Hi!!! I post in the allergies forum, but I also need feedback from this forum, so here is my post. I hope you guys can help me because I'm very depressed :(

Because of my allergies and sinus infections (3 this year), and chronic congestion, I got the book sinus survival. I'm doing everything the author suggests and eventhough I have had some relief with the daily nasal irrigations, using a humidyfier, an air purifier, and taking a bunch a vitamins, I'm still miserable. I read last night the chapter related to Candidiasis... OMG I THINK THIS IS WHAT I HAVE... I'M SOOOOO SCARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have taken more than 20 courses of antibitics for the past 5 years for UTI's. This year alone I've taken 3 courses of two weels for sinus infections along with 2 couses of oral cortisols (medrol). I feel really bad an depressed. I think I have candidiasis because of all of my symptoms and the abuse of antibiotics. These are my symptoms:

- Bad allergies, dark circles under my eyes
- 3 sinus infections this year
- Chronic congested nose
- Sensitivities to ALL chemicals, including perfumes
- Headaches, and sinus headaches
- Fatigue, and I'm always sleepy
- IBS - constipation, soft stools, mucus in my stools, increased gas
- sometimes itchy skin and vaginal itch (without discharge)
- Anxiety, depression and obssesive thoughts (Always though since my teens)
- Irritability and mood swings
- Acnee
- Stuffed ears
- PMS

These are all symptoms of candida overgrow. I read there isn't a test to detect it though, so you have to go by the symptoms. I started the candida diet that this book recommends.... what else can I do???? do you think all my health issues are candida related????????? I'm so scared, please help me!!!!!

I answered you on the Allergy board because I saw it but I rearly post there.
We are all different and react differently but most all of your symptoms sound like chronic candida/ yeast infection. As you know -- you have to go by symptoms and most doctors do not treat you for candida problems that are internal. But, if they are female related or thrush, finger and toe nail related -- you can find treatment. It would be best to find a DOCTOR but there are just not many around that treat candida overgrowth. I suggest that you go to a book store, library or google and even Amazon and get very knowledgeable and proactive about Candida/ yeast infections.

It is a curable and controllable condition!!!

See Harry, I don't have any fungal infection and never had like thrush (in mouth) or yeast infection in the vagina or my skin or nails. I don't have any of those AT ALL. That's why I wonder if that's what I have :confused:

I have had some of these same problems. No nail problems, no thrush, and of course no female itching. But sinus problems for yearswith little sensitives to allergens. And the anti candida diet helps along with good friendly intestinal bacteria. I know it is fustrating!!!

You don't have to have those to have a fungal/Yeast problems that is why doctors don't treat it. But, if you read several of the books--- there is a test you take and you will find out that the symptoms you are having are much the same as you are having -- One of the first books was published by Dr. Crook,MD "The Yeast Connection" in 1982. Much work has been done since then but there is still no testing available.

Harry,
so you have candida??? What are you taking now?
I eliminated sugar, wheat, and dairy starting 4 days ago. I'm also taking primal defense. I have read that ThreeLac is wonderful. What do you suggest??????
Thank you much!
Gab

I take Nystatin, Kolorex, garlic. I eat yogurt 3 times daily (Stonyfield Farm) and Kefir(about 4ounces every other day). Also,as for probiotics --- I take PB-8 by Nutrition Now and Pearls by Enzymaic Therapy -- both twice daily.

I think there is a War of bacteria going on in the intestinal tract--- I just want the fiendly guys to WIN.
Some intestinal bacteria have to be re-colonized after antibiotics and some aid digestion and just pass through. There have been 400 different strains of bacteria ID'ed in the Gastro tract.

I have 35 years of divericulitis infections and about as long a sinus congestion/infection problem.
My big problem is I don't follow a very good anti candida diet.

No, I don't think it is Candida. If you had a bunch of yeast infections, especially in the mouth, I would recommend anti-fungal drugs. But you don't.

Sounds like you might have a couple things going on

1. A possible low-level bacterial infection in the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. One that won't go away, possibly due to an obstruction (deviated septum, etc.)
2. IBS
3. Bad allergies.

Check out the allergies board. I have a method of getting rid of low-level bacterial infections through irrigation posted on there. It works for me, and I've had terrible sinus problems.

I do NOT recommend a "candida diet". This is pseudo-science. I went on one a few months ago, and ended up with constipation and a fissure that has yet to heal. Cutting soluble fiber out of your diet (fruit for instance), is NOT healthy.

