Terra, there are certain things that will cause a Candida bloom. Certainly the use of certain medications and antibiotics, including also, steroids will do this. What happens is these medications kill the good bacteria in the intestines. Candida is a naturally occuring micro-organism found in the many colonies in the colon. Without the GOOD bacteria to keep the Candida under control, it has free reign to do its damage. It grows uncontrolled and then perforates the lining of the colon (Leaky Gut Syndrome) and hitches a ride to other parts of the body and sets up housekeeping. Unchecked, it grows exponentially. It then wreaks havoc on all body systems. It is a very real problem, especially with doctors dispensing antibiotics and steroids like candy. Most Mainstream doctors refuse to acknowledge this problem, believing that Candida is a problem for patients with HIV and who have had chemotherapy. Their immune systems just aren't strong enough to keep it under control. But the problem is much more widespread than is acknowledged by conventional medicine.

Personal experience: My step-daughter is riddled with Candida. I know this for a couple of reasons. She gave birth to her middle son 5 years ago. She breast fed him. She had expressed milk into a bottle and had left the dirty bottle in a diaper bag, which I had found. I opened the bottle and was almost knocked on the floor by the yeasty smell that wafted from it. It was in her milk. Her son a couple of years later, through an abusive experience, had to have abdominal surgury. The doctor approached me and asked me if he had been on a lot of antibiotics. I said not too much. They had found that he was loaded with yeast, EVERYWHERE. I knew where he got all this yeast from........his mother. They are both A.D.D., are sugar addicted and have many issues. My step-daughter used to eat sugar by the spoonful right out of the sugar bowl. This is the food of the Candida Gods. Among all the other symptoms of Candida overgrowth, sugar cravings is one, also severe fatigue, body aches and difficulty losing weight. This is an issue that should be dealt with, with a doctor. If you have one that will acknowledge this issue and work with you on it, I say, "Bravo!!!" Naturopathic MD's are more than willing to work with patients about this problem. I would not try to deal with it on your own. You have to find a doctor that will work with you. Kefir, live yogurt and Probiotics are how you re-populate the good bacteria in your intestines. A macrobiotic diet is also recommended. There is a book called, "The Yeast Connection" by Dr. Crook that is one of the best references in dealing with this problem. You may want to see if your library has a copy. Since it starts out as a digestive disorder, food is very important in curing it.

I hope I have given you something to think about and hope that I have educated you enough to get you to investigate it. Slow weight loss is a red flag for this condition.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Terra,

Barb and the others have very succinctly put it. The only thing I have to add is for you to check the link in my sig. On my site I tell about what has helped me the most and also provide links to the tests, including the spittle test.

You would not score high if it was not an issue for you, in my experience. I know many people who do not score high on the test. Also, even if you don't score high on the test, (my dh doesn't even register on it,) doesn't mean you can't have it. Unfortunately, I infected him All my kids have it, except my eldest, who was born when I was not having these issues. I tell on my site what I do to keep it in remission for us.

You said about other illnesses -- what I've found personally was by dealing with the candida, it dealt with the other issues as well, at least to some degree.

HTH

Blessings!
Sharron
Author of "Low Carb Cooking at Sharron's Place," and "Extreme Lo-Carb Cuisine," available where ever books are sold.

www.thelowcarbcook.com

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart." Colossians 2:2

I'll ask my doctor what she thinks. She's a really good one, and was willing to learn about the illness I have instead of trying to tell me it was something else.

I used to eat a lot of yogurt but had to stop when it caused an insulin reaction. I'm wondering if kefir will cause the same problem? We used to have it a lot when I was a kid but I haven't since then.

I used to be addicted to candy but again, when it caused blood sugar problems, I stopped eating it. But I would eat it by the bag, even as an adult.

I have chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia as well. I'm always glad to find things that will help these conditions. I've known for a long time that diet is the biggest factor in controlling them. Sleep is important too, but harder to get under control.

Again, appreciate all the information.

Terrasanct,

{{{hugs}}} for all that you are dealing with! I'm sure it can seem overwhelming at times...
You have received some very good advice here and I truly hope it will help you.

