Your Candida Experiences
Hope for a “fear free” life
“A few days after my 30th birthday I woke up with severe chest pains. I had gone to see the dr and after several heart tests, extensive blood work, 2 trips to the ER, they found nothing wrong. My symptoms included; chest pain, rapid heart beat, dizziness, brain fog, extreme anxiety, food allergy, muscle fatigue, tightness in my throat, feeling of low blood sugar, and overall feeling of exhaustion, and FEAR. My doctors told me I was depressed and should go on anti-depressants. I knew in my heart that there was something wrong. The symptoms I was experiencing were not normal and could be serious. I sought out specialists and tried gluten free eating and systemic cleansing, but it only caused my symptoms to worsen (which I would later learn to be die-off symptoms) so I would try other remedies. I tried everything I could think of.
Five years later candida came across my computer when searching out my symptoms. I had almost everyone! Finally I found something to explain my health issues. I have lived in fear for five long years! I was completely done trying to talk my self through each minute of the day. With God’s help I dove into the diet and natural anti fungal pills. I felt horrible for the first week and then felt as if a huge weight was lifted from me. It took at least six months for me to see a huge improvement. I am amazed when I can go even an hour without being consumed about how I was feeling. I was faithful to the diet for a year and then tried reintroducing food back in. Sugar is still not my friend and it’s better to stay away from bread. It’s not as fun for me, but my health is more important. I hope this offers a little encouragement to those suffering. It takes time to fix, but at least it can be fixed. Good luck to you all. You can do it. This too shall pass
.”
Shared by Molly
I’m glad I found out
“The reason for all the symptoms that didn’t let me enjoy myself and my life. I had allergies and a runny nose/sneezing in the mornings since I was a kid. When I was really little I had rash on my hands that didn’t go away. When I turned 13 and got my period and I gained weight. I was skinny as a kid, but since 13 I started to be chubby. I’ve been losing these 20 lbs back and forth since high school. At 19 I got my first vaginal yeast infection after taking antidepressants and I started to have IBS. I was still sneezing. At 22 I had my second vaginal yeast infection after getting off another diet and binging on sweets and cookies and all that stuff. I felt that it’s somehow connected, but didn’t know yet how. I felt fatigue, loss of self esteem, depressed, I felt something was wrong. At 25 I had bronchitis and of course I had to take antibiotics after which I had another vaginal yeast infection. I was so lost and fed up and just wanted to be young and carefree, like other people my age.
So I read about candida and started a diet. It was my first time and I failed cuz I didn’t know much then. I stuck to a diet for just 2-3 weeks and I didn’t take any supplements to kill the yeast. Now two years later at 27 I started it again! I’ve learned so much from my experience and the articles and I hope I’ll do it right this time. I’ve dealt with my binging/overeating problems more then half a year ago and now I’m ready to go on a diet, I started almost 2 weeks ago. I take oregano oil and caprylic acid now, Psyllium husks. I have grapefruit seed, Pau d’Arco and Echinacea waiting for me, cuz I’m going to take supplements for 3 months as well as staying on the diet.
Right now i feel like crap, flu like symptoms, headaches, fatigue – worse than when I was eating anything I wanted. The diet is not too hard for me, cuz I don’t eat junk food. But my favorite coffee and pastry had to go. so did chocolate, potatoes, FRUITS!! I eat fish, eggs, non starchy cooked veggies, raw salads, sage tea. Pretty much it. I’m so happy that I found out the cure! Now COMBINING the diet and the supplements I hope for the best. The diet alone didn’t work before, candida always came back. So did depressions, mood swings, sweets cravings, and I felt “not myself” a lot. Good luck to you all! If you have doubts – don’t! This is the only right way doctors won’t tell you about, cuz they have to write their prescriptions! Take care.”
Shared by Lily
Recurring UTIs
“I am now 26 years old and I have suffered from UTIs since the age of 3. I get them about every 4-6 months and I’ve been told by doctors, although its annoying, its not too regular enough to be worried about it. I’ve had many ultrasounds and now I’m finally being referred to a neurologist. But it disrupts my life style and is costing me heaps in constant antibiotics and visits to the doctor and I know antibiotics aren’t meant to help either causing yeast etc. I haven’t tried this diet yet but I have been looking more and more into it as I don’t want to keep getting these UTIs my whole life. ”
Shared by Amy
Determined to like this
“Hi, I’m 70 yrs. and now I’m feeling it. I found out how bad I was after the holidays, when I indulged in many sweets, breads, etc. I’ve always had a sweet tooth but it got much worse. It is addictive. I ache almost all over, itch in areas where I sweat the most, tongue is white coated, sleepy and my allergies act up. I started the candida diet 18 days ago and my itching has almost completely gone and other symptoms are still there. I know it takes time and everyone is different. I lost five pounds so far. I take probiotics and do a lot of garlic, green powder, turkey, chicken without hormones and antibiotics. I haven’t taken antibiotics in years. I sent for some citrus pills with seaweed that will clean up metals in my system. Hopefully, this will help.”
