Could someone please help! I am just about at my wits end!
I am 7 months post removal. I have worked my way up to 100 mg DMSA and 70 mg ALA every 3 to 4 hours for 3 or 4 days, then off for 3 or 4 days. Many of my symptoms are very gradually lessening.
The problem is the candida itch is about to drive me mad! I have been on the anti candida diet for 6 weeks. I have taken 2 full candida cleanses and am on 2 more now. They are all from different companies. I also take 2 different combinations of probiotics, but the itch is just getting worse and worse, I don't want to go to a gynocologist, because all they want to do is put me on drugs.
Any suggestions?

hi Diana,

I assume you're talking about vaginal yeast issues? If so, there are some remedies that you can get over-the-counter that might help. One is vaginal suppository called Yeast Arrest. It's manufactured by Vitanica. It will kill yeast and restore vaginal Ph to a healthy, slightly acidic state and the two herbs in the capsule are antimicrobial and also serve to enhance the vaginal immune response. The main ingredient in the capsule is boric acid. It is used alot in cases of vaginal yeast infection that do not respond to traditional antifungal therapies -- or in cases where women don't want to use any "medicines." Boric acid used in the this manner is quite safe and extremely effective. You can do a Google search to see alot more about it.

Second, there is a great vaginal probiotic on the market called CandaClear. It's manufactured by a company called Pharmax. It will help recolonize the healthy vaginal flora. It's easy to use. And some people are able to manage and resolve their recurrent vaginal infections by using a course of Yeast Arrest followed by a course of CandaClear.

I have some other remedies and suggestions that I can post, if you're interested, just let me know.

SomedaySoon

SomedaySoon:

They look like they are worth a try. I am ordering them online today.
Thank You, I will let you know how they work.

Diana

Let me know if you find relief with them. They've been a life changing remedy for me and many others. And, many women find that after a course of Yeast Arrest it is helpful to try and re-implant with a probitioc, like that CandaClear. Natren makes a vaginal probiotic too called Gy-ne-tren. Re-establishing a healthy beneficial vaginal flora environment will help keep the vaginal immune response and the vaginal ecosystem strong.

Also, taking sitz baths can help to temporarily relieve symptoms. You can use Epsom Salts or add tea tree oil to the sitz bath.

SOme other things that can help is: Using pure unscented soaps, laundry detergents, eliminating fabric softeners and dryer sheets, some women find they have to change other products as well. I don't mean to pry but I thought I'd offer that most of the vaginal lubricants on the market will actually irritate and feed yeast. There is one that will not and it is called FemGlide. It does not have any sugars or other ingredients in it that will feed yeast. And some women prefer to use natural lubricants like olive oil or coconut oil, but I don't know how those oils would affect condoms.

Even some of the feminine hygiene products out there can cause irritation. Most of the panty liners out there today are so abrasive that they can actually cause infection. Some women find they need to switch to natural/organic fem. hygiene products or even cloth products. There are companies that make these, believe it or not.

And spermicides are another common culprit.


Good luck!

SomedaySoon

Thanks, hon.
I am very, very careful about the products I use: All natural, and organic, if I can find them. I avoid all the chemical hygene products. I know about the toilet paper and detergent issues. I have been through that before also.
Hopefully, this will help.

My candida has been driving me mad as well. I still have amalgams, and considering getting them removed shortly. After trying oil of oregano, grapefruit seed extract, and other natural antifungals with the candida always finding its way back, I just resorted to taking the prescription last week. I never take meds but I couldn't take it anymore. I'm taking Terazol 7 - it's my last night on it, and it has made the itchiness a lot better. But I have a bad feeling it will come back after I stop taking it. And I don't want to take it again.

As far as natural things go, I've heard that Orithrush -D taken vaginally in water works well and that cellulase (an enzyme) is good for it as well. I have not tried them yet, but do have the Orithrush here.

I'm considering trying Nyastatin vaginally but usually don't feel well when I take it.

Did your candida get worse post amalgam removal and with chelation? I'm glad to hear that other symptoms are improving with your chelation even though the candida is still there.

Hope you feel better.

Andrea:

Yes, the candida has gotten progressively worse over the last few months. I am guessing that chelation has "stirred" it up. It's a juggling game....Trying to chelate and keep the candida under control at the same time.

Hi Diana, what kind of candida diet are you on? Some candida diets are not restrictive enough. Also, everytime you chelate, you are feeding the yeast also, not just from the movement of the metals and toxins, but also the chelating agents themselves feed yeast.

You may need more time off inbetween your chelating rounds if it's getting that bad.

The most restictive candida diet only allows egg, meat, vegetables (no high carbohydrate ones like corn, carrots, potatoes, peas/beans etc) and healthy fats like lard, butter, extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil. that is it! Anything else feeds yeast at this stage. Fruit, milk, cheese, grains and anything high in carbs are no nos. Even yoghurt and raw nuts can be a problem in the early stages.

An interesting link to one of Andy Cutlers posts stating that chelating does not raise levels of yeast much. http://www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/message/32639

Yes, but he still admits it can occur. He just doesn't think it's significant. But there are those who do notice it's a problem. For me it was also. I used DMSA a couple of years back at 50 mg, every 4 hours. I was admittedly not on a yeast protocol at the time, but that was enough to cause me a real issue and I had to go on the candida diet, due to the gut problem that resulted.

So, maybe sugar was more the problem, but the chelating agents didn't help.

Bex:

Thanks for asking.

