Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[jmengert]

As only you all can understand this, I'm very excited: I just got off the phone with my naturopath, and he can get me in on Monday.

Now, it's a two-hour drive, but I'm amazed I could get in this soon. It's sad when I get excited over a doctor's appointment that I'm going to have to shell out $200 for! But, if he has answers, I'm all for it.

He also gave me his home #, too--I love doctor-types who are caring, and I have a good "gut" feeling on him.

I'll definitely let ya'll know what he says.

[tabasco32]

dingo it's o.k. you didn't know. I just hope these seeds start coming out soon. with this slow digestive track, may take awhile but I forgive you.

rinne, bought some hymilayan salt at whole foods today. going to give it a try. bought some virgin coconut oil and safflower oil. see how those work. will only try one today though.

Can I be freddy mercury spice?

[Mtndog]

My mom doesn't understand anything we do or believe in. I don't really expect you guys to either but that is pretty much what is going on. We harken back to older days I suppose and that's not very popular. There was this horse stunt man that said he was born 100 years too late, I wonder where that puts us.

Oh Andrea- I don't think it's you guys- I think it's her. I think you were born right when the world needed you all!

This is similar but not nearly as problematic. When my in-laws have their grandkids over (they have 2, 1 more on the way- my BIL's and his wife) it's mayhem. They know EXACTLY whatdrawer to go to to get as many cookis as they want, whenever they want. even MY nieces, who aren't related, know where the cookies are.

My SIL doesn't want her kids eating mindlessly. If they are going to eat, they choose what and they sit at the table and eat it. EVERYTIME they get them back, they have to "retrain them." My BIL says it's a nightmare and there's always a fight because "we can do it at grandpa's house."

Or they'll show up at 7:30 and tell the kids they want to take them out for ice cream Their bedtime is 8 (they're only 2 and 5) and the boy takes forever to get to sleep (and usually it's an all-night effort just to keep him in bed).

She's a lot like you (my SIL) and believe me- it's very frustrating. And that's without food intolerances. I'm sorry

Beverly likes it when Susie talks in third person too. She thinks it's funny. Beverly thinks that Rachel is Candida Spice, Andrea is Mama Spice, Patti is Angel Spice, Susie is Spastic Spice and the rest of you need Spice names. Right now Beverly feels like Poopy spice.

Oh oh oh Beverly also wanted to sat that the idea of calling the Rinne bars the Much Ado about Nothing Bar is grrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttt! Beverly says it is one of her all time favorite movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mtndog]

dingo it's o.k. you didn't know. I just hope these seeds start coming out soon. with this slow digestive track, may take awhile but I forgive you.

rinne, bought some hymilayan salt at whole foods today. going to give it a try. bought some virgin coconut oil and safflower oil. see how those work. will only try one today though.

Can I be freddy mercury spice?

Perfect- Freddy Mercury Spice it is!!!!!!!!!!!

[AndreaB]

I'll definitely let ya'll know what he says.

I'll be looking forward to your update Monday.

[dlp252]

As only you all can understand this, I'm very excited: I just got off the phone with my naturopath, and he can get me in on Monday.

Now, it's a two-hour drive, but I'm amazed I could get in this soon. It's sad when I get excited over a doctor's appointment that I'm going to have to shell out $200 for! But, if he has answers, I'm all for it.

He also gave me his home #, too--I love doctor-types who are caring, and I have a good "gut" feeling on him.

I'll definitely let ya'll know what he says.

Wow, that's great!!! And, very exciting!

Can I be freddy mercury spice?

[AndreaB]

Oh Andrea- I don't think it's you guys- I think it's her. I think you were born right when the world needed you all!

My SIL doesn't want her kids eating mindlessly. If they are going to eat, they choose what and they sit at the table and eat it. EVERYTIME they get them back, they have to "retrain them." My BIL says it's a nightmare and there's always a fight because "we can do it at grandpa's house."

We are very conservative, I don't know if you guys know the half of it. I have also come to love all of you no matter your beliefs in whatever. In those situations we just agree to disagree.