Shared by Theresa
23 Years Old and Feeling 60
“I have had a range of problems since high school, including chronic headaches and fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and skin issues. I had my first colonoscopy when I was 20! All doctors I saw seemed to think I had IBS or Crohn’s Disease, though none of the battery of tests were ever conclusive. In addition to dealing with continual sinusitis and flu like symptoms for years, my most recent problems have been with my skin. I haven’t been able to wear my wedding ring for about 8 months due to a fungal infection that won’t clear. Now I have a yeast infection on each of my nipples that won’t respond to topical medications. I thought this was only experienced by women who were breast feeding! From everything I’ve read about this condition and this diet, I think this could be the answer to my prayers. I know it won’t be an easy change to make (especially given that I am a baker by profession!), but anything would be worth it at this point. I thank God that I may have found an answer!”
Shared by Marian
More than hope
“I had chronic sinus infections for years and my PA suggested Olive Leaf 20%. I was skeptical but desperate. It took about a month and realizing I had to take my pill at night because die off made me feel naseated it cleared my sinus infections. I still had cravings for sweets but didn’t make the connection with Candida until last year and have cut out most sweets. The cravings are gone and I don’t wake up with a headache every morning. I recommend the Olive Leaf (what have you got to lose? for $18 a month). Be smarter than I was and lose the sugar at the same time. ”
Shared by Sadie
Shouldn’t happen at 22
“I am 22. After 5 years of on and off Thrush infections and the most recent 6 months of constant thrush to the point I can’t make love with my partner for the burning. I have gastritis due to increased acidity in the stomach which causes abdominal pains, bloating. I was eating minimal food and exercising but not losing weight (I’m a smallish sized girl anyway but not eating hardly anything would cause weight loss in anyone else), I was just sick of it.
I investigated further – candida infection throughout the body. this explains everything I was feeling. I just started the candida diet today. Let’s hope it gives me the relief I need to lead a normal life for someone my age.”
Shared by Jessica
Why am I this sick at 25?!?
“For the past 3 years I have been plagued with bouts of severe nausea and digestive problems that has sent me to the ER several times. I have heart burn and frequently get UTI’s, sinus infections, and headaches. Countless doctors have told me that I simply have GERD and prescribed Nexium which has done little to help the heartburn. All other tests have come back negative and every doctor I have seen says that I am too young and healthy to be having these problems. In the past month I have felt spaced out, my brain has been foggy, I have lost 15lbs, and recently only eating lean meats and veggies makes me feel like I’m not going to pass out. I have also felt mildly nauseous almost every night and have difficulty falling asleep. I have visited a nutritionist who, without having any test results yet, thinks I either have a food sensitivity or an intestinal yeast infection. He ordered an Adrenal Stress Index test to see if this could be causing a cortisol imbalance. This is related to a yeast infect in the digestive tract.
My symptoms are not as severe as some listed on this site but I some days I feel like the fatigue, brain fog, and overall crappy feeling can’t get any worse. I started a strict diet of veggies, lean meat, no sugar, so wheat, and all gluten free fiber yesterday and I already feel like I have more energy. I really hope the nutritionist can confirm that this is in fact the problem so I can start getting my life back together. My husband and I are planning on starting a family in the next year or so and I REALLY want to feel better before then.”
