Background
Hi my name is Katie and I am single and I live in England. I work full time and as the sole earner I sympathise with people who have to keep working to earn money even if they are really ill. I have had had candida on-off for 10 years. It took many years for the problem to be diagnosed and eventually when I realised what the problem was I fought it on-off for about a year. It took that long due to other serious health problems. Since then I have been lucky enough to enjoy good health and hoped I had put candida behind me. However in 2007 it returned and I thought to myself “ok you know what you’ve done to bring it back so put things right and lets get rid of this once and for all”. I felt like an old hand and kept reminding myself “you’ve beaten it many times so just do it again!”. However the last episode has been harder to beat and has made me learn a lot more about the underlying problems which can feed the candida.
At this point I should explain that my candida was originally caused by food poisoning and recurrences have only happened in extreme circumstances such as multiple uses of antiobiotics in a very short timespan, serious illness, etc.. However in the summer of 2007 I had a recurrence which I now believe was caused by a hormone imbalance. I had changed my pill at the same time. With this latest recurrence it occurred to me that others might benefit from my own methods of regaining my health. So this blog is written for other candida sufferers in the hope that I may be able to help them with practical tips or even just by sharing my experience so that they know they aren’t alone.
I have also had to deal with huge levels of stress over the past four years connecting with my job. It has proved difficult to find new employment as I have a senior role and good jobs seem few and far between where I live. I believe that if I can find a job with less stress (or rather far away from my bully boss and bitchy colleagues) then I will be a lot happier which will hopefully signal the end of the candida. So if I seem to moan a lot about my job then please forgive me!
My little disclaimer
I should also explain that I am not a medical person and so my methods may not work for others and I strongly recommend that you either see your GP or a reputable naturopath for professional expertise. The last thing I would want is to tell you about something that worked for me and then hear that it made you worse. It would break my heart. I have always followed the advice of a naturopath and without his help I would not be here today so please please get professional advice too as we are all different.
I would also like to point out that I am not affiliated with any company which sells medical supplements or treatments so there are no direct links on this site. If I do ever add links it will only be to books that I have personally read and strongly recommend. I know how money can be tight when you are fighting candida (the supplements alone cost a fortune) so the last thing I want is to cost you money. My advice is to borrow a copy of the books from a friend, go to the library or try ebay! Before writing this blog I read other similar blogs and I was disappointed that some of them were clearly written to promote a specific product by a particular company. It made me doubt if the blogs were genuine.
I know how hard it is when you are ill and you are desperately searching the internet for answers. So I will try to explain not only what I am doing now but what else I have tried in the past and give some indication of what works and when. One more thing, if you feel like trying anything new say a Candida supplement my advice is to put the name of it into google and see if you can find any problems or side effects with it. Its worth double checking. For example some people recommend liquorice root but I found that it should not be taken if you have high blood pressure. Def worth knowing! The sales guy in the health food shop may not tell you that! So take care!
Try to stay positive
Finally I would say that having candida has changed my life and some of it in brilliant ways that I never would have dreamt. I know it may sound hard to believe but its true. Ok yes I cant go mad on sugar but I have discovered new holistic treatments which I love that are now a big part of my life such as aromatherapy, meditation and reiki. I have found fantastic complementary therapists who now help my friends and family with their health issues. Its amazing how many people have actually benefited! We believe that my naturopath has saved the life of at least two people that are close to me by diagnosing life threatening conditions which were missed by doctors. If I hadnt become ill I wouldnt have found this naturopath and I wouldnt have been able to recommend him to my friends, who would not be here today if it wasn’t for him. Every cloud has a silver lining I guess!
I wish you all the best on your journey. I believe that we all have a Guardian Angel at our side always so don’t forget to ask them for help and support if you need it. 
love and light, Katie x
23 responses so far ↓
Lisa Hargreaves // May 9, 2008 at 8:50 am |
Hi, my name is Lisa I am 39 married with one child and live in UK. I am amazed ! You are amazing. Your blog is brilliant and it is so reassuring to know others feel the same.It is like looking in a mirror when I read your comments.. I have had ME for 8 years but have now decided it is Candida I have I have been doing the diet for 3 weeks and feel like I have more energy now but really suffering with sinus ear trouble and blistery sore thraot goingto docs today as not sure if infection or just die off. I am only taking garlic at the moment. Dont want to take antibiotics though. Have you any suggestions for my throat and sinuses ? Would love to hear from you. Lisa
katiebeatscandida // May 11, 2008 at 7:55 pm |
Hi Lisa
Thanks so much for getting in touch. I used to get loads of ear infections and I still have sinus problems. My ear infections were a nightmare so I totally sympathise. I used olive oil to try to reduce the wax which was causing the infection. It sounds like yours are slightly different. My naturopath tells me that sinus problems can be caused by several things including eating dairy products and also by high levels of oestrogen. I’m hoping that as my hormones balance out it should improve. I take a weak colloidol silver solution (by a reputable company not home made!) for my sore throats as it kills candida. I live in the UK and you can get it in Holland & Barrett (own brand) which is 3 parts per million (very very weak) or Higher Nature do one which is 10 ppm which is the one I take now. I hope this helps! Good luck!
