8.19.2010

Candida Yeast ...the beginning of a journey

For me the words Yeast overgrowth, or Candida Yeast, have until recently conjured thoughts of the typical yeast infections that women get....of which I have had maybe one or two in my life!

Until about 2 months ago I had never heard that all people of both sexes have a certain amount of yeast in the lining of the stomach. Now that is not to suggest that I was unaware that the human body contained a delicate balance of bacteria which helped our digestive system to work properly. I am only saying that I didn't realize that Yeast was one of these bacterias. Nor did I realize that this yeast could grow out of control in your body, causing a huge mirage of medical problems.

Now, my mother is a very homeopathic person so I have always heard that I should eat yogurt when I take antibiotics. The antibiotics killed the good bacteria in your stomach and is the reason a lot of people suffer with bowel symptoms as a result of that killing of good bacteria.

One thing that I didn't know, and I am not sure anyone in my family knew, is that in addition to antibiotics; corticosteroids can cause a disruption in your bacteria balance too.

For as long as I can remember I have struggled with Eczema, food allergies. The treatment for these allergies were corticosteroids! I have literally taken them my whole life! Every day after my bath and frequently through the day I cover my skin with Cortisone ointment. This has been going on for at least 31 years!

Over the course of my life the Eczema and allergies have gotten worse, then better, then worse but they have never really been gone. I have had menstrual issues, inability to lose weight, depression, anxiety, hair loss, constipation, the list goes on and on. After finding the issue of Candida overgrowth and taking the quiz to see if it could be my problem I found that I have 12 of the 15 symptoms!

Now I am going to come clean right now and tell you that one of my character flaws or "special trait" is this, when I decide that I want to do something I have to do it right then. I may take a while to make up my mind, but once it is made up I do it right then!

After reading at least 20 websites, watching videos, reading testimonies, and a long and very enlightening discussion with a good friend this morning, I have diagnosed myself with this condition. True to my character I went out and purchased a medium grade juicer, and several supplements suggested by the various websites.

For the next few days or weeks I am going to chart the changes I am making in myself , my diet, my routine, etc. I am doing this for me, so I can see if I am noticing a difference, and I am doing this in the hopes of helping others who may have this disorder and not even know it. I will be blogging about what I have found to be symptoms of the disorder, supplements I am taking, juicing diets, cleanses, etc....

If you have questions, ask, if you have suggestions, let me know! I want to learn and grow from this experience. I feel as if I am on the verge of a huge break through for me.

1 comment:

belle said...

Can you list the website with the quiz? It would be very helpful for others. I am so happy that with all the research your husband and I have done, you may have found the answer to a long and frustrating problem. Hang in there and stay strong!