Hezz]

Thanks for the support. I've been trying the induction on Atkins but feel as if my milk supply starts dwindling when I'm 20 carbs & under. I REALLY struggle w/sugar cravings (esp. chocolate) and even KNOW I'll feel TERRIBLE if I eat something w/real sugar in it or white flour(esp yeast rolls!), but feel so ADDICTED I'll give in... so that's why all the a.s. right now, but I would like to eventually cut WAY back in that area too- and I have w/the nutra sweet as I know it's not good for anyone, My BIG problem to is sinus infections which is the reason for all my anti-biotic OD in the 1st place and I DON'T want to go back on them! :eek: I struggle w/headaches, muscular aches, and lately THRUSH while nursing -all from the yeast. It has been a BIG battle (w/thrush) w/3 different rounds of diflucan, genetian violet, nystatin (me & my son) and numerous natural supplements! I WANT TO FEEL BETTER! I also get panic/anxiety attacks, feelings of depression/lethargy, and of course BRAIN FOG! :daze: I just REALLY want to kill the yeast to feel better & to be able to lose all this weight from previous pregnancies...I also want to be more DILIGENT w/my supplements and EXERCISE and drinking water to flush my system. I'm not sure if I can stick w/induction while still nursing or just try PP or what?! I used to try and just cut out white flour/sugar for a while, but I also didn't lose much weight either! :( Anyway rambling on and could write a book :) , but I'll spare the details...Did you gradually wean off the a.s. or what? Just curious! Take Care! :wave: -Hezz

[LocaJo]

You probably shouldn't cut down that far (Atkins) while you are nursing. Baby needs some of the nutrients and energy that carbs provide. As adults we can get them other places, but he has only just that one source--you. How old is he? There are other plans, PP or GO, that are not as limiting (in my opinion, healthier for you too) that can help you be LC without denying you or him the calories and nurtrients that especially he needs. There are food choices available that will allow you to do the yeast diet and still maintain lower carbs and good nutrition for the baby. I suggest looking at the comparison pages of th is website to see what is out there and how it might work better for you in your current situation. Even just following a yeast diet is going to make you lower carb and likely lose weight slowly as your body heals. You probably need to prioritize...nurse a healthy baby or lose weight now?...you can get rid of the yeast while doing both or either.

I QUIT sugar and AS cold turkey. Took three days to not even think much about either unless it is right in front of my face (I try to avoid that). Like I said I was amazed at how much the AS was I believe causing the cravings that could NOT be put aside (those addicted feelings). I had attempted to quit sugar many times before with no success while staying on the AS. As drastic as it sounds, sometimes fast is better, causes less pain and suffering and cravings, and gets you what you want NOW. With all your symptoms, getting rid of the yeast feed FAST sounds like the thing to do. While it may hurt for a short time, it will be better in the end. Have you read any books or done any research on getting rid of yeast beyond Atkins? (I haven't read what that says.)

Water and exercise and other things like that are important. There a a bazillion hints and tips about how to get the water in. I usually get a minimum of 2 ltrs of water a day. Oh! Extra water will also help your milk supply, since a protein diet is pretty diuretic. What exercise are you doing? I run, do yoga, and play outside when ever I can. I also started skin brushing, sauna, and get as much massage as possible! It is all helpful in cleansing. Getting free of yeast, losing weight, etc etc, is about adopting a healthy lifestyle that you can STICK WITH! If you only do it long enough to feel better then it will come back. Usually with a vengenous (sp?).

Good luck! :) Talk later. Jo

[ByeCandida]

Hello all!

I recently found out about by problem with Candida (Sept 2002) - never even heard of it before! Nor has anyone I've talked to so far. I've attempted the "kill your candida" diet twice since September, and now I'm on my third try. I could really use some support from somewhere!

I started taking ThreeLac and Hydroxygen Plus on the 13th, and I believe I'm almost through the dieoff stage - I had severe fatigue for a week, but that's gone and I have more energy than I've had in a long time! I get a little indigestion/nausea every now and again...usually right after my breakfast. That just started a couple days ago, so I hope it goes away soon.

I'm on a strict plan right now - no sugar, no a.s., no fruit or honey, no yeast or fermented products of any kind, and no artificial anythings! I never knew how pervasive this stuff really is! There is not a single salad dressing that I could find without vinegar, sugar, or artifical flavors. (Side note - had some unsweetened applesauce tonight because one book said apples and pears were okay every once in awhile...went ballistic on my hubbie for no reason, so no more apples!) Does anyone else have major emotional upsets when you eat the wrong thing?

Anyway, there's my long hello. Hope you've got room for one more!

Bye-Bye Candida!

[LocaJo]

Hope we can be at least some of the support you need through this! It's not easy, but surely worth the effort. Certainly have heard of it!!

I keep upping the anit-fungal I'm taking...along with upping the vitamin c for detox and am having only small die off...yea!! <shwew!> Itchy places, slight headache and sinus drainage, and tired...that's about it.

Keep in touch and stay away from the applesauce. ;)

[Abbeydog]

If you are looking for recipes for salad dressings they have them in The Yeast Connection Cookbook. If you want I could post some for you just let me know.

[arnie]

Please post a recipe or two if you don't mind. Lately, I've just been eating lots of onions on my salad to add flavor. My combo of garlic and olive oil never tastes that great to me.

So far so good! I started cycling my supplements like the good doc said and I am really feeling it. Every week I take a different supplement. This is supposed to fool the little buggers so that won't get used to any one supplement. It's been about three weeks and each Mon-Wed I feel a little die reaction.

