Nail Fungus

April 27, 2000

Thanks for the information....my quiestion is: do we have a " real " fungus or is

it Psoriasis build up under the nails?

Donna

April 28, 2000

Your doctor should be able to tell you, but there is a special condition

that our toes get when you have PA. I have it on my right toe. It is a hard,

red lump and seeps a yellow liguid. As soon as the doctor saw it, it told

me it comes with PA. I'll have to see a podiatrist to have it checked

again.

Carol H.

April 28, 2000

At 02:39 PM 4/27/00 -0700, you wrote:

>Thanks for the information....my quiestion is: do we have a " real " fungus

>or is it Psoriasis build up under the nails?

>

>Donna

my nails were diagnosed as psoriasis, he said not fungus...mo

April 29, 2000

thanks Mike, I'm just beginning to notice that my toe nails are getting thicker

and yellowish. They are very hard to cut. I just wondered about it.

Donna

July 7, 2001

I've use lecithin on that with success just pop it open and spread the oil on thick

July 7, 2001

In a message dated 07/07/2001 10:51:41 AM Central Daylight Time, crmenergy@... writes:

Has anyone had success in clearing up nail fungus without prescription drugs

I've noticed that since I've been taking several antifungals, orally, for a few months now, my toes have cleared up significantly. I have heard that you can saturate cotton balls with tea trea oil, place them over the nails, and secure them in place with band-aids.

July 9, 2001

Has anyone tried any of the treatments for nail fungus from the beauty

supply stores?

I know many of you would not want to do this...but my mom makes up a bleach

and water solution and leaves on her nails.

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July 10, 2001

I guess I am lucky,the only problems I have with my nails are that they are thin and they tear easily. I do have to say since I am taking MSM and Astragalus the nails are LOOKING healthy. They are so clear and a good color now. I don't know which is helping , since I started both at the same time. Everyone says it is the MSM which has helped my allergies IMMENSELY.

moons( who's not going to try colonics...lol)

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July 10, 2001

Hey ...

I did the bleach too.... the odor remains under the

nails and its quite strong. Peroxide works ok but

dont soak too long... finger tips turn white. I get

this stuff with peroxide at the beauty center for nail

soaks and they turn the nails white nicely. I will

get the name of it next time i pick one up. The tool I

have found to work great for cleaning under my nails

.... now dont laugh... its a dentil tool. I go to the

pharmacy and where the toothpaste and stuff is I got a

dental mirror and pic thing together.... I havent

found anything better to dig with. Its the #@#$ to

get in hard to get places.

I am not bitter either.... <grins>

I do the garlic and acidophilis as you suggest

already. I had worked in a health food store for few

years and did much research on this problem.... Its

amazing what one will learn working in a vitamin and

herb store.

, I had my toe nails removed once... they grew

back the same way thick and curling. I didnt have my

cutical removed just the nails... very painful. And

didnt do any good for the nails.

I do eat yogart.... i will try to leave it rest in

back of my mouth. I have mycelex tabs to suck on but

they are dumb. I have nystatian to gargle with...

makes me gag. I have diflacon to take daily. NO

RESULTS. I have had frog voice for six months daily.

This is getting worse despite all I do. I also take

enzymes for digestion. My digestion has majorly

improved in past three years thru diet changes.

My ears and throat are so sore and my throat is bright

red and BURNS big time...... hard to swallow. I am

getting thinner.... <grins>

I am happy to have someone who understands me....

thanks for responding.

bonnieann

--- <GiftedlyOutspoken@...> wrote:

>

> That bleach doesn't sound like a bad idea! If my

> husband could use it (straight! he's nuts) to " cure "

> poison ivy, it oughta work on nails... would likely

> take care of the " staining " problem as well.

>

> Do you use any tools to clean around your nails?

> Like I said in my original post, I was kinda shocked

> by what I was able to dig out! Whatever ain't

> there, can't grow.

>

> Don't expect a dermatologist to acknowledge

> candidiasis -- they are busy perpetuating it by

> treating acne with antibiotics -- which, duh, is

> probably what caused it in the first place! But

> they don't make any money by putting patients on

> candida diets -- no Stevia reps in there handing out

> samples!!

>

> I had a dermatologist practically throw me out of

> his office for telling him what happened to me

> (getting round after round of antibiotics for an ear

> infection that was apparently candida to begin with,

> then still more scattershot antibiotics for the

> " mysterious " diarrhea that ensued) and asking (very

> nicely, I thought) that when he gave out antibiotics

> for acne, to please ask the patient to eat yogurt or

> take supplements, to keep them from going through

> what I went through. What a thing to get pissed

> about!! Why do some of them even *bother* taking

> the Hippocratic oath? (Or did they think it said

> " hypocritical " ?)

