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To all who have been posting here:
Hello. So about a week ago I started an anti-fungal diet. It has been very difficult and I have been very depressed. I'm somewhat depressed because I feel rather alone in this, most people in my life don't really understand any of this (I'm 21 years old, most people my age that I know don't have problems or think about their health really at all); and I'm sure the depression and fatigue could be a direct result of "die-off."
The thing is, I began this diet by my own volition, not my doctor's or anything, and I was never formally diagnosed with a yeast overgrowth. It is something I have suspected for some time because for the past 4-5 years, I have experienced: chronic headaches, digestive problems, IBS-issues, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, mood swings, severe brain fog, vaginal yeast infections, etc. These have all happened on and off and overall, the past year has been considerably better than in the past... for example, no vaginal yeast infections for 5-6 months now (which is a big deal), IBS symptoms are almost under control, and I can get away with eating a lot more. I still experience unexplainable tiredness and brain fog almost daily; headaches, dizziness, and joint pain occasionally. What I am trying to weigh here now is whether this diet is even worth it for me right now. It almost feels as though the costs outweigh the benefits (though it would be unthinkable and incredible if I were completely cured and seldom suffered from ANY of the aforementioned symptoms!) The fact of the matter is, I have almost grown accustomed to this and not that I like it and don't want to change it, I feel more depressed these last few days that it doesn't seem worth it. It feels like I've convinced myself that this is so much worse than it actually is, when I stop to remember that before I started the diet, I was uncomfortable at times, but I was happier.
I guess what I am interested in knowing from anybody else here is what kinds of symptoms do/did you have that you think are/were a result of Candida? And how often? I have done a lot of research and it seems like many other people have had a yeast overgrowth far more severe than mine, with symptoms much more horrendous and life-altering. Mine are awful and I hate it, but I've been living this way for quite a while... and most of the time, it's manageable. I really want to be healthy but I am miserable. This diet is affecting my social life, I don't feel like I can go out and do the same things I used to, since many social situations are occasions for eating and drinking. Plus, nobody in my life seems to understand this. Or they think I am crazy.
Please, thoughts from anybody?
Thank you.
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21, female, Long Island, NY
school in Kingston, RI
IBS-C, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, cramping; acid reflux; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue syndrome; chronic headaches
"Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
"Suffering arises ... whenever we resist the flow of life and try to cling to fixed forms..., whether they are things, events, people, or ideas."
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Hello,
Sorry you are not feeling so great right now. I read your post with interest and was wondering what kind of antifungal diet have you been on? What are you eating? Are you also taking any prescription or natural antifungals? I think either are key to getting rid of any fungus condition, if that happens to be your problem.
Realizing you can't/don't have things the way they used to be, whether it be eating habits, friends, job, place you live,etc. can cause depression under normal circumstances, let alone with condition that may be caused by fungus. So, it is hard to know for sure.
If you have already been on this diet for one week, I would not be so quick to give up just yet. You should know more in another week or so if/when you start feeling better. For me, my symptoms were very real fatigue along with flu-like symptoms. Probably lasted into the second week of the diet, but I never felt "better" until the beginning of the third week of the diet. I also went on the diet on my own volition.
I'm thinking it is too soon to tell whether the diet will help you. Your symptoms, however, when you had your good, and bad days, have been known to be fungus-related. Is it that you can't eat what you want that bothers you the most, or the feeling of depression and fatigue? If this diet helps you, are you willing to make a change with how you eat the rest of your life? I now eat pretty well most things again, in moderation, but I know there are still foods I need to avoid (yeasty foods) and limit (sugar). I don't ever entertain the idea of going back to the way I used to eat because I felt so miserable.
What is it that you can't do in social situations? There should be food you can eat, or adapt and take your own, or eat before you go out. We can always find a way to do the things that we really want to do. As for the drinking, it is not a life sentence being on the diet. Once you get well again, you will have to moderate your intake, but you should be able to have a drink now and again. I drink red wine pretty well every weekend. Every one is different, however.
I hope you are encouraged to continue with the diet. How will you ever know otherwise? If it doesn't help, go from there.
Take care.
Kim
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Kim123,
I am on the diet on from knowthecause.com and have also consulted a number of other websites including yeastconnection.com since there are some indiscrepancies as far as which fruits and legumes can be eaten and when. However, I pretty much eat all kinds of vegetables greens, spinach, asparagus, celery, cucumber, scallion, garlic, pepper, avocado, green apples, berries; steak, lamb, turkey; eggs; almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds.