Anyway, it would drive me nuts if my mother did that and she certainly wouldn't see them alone if she did that!

Last week was horrid, which I probably contributed to with my moodiness. I told T that if her behavior is worse after spending time with grandma that she won't be up there for the night again......providing Mitch agrees with her going up. She wants two nights, I told her one would be it.

I told her I'd pack her bread, fruit spread and sesame butter. She also wants me to pack her cereal, so grandma would only have to worry about an intolerance free dinner to prepare for her. Grandma is going on vacation and won't be back til towards the end of the month so we have some time.

[AndreaB]

Beverly thinks that Rachel is Candida Spice, Andrea is Mama Spice, Patti is Angel Spice, Susie is Spastic Spice and the rest of you need Spice names. Right now Beverly feels like Poopy spice.

Tee Hee.

So what's your regular Spice name going to be?

[tom]

Most importantly though.....you would need to identify and treat the underlying cause. If you have persistant candida overgrowth...there is a reason for that. Candida is a symptom in and of itself.

I'm positive that the underlying cause can be untreated celiac alone. There doesn't HAVE to be a more exotic underlying cause.

[Yenni]

Be sure they use IGeneX for Lyme testing. You can have the test kit sent to your house and take it to your doctor to send in. That will be the only way your doctor will use IGeneX ... they will normally use a local lab, which won't be accurate.

I eat coconut oil on my veggies. It serves a dual purpose ... good flavor and kills candida. It also heats with no problem. I also use safflower oil for cooking.

I agree about the eggs. Don't use Teflon!! It releases chemicals when it heats up ... enough to kill a pet bird. That could contribute to food making you sick.

I'll be using coconut oil more for sure, if my system approves.

I actually just decided to get a non-Teflon pan here this week. Gave my old one up last night. I am going out this weekend to shop for a a new pan (without any coating right?). Any brands that are good that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Jenny, I wanted to add that, thanks to Carla's comments on another thread awhile back, I added coconut oil to my diet a month or so ago. I eat eggs for breakfast every morning, and I cook them in coconut oil. When I cook them in olive oil instead, my tummy is not as happy.

I now use coconut oil for everything--in recipes that call for butter, for any oil issue, etc. I'm still eating baked goods (low sugar muffins) because I just can't bear to give up sugar yet.

However, because I feel somewhat better when using coconut oil, it leads me to think that I do have a problem with candida. Sigh.

Jin--darn the nausea! I think that's the worst part. I mean, diarrhea is no fun either, but nausea just cripples me, and then I get depressed, and I hate feeling that way.

I miss fun food. I'm trying to adopt the attitude of eating to live rather than living to eat. Food just nourishes me now. Where's the fun in that?!?

Gottcha.

Yep, the nausea is terrible. Commenting on your comment to Jin here, but I know that nausea all too well too.

Jenny - - I am a sunflower seed addict - - it's very serious business in our family (last year, gave my brother a case of his favorite seeds for Christmas, that I ordered online - he was out of his mind)

my favorite seeds are Art's, they're made in California, and I eat them all the time - low in salt, they're called "Tender Salt" - - - I've never had any problems.

I checked those out online. Had peanut oil on them. So those are out for me. It is so HARD to fine safe ones for me. Still haven't heard back from that Sunbutter place. I am beginning to think they will not answer.

I love sunflower seeds but actually I have started to prefer pumpkin seeds in some things. I can't eat either plain but I cook with them and do all sorts of weird things with them they are very versitile little suckers

Sounds like a good idea.

My understanding is that if you do use teflon to use it only at a low temperature and never use teflon that has started to chip, but don't use teflon would be my advice.

I have eaten blueberries, just be sure to chew them well which is rather tricky. They are one of the better fruits as far as being low in sugar.

Getting a Teflon free pan this weekend.

Thanks for info about Blueberries.

A candida test was negative or none was done? I don't recall right now what tests were most accurate.

