posted 21 November 2003 20:22               

I know this is a dumb question, but how do you know? Sometimes, I don't know if I'm feeling bad due to yeast, abx, herxes, etc.

I know you can itch really bad in an unmentionable area! that's one way, and thrush can be seen by the tongue, but the rest is always a guess.

I've read where yeast infections and herxing can mimic each other, or I thought I read that. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Is there an easy way to know what to do and what to take for what symptoms!!!

This is a nasty puzzle...

Thanks,

lifeline

P.S. Sometimes, I take Diflucan and wonder if that's the right thing to do when I'm not sure what it is that's making me feel crummy. I am careful about foods, and take lots probiotics/lots nystatin tabs.

posted 21 November 2003 20:49               

I think alot of people could benefit from a more in-depth reply. [Hey, maybe somebody will beat me to it!!...hint, hint! ]

But one tip-off for me is an itching that I don't notice until I'm lying in bed, trying to go to sleep! It feels like something is crawling inside my skin on my arm(s) or leg(s).

That's a big clue for me! It can keep me awake, even tho it's not noticeable until I'm lying there quietly....very weird.

Get out your little "yeast questionnaire" by Dr Crook....I have one from Dr C. Check out how similar the yeast symptoms are to Lyme symptoms! So it IS very hard to tell which is which!

posted 21 November 2003 21:12               

___How many mercury amalgam dental fillings?
___Have you been vaccinated within past 5 years?
___Have persistant Prostatitis or Vaginitis.
___Have taken Cortisone type drugs.
___Have taken birth control pills.
___React badly to cigarette smoke.
___React badly to chemical fumes.
___Symptoms worse on damp or muggy days.
___Have had athlete's foot and/or Jocky itch.
___Have cramps with my periods.
___Crave alcohol (beer, wine, whisky).
___Feel helpless at times.
___Seem to have lost interest.
___Lost or decreased sexual desire.
___Shaky or irritable when hungry.
___Cannot seem to concentrate.
___Stomach gets sore all over.
___Ears itch at times.
___Had bladder infections.
___Had urinary frequency or urgency.
___Vaginal discharge
___Feel weak all over.
___More nervous than usual.
___Often am dizzy or light-headed.
___Heart pounds or beats fast.
___Had constipation and/or diarrhea.
___Mouth ulcers
___Took antibiotics 3 times in past few years?
___Took antibiotics 3 times in past year?
___Have Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
___Have Mitral Valve Prolapse.
___Have allergic symptoms often.
___Strong perfumes make me sick.
___Have had a skin or nail fungus.
___Crave sugar, desserts or chocolate.
___Crave breads, and/or pastries.
___Have trouble thinking clearly.
___Noticed numbness or tingling.
___Pains in my stomach.
___Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
___Chronic rashes or itching skin.
___Had nausea and a "sick" stomach.
___Joints ache at times.
___Feel tired most of the time.
___Feel "drained" and exhausted.
___Stomach bloats frequently.
___Have a poor memory.
___Feel "spacey" and unreal.
___Muscles ache more often.
___Have depression fairly often.
___Have headaches frequently.
___Headaches are getting worse

Hope this helps!

------------------
C O L O R A D O * S U P P O R T * S Y S T E M
melanie@beachlovers.net

posted 21 November 2003 21:44               

quote:

---

Originally posted by lymewarrior03:
looks like the lyme symptom list to me

---

YEP!!

Lyme LIST:

1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing
2. Unexplained weight change--loss or gain
3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina
4. Unexplained hair loss
5. Swollen glands: list areas_______________________________
6. Sore throat
7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain
8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity
9. Unexplained milk production: breast pain
10.Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction
11.Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido
12.Upset stomach
13.Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea
14.Chest pain or rib soreness
15.Shortness of breath, cough
16.Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block
17.Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse?
18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints________________________
19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back
20.Muscle pain or cramps
21.Twitching of the face or other muscles
22.Headache
23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain
24.Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains
25.Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)
26.Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity
27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity
28.lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance
29.Lightheadedness, wooziness
30.Tremor
31.Confusion, difficulty in thinking
32.Diffculty with concentration, reading
33.Forgetfuiness, poor short term memory
34.Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places
35.Difficulty with speech or writing
36.Mood swings, irritability, depression
37.Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening
38.Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol

posted 21 November 2003 22:06               

Thanks Lymetoo and Melanie. These lists will be a help for all of us.

