Does any one have a view about the role of Yeast infections causing fibromyalgia. If so how can I test for this on the NHS? Thanks.

[mojoman]

[LindseyMid]

Chronic systemic candida (yeast) overgrowth may present with similar symptoms to Fibro - fatigue, aches and pains, IBS, headaches, etc. Candidasis does not cause Fibro, but it can be mistaken for Fibro and it can appear to be making Fibro symptoms worse.

This would usually have outward signs - e.g. recurrent vaginal thrush, fungal skin infections, oral thrush.

As far as I know, the NHS do not test for Candida overgrowth unless as part of ongoing gastroenterology tests - and the stool sample tests done on the NHS are usually single samples (rather than a 3 day multiple test that you would get from a private lab) that are poorly dealt with in my experience. So as far as I know, this cannot be tested for on the NHS.

If you think it may be an issue for you, talk to your GP. They may be happy to refer you to a gastroenterologist.

I found the book 'Candida Albicans' by Leon Chaitow helpful btw.

[FionaGFG]

Hi I found I had recurrent infections and found the book above very helpful. After 5 yrs of suffering with problems I finally saw a new GP. Mentioned the problems, fatigue, thrush, dizzyness and he did some tests as I have a family history of thyroid problems. I was then diagnosed with auto-immune coeliac disease. Which is why our group was set up on here to help raise awareness amongst others with non classical symptoms.

My GP explained that any time the immune system is compromised it can't keep your natural candida levels in check as it normally would so they get out of control. So recurrent thrush maybe a sign you are run down or have an immune problem. It's worth seeing your GP to discuss. You could also try removing thrush trigger foods from your diet for a week or two and keeping a food diary to see if you notice any difference. When I removed alcohol, mushrooms, sugar, pasta, pizza, bread I lost two stone in two weeks (again another odd sign that I was retaining water due to my body rejecting something - which I then learnt later was gluten). Do bear in mind if you Dr does want to test you for coeliac via a simple blood test you'll need to have eaten gluten regularly for 6 wks before for any true positive result to be valid.

Good luck and don't give up. See your GP.

[Rach1977]

Just a quick answer as in a rush...... ( pacing has gone out the window).....I take anti candida tablets, one a day and I have to say I have seen a marked improvement with my aches and pains. It may be completely coincidental, however I am not going to stop them just incase!!! I also take Vit B with added magnesium and they seem to work wonders too.!!!

I do however not eat a great deal, I've had one meal in 3 days excluding breakfast due to the fact I have no appetite( something to do with all the drugs and suspicion I could have Lupus!!)......I have actually forgotten what my point was....it will come to me later!!!!

Rach x

[mojoman]

Thanks for the reply.

Could you please tell me the name of the anti candida tablets?

[mojoman]

Why I asked was because:

I dont know if this sounds ridulous but I have always had a protruding stomach (mistaken for a beer gut). Actually I'm pretty fit and it is solid (my stomach).

I mentioned this to a friend who did not know I had Fibro and he said his friend had the same and it was caused by Candida. So a light went on in my head.

However, it may be coincidence because the symptom described for Candida I see in literature only describes protruding beneath the belly button and in my case my whole stomach protrudes.

I really don't want to have to change my whole diet (eg no carbs, fruit, or soft drinks etc.) on a whim. Without some proper tests to see if it is necessary.

[LindseyMid]

Do you have any other symptoms of Candidasis?

Have you discussed your bloated/protruding stomach with your doctor? If not, you should do and you should probably get a gastroenterologist referral as a bloated stomach can be a sign of many conditions that you should get ruled out.

[Rach1977]

HI, sorry for the delay in replying, the tablets are "Bio-Kult" Candea. For maintaining your natural defences against Candida overgrowth. They are a probiotic multi strain formula with garlic and grapefruit seed extract. I got them from a health food shop.

I used to get bloated as you have stated, however not any more!!!!!

Give it a go or like Lindsay says go to your GP too.

Much love x

[LindseyMid]

It really is best to find out whether you really do have Candidasis before spending money on supplements.

For one, many long-term or severe cases of Candidasis will require a long treatment program involving medications, multiple supplements and diet changes. So if you took a supplement and didn't get any benefit, you would not know whether it was because you didn't have Candidasis or because your case was severe enough to require more than the supplement in question.

And even if you did benefit, you might still not have Candidasis. I have had Candidasis in the past (which was eventually brought under control using medications, many supplements and diet over a 6 month period). I thought a few years ago that it had recurred, but I got tested privately through an osteopath I know (who can order the private lab tests) and it turned out that I did not have Candidasis, but that a series of courses of antibiotics had pretty much wiped out all my probiotics explaining why I got every infection going. If I had just taken a supplement that included a probiotic, I would have improved slowly (I needed a high dose course) but would not have known what the issue was. In that situation, I didn't need additional (expensive) supplements or to dramatically change my diet.

[mojoman]

Thanks.

So do you think my doctor will be able to diagnos Candidasis?

[LindseyMid]

You'll probably need a referral to a gastroenterologist. GP may order stool sample tests though, but as I mentioned, it is debateable whether these single, often poorly handled tests are of much use in diagnosing things like Candidasis (tricky because your body would contain some Candida whatever, so it's not just whether it's there or not like with many parasites or more severe bacterial infections).

[Hidden]

Sorry to stray away from the question in hand.

I had a lay in bed this morning.

Feeling a bit better.

But as I am writing this blog, am getting a creeping feeling.

It 's starting from thr top my head and is making it's way down my spine and in

The side of my legs.

Wanting to keep my fingers crossed now.

It's seems like my fibro friend or should I say enemy is threatening me.

Go away you are not welcome here you nasty horrible piece of work!!

Does anyone else get this creeping feeling that herald's that more pain is on it's way?