If I were u, I'd go ahead and do 1 day w/ no sugar. See what happens w/ 1 day and how u feel the next morning. I'm sure you'll think about bananas the entire time and it might be more doable on the day after u run out of them. Same for the berry bars & watermelon.

The cravings will be there all day, but considering what you've been going thru, isn't a 1 day test worth a try?

Hope your husband catches the limit whenever he goes fishing!!

Garlic mellows a ton when roasted and I think retains all or most of the medicinal properties. Grrrr can't remember the temp/time for that right now but they say wrap a whole head in alum foil. Maybe 250F for 30 or 45 min or whenever it gets soft.

I haven't had a test done yet at all. Just tests at EnteroLab.

Haven't had Banana or Bar today so far. I don't really feel like I ever crave them, well maybe the bars when other people in this house eat pay and candy, I mostly eat them of lack of other things to eat.

Fresh herbs are great in the anti-candida diet. I just about revel in the smell while chopping them. And the chop&freeze will be fine. I keep meaning to do that.

Good idea.

Was it Jenny who was eating 7 lbs. of bananas per week???

Avoid teflon, aluminum and plastics if you're toxic and have chemical sensitivites.

Yes, I am a freak. I like fruit and have not much else to chose from. Sounds like I need to change that here...

I avoid plastic and stuff. I use glass a lot. Dr Rea said to get water in glass bottles instead of plastic. The glass ones are spendy though. I am gonna get a filter with no plastic on it..they have some at their sight.

"Feel WORSE"??!!!!!!!!

It was a no sugar, no yeast test to see if she felt BETTER!

And I think w/ that magnitude of symptoms, 1 day is a decent test, tho admittedly not definitive.

My hope would be that 1 day w/ zero or markedly less nausea would easily lead to 3+ days and all symptoms decreasing.

I am gonna try here. I did have some ham today for breakfast. I had nothing else prepared. It has some sugar in it. I am gonna prepare better for tomorrow and see if I can make it better tomorrow.

I hope I don't get worse.

Luckily my nausea has been better lately. Last year I was nauseas every stinking day.

---

This is gonna be one long post here. And for everyone else that I didn't give comments; I did read it all. I am just getting overwhelmed by the speed this thread is growing.

Thanks everyone!

----and grrrr part of my replies didn't get posted. I must have messed up.

I am gonna reply on the ones I missed again here.

[Yenni]

Dear Jenny,

Your body and mine sound an awful lot alike! I can eat some things certain days, and other days I get sick from them. It does not make a lot of sense. I know Lyme can do that. The nausea is unbearable.

I can deal with the fatigue better than the digestive problems. There are times I am so queasy, walking makes me want to throw up! It is pure misery. I hope that my doctor will get the IgeniX tests done. She thinks there could be some LLMDs up in Indy that just do not advertise it. It would be more doable than going to New York for treatment. Plus, I have relatives up near there I could stay with!

You could have Candida. The salad issue could be a mold sensitivity problem. The way things manifest can be so strange. Melons have a lot of mold, and watermelon is high in sugar, that feeds the Candida. Fruit irritates my stomach something awful.

Lyme is not totally out of the question for anyone I have found. Recently, the more I read, the more I am surprised. You just never know! The money issue is a major problem for me as well. You kind of have to do what you can when you are able.

Your gallbladder is a good possibility. I had to have mine removed several years ago. Mine nearly popped before I got it out, because the doctor relied on the tests too heavily. They only have about a 33 percent accuracy rate at best. I pointed that out.

He finally let me see a surgeon. It was not a moment too soon. I found out at my 10-day post-op check-up that my gallbladder was severely inflamed and irritated. That thing could have exploded right inside me! If I had not pestered my PCP and forced him to let me see the surgeon, I could have had pancreatitis and liver problems!

You said you had something in your test. It sounds like sludge to me. That is very dangerous. You need to get your gallbladder removed. This woman I met at the surgeon's office told me I was making the right decision getting mine out. She had been misdiagnosed 15 times in less than 2 months by ER doctors.