Katie x
Lisa Hargreaves // May 17, 2008 at 3:57 pm |
Hi Katie
I dont eat dairy so maybe its my hormones. They are all over the place at the moment as I had a miscarriage 4 wks ago at 9 weeks pregnant so that would make sense. My nutritionist recommended Colloidol Silver also, so I think I will get this. I live in Solihull Uk, Is the Holland & Barret one ok to take when on diet sometimes they have things added ? SHe also recommended Citricidal as a gargle. Isnt it weird how hormones affects you I am sure they are my main problem as I was fine until I got pregnant. It has put me off for life.
How are you feeling at the moment ?? You seem to know so much about Candida. I must admit I am getting like it to, I think my husband thinks Im obsessed, I spend hours trawling the net. I am really thin 7st 4lb and look ill I have lost a lot of weight recently on the diet and he tries to get me to eat cake and stuff to fatten me up. My weight is my main problem on the diet. I am going to Cyprus Wednesday and really fancy having a few glasses of wine. I dont think I can go the whole time without cheating ! Ilook like a skeleton in my bikini I may frighten a few people on the beach with my bones. Lisa x
katiebeatscandida // May 17, 2008 at 5:22 pm |
Hi Lisa
I am so so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I used to take the Holland and Barrett Colloidol Silver and it was fine. No dodgy ‘added’ ingredients but that was a few months ago so best double check the label in case it has changed. Like you I have lost weight but I find that stir fries and eating lots of nuts and seeds have helped me not to lose too much. Do you like these sort of foods? I also bought a fantastic cook book called ‘Cooking without gluten, sugar, yeast and dairy – made easy’ by Barbara Cousins. Its full of yummy recipes that us candida girls can eat including cakes! Admittedly some of the cakes have dried fruit (so its a treat when the candida is low) but the book has been really inspiring and got me eating and enjoying food again.
I am very envious that you are going away on holiday! I would love to book a trip but I am nervous at the moment. We might have to go away anyway so I am considering self catering. I can eat all veggies, salads, meat and rice. You should be ok in Cyprus for menu options but it wont be easy to keep the will power going! My candida does create food intolerances which are quite low at the moment so I am just trying to avoid food which feeds the candida rather than avoiding stuff because I had an intolerance. I hope I making sense! I miss my wine too. I think we can drink occasional vodka with soda water and lime or diet coke but dont tell my naturopath as he absolutely hates aspartame due to its cancer-causing effects. I rarely drink but I cant bear the thought of a holiday without one! Anyway I hope you are have a lovely holiday. At least you will be leaving behind all this rain! love Katie x
Lisa Hargreaves // May 18, 2008 at 12:56 pm |
Hi Katie, Thanks I will get some of this tomorrow although my throat feels a little better today. That book sounds brilliant I will definitely get it. As a previous chocaholic and cake fiend I need something to cheer me up. My mum used to bake me cakes for the diet she was great. Sadly, I lost her last year to Cancer. I think I have gone downhill slowly since I lost her when I think back. We were really close and she lived with us in a granny flat attached to our house. I do eat nuts and seeds, they are ok, although I find my throat ulcers worse after eating nuts for some reason. I am so looking forward to my holiday I have never needed one so much. A bit worried about travelling as I know it is going to do me in for a couple of days. I am sure I will succumb to the odd drink as my husband will be having one and I dont think I will enjoy the holiday unless I do. I will have to be extra good when I get back. Have you got anything planned for a holiday it sound like you could do with one too ! So good to chat to you. Do you have children Katie and do you work ? Hope you dont mind me being nosey. Its great to find someone else in the same boat as sometimes you feel alone with this Candida thing and think you are the only one in the world dealing with it. People I work with dont understand they thing I should eat plenty of junk food to get my weight back on and then I will feel a whole lot better – if only it was that easy. Lisa x
Lisa Hargreaves // May 18, 2008 at 1:05 pm |
Hi Katie,
I forgot to say, I have been taking Milk Thistle also as my nutritionist says my adrenals are struggling. Have you stopped taking this now I am sure they help my liver. I know Patrick Holford has a good book called Balancing hormones naturally. I am sure he recommends exercise but also certain foods and herbs. He talks a lot of sense.