Yeast is yet another serious disease to be addressed. Lyme, arthritis, pain, and now yeast...I have a busy life ahead of me!

Thanks so much. BIG help.

posted 21 November 2003 22:20               

Anywho, what I do is when I am just having a rough of it and dont know what is causing what, I take away ALL candida contributors for a few days, including antibiotics, sugar, bread, coffees, colas, etc.

After about three days, I have a nice big old cup of coffee or some candy and if its a yesat problem ( I do have systemic yeast that keeps rearing its ugly head) I usually get a slamming headache.

You can also do the spit test. This is on the internet, just to see if you HAVE candida. get a cold glass of water, very cold,first thing in the morning and spit into it BEFORE you eat, drink, smoke, brush teeth , etc. Let it

sit there and an hour later, go back. Anything growing in there with stringy looking legs is yeast.

I wouldnt recommend anyone go off antibiotics just because that is something i do at home ( LOL) but you could chop everything bad out of your diet,

and then come back with a candy bar and if you react, its most likely yeast.

You can also be tested for this. NOt really something you want to ask an MD as this is another area that they just dont get. Your LLMD might be able to help you.

Right now, yeast is my most significant problem as well as bartonella. Everything else is pretty much ok and lemme tell ya

oh YEAH it will make you feel like you havent come very far. My son was crunchin on some doritos today and mom ( me) hehe stole the bag and ate a whole bunch.

Paying for it with massive migraine. ;o)

THey do mimic each other so much, scares the crud out of me sometimes thinking about all the yeasty damage Im doing by PUTTING abx into my system, yet I need them!

HOpe that helped out some! You'll get through it. Im gonna drink bleach and get rid of mine. IM KIDDING!

posted 21 November 2003 23:07               

That's a great test to do just to check for yeast in the morning. I'll try it first thing tomorrow. Don't want no stringy legs!

I didn't know there was a test for candida. I'll check with my LLMD. Good info.

I do love chips (corn chips) especially with cheese over top. I never thought they were so bad cuz there's no sugar, but, of course, the carbs make up for it! But, I have to have some at times, especially if they're just sitting on the counter...waiting for me!

I'm passing on the bleach.

Thanks for the info. Great stuff.

posted 14 August 2004 12:29               

The spit test works great for your at home FYI- and if your yeast is very bad its also almost an instant result.

Strength is right about the gas - at one point I could have a glass of water & burp and feel awful for 2 hours. It was to a point I hated to ingest anything. Another sign I had was like a crusty film on the upper eyelids, like flaking skin. Cleared right up w/ diflucan.

Because these symptoms overlap, and are different for everyone, you have to kinda keep track of when things pop up, and what you've been on recently, and for me the most important- did it go away when taking probotics. After awhile you'll be a pretty good judge of your body/system and have a hunch about whats causing what.

Case in point - for the past few months, I have been having a problem with extremely watery eyes when I wake up in the morning. I actually had to take a napkin to my eyes & sop up the fluid so I could see. I would have to do this several times.Eye Dr said it was dry eyes - which I found kind of funny - cuz I had very wet eyes... At some point, I also noticed I was getting gasey when I ate and stomach felt awful, so I took diflucan for a few days & noticed that my eyes were not so wet in the morning. Next LLMD appt - I mentioned this - he did a swab of my eye & went to his microscope - low & behold - yeast. He said not alot - but just the same should be none in the eyes. Gave me more diflucan & it's much better. So that has become my current litnus test for yeast. Pay attention to your symptoms & you'll be able to tell (sometimes) whats going on in your body.

posted 08 April 2005 17:36               

quote:

---

Originally posted by GardenLymer:

Just for your info - I never had a vag yeast infection during this time - seems the yeast loves our guts - it's the perfect environment for it. So it's possible to be totally infected w/ yeast & yet not have "typical" yeast infection. Hope this helps...~Cindy~

---

posted 09 April 2005 05:37               

Next, fill it with room temp water.

Then, spit in it. Make sure you get a good amount of spit in it.

Then wait for up to 15-20 minutes, don't move the glass around.

If you notice these stringy things growning off the bottom of your spit, chances are you have a yeast infection.

This test is no gold standard, but it's just something to try.

I think docs can do blood tests for it, as well as stool samples.

posted 09 April 2005 06:35               

Correction to caps post: Fill the glass up with cold water. Candida ( that is normal for everyone to have in their GI system and bodies) grows like wildfire under heat.