Harry,

If I'm not supposed to have diary, is yogurt or kefir considered dairy??? I love yogurt :) and I love to be able to eat it :)

I hope what you say it's true. I'm terrified of having systemic candida since I'm a hypochondriac. I made an appointment with the ENT already, I'm going Nov 8th. I'm doing nasal irrigation with the neti pot, but I still have congestion in my right nostril... and sinus pain in my forehead.... I just finished antibiotics for an infection 2 weeks ago, and the doc said I was clear but I had inflamation. Prescribed me oral cortisols (medrol) and didn't do much and I'm still stuffy.
What kind of irrigation do you do??? netti pot or the machine??

Thank you much for replying :)

The problem with dairy products is the natrual enzyme in them are destoyed during pasturization and we humans cannot convert lactose (milk sugar) to monsacarides that we only use.
But, with yogurt and kefir most (99%) of the milk sugar is used up in the fermentation process. So people that are lactose intolerant can usually eat yogurt without problems.

Medrol is bad news. It is an immunosuppressant with a lot of nasty side-effects, especially if taken in high doses. I had to take it earlier this year, and I developed all sorts of weird rashes, headaches, etc.

Here is my irrigation method. You will need an irrigation machine that uses a "pulsating action". The pulse action stimulates the cilia in the nasal cavity, and helps move stuff out. I use a Grossan Hydropulse (about $120 online).

This is how I irrigate...

the resevoir in the machine is 500ml. If I have an active infection, which is obvious from discolored nasal discharge and headaches, I put the following into the resevoir.

1. 480ml of COOL distilled water. NOT warm. Warm water will cause inflammation. Remember, we put ice on a bruise, not hot water.

2. 10ml of Alkalol, a mucus solvent which can be purchased online. This is "old school" stuff, back before more advanced medicines were used. It works great, and breaks up the gunk in the sinuses.

3. 3ml of hydrogen peroxide. This combats infection.

4. One tablespoon of Zyletol. This stuff comes with the machine, or can be purchased seperately. It is less abrasive than salt, and works much better.

5. A pinch of baking soda.

I irrigate with this twice a day for three days, until my nasal discharge is clear. Then I use only the Zyletol and baking soda. The peroxide can irritate the sinuses if used too much.

I managed to clear a bad infection simply by doing this. My ENT was absolutely amazed.

Sinusitis is a "condition" that needs to be managed. It is not something that simply goes away. But if you irrigate properly, it won;t bother you again (most likely).

The Candida hypoothesis is controversal. I tried the diet and drugs. They didn't do anything for me, except cause a fissure. My problems are from a bad dust allergy primarily. I also had my nose fixed.

Chiggins thank you so much for replying. I'm about to buy the machine. Right now I'm using sinucleanse (it looks like a netti pot) I do use cool water since reading some of your past posts.
Now the irrigation ONLY reaches the cheeks sinuses right????? What about the sinuses in yiur forehead?????? right now that's where I have the pain... and my left nostril is very clogged....
Do you get relieve from congested sinuses by using the grossan machine. The sinuclease soothes my sinuses but doens't help with the stuffy nose.
TIA,
Gab

The machine should reach every sinus cavity save for the Spenoid sinus, which is in front of the ears. This one rarely gets infected, and isn't usually an issue.

The Ethmoid sinuses are between and behind the eyes. The maxillary are in the cheeck bones. These get infected all the time. The irrigation machine will reach both easily. It will also reach the frontal sinuses in the forehead.


One thing you can do, is after irrigating, bend over in the shower. Hold your head down for a few minutes and let the solution penetrate the frontal sinuses. This can also be done with a spray bottle or neti pot.

The machine helps my sinuses in a big way. The congestion is a little tougher to deal with. Try Sudafed before going to bed. Also try immunotherapy, since you may be suffering from a dust allergy, which acts up at night.

wow the machine reaches the FRONTAL SINUSES (IN FOREHEAD) REALLY????????????????????? I don't think the netti pot can do this, right????? well that's where my pain is right now, mainly... after using the netti pot the pain in the cheeks sinuses went away right away, but not the forehead pain.... so does the netti pot reach the forehead sinuses?

I heard some doctor on the radio say, excess mucous from sinusitis goes to the intestinal tract and can cause problems there. Thats pretty weird! I've noticed that for the past few weeks i've been waking up with the feeling of my sinuses draining a little in my throat and also had some bloated feelings ever since it started. They have this nasal spray for it:

Provides broad spectrum anti-microbial and powerful cleansing action formulated by Patrick Quillin PhD,RD - homeopathic antifungal of wild indigo (baptisa tinctoria), grapefruit seed extract, colloidal silver, buffered salt water for pH

I dont know anything about those ingredients. Does it sound like it could help?
I never had sinus problems before.