I'm giving a candida treatment regimen a go, though it's going to be a few weeks before the results of the antibody test I'm having will come in. Working on the assumption that I have candida, it will have been sequestering mercury; so if I start killing it, I'm going to be re-poisoned.

You don't take ALA while your amalgams in, so might the same logic work here -- if mercury is slowly coming out of the dying candida, then ALA would presumably let it across the blood-brain barrier. Yet, I would need to chelate it out with DMSA and use Algin to mop up the mercury as well as the toxins from the candida. Is this what others here have done? I stopped taking ALA today and started on the DMSA again. Feel more fatigued, but the anxiety and brain fog lifted a little almost straight away. I was feeling pretty bad and I'd got so absent-minded that I had several very stupid incidents with keys Friday and was lucky things worked out OK.

I need to get some capryilic acid and probiotics to take along with the fluconazole. I've had one cap of that, last Wednesday, and it's hard to tell what's happening apart from a more or less constant bloated/gassy/uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. I thought the diet would be pretty easy but over the past few days I've had to refine it further. I cut out carrots and cheese for a start. Suddenly realised (duh) that sausages have breadcrumbs in them. The ones I was eating didn't have any sugar, but I'll have to avoid them just the same, so there goes a cheap and easy meal. I'm missing the cheese too. Tomatoes also seem to give me a problem. I guess we're all individuals.

Watch me do all this and the antibody test comes back negative LOL.

LInda - there may be a way around the whole kill candida/release mercury thing. I was using in the past and will be now again a homeopathic product - Exmykehl (by sanum, it'sd sold all ove rthe globe u should have it in uk) - and now I think it helped my casndida without the terrible dye off reaction, that's why I decided to give it another go. When u take antifungals it supposedly splits the candida walls open and realeses the toxins, mercury included, but with this thing it supposedly make sthe candida adhere less to the intestinal walls and just makes it 'retreat', so the mechanism seems different. You may try that, at least another option, I will let u know how it goes with me in a couple of days.

Hi Jinx -- yes, this product looks good. I'm all for homeopathic remedies. I've had a look on the internet for this, though, and I can't see any place where I can get it in the UK. Seems quite common in Germany and in your neck of the woods <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Let me know if you get any help from it? I'd say anything like this is worth a try, though I'd never put all my eggs in one basket.

Thanks,
Linda.

Has anyone here actually treated their candida successfully, after they have chelated the initial mercury out?

I'm into my third week of a strict candida diet (Paleo as well, so no grains of any kind), and I've been taking anti-fungals. I felt awful as soon as I cleaned my diet up, which has been the story of the previous 4 winters, and even though I have little appetite I am always craving sugar. I thought that die-off wasn't supposed to take this long. There's just no relief in sight so far. Maybe my problem isn't candida. I'm still waiting for my test results.

I'm also still taking DMSA, 50mg every 4 hours, for any mercury that's being released by the candida. If there is mercury in the candida then might this slow down the die-off and detox process?

Hi Linda, it takes me 4-6 weeks to come right even from a small cheat. That means even non gluten grain of any kind, or even popcorn. And during all that time, it feels often like nothing is happening. I just feel rotten, but not the kind where it feels like healing. It is a test of patience and undurance and to continue until you get a breakthrough.

On a candida forum I'm on, it can take even longer. Some people take 2-3 weeks to start improving, others take much longer. It depends on how sick you are, how badly you have candida and what other toxins you're battling with at the sametime.

Don't give up, it's worth sticking to. I have also found added iodine to my diet, has helped me. It's increased detox, increased warmth and who knows what else it might be doing. Low thyroid function is typical in mercury and other conditions and can cause ongoing tiredness and depression because it blocks the action of iodine (displaces it), as well as many other nutrients/elements.

DMSA should be fine. If any mercury happens to be released from antifungal use, then the DMSA is likely to pick that up. Sometimes chelation can increase yeast issues though...so there is a bit of a two edged sword.

Keep strict on the diet and see if things start to change in another week or more.

I hope they do.

Cheers.

That's very kind, Bex. Thanks. Is it possible to take a pure iodine supplement or should I get it in seaweed or algae of some kind?

I keep hunting around candida websites and they say that die-off usually lasts a day to a week or two. I was just beginning to wonder what was going on.

Easter . . . arrggggh. An awful time of year to be having sugar cravings. But I will keep going -- something positive is bound to happen eventually.

Linda, how is your thyroid?

Still waiting for those test results <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've read somewhere that you have to be careful with iodine where there is a thyroid problem. Busy reading up on the thyroid at the moment.

Ah, right.

I was told this too.I heard that iodine can also decrease thyroid function.I'm confused about this.

Hi Linda, no problem. Well, I'm not completely certain about kelp etc, becuase they can be contaminated too. Best to get a tested brand if you're going to try it.

I'm not sure of the best way to take iodine. I have it already in my multi supplement (potassium iodide 100 mcg), plus I take lugol's which apparently is a good one and iodol. I have a diluted version of lugol's though, so I only get 250 mcg per drop (I take 4 drops a day).

Perhaps it is better to take supplement iodine itself, rather than seaweed, so you can more carefully gauge how much you're getting. I think kelp can contain varied amounts. But that's up to you. It depends how you respond.

I think these links here are good to read on the matter
http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Liodine.htm
http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Liodine2.htm
and/or simply google benefits of iodine to find out more. Unfortunately, as with anything, you get contradictory statements on the dose side of it and how much is best....But from what I understand 150 mcg is the apparent RDA, however this is only to prevent goiter, but is apparently far from optimal doses, especially if you are toxic! Doses can go up to far higher doses for people and apparently the body excretes the excess. I have heard it's probably not wise to go over 1500 mcg a day, unless under medical guidance. But again, you'll find differing ideas on this also.

These websites that state that die off/healing in candida only go for a day or a week or two, in my experience certainly don't speak for most people I know on forums who have candida. perhaps they speak for those who have just a temporary problem, but are usually healthy and doesn't take long to get themselves back into balance. Those with long standing problems, take many weeks and sometimes months. And usually people with these problems crash easily from cheating on their diet, even a mild cheat (i'm one of those). I also stay away from coffee too, I'm finding that is a big issue as well. Not sure what the heck it does, but did read somewhere it can wipe out a lot of good bacteria (even just one cup). Whatever the truth, probably wise to stay away from it. It also stresses adrenals as well and I've experienced that!

Yep, I"m going through the Easter thing too Linda. Cravings and seeing all those chocolate easter eggs and having to sit there and put up with it. But the aftermarth of cheating isn't worth the momentary pleasure!