The lead up to my battle with Candida

As Big Ben marked the start of a new millennium I kissed my fiancé, full of optimism for the future. I was a happy, energetic 22 year old, vibrant with motherhood, wedding preparations and due that year to return to a BA in English from maternity break. Little was I to know that later that month my millennium dreams would be shattered. With intentions to run the 2001 London Marathon I kept fit alternating running and aerobics each evening. During an aerobics session that January my body crashed, it was the last session I ever attended. I’d had a sore throat that day but it suggested nothing more to me than the onset of a cold, the sore throat stuck with me for a year.

I had contracted Glandular Fever from my fiancé. He had been ill the previous year and had made a full recovery. My GP prescribed antibiotics frequently, not to deal with the virus but secondary infections. It took over a year for me to loose my husky voice and swollen glands but my energy did not return. I couldn’t face a wedding and my relationship deteriorated, I was alone with a three-year-old child and back at uni. I wrote letters for my daughter in case I died, convinced I had a tumour. Frustrated, I knew something was wrong, but no one was listening. I’d been tested for arthritis and a stomach ulcer so disabling had my pains been, but each test was negative. Rather than study during the time my daughter was in childcare I slept. I deteriorated so far that on one occasion I was convinced I was paralysed; no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t move and my three year old was left to fend for herself for hours on end.
My GP decided I was depressed, I began a high dose of the anti-depressant Seroxat. Convinced my daughter would have a better life without me I overdosed whilst she was with her father. Fortunately, if the hospital informed social services they never approached me and I didn’t loose my daughter over it. I since discovered that Seroxat has claimed so many lives that suicidal notions are listed as a side effect on the information sheet accompanying the drug.
Eventually, just over two years after the nightmare had begun I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) also known as ME. I was urged to defer from my degree and rest. With just a few months left I was determined to graduate that year, I had a place on a PGCE (teacher training course) and didn’t want to loose it. With one last push I hoped I could see the degree out; I’d have the long summer break to recuperate ready for the next course. I graduated with a 2:1 but at what cost? Exhausted I have yet to start the PGCE.

My weight had doubled, shooting from an athletic 8 stone to a hefty16 in under three years. I’d heard that under active thyroid often accompanies CFS and can be responsible for lethargy and weight gain. A blood test confirmed I indeed suffered from under active thyroid and I was prescribed thyroxin. Immediately I began loosing weight and my energy levels rose slightly. Despite having another baby I have lost 6 stone without any change in diet. In February 2007, with no further support from the NHS I sought alternative help. I began consulting a Homeopath who recognised a cluster of my symptoms were related to Candidias, another condition linked to CFS. I approached my GP for treatment but he only seemed to associate it with thrush, which for years he’d been treating with harsh anti-fungal steroid creams which ultimately thin the skin and create problems of their own. Thrush is one of the least debilitating symptoms and yet it seems the only one the NHS acknowledges.

CFS has disrupted my plans but I’m determined not to let it ruin my life. By identifying and treating various complications linked the illness my energy is returning gradually, it’s just a shame I have to do this unsupported by the NHS. I’ve accepted I may never regain my former drive but I'm managing more now than I have since my "crash", things really are starting to look up. Despite my health and two children to bring up alone I have recently embarked on a part time MA in writing, I study Welsh twice a week and am a Brownie leader. I look forward to eventually gaining my PGCE and earning some money!

Candidias: What your doctor probably won't tell you.

What is Candidias?
Candidiasis is a yeast overgrowth first identified in the 1970’s. Candida albians lives in everybody’s intestines, usually with no ill effects. However, antibiotics destroy many microorganisms including beneficial ones, allowing candida to colonize and penetrate the intestine (leaky gut syndrome). Transformed into fungal spores it absorbs into the body allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream and strain the immune system. The absorption of vitamins and minerals are compromised exacerbating any immunity complications. Candida is mostly associated with thrush but this is often just the beginning of the problem. The whole body can be effected to chronic and debilitating degrees as can be seen in the list of symptoms below.

Who’s at risk?
The disease is mostly associated with women although men and children can be effected. Hormonal imbalance is related to endocrine disorder, which is often a symptom of Candidias. Women are exposed to oral contraception, HRT (Hormone replacement therapy), menstruation, the menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding. High oestrogen is linked to cancer, couple this with a compromised immune system and candida patients could be at a higher risk of cancer. Even if we avoid taking antibiotics and hormones ourselves meat is often contains them. Dental mercury in fillings are believed to contribute to candida overgrowth. As a society we are consuming vast amounts to toxins with devastating effect, unless we change our habits candidias is likely to become more widespread.