>

> Ripping your nails off is the only " cure " that will

> make $$$$ for him. They spread this manure in

> beauty schools, too -- that the nail must be removed

> so the " bed " or " cuticle " can be successfully

> treated.

>

> Really, I'm not bitter ;-)

>

> People just don't want to hear that modern life can

> be hazardous to their health!

>

> I just saw some interesting web sites (cruised a

> bunch of them in one day, so it would be a challenge

> to remember which tidbit came from where) and saw

> some tips that might be helpful to you:

>

> When taking the garlic, take it 15 mins before

> taking acidophilus; then wait 45 mins to 1 hr before

> eating anything. The theory behind this is that the

> garlic kills off some candida and makes " space " ,

> which you immediately fill with acidophilus, which

> can concern itself with repopulating rather than

> digesting right away. Kinda makes sense.

>

> Another theory that kinda made sense but wasn't

> terribly practical was that protein, carbs and fat

> require different " types " of digestion (some more

> acidic than others or something to that effect) and

> so should not be eaten together. Seems a bit

> extreme -- but as an alternative, it probably

> wouldn't hurt to take appropriate enzymes (protease,

> lipase, and/or ?) with each meal.

>

> How does one find out if one's digestive system *is*

> acidic enough, anyway?

>

> Does yogurt not help with the thrush? I got it once

> when I had the flu, and a mouthful of yogurt (held

> there) wiped it right out. course you gotta watch

> the sugar content in the yogurt!

>

> Also, I suspect you'll have allergies til you get

> " leaky gut " cleared up. (I've promised myself that

> someday I *will* smell fresh-cut grass again,

> *without* sneezing! Or pet a cat without wheezing!)

>

> I'm trying garlic again myself -- intestines usually

> spazz out within a week to 10 days -- but now that I

> understand WHY, maybe I can tough it out and

> actually make some PROGRESS... after 10 years, it

> would be nice to NOT wake up with my head spinning

> if I sleep somewhere other than my right side...

> (which, as an " anti-bonus " , is really cruddy for

> digestion... and probably holds in the candida that

> is making my head spin. {sigh})

>

> BTW -- have you tried colonics?

>

> DON'T GIVE UP! (I already tried -- it didn't work)

>

> Re: nail fungus

> >

> > I've had pretty good luck using tea tree oil.

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

July 11, 2001

I am not on any antibotics and havent been for a good

while. I am, however using cortisteriods for asthma.

My inhalers are bad news. I rinse as they tell me to

do... I REFUSE to use predisone at all costs.I must

use something the doctors tell me. When I try to not

use the inhalers, my asthma will go out of control. I

had to have a hernia emergency operation last December

15th due to coughing from asthma. (I thought I didnt

need the stuff and had stopped it...not good choice.

Hense, I coughed myself into the hospital. Not fun.

I feel like I am in a catch 22 with the problems. I

get my weekly antigen injections and all the numerous

other things that I do... but always a new problem.

They just line up on me....

My ears HURT so bad... They have been looked at

numerous times but nothing to be seen the doctors tell

me. I get like a swelling then pain.Sometimes itchy.

Allergy related maybe. Yeast related definately. I

get dizzy and sometimes unable to tell which direction

a noise is comming from. My neck and shoulder has

increadible joint pain also. This comes and goes

often.

I need to find a doctor who is just into candidia

related disorders..... I get so frustrated.

I am glad to have found this group.... Everyone with

common problems...THANKS!!!

bonnieann

--- <GiftedlyOutspoken@...> wrote:

>

> " Don't laugh " ? You won't catch me laughing at

> something that *works*! :-)

>

> I'm not good with a sore throat -- only got thrush

> that one time (thank God) I think after 6 months

> straight I'd have a date with the front end of a

> Greyhound bus!! Wonder if you could sorta " gargle "

> with a yogurt drink? Or maybe even some acidophilus

> in water? And do I remember hearing that salt works

> against yeast? Maybe a warm salt water gargle would

> help (with the pain if nothing else).

>

> Infected ears are the pits! Hope you don't start

> getting dizzy...

>

> You know, when I hear the laundry list of

> antifungals you take -- then you say it is getting

> worse instead of better -- it reminds me of all the

> antibiotics I took that made me worse.... HMMMM

>

> Re: nail fungus

>

> Hey ...

> I did the bleach too.... the odor remains under

> the

> nails and its quite strong. Peroxide works ok but

> dont soak too long... finger tips turn white. I

> get

> this stuff with peroxide at the beauty center for

> nail

> soaks and they turn the nails white nicely. I

> will

> get the name of it next time i pick one up. The

> tool I

> have found to work great for cleaning under my

> nails

> ... now dont laugh... its a dentil tool. I go to

> the

> pharmacy and where the toothpaste and stuff is I

> got a

> dental mirror and pic thing together.... I havent

> found anything better to dig with. Its the #@#$

> to

> get in hard to get places.

