In Jan. my options from my GI doc were to take opium drugs, eight Imodium/day did nothing. I was eating GF, DF, SF, and very little fructose, also no legumes or tomato. I have felt for a long time that something else was wrong because I didn't get better with diet or Entocort, or Prednisone, or Imuran. I have felt it had something to do with taking too many antibiotics throughout my life, especially the Neomycin 2 years ago ( I have been much worse since then). The traditional docs poo-pooed the idea ( Ha excuse the pun) of me having an overgrowth of yeast or something like that. I got on the internet and found an M.D., a young woman, who does alternative medicine. I went to see her Feb 13 in Houston and am now on 2 different antifungal drugs, Nystatin and Diflucan, as well as several other supplements and a yeast free diet. Since I am so thin it has been difficult to keep my weight up but I am seeing results. Slow but sure. The vaginal discharge issues that my GYN dismissed are much better, no more mucus in my stools, and the strong pungent odor of my stools is gone. I still have D but am better, I have to be very careful about fiber. No raw veggies, or raw fruit or nuts. This new doctor is very concerned with my whole body, not just my digestive problems, but we are tackling one at a time. This diet is basically Paleo with some twists. She said it was ok to have beans but I don't tolerate them. I was off fruit completely for two weeks and have just recently added in a little. I don't tolerate olives so that is out to help with the weight issue. I use a lot of healthy fats: almond oil, coconut oil, and avocados, but it is not enough. I try to eat 6 meals a day. She let me add in some rice and that helps with the weight issue, but I will eliminate that when I reach remission.
I tried to contact Joanna, harvest_table. I read in an old post that she took Nystatin or Diflucan, one of the drugs I am on, (now I can't find the old post). She said it helped her. I have not gotten a response. Another former member, Reggie, also took an antifungal. He no longer comes around the board. I haven't gotten a response from him either. I sure wish I could correspond with them. Any ideas?
Pat
My new program
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Pat,
I'm not sure what's happening in Joanna's life, but she seems to stay very busy, now that she has moved back to the lower 48. If I remember right, one reason for moving back, was that her father-in -law was in need of more care, and she may be spending time helping him. That's just a guess, though.
Actually, candida overgrowth is a very common problem among MC patients, and is a primary contributor to some of the most persistent symptoms. And, you are quite correct, most doctors do indeed tend to just treat it as a non-issue. Getting a yeast overgrowth under control, as you are aware, is a lengthy and tedious process. Diflucan is often/usually used to help control it, along with dietary changes designed to minimize sugars, (carbs), in the diet. You probably have already reviewed some/all of these recently, but if you haven't, I believe that you will find these past threads to be very interesting and informative:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
CAMary has had a lot of experience with Diflucan:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
It's good to see that you've found a doctor who is actually helping, and you're doing better.
Tex
I'm not sure what's happening in Joanna's life, but she seems to stay very busy, now that she has moved back to the lower 48. If I remember right, one reason for moving back, was that her father-in -law was in need of more care, and she may be spending time helping him. That's just a guess, though.
Actually, candida overgrowth is a very common problem among MC patients, and is a primary contributor to some of the most persistent symptoms. And, you are quite correct, most doctors do indeed tend to just treat it as a non-issue. Getting a yeast overgrowth under control, as you are aware, is a lengthy and tedious process. Diflucan is often/usually used to help control it, along with dietary changes designed to minimize sugars, (carbs), in the diet. You probably have already reviewed some/all of these recently, but if you haven't, I believe that you will find these past threads to be very interesting and informative:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
CAMary has had a lot of experience with Diflucan:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=diflucan
It's good to see that you've found a doctor who is actually helping, and you're doing better.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex,
I had not seen those posts and YES they are very interesting to me. Thank you so much! You are much better at researching than I am.
In addition to the Nystatin and Diflucan my new doctor also has me on a probiotic 3X day, L-Glutamine 3Xday, Ca + D, also 5000 units of D/day (for my osteopenia), a multi( she said the Geri-Freeda were good), and fish oil. I think she wants to put me on more but this is for starters. I go back to see her the end of March. BTW, her nurse checks on me once a week to see how I am doing. This was the most organized and helpful doctor's office I have ever been to. They gave me a book ( that she wrote), a notebook filled on how to eat a yeast free diet, a container to put all of my supplements in and she emailed me after the appt with instructions on how to take each supplement. I was very impressed. Of course I paid$ for all of it. I think it will be worth it.
One of the links you sent referred to the die off of the yeast and yes I had that. I felt like I had the flu and my D was very bad at first. She told me to take Tums for the die off. One night I woke itching all over so I took the Tums extra strength and it took care of the itching.
Pat
P.S. I think I should also add that my doctor said that the diet alone won't work and the antifungal drugs alone won't work. Has to be all of the above.
I had not seen those posts and YES they are very interesting to me. Thank you so much! You are much better at researching than I am.