Symptoms
Hyperglycemias, ear and throat infections, skin conditions, allergies, menstrual disturbance and infertility, thrush, poor memory, lack of concentration, chest infections, digestive disorders, high blood pressure, cardiac and respiratory problems, pain and fatigue, memory and concentration loss, phobias, sleep and eating disorders to name a few.

Diagnoses
Candidias is a condition usually misunderstood by mainstream medicine, with most practitioners and medical authorities ignoring or denouncing the disease. This is not surprising since the lack of agreement between medical associations on testing and treatment leave no concrete guidelines. More research and raised awareness is needed to clear up these confusions. When treatments are offered they deal with the discomfort of symptoms individually rather than the illness. Conventional medicine derives from profit driven pharmaceutical companies. Since treatments for candidia depend on supplements, anti fungal herbs and strict diet, pharmaceutical companies do not stand to profit. Perhaps this is why there is a lack of research and acknowledgment of the illness.

Candidias is hard to identify, it manifests itself in broad spectrum of symptoms, any of which independently would not necessarily indicate the disease. It is characterised by clusters of persistent, recurrent symptoms. Symptoms change as the candida invades different parts of the body. The list of symptoms for anyone sufferer can be extensive. Unaware or dismissive of the causes GP’s prescribe, antidepressants, sleeping tablets, pain killers, steroids and antibiotics, easing the discomfort of symptoms rather than the cause, often aggravating the disease.
There are no reliable statistics as to how many people suffer since patients are often misdiagnosed. Those who continue to search for diagnoses and treatment are driven to alternative sources which are not funded by the N.H.S and would not feature in government statistics. Since statistics are not reliable it is difficult to ascertain rates of recovery. I have contacted the chief minister for health with a few questions, I will post his response.

Treatments
Since N.H.S support is not very forthcoming treatment can be expensive for the patient. Recovery is partly dependent on diet, as featured in my blog nutrition anxieties. Abstain from all sugar and sweeteners in any form, fruit -including lemons, tomatoes, mushrooms, dairy -accept plain natural yogurt and cottage cheese, wheat-at first to rule out intolerance, refined grains, tea and coffee -even decaffeinated, alcohol except vodka, citric acid, vinegar, malt, yeast and moulds, cured or smoked products, refined grains, sprouted grains and pulses, seeds and nuts -unless freshly cracked and no peanuts, chillies or any strong spice. Avoid inorganic or processed foods and reduce consumption of starch and carbohydrates like potatoes, rice. Supplements, milk thistle, vitamin c 500mg 3 times a day, psyllium husks, pro biotic and a good quality multi vitamin and mineral, an essential fatty acid - flax/hemp oil,capyric acid, pau d'arco and chromium. Make sure these are yeast and sugar free! Drink 2 litres of water daily. Stick to natural organic products generally and avoid mouldy environments.

Gruesome fact
The Ancient Egyptians embalmed corpses with anti-fungal herbs and removed the intestines during mummification. They were safeguarding against candida, which is responsible for the decomposition process.


Celebrity sufferer
Ex Mrs Bill Wyman, Mand Smith

I'm back!

Did any body notice my previous blog frustrations had disappeared? I didn't do it, is someone out there not liking what I've got to say? I've got to respond to a group blog on equality and quality and its got me thinking, perhaps a little paranoid even...well I thought I had equality with everybody wishing to share an opinion, despite quality, but maybe not if someones removed my blog. Could one of my course mates be responsible, intimidated by my blogging flair! Or could I have been playing the blond again and clicked somewhere I shouldn't? My neurosis isn't limited to health and nutrition, no I'm nuts about everything! Now I've discovered how to republish I shall be posting more rants soon, with blog rolls and everything, oh yeah no stopping this crazy lady...once I've done my homework!

Frustrations

Hopefully this will be my first blog, I may have accidentally hit publish earlier...oops! Having looked at some of the blogs published by peers from my writing group I'm a little intimidated. I hope to get mine up to scratch over the coming weeks but I'm afraid adding links,a background and photo's is a little beyond me right now. I thought I'd start with a little catharsis, maybe next week I'll try something interesting and witty...we'll see.