Shared by Rebecca
My yeast fight
“In Jan. a doctor diagnosed the ugly nasty rash I had as a yeast infection, the next day I found this web site and started the sugar free diet. Within two days the yeast had subsided and the diet, along with the prescriptions the doc gave me, brought relief. As I have educated myself I have started using many probiotics along with the sugar free diet and I’m feeling much better. The rash only comes back when I cheat and eat something with sugar. Here’s hoping that in a few more months the overgrowth will be under control. ”
Shared by Ann
Candida overgrowth
“I have been suffering from this overgrowth for 4 years non stop after I went on a 6 month course of roaccutaine, the harmful drug that was just to clear my pimples left me with something worse, Candida. I was a 16 year old girl who started failing school as I started losing concentration, I had brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, chronic lower back pain, visual blurring, bloatding and gas, vaginal yeast infection almost 24/7, bad breath, nail infections, migraines, couldn’t exercise anymore as I always ran out of breath so easy. I had night sweats and I was moody as hell. I had no idea what was wrong with me and I was way to scared to tell anybody! After I built up some nerve and finally went to the doctor I was always given the same treatment, either nothing was wrong or they gave me a prescription for some creams and a one off tablet. Sometimes it would help for a week or two but my symptoms just wouldn’t leave, I was crying out for help, literally crying myself to sleep in complete agony. I have always come across stupid websites and feel as if they are all filling my head with empty promises, I’m 20 and still suffering the same old problems.This website has given me the hope that I can change my life. I have all the information and I’m ready to start the diet! I hope to God that it cures me! I have sugar cravings every day and I hope I can get through this! Knowing that I’m not alone has definitely given me will power.”
Shared by Elyse
Bloated
“I have been feeling bloated for the last 3 months and my skin is gone very dry, have used several creams but they are not doing anything. Big problem is that I have a wedding in 2 weeks time and my dress will not fit me. My other clothes also will not fit. After reading all about candida, I think this is what I have. I have gone through all tests and everything is all clear. I would really like to know if this is what I have and most of all if this will work before the next 2 weeks. I am always a size 10 and even a size 12 will not fit because being bloated in my stomach. I feel so depressed about the whole thing. I am praying that I will get back to my own figure soon.”
Shared by Pauline
Severe Pain Gone!
“I was 12 and had my first bout of severe menstrual pain followed by two to three weeks worth of pre menstrual symptoms. My period came every other month and each time i would be rushed to the E.R. This went on for 15 years. I learned of Candida and saw a doctor in 1996. I knew I had trouble eating raised donuts and breads, I could FEEL them working through my left ovary? He suggested I start by cutting out breads. I did this for 1 year. I am now 47 years old and have not been to the emergency room for PMS since 1997! I sporadically eat pizza but have learned my twice a month limit on bread intake. I hope this helps someone.”
Shared by Jennifer
Candidiasis the monster
“Today I am here reading your stories. Like all of you I have been diagnosed with candida yeast infection by a naturopath. It all started 2 months ago that I started feeling all the bad symptoms like dizziness, chills, stiffness, burning, heart beat elevating you name it I had it. I am pretty sure I’ve had it for years but always was diagnosed with urinary tract infections, but it was till I had my second baby that it got really bad. The naturopath gave me probiotics with lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium and some fatty acid mycostat pills, and with the diet he said I would be fine in a month. Its been only 2 weeks im feeling better but lets see in 2 more weeks – I will let you know. Good luck to everyone with this terrible monster that is attacking our bodies.”
Shared by Mich
Keep up the good work
“Hello! Can I just say how fantastic your web site is! I first suffered with Candida symptoms 16 years ago. I saw several GPs who could do nothing for me and eventually told me that I was probably just prone to vaginal thrush, which was the worst most aggressive symptom that I had. I did not buy the fact that my health became so poor so I set about finding a way to make myself better. There were not the resources that there are today such as your web site and it took me an age of researching and experimenting with several holistic treatments before I found my way with good nutrition and a wonderful homeopath who used bioresonance technology on me. In total from start to finish where my health became way beyond what it had ever been before took me 5 years.
I have been clear of all symptoms for 10 years, and having had an extremely stressful year have just experienced an episode of thrush once again. Feeling a little bit scared with the reminder of what I went through before to reach optimal health, I jumped on it straight away with the cleanse and strict diet. Thankfully the symptoms went within days as I knew what to do immediately. I typed into Google and found your amazing web site and thought how much easier my life would have been if I would have had access to this all those years ago!! However I am an extremely positive person and I always look at what I can learn from my experiences. I am now an Holistic Therapist myself and absolutely love what I do and the fact that my experiences can help people to achieve better health themselves. I would love to advise people who suffer from Candida in a professional capacity as I feel that I have had so much experience first hand now, so I will investigate what I need to do to enable me to do that. The recipes are wonderful on your site. That is one of the hardest things on the diet is to keep it fresh and interesting so that people are more likely to stick to it. Keep up the good work! Kind regards :-)”
Shared by Simonne
Itching gone
“Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Lately I have another flare up of candida secondary to some new medications and re-started to follow your recommendations. I am now feeling much better, the itching is gone especially in the anal area.”