Nothing showed in her tests, either. Like me, she was told she was just crazy. As a result, the sludge ate through her gallbladder into her pancreas, causing irreversible damage. She had pancreatitis, which has no cure. The young woman also had liver and kidney problems, as well as a feeding tube in her belly button.

This woman will never be able to have a single drop of alcohol again. It is too taxing on her system. Her daily fat intake has to be below 70 grams daily. Otherwise, severe complications could occur. I am so glad I listened to my intuition instead of everyone around me. Always listen to it. That will never steer you wrong!

Sincerely,

Jin

It is probably that sludge that I have. They saw thick stuff but no stones. I went to the ER ones because of this pain that didn't wanna go away (it was in the middle of the testing and going to that doctor). The blood test were normal so they sent me home. My mother has stones and my half brother had his removed last year because of stone. Grandpa had stones too but never any problems. They saw it after his death.

I'll make sure to ask for the IgeniX test. Thanks.

[tom]

I am going out this weekend to shop for a a new pan (without any coating right?). Any brands that are good that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

I don't know if either of these is in Anch but I had great luck at Ross and Marshall's.

I know I know, those are clothes stores, but they both have home&kitchen areas too. I got almost all of my pans there for ~1/3rd of the list prices. Big heavy $40-50 pan for $12-15!

Or just semi-fancy $20 pan for $8. Or a decent set for a far lower per-pan price.

The only problem I've had there is when some moron puts the price sticker on the bottom of the actual pan instead of on part of the usual cardboard info attachment. Ugh it's a b!tch to get every little bit of adhesive off.

[Yenni]

I don't know if either of these is in Anch but I had great luck at Ross and Marshall's.

I know I know, those are clothes stores, but they both have home&kitchen areas too. I got almost all of my pans there for ~1/3rd of the list prices. Big heavy $40-50 pan for $12-15!

Or just semi-fancy $20 pan for $8. Or a decent set for a far lower per-pan price.

The only problem I've had there is when some moron puts the price sticker on the bottom of the actual pan instead of on part of the usual cardboard info attachment. Ugh it's a b!tch to get every little bit of adhesive off.

We don't have any of those but we have Gottschalk's and they have a kitchen area too, so I could look there. Maybe Sears would have some too...

[CarlaB]

No don't do it.... Some antibiotics stay in the system for a few days...

Yeah, but since I splurge so infrequently ... this might be a better time than when I'm taking all of them. My doctor knows I have sugar once a month.

My mom doesn't understand anything we do or believe in. I don't really expect you guys to either but that is pretty much what is going on.

We homeschooled for 10 years. We didn't watch TV, but we did have movies and a video player. Most of the movies were old or cartoony. Just the fact that I have six kids is little understood ... my mom hardly spoke to me about it when I got pregnant with #4.

I know what it's like to not have family understand, and I understand where you're coming from with your lifestyle. I feel like it was necessary for me in my faith journey to step back from the world for a while. I needed the separation for a time.

Now, I'm strong enough to handle it. My kids are in school because of my health.

We were very active in a homeschool group, and if anything, we had WAY to much socialization!

I'm just saying, I get it.

Susie thinks that Donna is in denial about the need to squirt coffee up the scat zone. oh - wait - you have D - not constipation -

I had D, too.

"Feel WORSE"??!!!!!!!!

It was a no sugar, no yeast test to see if she felt BETTER!

When you stop feeding the yeast it causes a die-off that makes you feel worse. Also, the cravings get worse as you stop feeding the yeast.

I wouldn't eat brown rice syrup every day, but it's a good alternative for a sweet snack. I read it in a book a long time ago (1991) ... the book said it was okay because it was more slowly absorbed. I agree, it's a treat. Sometimes though, if you eat a treat once in a while, you can stand a lot of deprivation. That's why I have my once a month sweets! If I had a candida problem, I would avoid the once a month sweet ... I'm on a prevention diet.