I am on a very restrictive diet. No wheat, sugar, yeast, vinegar, gluten, alcohol, or starch. A very small amount of dairy.

My average daily diet is:

Breakfast
4 oz Kefer with Live Probiotics (The only reason I drink this is for the probiotics...I hate the stuff! I have to put non-alcoholic flavoring and stevia in it just to get it down)
OR
Celery with a couple tablespoons of Peanut Butter
OR
A couple scrambled Eggs, with non-starchy Vegetables, cooked in Butter or Olive Oil

Lunch
Green Salad with Olive Oil and Lemon Juice

Dinner
A protein (Chicken, Turkey, or Beef) Baked, or Cooked in Olive Oil or Water
Steamed non-starchy Vegetables

I have been eating some raw nuts or seeds occasionally, if I get hungry in between. Only a couple times a week, though.

I also take 3 1/2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil each day and my suppliment of Essential Faty Acids 3 6 9.

If what I am eating is still feeding the candida, then just shoot me, because I cannot survive on vegetables alone. I will starve to death! I have already lost about 10 lbs. (Not that I am complaining...the mercury/yeast has caused my weight to skyrocket) Anyway, I get very little enjoyment from food anymore. Avocados, onions, and steak are what I look forward to.

It is bad enough being sick from the mercury/candida, but not even to enjoy food, is getting to be almost more than I can bear!

Diana, I know what you're going through. Just wanted to let you know that I can empathize. {{{{hugs}}}}} THe antifungal diet is a pain. And the cravings that candida can sometimes cause makes keeping to the antifungal diet a daily exercise that feels like a battle. Furthermore, during the times when I had to do the strictest portions of an antifungal diet -- well, I found it to be downright isolating. I also found that, for a variety of health reasons, it was not good for me to remain in the strictest part of the protocol for extended periods. My body needed more low glycemic carbs in order to heal. But, we're all unique and require different things.

Hang in there!

SomedaySoon (Sharon)

Hi Diana, I know how this feels believe me!!!!! It seems what you are consuming is pretty darned good. Maybe minor adjustments might help, I don't know.

All I know is, consuming lots of eggs and meats, and healthy vegetables with lots of healthy fats is the way to go and what causes many to begin at some point normalising their weight and gaining health. It can take weeks or more for the body to begin responding, as it takes time not just to detox, but to rebuild the tissue and repair.

If one cheats in that time, they can almost have to start again, it's very tough to get to a stage of more solid healing! Too easy to mess up, not easy to fix and that's what I hate about being so ill. It's too easy to do anything wrong.

I can suggest strongly to you to joint his group here -
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/candidasupport/

This would be the best group I know of for all these issues, and the lady owner of that group can help you in what you are going through. It's awful I know!!! And at times you seriously what to go crazy with being hungry and wanting other things.

It does take time to stick to. but I'd check out that group and check out the files on there and do some reading. you'll be impressed, as I have not come across anything like it. The information is brilliant. If you post what you're going through on that group, you'll find all the help you need in this area.

Take care!

Thanks so much to all of you. I am feeling somewhat better, Maybe all the stuff I have been taking finally caught up . I am waiting for my order of Yeast Arrest. It should be here any day. As if things weren't bad enough, I gave it to my husband! AGHHHH!!!! His symptom was burning, not itching. Hopefully, the new stuff will work. I hope my husband doesn't give it back to me! He refuses to take anythng for it.

Someday Soon:
Thank you soooo much! The Yeast Arrest seems to have done the trick! I started the CandaClear today. I feel soooo much better. You are a life saver!
Of coarse, I thank our Heavenly Father for bringing you my way.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Have a Great Day!

Diana, how awesome is that?!! I couldn't be happier for you, dearheart. I know what it's like to have to deal with those nether region problems -- I had them for close to 15 years and no docs seemed to be able to help. I didn't find a resolution until I found natural vag. support remedies like Yeast Arrest and CandaClear after doing a veritable boatload of research on the medical databases.

When I told my yeast doctor about those two products he started recommending them to his female patients. Last time I saw him he said he'd recommended Yeast Arrest and CandaClear over a 6 month period to about 40 of his patients so far and all of them had experienced success.

Thanks so much for sharing your success. Way to go!!!!

By the way, I still keep both of those products (and other helpful supportive remedies) on hand to use for maintenance or if I experience a flare-up. And most women who are prone to problems in the nether regions find that using something like Yeast Arrest (or the CandaClear, you'll have to experiment) after intercourse is just the ticket to keep everything in balance. Sex will cause the vaginal Ph to become alkaline and that can leave it susceptible to infection. Using one of those products afterwards can make a world of difference (and I think it can also help deter the possibility of the passing back and forth issue). Hope that's not too much information!

Hugs and Blessings to you,
Sharon

Hi Somedaysoon

I would like to ask you a few personal questions i desperately need advice but dont really want to post them here, is there a way i can email you personally??? If not I understand.

Thanks.

Hi Anonymous,

If you register yourself as a user here (click on the New User feature) you'll be able to contact me privately with any questions by private messaging.

SomedaySoon

Someday Soon:

I will keep some on hand also. I had already determined to use it after being "with" my husband, just in case.
Sometimes you have to find just the right item(s). Nothing else seems to work. I had the same problem when I went off the HRT and decided to go natural. It took several years and I don't know how much money for me to find just the right thing to stop the hot flashes and keep the mood swings under control. If anyone is curious, it is called phyto-B. Best stuff in the world! Well, next to Yeast Arrest HAHA.
Thanks again!