>

> I am not bitter either.... <grins>

>

> I do the garlic and acidophilis as you suggest

> already. I had worked in a health food store for

> few

> years and did much research on this problem....

> Its

> amazing what one will learn working in a vitamin

> and

> herb store.

>

> , I had my toe nails removed once... they grew

> back the same way thick and curling. I didnt have

> my

> cutical removed just the nails... very painful.

> And

> didnt do any good for the nails.

>

> I do eat yogart.... i will try to leave it rest in

> back of my mouth. I have mycelex tabs to suck on

> but

> they are dumb. I have nystatian to gargle with...

> makes me gag. I have diflacon to take daily. NO

> RESULTS. I have had frog voice for six months

> daily.

> This is getting worse despite all I do. I also

> take

> enzymes for digestion. My digestion has majorly

> improved in past three years thru diet changes.

>

> My ears and throat are so sore and my throat is

> bright

> red and BURNS big time...... hard to swallow. I

> am

> getting thinner.... <grins>

>

> I am happy to have someone who understands me....

> thanks for responding.

>

> bonnieann

> --- <GiftedlyOutspoken@...> wrote:

> >

> > That bleach doesn't sound like a bad idea! If

> my

> > husband could use it (straight! he's nuts) to

> " cure "

> > poison ivy, it oughta work on nails... would

> likely

> > take care of the " staining " problem as well.

> >

> > Do you use any tools to clean around your nails?

>

> > Like I said in my original post, I was kinda

> shocked

> > by what I was able to dig out! Whatever ain't

> > there, can't grow.

> >

> > Don't expect a dermatologist to acknowledge

> > candidiasis -- they are busy perpetuating it by

> > treating acne with antibiotics -- which, duh, is

> > probably what caused it in the first place! But

> > they don't make any money by putting patients on

> > candida diets -- no Stevia reps in there handing

> out

> > samples!!

> >

> > I had a dermatologist practically throw me out

> of

> > his office for telling him what happened to me

> > (getting round after round of antibiotics for an

> ear

> > infection that was apparently candida to begin

> with,

> > then still more scattershot antibiotics for the

> > " mysterious " diarrhea that ensued) and asking

> (very

> > nicely, I thought) that when he gave out

> antibiotics

> > for acne, to please ask the patient to eat

> yogurt or

> > take supplements, to keep them from going

> through

> > what I went through. What a thing to get pissed

> > about!! Why do some of them even *bother*

> taking

> > the Hippocratic oath? (Or did they think it

> said

> > " hypocritical " ?)

> >

> > Ripping your nails off is the only " cure " that

> will

> > make $$$$ for him. They spread this manure in

> > beauty schools, too -- that the nail must be

> removed

> > so the " bed " or " cuticle " can be successfully

> > treated.

> >

> > Really, I'm not bitter ;-)

> >

> > People just don't want to hear that modern life

> can

> > be hazardous to their health!

> >

> > I just saw some interesting web sites (cruised a

> > bunch of them in one day, so it would be a

> challenge

> > to remember which tidbit came from where) and

> saw

> > some tips that might be helpful to you:

> >

> > When taking the garlic, take it 15 mins before

> > taking acidophilus; then wait 45 mins to 1 hr

> before

> > eating anything. The theory behind this is that

> the

> > garlic kills off some candida and makes " space " ,

> > which you immediately fill with acidophilus,

> which

> > can concern itself with repopulating rather than

> > digesting right away. Kinda makes sense.

> >

> > Another theory that kinda made sense but wasn't

> > terribly practical was that protein, carbs and

> fat

> > require different " types " of digestion (some

> more

> > acidic than others or something to that effect)

> and

> > so should not be eaten together. Seems a bit

> > extreme -- but as an alternative, it probably

> > wouldn't hurt to take appropriate enzymes

> (protease,

> > lipase, and/or ?) with each meal.

> >

> > How does one find out if one's digestive system

> *is*

> > acidic enough, anyway?

> >

> > Does yogurt not help with the thrush? I got it

> once

> > when I had the flu, and a mouthful of yogurt

> (held

> > there) wiped it right out. course you gotta

> watch

> > the sugar content in the yogurt!

> >

> > Also, I suspect you'll have allergies til you

> get

> > " leaky gut " cleared up. (I've promised myself

> that

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

July 12, 2001

UGH -- steroids... my dad has COPD, and after multiple bouts with pneumonia and all the antibiotics and steroids that come with that... I'm sure he's a walking mushroom. His blood sugar really spiked last time. (in fact I wouldn't be surprised if some of his current breathing trouble is due to candida). But he is also BULLheaded... he's on oxygen almost 24/7, food is about the only pleasure he has left, he's not into giving up his desserts or non-organic meat/dairy :-(

He also has a hernia (from colon surgery)! I'd wonder if you were him using a nom de plume, but he can't type that well ;-) (plus he's too BULL HEADED to take care of himself like you do)

Would it be good for you to use a nebulizer instead of inhalers? (Would you *want* to?)