In addition to the Nystatin and Diflucan my new doctor also has me on a probiotic 3X day, L-Glutamine 3Xday, Ca + D, also 5000 units of D/day (for my osteopenia), a multi( she said the Geri-Freeda were good), and fish oil. I think she wants to put me on more but this is for starters. I go back to see her the end of March. BTW, her nurse checks on me once a week to see how I am doing. This was the most organized and helpful doctor's office I have ever been to. They gave me a book ( that she wrote), a notebook filled on how to eat a yeast free diet, a container to put all of my supplements in and she emailed me after the appt with instructions on how to take each supplement. I was very impressed. Of course I paid$ for all of it. I think it will be worth it.
One of the links you sent referred to the die off of the yeast and yes I had that. I felt like I had the flu and my D was very bad at first. She told me to take Tums for the die off. One night I woke itching all over so I took the Tums extra strength and it took care of the itching.
Pat
P.S. I think I should also add that my doctor said that the diet alone won't work and the antifungal drugs alone won't work. Has to be all of the above.
Pat,
I like your new doctor's style - I think you've found a winner. I certainly agree with the supplement recommendations, and with the treatment plan for candida. She definitely has her ducks in a row, with her overall treatment program, (the book, notebook, extra instructions, etc.). She's way ahead of the pack, in that regard.
The antihistamine-like effect of the tums, is quite interesting. Incidentally, did you know that Tums, (especially Tums Ultra Strength, which contains 400 mg of elemental calcium), are an excellent calcium supplement, for treating osteoporosis?
http://www.tums.ca/faq_contents.aspx
All in all, this sounds very promising. Considering all the money you've spent, during the past couple of years of suffering, and all the doctors and tests you've gone through, if this treatment works, it will be a real bargain, by comparison. As Shirley said, "Please keep us posted".
Tex
I like your new doctor's style - I think you've found a winner. I certainly agree with the supplement recommendations, and with the treatment plan for candida. She definitely has her ducks in a row, with her overall treatment program, (the book, notebook, extra instructions, etc.). She's way ahead of the pack, in that regard.
The antihistamine-like effect of the tums, is quite interesting. Incidentally, did you know that Tums, (especially Tums Ultra Strength, which contains 400 mg of elemental calcium), are an excellent calcium supplement, for treating osteoporosis?
http://www.tums.ca/faq_contents.aspx
All in all, this sounds very promising. Considering all the money you've spent, during the past couple of years of suffering, and all the doctors and tests you've gone through, if this treatment works, it will be a real bargain, by comparison. As Shirley said, "Please keep us posted".
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
artteacher
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:13 pm
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I don't check in often enough, but when I do I'll definitely be looking for your update. I sure have my fingers crossed for you.
Many years ago I took one of the drugs you mentioned (I don't remember now if it was Difulcan or Nystatin), but my doctor would only agree to a 2 week trial because of the risks of liver damage (again, this is from distant memory). I remember being disappointed that I wasn't cured in the two week time period. I'm sure if antifungals were to help, it would have to be with a more coordinated program, like you're doing. So I'm sending all my best wishes for you.
Sincerely, Marsha
Many years ago I took one of the drugs you mentioned (I don't remember now if it was Difulcan or Nystatin), but my doctor would only agree to a 2 week trial because of the risks of liver damage (again, this is from distant memory). I remember being disappointed that I wasn't cured in the two week time period. I'm sure if antifungals were to help, it would have to be with a more coordinated program, like you're doing. So I'm sending all my best wishes for you.
Sincerely, Marsha
Thanks, Marsha. I, too, took a 2 week course of Diflucan right after my DX of fructose intolerance in July 2007. My nutritionist at the time said it wasn't long enough but to take it. She didn't follow through with a yeast free diet plan either. My new doctor said that the antifungals can cause liver enzymes to elevate and she also said that so can Lipitor and the other cholesterol drugs like that and they are handed out like candy!!! She really thinks these will help me along with the diet.
A bit of news: I just figured out that I am intolerant to almonds. Especially almond meal/flour. I have been using almond oil and eating almonds occasionally - I thought all nuts were a little suspicious. I fixed Matthew's pancakes and they made me really sick - bad D, gas, gurgling. They tasted good - but my gut did not like them!!!
Pat
A bit of news: I just figured out that I am intolerant to almonds. Especially almond meal/flour. I have been using almond oil and eating almonds occasionally - I thought all nuts were a little suspicious. I fixed Matthew's pancakes and they made me really sick - bad D, gas, gurgling. They tasted good - but my gut did not like them!!!
Pat
Hi Pat,
It sounds like you are finally getting some good answers for your situation. I sure hope it works for you this time.
It's always a mixed blessing to find out about another intolerance, isn't it? It's a good thing because it helps solve the puzzle that we are desperately working on. It's a sad thing because it's one less food we can enjoy. My hope is that eventually we'll be able to add many of those forbidden foods back to our diet.
Gloria
It sounds like you are finally getting some good answers for your situation. I sure hope it works for you this time.
It's always a mixed blessing to find out about another intolerance, isn't it? It's a good thing because it helps solve the puzzle that we are desperately working on. It's a sad thing because it's one less food we can enjoy. My hope is that eventually we'll be able to add many of those forbidden foods back to our diet.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.