I have been taking Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules, Garlic Capsules, Candex, and probiotics. No prescription antifungal right now. Do you think I need one? I plan to see my physician, but the problem is, I am in an awkward stage right now as I am finishing up school in Rhode Island within the next week, then finals, then graduating and then returning home to Long Island,... during which time I can see my regular physician.
Though I am feeling generally a little less depressed today than the last few days, I have been feeling this because I haven't/hadn't really spoken to anybody in my life about it, and even people who I had, I didn't explain it all because it's so complicated and I don't feel people really understand or believe me. In the last two days, I've told my boyfriend, father, and sister a little more, which sort of helped I guess.
I feel like it's hard to eat out of the house with the restrictions because you never really know how people cook things. And the fact that I can't drink sort of gets me down, I'm 21, I like beer for the taste even, not to get drunk, and when most of my friends "go out," they go to bars.
I suppose this may pass... it's only the beginning and it is such a long process as I've read, which scares me out of my mind to think how long I might have to live like this, or what if I never feel better...
I am also on the birth control pill. Have been for roughly 5 years without a break, originally for very heavy bleeding (I'm talking super-plus tampon every half hour, 6-7 days) and now also to prevent pregnancy. I know birth control pills make the body hospitable for yeast overgrowth and the more I read about what the excess hormones can do to your body, the less I like it. I have been thinking of discontinuing after this pack it finished, but I am also very nervous about this. I keep thinking about if my periods go back to how they were (they are extremely light now, 2-3 days), and if I will face many common side-effects of discontinuing BC use like headaches, nausea, mood swings, etc. I am also considering the fact that if I go off the BC now, while it may assist me in recovering from a yeast overgrowth, I may have started to feel better on the anti-fungal diet and never would have known if I start developing symptoms from discontinuing BC use. Do you know what I mean? I don't know if the timing is right or not.
A lot of things to think about and I am very on edge... 8 days now and I am just waiting to feel some relief.
Thanks for all your thoughts and understanding,
Jackie
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21, female, Long Island, NY
school in Kingston, RI
IBS-C, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, cramping; acid reflux; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue syndrome; chronic headaches
"Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
"Suffering arises ... whenever we resist the flow of life and try to cling to fixed forms..., whether they are things, events, people, or ideas."
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Don't know if this will help you, but it has helped me...I also have a yeast overgrowth, and I am IBS-C with pain and bloating. I have been on probiotics & a Candida diet (UGH). In the fall I moved from Atlanta, GA to Jasper, GA. It is a small mountain community in North Georgia. I met a woman who does Reiki Massage. She asked me if I have ever tried Kefir. (Do a search on the internet for this to get an explanation.) Since I have been drinking the Kefir, my Constipation is no longer there. The bloating has drasticly improved along with the pain. I also take Heather's Acacia, pepperment capsules, and pepperment tea. I am soooo pleased 
Snookie
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Snookie, IBS-C
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Kefir
#344937 - 04/24/09 05:54 AM
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Jordy
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 2095
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where do you buy kefir? What brand/kind do you buy? Is it a drink?
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Kefir is dairy and unsafe according to EFI.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Re: Kefir
#345019 - 04/25/09 06:53 PM
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ECM
Reged: 08/23/06
Posts: 132
Loc: Jasper, GA
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I happen to make my Kefir with soy milk. I know a woman who makes hers with almond milk, so it can be made IBS safe. Jordy, you have to get the grains from someone who is willing to share with you. The commercial brands are not IBS safe because they are usually made with goat milk. As with anything, what works for one may not work for another. I only wanted to share my experience since I have been constipated for soooo long, and this is actually working for me. 
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Snookie, IBS-C
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Thanks ECM for sharing and caring. Sometimes people on these boards jump a little to quickly before asking a few questions (myself included in that group  ). We are glad that you shared.
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Re: Kefir
#345034 - 04/26/09 08:49 AM
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Jordy
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 2095
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Thank you! I don't know of anyone who has the grains. Would you know how I can get my own safe grains and tell me how to add it to almond milk?
I'm so contipated, I would truly like to try this! Thank you so much
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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Kandee post about buying starter at HFS
Kandee's post about using Yogourmet
Yogourmet site
The site says their starter is made from strains of dairy cultures which I think means the bacteria are from dairy rather than that the starter is dairy-based. At any rate, if Kandee uses it it should be okay.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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