Digestive and skin fungal issues?

[SusanEleven]

I'm newly in medication remission from my GPA (after 4 Truxima infusions). I'm nearly off prednisone after 8 years (most of the recent years at 2mg daily maintenance; I'm at .5 mg daily right now).

Has anyone developed digestive issues from their treatment? (Gas, bloating, abdominal pain) Or skin fungal infections? (probably candida) I'm dealing with both.

The first time the skin issue started was about 3 weeks after my third infusion. This new round for my skin is about 3 months after infusion 4. It takes about 2 weeks to resolve with twice daily anti-fungal cream.

My digestive issues have been noticeable for about the last year and have gotten worse. I feel like a methane-producing cow. Everything I eat tends to cause some abdominal pain. I hope to see a gastro doctor soon. I've added probiotics and it helps a little.

[oldtimer2]

Sorry to hear of the problems with thrush. Whenever my immune system is suppressed, I get candida infection. I have found that I've always got some candida in my mouth and it flares up, and is likely to spread to folds of skin easily. For me, disinfecting my toothbrush by placing it it Milton solution between use (together with my interdental brushes) has reduced this tendecy to candida considerably, but I still need to apply antifungal cream in moist areas of skin for several days (nights) whenever it flares up. The main thing that has helped with the skin infection is the reduction of skin folds since managing to loose quite a lot of weight!

Your digestive problems are likely to be related, and mine have improved since reducing my carbohydrate intake and increasing my vegetable and fruit intake.

[SusanEleven in reply to oldtimer2]

Thank you. I was only on prednisone my first 6 years (misdiagnosed) and gained lots of weight. No skin fungal issues. I’ve lost 70 pounds over the last 5 years. The Truxima though ... I guess that’s been the trigger. I’ll try some food adjustments as well.

[dianamarie]

I suffered this as well. The best way to help your body recover the bacterial imbalance is to get lactobacillus probiotics into your gut. The best way is from plain unsweetened, unflavored greek yogurt. I take 2-3 blackberries (low sugar!) and crush them in a bowl. Add 3 heaping tablespoons of the above yogurt. The berries make it sweet and delicious, and are prebiotics that support the lactobacillus. All other yogurts have chemicals, and added sugars and fake sugars that feed the BAD bacteria in your gut! Don't be misled by them! They will make you worse!You must help your body reestablish the good bacteria to help squeeze the bad out, by not feeding them. You will ALWAYS have both. Candida and fungus thrive when the bad bacteria has taken over. This imbalance also causes joint and body aches, mental fog, white tongue, fungus nails, bad breath,, more, due to the inflammation they cause! It is VERY important to also reduce your sugar, carbs and starch intake, as these foods also contribute to the imbalance. It becomes systemic, as your whole body struggles from it, and it must be addressed in the gut, where it starts!

Google also prebiotics, which are the good foods that will feed the good bacteria you are working so hard to reestablish!

I promise you, after a few days even, your body will feel less achey, and your tongue will return to normal, brain fog will lift, energy levels restored, immune function stronger and so many other healthy signs!

I learned about all this from Doug Kaufman,

15 years ago, who has programming called

'Know the Cause'!

On his website and podcasts, TV shows, etc,

you will learn so much, and how living and feeding the bad bacteria imbalance is ALSO what feeds cancer! He has a wonderful food recommendations list, and a great team that comes up with delicious recipes to aid in restoring gut health. The diet back then was called Phase 1 and Phase 2 diet. Phase 1 starves out the bad, and when successfully accomplished you transition to allowing more foods in the Phase 2.

I think it is called the Kaufman diet now!

You can also ask your doctor for nystatin and a diflucan 2 week course, which greatly speeds recovery WITH the dietary changes. These drugs help kill the bad bacteria, but you need to not continue to feed the bad during the die off.

I hope and pray you are able to help your body get strong through proper nutrition! 🤗

Please google to learn more!