Lisa
katiebeatscandida // May 19, 2008 at 9:33 pm |
Hi Lisa
How old is your child? Thanks for the Patrick Holford recommendation. I didnt know about him but I’ve just been on his website and he sounds very knowledgeable. I found out about milk thistle affecting oestrogen levels on the internet but I havent double checked with my naturopath yet. I am so paranoid about anything that may increase my oestrogen levels that I have stopped immediately. I am also unsure about flaxseeds which I used to sprinkle on my cereal. Sometimes I feel like I am going mad. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mum. A huge loss like that is bound to affect your health. There is breast cancer in my family and I lost my grandmother to it so its always a worry that it could affect my generation. Thats the real reason I am determined to get my oestrogen levels down as all my research shows that high levels of oestrogen can eventually cause it. Its quite worrying. If it wasnt for the candida I wouldnt have know about it. I totally understand when you said about people in work not understanding. Mine think I have an eating disorder and dont want to put weight on! They also think I listen to ‘quacks’ as I gave up on my GP years ago. I mistakenly told one girl in work about my naturopath. He’s so amazing that he doesnt advertise but is fully booked up and people visit him from all of the UK just by personal recommendation. He’s saved the lives of several people that I know (including my Dad) by diagnosing life threatening illnesses that GPs have missed. So I think he’s a star! But I told someone in work and that person has twisted it and told the others that I am not listening to proper medical advice. Its sooooo frustrating. Lets hope that we can both get better soon! I hope you have a lovely holiday! You will be so brown as Cyprus is bound to be lovely and hot. You lucky thing! Katie x
Thanks so much for your messages. Its so nice to feel that I am not alone! In answer to your questions yes I do work but I don’t have children. I’m not married although I have a boyfriend. I would love to have children but that hasnt happened for me and at this rate probably won’t
Lisa Hargreaves // June 1, 2008 at 1:07 pm |
Hi Katie,
Back from holiday it was brilliant travelling was hard work but the weather was great I had a good rest. I am feeling so much better. Despite eating everything I shouldnt puddings wise and eating chocolate and wine I feel well ! I think it will probably catch up with me very soon. I tend to collapse after eating for six weeks what I call junk food. I have been eating a lot of olive oil and garlic and fish though. I love the med diet it is so much better than our bland english food. How are you feeling Katie and how is the diet going I am going to slowly get back into it myself over the next couple of weeks Lisa
katiebeatscandida // June 1, 2008 at 9:08 pm |
Hi Lisa
Glad to hear you had a fab time! I am so glad it went well – it sounds like it did you the power of good! I have been keeping to the diet 95% of the time but I darent deviate much as I feel the candida is just waiting to return. I am alternating my anti-fungal supplements as I have been on them so long I worry about creating resistence. If I ate puddings and drank wine I would have immediately symptoms of bloating, wind etc so perhaps you are beating the candida? I’m very impressed that you feel well! Fingers crossed for you! love Katie x
Lisa Hargreaves // June 3, 2008 at 3:11 pm |
Hi Katie,
I spoke too soon. Woke with a sore throat today and feeling cack. Knew it was too good to be true and would catch up with me eventually it normally takes 6 weeks though not two so not a good sign . Back on the diet today feeling miserable . You are very determined and do so well to do it 95% of the time. It is good to know you are on it too, it helps me through to think I am not alone. Have you tried acupuncture I was thinking of trying that again. Your Naturopath sounds great, where does he practice ? Good to hear from you Lisa x
katiebeatscandida // June 5, 2008 at 9:30 pm |
Hi Lisa
My naturopath is in South Wales. I have a follow up appointment next week to test my hormone levels and see if the candida levels have risen. I am so stressed out that I am going to ask if he can recommend anything to help me deal with stuff. I dont mean supplements. I am thinking of trying a spiritual session called Life Guidance or something similar in the hope that sorting out my life will destress me. Its just an idea! Katie x
I hope you are feeling better by now. Colloidol silver is good for sore throats. I tend to get an instant response if I’ve eaten something that feeds the candida. My diet has been terrible this week as I’ve had a hard time recently. My stress levels are off the scale with work and other problems so I’m sure the candida will thrive now
Lisa // June 29, 2008 at 2:00 pm |
Hi Katie,
I am about 6 out of 10, my throat is sore on and off It goes when I do mouthwashes so I may just have to do these daily. I have bought some silver now so I will give it a go. Thanks. I find acupuncture and massage really helps me with stress. Maybe you need a holiday I felt great after mine. I have noticed a lot of my symptoms are gradually returning as I have kept off the diet. My problem is my weight I have put weight on again which I am happy about and I know if I start the diet I will feel better but lose weight and then that will get me down. I cant win !.