[Rachel--24]

Dentist tomorrow again at 9:30 oouhh what fun! I'm just going to get a tooth done and after that tell them I have no money. I WILL make my dad pay for it. I think my mom is going to try to get a loan as well.

Lisa.....

I hope your appt went ok.

Stick to your guns...you'll get better...just keep that fighting spirit!

As long as the Lactaid is gluten-free, I do not see why not! My grandfather takes it. Which ones are gluten-free? That way I could use the other without the sugar instead. I have another question about Candida.

Jin...are you going to be following a candida diet anytime soon?? I seriously think you'll see alot of benefits from it.

Also about the Lactaid......anyone whos sensitive to mold (dont know if you are or arent?) here's a list of things made from aspergillus mold....all this stuff gives me major problems...

PRODUCTS OF ASPERGILLUS FERMENTATION:

SOY SAUCE- FLAVORED WITH ASPERGILLUS

CHOCOLATE - ANYTHING MADE WITH CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR IS DEEMED UNSAFE DUE TO THE FUNGAL CONTENT.

TEA (BLACK)

MALT EXTRACT (MOST CEREALS)

LACTAID (MILK ADDITIVE)

SOME VITAMINS - Selected brands ARE SAFE; MOST ARE NOT DUE TO THEIR FUNGAL PROPERTIES

CITRIC ACID (A VERY COMMON FOOD ADDITIVE; NOT DERIVED FROM CITRUS FRUIT)

SOFT DRINKS (Citric acid is made with the aspergillus fermentation process)

FRUIT JUICE (COMMERCIAL-OFTEN MADE FROM MOLDY FRUIT; MANY CONTAIN MOLD ENZYMES ADDED IN PROCESSING)

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES (PANCREATIC ARE ALRIGHT), OTHERS ARE NOT

CHOLESTEROL LOWERING ENZYMES

ACIDOPHILUS WITH F.O.S. (Acidophilus has very healing effects and promotes natural anti-fungals in the body, however, artificially produced F.O.S. is made with the aspergillus fermentation process. If you would like natural F.O.S., you can consume watermelon seeds and reap the same nutritional benefits without any aspergillus fermentation).

I've read this many times before and somehow either overlooked (or dingo'd ) the F.O.S.

Dang...now I dont know for sure if the oats were affecting me as bad as I thought cuz all those cookies I made had 2 packets of Stevia w/ F.O.S.

I know for sure I dont do well with probiotics containing F.O.S....and I usually avoid it....but I didnt pay too much attention with the stevia.

Anyways...I'm pretty sure the oats were quite moldy too.

Oh....a few years ago....(when I was really in the dark about everything) I tried Lactaid milk....OMG....it affected me in a very bad way....major bloating and stomach problems. I was better off with regular milk.

Jin....just something to keep in mind if you try it and dont do well with it.

I havent taken any vitamins or enzymes in over a year...they mess me up pretty good. I finally gained weight when I stopped taking them.

[AndreaB]

CHOCOLATE - ANYTHING MADE WITH CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR IS DEEMED UNSAFE DUE TO THE FUNGAL CONTENT.

If I remember correctly my enjoy life chocolate chips have chocolate liqueur in them. I don't think I have a fungal problem so I'm going to enjoy them while I can.

[Mtndog]

I don't know if either of these is in Anch but I had great luck at Ross and Marshall's.

I know I know, those are clothes stores, but they both have home&kitchen areas too. I got almost all of my pans there for ~1/3rd of the list prices. Big heavy $40-50 pan for $12-15!

Or just semi-fancy $20 pan for $8. Or a decent set for a far lower per-pan price.

The only problem I've had there is when some moron puts the price sticker on the bottom of the actual pan instead of on part of the usual cardboard info attachment. Ugh it's a b!tch to get every little bit of adhesive off.

Ditto on that! Fred Meyers might be a good place too (I spent a month in Juneau and for some reason I LOVED that place!

