Yeast seems to be a problem for me. It showed up as high in my recent Doctor's Data stool test, and I have the symptoms.
I have been on Nystatin pills for years.
Recently, my new LLMD switched me to the Nystatin powder. I haven't noticed anything in terms of improvements or herxes with yeast symptoms, etc.
So, I'm just wondering why I'm not on Diflucan. My last appointment was with the doctor's PA, and I feel like she was not all there during my appointment.
I know yeast is a problem that is going to have to be addressed. My last appointment was very recently, so my next one isn't for about a month from now. So I'm thinking of calling and telling them my yeast symptoms aren't better, and asking for Diflucan.
Is this a good move? I'm just trying to figure out why I WOULDN'T be on it. I doesn't interact with anything I'm taking.
Could it be because right now they are trying to "detox" me, including my liver, and Diflucan can be hard on the liver? (but you would think detox would include getting rid of yeast!)
She did "increase" my Nystatin powder, but I still haven't noticed anything with the increased dose. I still seem "yeasty."
So, should I call and ask for Diflucan, and if so, should I stay on the Nystatin with it? I know you guys aren't LLMDs, but I just would like someone's "two cents."
I'm tired all the time. Something needs to change! They didn't change much at the last appointment, just added more detox measures. I don't know what we're waiting for, but my life is passing me by.
Thanks.....just needing some advice here....I am second-guessing myself a lot lately.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I'll just add that the antibiotics I'm currently on are Minocycline and Bactrim. (unusual combo, I know...long story).
Could it be because Bactrim causes a lot of yeast, and they want me to do Diflucan once they stop the Bactrim? I don't know if that reason even makes sense, but...
I am just wondering if there is some obvious reason I'm not on Diflucan that I'm missing! This doesn't seem that complicated. (sarcasm to PA) High yeast in lab results should = Diflucan, right?!?!?
Posted by mandy614 (Member # 16524) on :
Hoosiers,
Dr H mentioned he wanted me to pulse diflucan 1 x week. You could try doing this since you are already on the powder. Just call/fax and ask for a script. They'll most likely give you one.
BTW, before diagnosed with lyme was diagnosed with CFS so I was on diflucan for 8 months every day! It helped enormously. Now, unfortunately I don't think it helps since I took it so long. It is hard on the liver, but my dr liberally prescribed it to me since it was such an issue.
Also, I think the macrolides may interact (but not a big deal) and doesn't apply to you, so I havent done the 1 day pulse thing only because I'm afraid of risk to liver and possibility of doing nothing for me.
Best, mandy
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Thanks Mandy!!!
Helps to have more insight. I currently have 12 pills on me from a previous doc, but if I took it everyday I'd need more obviously, but if I did it your way it would work out well. So thanks for the good info. I'm thinking for now I would need it everyday. I am in, "I hate you yeasties!" mode.
I hope I'm not obsessing or be-laboring this point, but do you think I should wait until I go off Bactrim (which will hopefully be next appointment), so that there are no resistance issues? I am afraid of building super-yeast.
Or is it moreso.....you have yeast, so kill it...who cares what you're on?
I am driving myself crazy right now with all the thoughts going through my head. There is definitely a psychological element to how much I'm worrying about my protocol, but intuitively I know that something needs to change, because nothing's improving...yeesh. Thanks for bearing with me!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Olive Leaf Extract works better for me than Diflucan.
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Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I was taking olive leaf extract, but not noticing much. How do I know if it's working?
Maybe I just have yeast, but it's low in terms of what is causing my symptoms, so I don't notice when I treat it? Either that, or it's not being treated.
PS--I stopped the OLE because something was giving me a horrendous bitter taste in my mouth that lasted all day, and I think it was the OLE, even though it was a pill (powder in a capsule).
Posted by mandy614 (Member # 16524) on :
You said it yourself something needs to change...
I think a trial of diflucan while on bactrim would be good.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Probably good to fax and ask for help with the yeast. I've read that diflucan may kill borrelia. I think this was discovered by a Dr. Schartz? They may not want you to have too many things on board to kill lyme but of course I am not a doctor and couldn't second guess what they are thinking.
You can always ask for what you want and if they don't want to give it, they'll tell you why.
Pau d' arco or caprylic acid are both good for yeast. I also take a special enzyme that helps break down the cell wall of the yeast. This is the product that I take but there are others. http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Candida-Yeast-Management
Terry
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I've been on diflucan for 60 days straight at 200mg a day.
Then two weeks off. Repeat cycle.
I've done this for over one year.
No liver issues and I don't/can't take milk Thistle right now due to babesia treatment.
Ask for the diflucan.
Watch your diet very carefully.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Geneal, do you think your yeast is still responding to Diflucan? As in, when you cycle back on it, you notice something?
Thanks for the advice TerryK, I will definitely look into that!!!
And thanks also, Mandy. You guys are helping. I have been a wuss lately with my treatment and have been second-guessing myself. Having input is helping a lot.
Posted by eagle (Member # 19278) on :
What is the difference between Nystatin and Diflucan? Sounds like Diflucan is much stronger?
I haven't been diagnosed with any yeast issues, but wonder if yeast/candida can "hide out" in the body like Lyme can. I don't have any overt yeast symptoms, but do have almost constant debiliting fatigue.