Lisa
Lulu // July 26, 2008 at 2:04 pm |
Hi there,
I have just been told I have Candida – I kinda knew as my symptoms were just building and building. I am busy researching online and eading some very interesting blogs, thankyou for taking the time to put all your thoughts out there for the rest of us to read! Very useful, inspiring and understanding.
I am lucky and have a very supportive husband, who is using my new eating plan to lose some weight himself! I have been on it for two weeks and I am surprising myself in that I have managed to cut all sugars out! I am a previous sugar addict and chocoholic!
I am keen to find out about mouthwashes and gargles to try out, as the Candida is evident in my mouth and its horrible. I am due to start my Nutritionists advised supplements as soon as they arrive, but feel that I want to do something NOW!
I also highly recommend the “Cooking Without’ book. I have a very healthy neighbour who has lent me this great book. I really want to try the cakes, but not sure about the Stevia??? I read too that you can also buy something called Xylitol from Holland and Barrett – any advice or info on these?
Wishing you all good health and stress free days!
Lulu x
Kiki // August 12, 2008 at 5:08 pm |
Hi Katie,
Reading your blog is like a godsend. I feel every ounce of you past struggles, and hope that with time I will be in a similar place you are. I love your talk of angels, and of adding the complimentary alternative therapies. I really want to do acupuncture. A friend of mine is a nutritionist who studied here at a local chinese medicine school, and she recommends accupuncture highy. I have just found your blog, but I will keep reading and ask any questions I can thing about. Thanks for sharing your story!!!
Lisa // August 20, 2008 at 4:02 pm |
Hi Lulu,
I find a tea tree mouthwash good after a salt mouthwash. I rinse with saltwater and then put about 4 drops of tea tree oil in very warm water and rinse with that. It really seems to help my sore throats. Do you have sore throats/mucus/ulcers ? I suffer from all three but have it under control now. It seems to be worse when I eat dairy or chocolate. Hope it works
Lisa
katie // August 25, 2008 at 11:25 am |
Hi Lulu
Sorry I havent replied to your question about stevia and xylitol. I havent tried either although I now chew gum with xylitol for my teeth as its proven to help keep teeth healthy. As far as candida is concerned I think the jury is still out for xylitol so I wouldnt take any chances if you have a lot of candida. There are some reports that if can help with oral candida but again I dont know how widely it has been tested. Beware if you try it that it can have laxative effects!
As for Stevia I would feel more confident about trying it as it seems widely used by people fighting candida. Even my heroine Karen Tripp recommends it on her excellent website for beating candida! Karen’s site is at http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/4966/
But I have never seen Stevia for sale so I’ve never tried it. If you try it please can you let us know what you thought? And where you bought it?
Best wishes
Katie
chriskolba // October 26, 2008 at 2:01 pm |
Not sure if youve heard of or read Liz Lipski’s book Digestive Wellness. It is very good and comprehensive.
Good luck and keep up the good work
Chris
Chriskolba.wordpress.com
Katie // October 26, 2008 at 9:50 pm |
Hi Chris
Thanks for your suggestion! No I havent heard of the book but I will look it up. I am always buying new books and that one sounds very interesting!
Best wishes, Katie x
Simone // November 22, 2008 at 12:57 pm |
Hi Katie,
I was curious what you said regarding milk thistle.
Milk thistle actually helps the body process high level of eostrogen, helps break the oestrogen down.
If your liver is not functioning well, then oestrogen levels will be high. Milk thistle is renowned for balancing hormones. Not sure why you have stopped taking it??
Blessings,
Simone
Katie // November 23, 2008 at 11:38 am |
Hi Simone
Thanks for your comments. Its always great to get feedback. I am in two minds over milk thistle as I know it has some great benefits to the body. However my research identified an oestrogen-effect on the body caused by the herb so I decided to cut it out. Here is an example of the research which I read (this is from Drug Digest):
“Due to possible estrogen-like effects of milk thistle, certain types of breast cancer tumors actually increased in number and/or seriousness when milk thistle was given to female animals with existing breast tumors”. I know that milk thistle has good results with targeting cancer cells but I found several reports which mentioned it’s oestrogen effect. To be honest since I’ve been having regular acupuncture my liver function has improved hugely so I havent missed taking the milk thistle.
love and light
Katie x
Jenn // January 10, 2009 at 3:34 am |
I have a 2y old fighting this any adivce would be helpfull. Great web site. Best I’ve seen so far.
Mike Burlingame // January 15, 2009 at 9:49 am |
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Mike
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