[Abbeydog]

Italian Dressing
1/4 c each:
olive oil
lemon juice
lime juice
unsweetened apple or pineapple juice

1/2 tsp each:
oregano
dry mustard
onion powder
paprika

1/8 tsp each:
thyme
rosemary(optional)
combine all ingredients in a blender and "whiz". Chill well.

C Dressing
1 med zucchini, scrubbed but not peeled
1/4c olive oil
2 T water
1/2 tsp vitamin C crystals unbuffered
1/4 tsp salt
Optional additions:
1/4 c chopped onion
1 clove garlic
6 fresh basil leaves or to taste
1 T fresh tarragon leaves
2-3 T fresh dill
cut the zucchini ito 1 inch pieces. Combine ing. in blender and liquify. Will keep one week in fridge.

Basic Vinaigrette

amounts are per person!
1T water
1/4 tsp unbuffered, corn free vit C crystals, slightly rounded
1/4 glove garlic
pinch of salt
freshly ground pepper, optional
1 T olive oil (or flax seed oil)
several fresh basil leaves or parsley sprigs
1/4 tsp dry mustard

blend in blender for 1 minute. Pour over cooked or raw veggies and toss.

I really stink at typing so sorry if I messed up. You should really see if you can get this book from the libray because it has a lot of great recipes (The Yeast Connection Cookbook) or a stevia cookbook.
Hope you enjoy!

[ByeCandida]

Thanks for the recipes AbbeyDog!

I have a few cookbooks for Candida, and all of them have some good recipes, but there's one in particular that seems to excel. It's called the Candida Control Cookbook - it's got all kinds of recipes, including "desserts" - I made their flan and their nutty tofu cheesecake...the flan was incredible and the cheesecake was really very good! I will send those recipes to anyone who would like them.

I think I will try cycling my supplements like Arnie suggested. I've been taking the same thing for nearly 3 weeks, and I've not improved at all in the last week. Maybe those little beasties need a kick in the pants to start moving out!

Take care and good luck to all!
Bye-bye Candida!

P.S. I'm not having any luck adding the little icons to my messages. Apparently I missed some instructions somewhere - can someone tell me how to get them in the message?

[kjturner]

Having successfully battled and conquered the 'yeast best' myself (using only natural approaches) all I can offer is for anyone fighting this to go on the Induction level and stay there for a while--like maybe up to two months. The die-off will cause INCREDIBLE cravings for sweets, starches and sours, but that's just the yeast trying to force you to feed it. Whenever you get a sweet/sour/starch craving just think "Die you yeasty scumbag!!" and go eat a piece of meat. I had to stick to just meat and veggies for about 6 weeks, but I managed to get the upper hand. I too took the olive leaf, caprylic acid, etc regimine and it did the trick. It was NOT fun, though.
I know sprouted bread is good for folks, but not for you right now. Give up ALL starches for at least two weeks or more. Just eat meat and veggies--no cheese. And unless you like dry salad, I'd just stick to raw or steamed veggies with butter. (Or make your salad dressing with lemon juice instead of vinegar)
YOU CAN DO IT!!! :)

[mazzzy]

hey my fellow yeast slayers, im new to this too (just over a week) and since i cant afford a naturopath im seeking your advise..

whats the position on fats, ie potato chips and such? Im not trying to lose weight (the stats i wrote on the entrance quiz were merely random; here in Australia we use the metric system and i dont know how to translate 50kilos into pounds...;))

I ate delish, hot, fatty fishn'chip-shop chips today as they have no sugar and were the most appropriate takeaway food i could find at the beach but i noticed i got the slight coating/dryness in my mouth that i get after eating naughty foods.

Should i steer clear of all fried foods too?

all power to ya
thanks and love
maz

[arnie]

To fight the little buggers you have to give up carbs, i.e. potatoes, rice, bread, fruit, etc. Anything with carbohydrates in it has the potential to feed yeast. You have to stick with meat and low carbohydrate vegetables ( no corn, potatoes, yams, etc). Some people, depending on how bad your symptoms are can tolerate low sugar fruit (strawberries) and whole grains (brown rice, barley, amaranth, etc.). Cruise the sight to get more ideas on how this thing goes. Also don't hesitate to look up info on the internet. There's lots of info out there.

Arnie

[kjturner]

Be sure to especially avoid plums, prunes, blueberries and grapes...or any other fruit that has the slight white-ish coating on it--that white-ish coating is actually candida! I don't recommend melons either as they can contain a lot of fungus. Frankly, I'd avoid fruit of any kind for at least 6 weeks. Ditto for any starches. You've got to *really* kill what's 'eating' you first. Don't give them an inch. If you're *really* craving something, that's your clue that you don't have things under control yet. I had to be really strict with myself for about 6 months before I stopped craving anything. But, boy, what a relief when the cravings stopped! Today I can handle *some* carbs, but it's more what my blood sugar readings will handle (diabetic), rather than worrying about whether I'll reawaken the yeast beast.

[vburrow]

I am new to the forum. I have been fighting yeast for 5 months now. Due to my negative experience, I don't recommend Diflucan as it caused my candida to mutate into glabrata, which is almost impossible to get rid of as it is resistant to antifungals. I started using Boric Acid vaginal suppositories two weeks ago and it seems to be working. I began taking 4 Yeast-Cleanse, acidolphus, lactobacillus sporogens, biotin and sublingual vitamin B daily and this seems to be helping as well. I am breaking out all over in a rash, especially on my forehead and nose. Has anyone else had this problem?