Shared by Luz
Suffering .. For the moment
“Hi, I am currently in the process of eliminating yeast through my diet and I just want to say it’s been horrible for me, last night I spewed up, had bloated stomach, felt like death , had some messed up dreams and broken sleep, pains in chest, aching joints, cold shivers, sweating profusely, trouble standing for long periods, ringing in ears, itchy skin, pains in throat , brain fog. It’s like I have the flu. I have been cutting out sugar, fruit, potatoes, pork, bread, chocolate etc. Instead I have been drinking herbal chamomile tea, eating porridge for breakfast, cauliflower , swede, beef, chicken, nuts ( not pistachio) , seeds, tomatoes, salads…. It’s like being hit with a lump hammer round the head having this die off, it’s disgusting .Also having garlic raw (two to three) , apple cider vinegar with lots of water, probiotics ( goats yoghurt). I will keep you updated as to progress, I am on day four I think ( Thursday) . Say a prayer for me as I feel like death and am off work, I have suffered with candida for years and only recently plucked up courage to make a change, used to get itchy forearms which kept me up all night and felt very ill, moody and snappy after alcohol( not to mention the anxiety I have suffered since a teen) I am now 35. I think a lot of my shyness is related to candida. I took a massive course of antibiotics a few years ago for a NSU ( non specific urethra infection) turns out antibiotics are the worst thing ever to combat a NSU. Hind sight ISA great thing. Good luck to everyone ”
Shared by Paul
Thankful
“I was diagnosed with Candida 8 weeks ago, after getting sicker and sicker. The doctors were no help, after requesting prayer at my church, a member of my church who is all organic called me and asked about the problems and suggested I take the Candida test, God had answered my prayers!! Through Prayer I have been able to do this diet and Thank God for it every day. Not only has it help me, I have learned sooooooo much about our health and what our body’s are suppose to be fed. For the first time in my life I don’t feel hungry anymore or crave sweets!! This diet makes me feel very satisfied food wise, and I am healing. I did have a bad day I ate something I should not have and my body let me know right away I will do this diet for the rest of my life for many reasons, it has cured my acid reflux, IBS, my cholesterol went from 230 to 158 within 6 weeks, I am off all medications, I TAKE NONE NOW!! I no longer crave the sweets and fried foods etc., instead I crave nuts, yogurt. Your body will crave what you feed it!! And of course I have lost weight!!
I just want everyone to know how this diet has changed my life and encourage each of you to stay with it!! My symptoms if it helps were, extremely tired all the time, constipation, foggy headed, rashes when I ate something that fed the yeast on my hands & palms, IBS, Acid Reflux, swollen gut all the time, muscle aches, terrible headaches now gone. So just stay with it you too will see results. But its a life long diet not a few months and your through. Good Luck and God Bless!”
Shared by Felicia
Thank God I found out I have Candida Overgrowth
“I am a high schooler and last year my parents noticed something different with me in my mood and in my stamina. I was constantly tired and struggled with school because I had ADD. Being on the Candida diet for only 8 weeks so far my life has been changed for the better, I no longer have ADD symptoms, my skin cleared up, I’m no longer swollen in the face or calves and, unwanted odors have vanished, and my outlook on life is way more positive, even my joints don’t hurt anymore!! It’s only been 8 weeks and I lost nearly 40 pounds and have experienced significant changes in my body for anyone who has a child with a learning disability I strongly urge to have put on pure meat and vegetables nothing else and see if there’s a difference I know there was for me.”
Shared by Deanna
Be prepared and get support
“I’m 28 and I have been on the candida diet for 4 weeks now after suffering for 4 years or more with IBS, skin rashes (one on my face for nearly 2 years), thrush, mood swings & fatigue. I went to the doctors several times and got me nowhere! I started Googling my symptoms and Candida seemed like the answer to all the problems I had been experiencing. I decided to take on the diet as I didn’t feel I had anything to lose. 4 weeks in and I feel so much better. The skin rash on my face practically disappeared after just only a few days, I’m no longer feeling bloated, thrush-free and haven’t suffered with diarrhea since the first week. I’m taking a high dosage caprylic acid tablet, strong probiotics and various vitamin supplements which all aid the diet. I’m also seeing a nutritionist which I find very helpful in keeping me motivated and it’s also a great support (can feel quite lonely in it at times) but also found it important in making sure I was taking the right supplements and the correct dosage.