Andrea- You can be as conservative as you want- you're you! As long as others respect your choices and you respect theirs (which you clearly do) then so be it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK- I'm scared What happens when you do a coffee enema and NOTHING happens? OMG how can this be...nothing nada niente

I think someone else will have to give me my Spice name. Any takers?

[DingoGirl]

Let's see....just a drive-by....

Jenny, about the sunflower seeds...on my bag of Art's Tender Spice, there are only two ingredients - sunflower seeds and salt. And now I am wondering, are you looking for the kinds without shells? maybe that would explain the peanut oil?

And OMG they have Gottshalk's in Alaska? That hideous chain of stores (I do not like them) originated in FRESNO, decades ago......now they are all over - yikes -

Bev - you lunatic - - I think Bev (when she's not Poopy Spice) is going to be Smarty Spice, as she is gittin' herself a dok-ter-it an' all....

Rachel is Scientific Spice....

Someone needs to be Babesia spice....

Forgot everything else and have to go to our town's sorry excuse for an Art Hop quite soon....

see you cats later!

[DingoGirl]

I think someone else will have to give me my Spice name. Any takers?

I just gave it to you.......we can have more ideas, though

[Mtndog]

Bev - you lunatic - - I think Bev (when she's not Poopy Spice) is going to be Smarty Spice, as she is gittin' herself a dok-ter-it an' all....

Rachel is Scientific Spice....

Someone needs to be Babesia spice....

Forgot everything else and have to go to our town's sorry excuse for an Art Hop quite soon....

see you cats later!

Meow!!!!!!

I don't know about Smarty Spice- pretty brain dead right now

Kurt thinks they should call a dok-ter-ATE a doctorNINE cuz it takes flipppin forever to get one...esp if you wind up with celiac and lyme during your program!!!!!!!!! Ay yay yay!

I could be Sleppy Spice

[happygirl]

hmmm i'm going to have to think about your spice name bev. but Dr. spice is good, too. (although not the same charm of dock ter it which made me laugh!)

[AndreaB]

Bev - you lunatic - - I think Bev (when she's not Poopy Spice) is going to be Smarty Spice, as she is gittin' herself a dok-ter-it an' all....

I like that.

[DingoGirl]

I could be Sleppy Spice

yeah, I like SLEPPY Spice even better than SLEEPY Spice......

hmmm i'm going to have to think about your spice name bev. but Dr. spice is good, too. (although not the same charm of dock ter it which made me laugh!)

[Yenni]

I havent taken any vitamins or enzymes in over a year...they mess me up pretty good. I finally gained weight when I stopped taking them.

Someone else besides me that can't handle that stuff..

Ditto on that! Fred Meyers might be a good place too (I spent a month in Juneau and for some reason I LOVED that place!

I really like Fred Meyer's too. They are good on gluten free stuff. has started carrying a lot of it. They had Enjoy Life brand before the big health food store in town for example.

I did look at pans there but they only had big sets for way too much money for me.

Jenny, about the sunflower seeds...on my bag of Art's Tender Spice, there are only two ingredients - sunflower seeds and salt. And now I am wondering, are you looking for the kinds without shells? maybe that would explain the peanut oil?

And OMG they have Gottshalk's in Alaska? That hideous chain of stores (I do not like them) originated in FRESNO, decades ago......now they are all over - yikes -

Yes, you are right. I only saw the roasted ones (in peanut oil). I am gonna see if I can find the ones with a shell instead. I didn't seem to be able to find any on the page I looked at, but I might have missed them. Thanks for pointing that out.

(Do you have problems with nuts or legumes at all? looks like there might be cc issues at their place from looking at the sight again. I found the shelled ones.)

Yep, we have Gottschalk's here. hehe I don't shop there very much. Strangely enough I have gotten most of my stuff at Fred Meyer's lately. We are low on money, so I don't look much.

I like Eddie Bauer too. I seem to be the only one who does..

---

I caved in on the bars here. I had one. I had to get some carbs. No banana yet though.

How do you all get carbs on the Candida diet?

