Do you have Candida overgrowth and how did you treat it?

Hi all,

I suspect that I have candida issues and was wondering if anyone has treated it for themselves and were successful. It basically looks like I need to not eat any type of sugar but I also need to do some sort of cleanse? Any info or help would be appreciated.

Maybe I should go see a professional?

Thanks.

Call your PCP, Nicole.  Best and quickest treatment would be to have your doc prescribe meds to clear it up.

Ugh I've had 2 bouts of it, (both pre-WLS) and it was horrible.  I sympathize with you and hope you get this resolved soon.

In the past I was trying to treat that mostly using natural ways, but it is along shot.
Now I do a few things.
1. meds - Rx diflucan.  I had my doc prescribed them for me. They not only help with candida, but if candida gets stronger in my body - I stared craving sweets and sugars. That's how I know I need to take some diflucan and that my own natural remedies are not getting it. (depends on the symptoms I would take 1-3 diflucans, 1 pill 3 days apart from each other.
2. Probiotics. As broad spectrum as I can get. Daily.
3. avoid sugars, splenda, even sugar alcohol.
4. avoid carbs - I follow low carb style anyway due to RH
5. natural remedies for candida: i.e. caprilic acid, oreganol, etc. 
6. Use natural products for the skin, hair, etc. - the more chemicals I use - the more skin irritation can occur.  
7. Take antibiotics only when - if anything else does not work. (last 3 years- only had one antibiotics treatment - not counting the antibiotics that I was given in hospitals during - for surgeries I had)
8. make sure I have good BM - daily - nice and soft.  You want things to move.  Use fiber, flax meal, magnesium, etc.  Make sure you know that the food does not stay in you more than 36 hrs (there are ways to measure that ) The longer the food stays inside you - the more it can decay and the longer candida has to multiply.

As far as I know - once you get systematic candida - you most likely will have that for the rest of your life... and the only way to treat that is to control it and its growth. Nasty little buggers.

do you ever eat fruit?

also i read to not eat cheeses? do you? thanks. I am going to make an appt w/ my doc soon to get diagnosed and treated.

I have systematic candida for years now.... I think that contributed to my obesity and some of my health issues.
There was a time that I gave up on all and everything that is not allowed.  But - life is life. I do try to control mine.  And when - if  - it gets out of control - I do more strict diet. 
I do eat fruits - but mostly berries and overall fruits with low sugar - low glycemic index. (but not when I am dealing with symptoms)
I do eat cheese - it is one of my staple foods (unfortunately). 
But I do not eat bread, pasta, potatoes, etc - any grains (or very limited). Try to stay away from a lot of carb foods  due to RH.
BTW: most doc do not know and do not treat systematic candida, (google that),
They  will treat yeast infection and deal with that as long as you have symptoms.
There are a lot of docs that practice more holistic - natural -naturopathic medicine - they can have you tested to see if you have systematic candida (that is different from just yeast infection). and help you deal with that long term. 

yea i think the doctor i see is more open to holistic stuff. my acupuncturist recommended her so i'm confident she'll help me. i think that maybe i have to be really strict for a couple months then i can introduce some foods back, hopefully? lol

low carb is so hard for me. one more question. do you eat tomatoes? i love using them in recipes. but they are technically a fruit.

I try to eat no more that 2 servings of fruits a day. Some times less.  That also includes tomatoes, Sorry.  Tehy are full of sugar.
There are a lot of great books about candida.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dst ripbooks&field-keywords=candida&x=14&y=19

I have a few and realy like the following:
http://www.amazon.com/Yeast-Connection-Medical-Breakthrough/ dp/0394747003/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311257927&sr=1 -8
you can pick it up used for ~$4 (including shipping)

thanks so much. you are awesome. so sad about tomatoes. i may have to do some food morning. ALOT of mourning.