The first 10 days were the hardest (die-off) and I felt very daunted by the task ahead. The key is being organized for all situations and plan for all meals in advance to avoid temptation of just grabbing something convenient. Try not to let yourself get caught out in a situation where you’re hungry and don’t have a diet-approved snack in your bag! There is still a long way to go and I’m still battling with my cravings from time to time but it gets easier each day and the weight loss and improvements in my symptoms keep me motivated. Good luck everyone! ”
Shared by Anon
The medical community needs to be more aware of this
“I have had “psoriasis” since I was 23. I am 29 now and I have been experiencing debilitating pain in my joints and muscles and my feet have been swollen for over a month now. I know it is my diet. Last summer I did the cleanse and then ate fairly healthy for awhile. Once I went back to my old ways it has slowly crept back and now it’s the worse it’s ever been. It’s travesty that doctors try to give you a million medications for skin rashes and arthritis and antibiotics every time you have a simple infection. Is it kind of strange that they are supposed to be helping us, but instead are harming us? I know I have to take care of myself and can’t rely on anyone else.”
Shared by Leah
Beastly yeast
“When I was seven, I had pneumonia and was on antibiotics; shortly thereafter, I developed a vaginal yeast infection that my pediatrician [who’d waited until I was almost dead to treat the pneumonia] just laughed at. At age 13, my digestive problems started. I was told I had acid reflux, IBS, anorexia and an ulcer; I didn’t have any of these. My allergies got worse and worse. I developed skin problems–rashes, itching, fungal infections [the doctor thought it was melanoma at first]. After having Lyme disease and several viruses, my candida got worse and made my food allergies so bad that all I could eat was vegetables. I am currently trying to work my way back to a [somewhat] normal life. Oil of oregano, homeopathy, and probiotics are what I’ve been using. I had to stop eating meat and eggs, as both of these gave me breathing problems. I have had no refined sugar, no grains, no dairy for the past five years. It has been very hard and very emotionally taxing. I strongly believe I inherited a disposition for candida problems from my father, as he as been sick for most of his life [mainly with digestive problems]; my mother has had health problems as well. My list of physical symptoms is so long and varied, doctors have laughed in my face when I told them about it. Most people, including my family, believe I am simply “crazy” and need “crazy pills.” Naturopathic docs have tested me, and candida/fungus has always been my main problem. In addition, I live in a very old house in a very humid climate which makes it hard. I have found that stress makes candida much, much worse; this a vicious cycle since the more candida you have, the worse you will feel and the more stress you will have. Alternative medicine and prayer have been the only things to offer me hope and relief from the beastly yeast.”
Shared by Kells
Interstitial Cystitis/Prostatitis hell from Candida
“It is criminal that the medical profession totally deny fungal overgrowth and intestinal dysbiosis – why? Because it is an iatrogenic disease – given to us by them! They never learn about it in medical school (in fact they don’t learn much in medical school about the immune system, diet and health). I had masses of antibiotics as a young child for something that could have been quickly sorted with a bit of simple surgery. I ended up with bad bowels and allergies and was told “its IBS”. All lies, it was fungal dysbiosis except we never knew that at the time. My good gut flora completely wiped out so that I don’t have any worth counting now and nothing to control the system. I trusted the doctors – more antibiotics.
After years of bad bowels as a teenager I then developed bladder problems and interstitial cystitis. Docs scratched their heads and were clueless – they could not “think outside the box”. Their knowledge was narrow – they saw everything in isolation. Then prostatitis kicked in – severe prostate pain, agonizing bladder pain, my whole immune system in a mess. And what was the answer – more antibiotics for bacterial infections that they never found. With my body broken and over 50 symptoms ranging from bladder inflammation, prostate inflammation, sinus problems, allergies, digestive distress, itching skin, constant nasal irritation, black under the eyes, bleeding under the skin, spots, muscle pains and aches, fatigue ( everything of the symptoms mentioned by others on this site) – I discovered candida.
All over the world people are suffering this condition and the medical professionals are ignoring it despite the knowledge of the damage antibiotics and pharmaceutical drugs do. It is the hardest battle you will ever have to fight as there are years of toxicity to clear away at a cellular level. Alternative/nutritional medicine is light years ahead of traditional Western medicine where chronic illness and candida and fungal dysbiosis is totally neglected. Naturopathic doctors are far more knowledgeable and committed. They treat your body with respect and know what is wrong. Traditional doctors don’t treat you or your body with respect. The time has come for everyone with this condition to make their voices heard and to speak out about the horrors of candida. Supporting each other like this website is life-saving. Funny that the docs don’t like you using the internet – how much longer can this negligence go on? Good luck everyone and keep posting – knowledge is power.”
Shared by John
