Candida Stories (page 16)

If you'd like to provide a little support to other sufferers, go to Share your experiences, and we'll add your story right away. These are all real stories from our readers and many Candida sufferers find them useful.

Check out some more real life stories on our other pages.

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13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17

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Candida can be a way of life

"I grew up in an Italian American family, the greater influence was the Sicilian side. They were great bakers, pizza makers and most importantly for my story, EATERS. i learned early on eating was a way of life for this family and i easily became obsessed with food and eating. there is much more personality analysis to be told than i am going to give here but the bottom line is, i wasn't raised to be the best I could be nor was i personally able to come out from under the brain coding of eating to live. it is a pattern i would return to throughout my entire life. most of the food that i ate in my youth was carb and sugar laced. breakfast cereals, pastries, cookies, pizza, lots of pizza and another favorite, fried dough (the dough of the pizza was fried and sprinkled with sugar). this was eaten as an appetizer before the pizza. the holidays: new years day, Easter, thanksgiving, Christmas (eve, the day of and the day after, lots and lots of cookies) were opportunities to gorge. what happened to my brain during those periods affected my behavior throughout the entire year. needless to say, as i grew up i became bulimic, at times obsessed with exercise to combat the weight gain and a binge drinker. i am now in my early 50's and feel my life could have been an absolute dream life, physical beauty, friends, creative success and financial security if i would not have been the imbalanced individual i was. i on a hell bent path of needing, craving, obsessing and more. my sense of self was damaged and i ruined friendships and opportunities galore. i blame lots of my behavior on my brain and my brain was adversely affected by my diet and as a result my blood, candida in my blood. "

Shared by JP

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 drs 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 tries 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 ;( 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 UTI's 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 lbs. 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 was 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

You can do it

"Living in New Orleans I had to give up alot of great food BUT I was so sick from Candida it was worth it. Among other symptoms, my hair was falling out I blacked out and felt like I was having a heart attack twice. The Doctors just said I was allergic to wheat and didn't address the diet issues. I learned everything from the internet. I gave up sugar and wheat and went from a size 14 to a six in less than 6 months. Got energy back and feel so much better!"

Shared by Maggie

Shouldnt 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. Gastritis due to increased acidity in the stomach which causes abdominal pains. Bloating. 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).,,Sick of it. Investigated further - candida infection throughout the body. Explains everything I was feeling. 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 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 sugarfree 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 sugarfree diet and I'm feeling much better. The rash only comes back when I cheat and eat something with sugar. heres 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 not stop after I went on a 6month 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, Bloading and gas, vaginal yeast infection almost 24/7, bad breath, nail infections, migraines, couldnt 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 build 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 I one off tablet. Sometimes it would help for a week or two but my symptoms just wouldnt leave, I was crying out for help, literally crying myself to sleep in complete agony. I have always come across supid 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 givin 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

Tired of the pain!

"I am 29 years old. I have had back problems and stomach problems since high school. Since then, my symptoms have gotten worse and I have even more symptoms. I have always had fluxuations in my weight mainly because I would yo yo diet. When I ate a low carb diet I always dropped weight fast and felt better, my symptoms did not go completely away but I felt better. When I would start eat bad foods again I would gain more weight and my symptoms would get worse. I was diagnosed with IBS and hypothyroidism. I also was diagnosed with Tendonitis in my shoulders and Degenerative Disks in my back. My symptoms are stomach cramps, stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, abdominal extension, acid reflux, burping, bad back, neck, and shoulder pain and aches (I think I might have fibromyalgia), hypothyroidism, tiredness, fatigue, prone to depression, brain fog, dizziness, itchy skin, itchy bottom, thrush on my tongue, resistant to weight loss, frequent sinus infections, and extreme sugar and carb cravings. Well a few years ago I went to an ENT to get an allergy test. My results were allergy to Milk, dogs, and an overgrowth of Candida. I didn't know what that was, but my doctor told me to eat low carb. So I did for a few months and then stopped again. My symptoms became worse and I gained more weight back. I finally started to do research on Candida and found this website. I immediately started Stage 1 cleanse for 3 days then did Stage 2 of the strict diet for a month. Then I started on Stage 3. I did well for almost 3 months. I dropped 20-30 lbs and my symptoms almost all went away. I had so much energy, very little stomach problems, the itchiness was gone, the pain decreased, and I was happy. When the holidays came, I fell off the diet. All the symptoms and weight came back but worse. Now I feel absolutely miserable. I am ready to start back on the Candida diet along with supplements. My husband is going to help support me on this journey. I would like to make this a lifestyle change. I would much rather feel good, no pain, and healthy than have pasta, wine, and desert! I'm ready to change my life! I'm up for this challenge! Good luck to everyone!"

Shared by Amy

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

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