I am diabetic and cannot eat yogurt, either, but I *do* take acidophilus regularly (basically all the good stuff in yogurt without all the fillers ).
You might want to add that to your daily regimen...
I wish you the best and hope you find the answers you are looking for,

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

Acidophilus is good, Bifidophilus is even better. Do NOT buy it unles the store you get it at keeps it refrigerated. Those are live little buggars and will die when exposed to even room temps for a period of time. so your best bet is to go to a Health Food Store and look in the frig. section.

It's a shame you have insulin reactions to cultured milk products. Summer, do you even react to Kefir????? I culture my own and let it get quite sour, so there are absolutely NO milk sugars left. Hmmmmmmmm. Interesting.....

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I used to eat a lot of yogurt but had to stop when it caused an insulin reaction. I'm wondering if kefir will cause the same problem? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I do blood glucose levels and have found that yogurt raises my blood sugar the same way an equivalent amount of whole milk does. I don't have either of them.

Kefir, on the other hand, causes a very modest rise in my blood glucose levels. 4 oz at time does almost nothing and I have that much once or twice a day.

HTH

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!

I have never had an unhealthy glucose response to kefir.
And probably, if I could stomach the *plain* stuff of yogurt, I could eat that, too... but I can't (); I have to eat the flavored ones with lots of sugar. So, I just don't eat any!
Summer

Summer, have you tried making frozen yogurt "smoothies"?
Use plain yogurt and frozen berries with splenda to taste. Throw it all in a blender, whirl it all together till it's a milkshake consistancy. YUM!

Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

The health food store didn't have kefir so I got acidophilus capsules. Hopefully they'll work as well. They said they don't try to get kefir in anymore because it comes from California, which is too far for it to travel and still be live, or something.

So, what effects will I expect from acidophilus, if it's working?

Terra,

I can't tell you strongly enough:

Please see a doctor (not an MD for candida, please.) You are delving into medication now... Kefir is food. It can still cause "die off."

Candida die off can be minor with just headaches and irritability, or it can be major. I have a friend who is paralyzed from candida die off. I know another who nearly died from it.

It is a very serious infection and needs medical care.

We can't recommend dosages. Does your health food store have an ND on staff?

I'm not just trying to beat you on the head, Terra. I've walked this road. I was on strict candida treatment for 10 months. I know folks who didn't want to spend the money on doctors and just tried to do it on their own. None of them, except me as far as I know, were successful with their treatment.

((hugs))

Blessings!
Sharron
Author of "Low Carb Cooking at Sharron's Place," and "Extreme Lo-Carb Cuisine," available where ever books are sold.

www.thelowcarbcook.com

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart." Colossians 2:2

Oh, I'm seeing my doctor next Tuesday. I probably won't be able to kill myself with vitamins before that point.

Terra, that is most excellent!!!! Yeah, yer probably safe taking vits.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

BTW, what area do you live in?? Many of us have kefir grains we can ship. I am in Illinois and sent some to someone in Iowa, 2 days. She got them right away in good condition. Interested? Let us know where you are so someone near you can ship you some. I haven't tried drying any of mine yet, so I'm not sure how that works. (I'm relatively new to Kefir) Here's a website that has ALL the info you could possibly need on Kefir if you are at all interested in reading up on it. http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html#what's-kefir
Prepare to read for a long time, it's quite extensive.

As for how you feel after taking Bifidophilus or Acidophilus, I'm not sure......I haven't had a problem with Candida. Sharron would be able to tell you better than anyone.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

I'm in Montana. Don't worry about sending any; I'm not sure if I want/need them yet. But thanks.

Terra, I'm the closest to you. I've successfully shipped to AK and CA. I freeze my grains before they go, and they have always started producing immediately for their new owners

I'm glad you recieved my warning in the spirit in which it was intended. I don't think you'll kill yourself with vitamins, but I just wanted you to know how serious candida is...

Also, please don't let anyone treat you who doesn't have a good track record of treating candida. That is actually what happened to my friend who is paralyzed. She was treated by an inexperienced doc. He meant well, but she has suffered for it ever since.

Blessings!
Sharron
Author of "Low Carb Cooking at Sharron's Place," and "Extreme Lo-Carb Cuisine," available where ever books are sold.

www.thelowcarbcook.com

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart." Colossians 2:2