Another completely different thing is that my husband just got a letter today telling him he got accepted to the Industrial Electrician/Wireman union apprentice program!! Yaay! Means better insurance and more money, besides the fact that it is fun work and he (we) has waited for this to happen for 3 years!!

[Rachel--24]

Jenny - - I am a sunflower seed addict - - it's very serious business in our family (last year, gave my brother a case of his favorite seeds for Christmas, that I ordered online - he was out of his mind)

my favorite seeds are Art's, they're made in California, and I eat them all the time - low in salt, they're called "Tender Salt" - - - I've never had any problems.

Susan...me too....major sunflower seed addict. I would get seeds in my Easter basket or in my stocking at Xmas. I NEVER was without a bag of Davids sunflower seeds. I dont think I ever tried Art's....maybe though...do they come in the long skinny bag??

I cant have seeds now...it totally sucks but they're way too moldy for me.

I'm gonna try washing them and soaking them in Vitamin C...I read it could really help with the mold. I guess vitamin C helps detoxify food from mold.

It also says to wash fruits and veggies with vitamin C to reduce molds.

Heck...I'll try it....I just wanna eat some seeds!

Rachel-

Sundays getting closer!!! I like the way you deduced why you should eat all the ice cream in your freezer that was very cute. (although the candida probably thought it was cute too )

YAY......Sunday is almost here!!!

I dont think I'll be able to post until much later in the day....and then I'll send out emails.

I think maybe after my appt. I'll be going to the movies.

Anyone see Mr. Brooks?? Thats what I'm gonna see sometime on Sunday.

A candida test was negative or none was done? I don't recall right now what tests were most accurate.

Candida stool tests are not very reliable at all. I had 3 stool tests in one years time...my symptoms were pretty much unchanged but the first test showed no candida overgrowth. Ok..well during that time I had been on the diet (only meat, fish and a few veggies for 4 months...no cheating)...I was still having alot of symptoms and sensitivities though.

Next time around....I'm totally off the diet and come back with a "light" overgrowth. Third time around....with no change in my diet...there is no overgrowth.

I figured I have candida....its pretty darned obvious but I didnt continue to address it because #1...I was more concerned with determining the underlying cause and #2....the tests werent showing a major problem.

When I started BioSET treatments candida and molds showed up BIG-TIME. I used to go to treatments twice a week and always molds and yeasts were showing up to be one of the major factors contributing to my illness. Finally my practitioner said that my problems were so bad she wanted to order an antibody test for yeast. She suspected I would score over 9000....which would be extremely high.

My IgM yeast antibodies came back at 8196......with a reference range of (0-2248).

The IgG was normal

IgM = active infection

The test also included antibodies for dietary protein, aerobic bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria.

I had elevated IgM for everything except the anaerobic bacteria.

The only one which was through the roof positive was the yeast....the others were elevated but not nearly as bad as the yeast.

The test was for "intestinal barrier function".....so basically all of these things....dietary protein, yeast and bacteria...are going through the intestinal barier (leaky gut) and this is the reason for elevated antibodies.

I think the stool tests are pretty useless....not very consistant or reliable.

You can read about blood testing here....

Open Original Shared Link

The biggest problem in proving the existence of Candida Related Complex in non-immune compromised people is that until very recently, there were no good tests for the condition. Everyone has Candida in their system and in small amounts it is harmless. It is only in larger amounts that Candida is harmful.

Therefore it is tricky to test for Candida. Simply showing that Candida is present in a person's system is useless. What are needed are tests that show how much is present in the system.

The IgA, IgG, and IgM are three tests which are somewhat reliable separately, and together have a good degree of reliability. The candida immune complexes test is even more reliable.

Also have "Exploding Head Syndrome" where a constellation of symptoms makes your head feel like it is going to pop off. Even my face hurts today (yeah- I know- it's killing all you )

Bev...I wish I didnt know so much about the "Exploding Head Syndrome".

Exploding head has been my #1 complaint from the start.

Stupid fungus.