If Diflucan is so strong that you take 1 pill per week or daily for a few weeks, then why don't the LLMDs automatically prescribe it? Wouldn't that prevent or at least alleviate any yeast issues from antibiotics?
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
eagle,
Some LLMD's do prescribe Diflucan everyday. Some don't, because it can be hard on the liver, and it interacts with some other drugs.
As I understannd it, Nystatin only affects the yeast in the gatrointestinal tract, and the mouth, while Diflucan gets systemic (that is, in the bloodstream, which nystatin doesn't really do).
So Diflucan in a sense is "stronger" because it goes more places, but is more potentially dangerous...more potential side effects.
If you are on antibiotics longterm, you should definitely be taking one or the other, in my opinion. Also, you should be taking good quality probiotics, 2-3 hours away from antibiotic doses.
[ 03-07-2009, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: Hoosiers51 ]
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
I'm with the DiFlucan folk, Hoosiers. I did noticeably better when flucanazole was added at 100 mg every 4 days. Then he switched me to 150 every 6 as it was cheaper at W-M that way (no insurance here) I think the docs overblow the liver stress it causes. I know the maker says up to 200mg every DAY is allowable. I know 1 German doc that alternates his patients between that high daily dose & abx on roughly a monthly cycle. He maintains that it puts the BB in a state of stress by "inhibiting their CT450 cytochrome defense", WTF that is. Then when U hit 'em w/ the penicillun-type abx the following month, they get lysed as they don't have the energy to squirm away... or encase. Pretty neat theory, huh?
Posted by DeafFromLyme (Member # 18795) on :
Hi
Can I ask what may be a very stupid question?? Please forgive me, but how do you know you have a yeast build up besides the normal womanly way?
Is that how you know or can you tell some other way?
Thanks! Posted by JKMMC09 (Member # 15795) on :
If you do begin taking Diflucan PLEASE watch out for interactions with your other meds. Because Diflucan is a Cytochrome P-450 Inhibitor, it can change the way other medications that also are detoxed through the P-450 liver pathway metabolize.
My daughter ended up in the ICU for 2 weeks due to a bad reaction between Diflucan and her seizure med.
Be careful everyone!
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Diflucan is hard on the liver. Many docs only give it 1 or 2x a week.
Minocycline is one of the antibiotics less likely to cause yeast issues.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
I agree with JKMMC. As with any anti-fungal, if you take DiFlucan, you'l need to go over all other drugs (Rx or not) that you might be on for Possible interactions. The list isn't all that long- it includes meds that were taken off the market (ie: antihistamines Seldane & Hismanal, heartburn drug Cisapride) but "fluc" can impede metabolization of certain other meds leading to a buildup in the blood (req'ing dosage adjusts). I never had a problem as my liver was healthy & I wasn't on many drugs at all. Talk w/ your friendly neighborhood pharmacist, though, if you plan on asking for it.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I have already checked all possible interactions on http://www.drugs.com's Interactions Checker. I defnitely wouldn't mess around with those P450 interactions.
It's good to know Minocycline isn't a huge offender with yeast. I'm also on Bactrim DS though, which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and hard on digestive flora. I am replacing my digestive flora though, with high quality probiotics.
I know I have yeast because of my recent Doctor's Data stool test. It came back as "Many" yeast. I believe this is the highest level they report. This at least shows I have a lot of it in my GI, despite using Nystatin pills. So that is why I'm assuming it's a problem for me. I also do have mild thrush in the mouth, apparently. Doctor noted it on my records, though I never notice it.
I'm not saying I want to be on Diflucan long term, I just want to be on it for as long as it takes to put a significant dent in whatever yeast I may have.
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
Are you on a yeast free diet?
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
No, I but soon I am going to start a diet with no flour, no added sugars, limited carbs, high protein.
It's basically the diet Dr. Burrascano recommends in his guidelines. I will still eat cheese and berries, but no other fruits besides berries in moderation.
I am waiting for my books to come in the mail. I am honestly too tired to figure out the diet without the help of an actual book I can pick up and look at when I forget what I can and can't eat.
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
Candida becomes resistant to anti-fungals, so some doctors feel it is important to rotate.
I have a huge yeast problem right now - furry, black tongue, yeasty throat, etc. My doc put me on Diflucan for one month, with 5 mycolax lozenges per day, then five days of sporanox, five day of another anti-fungal- trying to get all the strains.
Then there are the herbal anti-fungals like oil of oregano, olive leaf extract, caprylic acid, pau d'arco. These need to be rotated, as do probiotics. Don't keep using the same one, change every month to another good quality brand.
Everybody has different strains of candida, so you have to taylor your plan.
Diet is hard, but sugar is the absolute worst. If you can't do anything else, at least eliminate that. Personally, I'm really struggling with that right now because I have a terrible taste in my mouth and not much tastes good. Also my daughter is gravely ill with lyme and sugar is a comfort food. I sometimes wonder how many symptoms we attribute to lyme that are candida related.
If you're up for it, colonics or coffee enemas are good for yeast too.
Marla
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
UPDATE: Spoke with Doctor's office again. I am now on Diflucan....200mg every day for 7 days, then 1 every 4 days for the next month or so.
I am continuing my Nystatin as well. And, they told me to increase my probiotics.
Thanks to everyone for all the useful advice, it really helped out!!!!
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Make sure to take your probiotics two to three
hours away from the diflucan and nystatin. It will
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