I can't be alone in feeling bombarded with warnings about all we consume. The growing demand for organic, gluten free, wheat free, low salt, low sugar products is evident by the availability on supermarket shelves, and the emergence of health food stores on every high street. I noticed a household, all purpose cleaner recently, endorsed by a celebrity chef, like he does the cleaning, as 'A safer way to clean'. Had I known cleaning to be so hazardous I'd have better utilised time spent scrubbing! There is obviously a group of insecure consumers out there who fall for this stuff, people like me in fact who pay extra and play it safe. I'm an avid label reader and actively search out 'alternative' stores. I reassure myself that by avoiding restaurants where I can't trace the ingredients I am closer to controlling my toxin intake, despite a dull social life.

I did a personal inspection of my eldest daughter, Branwen's, school cantine recently. Reluctant to allow my precious child to be poisoned by food from unknown sources I insisted she had carefully selected, healthy, packed lunch. I didn't feel this was radical at all. Informed with the dangers which lurk in food I tried to be rational, nothing was denied my children, in moderation they had sweets and crisps but not everyday and not as part of a meal. I was horrified to discover my lunches had instigated bullying. Slowly it emerged that children had picked up on the fact that my daughter had carrot sticks instead of crisps and fruit instead of chocolate. Parents at the school gate had affectionately called me 'earth mother' and 'crusty hippie' to my face so what was I to expect of their children. Branwen didn't want to change schools but was eager to change to school dinners and merge with her peers. I was keen to investigate what effect Jamie Oliver's attempt to revolutionise school dinners had had. Branwen's school had recently won an award for promoting healthy eating but as yet I had seen no evidence of how. Having done my inspection I was relieved that things did seem much better than a few years ago. Reassured that meals were made on the premises with restricted salt and sugar I relented and Branwen now enjoys a warm school lunch.

There seems to be more awareness of toxins recently but the more I learn the less empowered I feel. If the warnings about what we consume are warranted why doesn't the government get more involved in raising awareness and banning certain products. It would take massive upheaval and then the public might not welcome the changes but surly measures need to be taken. I wonder will future generations look back with astonishment at how we live. Aspartame for instance has been associated with nasty side effects but it seems to be in everything. I could only find one brand of aspartame free vitamin and iron supplement for children and many prescriptive drugs contain it. Apparently food should not be stored in plastic or tin containers because they leak into the product. I have tried to avoid these 'hazards' but soon realised it isn't practical. Where do we draw the line? I have a water filter, is this necessary, shouldn't tap water be safe?


The level of my neurosis has elevated recently since embarking on a diet to reduce the level of candida in my system. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(C.F.S), in 2002 after a an attack of glandular fever. Since then I have been desperate to get my life back on track. I have developed various management techniques but am unable to function the way I used to. Frustrated and determined to explore all avenues which might provide a boost I embarked on a few alternative therapies. In January 2007 I began seeing homeopath, Heather Melville, who recognised that many of my symptoms could be related to candida overgrowth. Candida overgrowth is a problem often associated with low immunity and C.F.S sufferers.


Heather suggested that by starving the candida I may be able to alleviate many of my symptoms. My enthusiasm to put this to the test was soon crushed when I learned exactly what was involved. For at least the next two months I would have to deny myself indulgences which at times I felt dependent on, chocolate, wine and coffee. I was expected to abstain from all sugar and sweeteners in any form, fruit including lemons, tomatoes, mushrooms, dairy accept plain natural yogurt and cottage cheese, wheat, tea and coffee even decaffeinated, alcohol except vodka, vinegar, malt, yeast and molds, cured or smoked products, refined grains, sprouted grains and pulses, seeds and nuts unless freshly cracked and no peanuts, chillies or any strong spice. I was advised to avoid inorganic or processed foods and reduce my consumption of starch and carbohydrates like potatoes, rice and even carrots.


Additional measures, and expense include a purge of chemical products, including soap powders, chlorinated water, deodorants and a switch to natural, organic alternatives since chemical toxins are absorbed through skin and strain the liver which plays a major role in dealing with candida. Since mould can add to a candida problem I even read that my house plants should get the heave ho.


After coming to terms with the no wine, no chocolate, no bloody fun at all diet I had the financial burden of costly, essential, supplements . I'm five weeks in, have adhered strictly to the rules and feel awful. As the candida die off they become toxic and until I flush them out they will poison me. This period of hell is a good thing Heather reassures me, it means the diet is working. I am not convinced, I think my body is crying out for some antioxidants. The chocolate deprivation isn't as bad as I anticipated, its the urges to binge on tomatoes and satsumas which I find disturbing. I experienced the same cravings during both my pregnancies. No chance I'm pregnant though, not with the foul mood, bad breath and flatulence this diet has produced! Anyway I feel a little relieved now, this blog has been a good exercise. I'll try to consider the reader more next time.