Also -- just stumbled across something new today -- NutriBiotic ear drops: grapefruit extract, alcohol, and tea tree oil. Good size bottle for $5.95. Maybe you can get some.

And mullein(ated?) oil is good for the ear pain.

BTW, I wasn't referring to you being on antibiotics now -- just observing the similar circumstances, and wondering if, on some level, the constant parade of antifungals is somehow backfiring? Or maybe with so many, they are working against each other?

If you already explained this, sorry -- and if you don't mind me asking -- do you have any idea what set off your candida infection? How long did it take you to get this bad?

Re: nail fungus

I am not on any antibotics and havent been for a goodwhile. I am, however using cortisteriods for asthma. My inhalers are bad news. I rinse as they tell me todo... I REFUSE to use predisone at all costs.I mustuse something the doctors tell me. When I try to notuse the inhalers, my asthma will go out of control. Ihad to have a hernia emergency operation last December15th due to coughing from asthma. (I thought I didntneed the stuff and had stopped it...not good choice. Hense, I coughed myself into the hospital. Not fun. I feel like I am in a catch 22 with the problems. Iget my weekly antigen injections and all the numerousother things that I do... but always a new problem. They just line up on me....My ears HURT so bad... They have been looked atnumerous times but nothing to be seen the doctors tellme. I get like a swelling then pain.Sometimes itchy. Allergy related maybe. Yeast related definately. Iget dizzy and sometimes unable to tell which directiona noise is comming from. My neck and shoulder hasincreadible joint pain also. This comes and goesoften. I need to find a doctor who is just into candidiarelated disorders..... I get so frustrated.I am glad to have found this group.... Everyone withcommon problems...THANKS!!!bonnieann--- <GiftedlyOutspoken@...> wrote:> > "Don't laugh"? You won't catch me laughing at> something that *works*! :-)> > I'm not good with a sore throat -- only got thrush> that one time (thank God) I think after 6 months> straight I'd have a date with the front end of a> Greyhound bus!! Wonder if you could sorta "gargle"> with a yogurt drink? Or maybe even some acidophilus> in water? And do I remember hearing that salt works> against yeast? Maybe a warm salt water gargle would> help (with the pain if nothing else).> > Infected ears are the pits! Hope you don't start> getting dizzy...> > You know, when I hear the laundry list of> antifungals you take -- then you say it is getting> worse instead of better -- it reminds me of all the> antibiotics I took that made me worse.... HMMMM>

July 14, 2001

Dear ,

Yea, steriods for the asthma and reluctantly using

them also!!!!! You asked what set off my candidia

infection.... Good question. I have long history of

fungal related problems.

When I was an infant, I had double pheumonia and was

on many antibotics. At age 6 I had ring worm. Age 8

planters warts on both feet. Age 10 - 16 chronic

bronchitis and chronic vaginal infections. Many

antibotic treatments for those. Age 16 I saw my first

allergist. I had reactions to milk, peanuts, wheat

and was told to avoid them. I did avoid the milk and

nuts... but not the wheat for many many years. I didnt

do the allergy shots as prescribed.

I used birth control from age 17 till I was 29 years

old. In 1984 I was hospitalized for fourteen days

with an irritable colon. Received steriod shots

(after numerous tests for other explanation of my

pain). I was unable to hold down food and always

vomiting. In 1985 I had undergone two surgeries for

bone spur and nail removal on my feet.

I then had numerous sinus problems with antibotic

treatments from 1985 to 1992. In 1992 I became

pregnant with my first child. All sinus problems

stopped... I felt great. Asthma dissappeared... sinus

trouble stopped. I had a child in Jan 1993 and a

second child in Aug 1994. Due to lack of calcium from

not drinking milk.... I had a cast put on my right

foot to my knee for stress fracture in my metarcial

bones.

1995 I had black and green fungus under my

fingernails. Under about half of them. I had been

covering the nails with nail polish when my father and

husband noticed the dark nails...... i told them no

big deal. But they insisted i see a doctor for it. I

was given sporeanox for this, but it made my liver

enzymes go out of wack... so I felt worse and stopped

taking it. The black and green stuff did go

away....after herbal treatment... but the white stuff

seemed to get worse.I have white build up sporeish

substance under my nails pushing the nail away from

the nailbed.

I began to descend into a bad adventure with yeasts

after that..... In 1995 I was told my blood pressure

was very high. They were unable to get me into

control. I know now, it was allergies. But then,

they tried to contol it with medication. Zestril. I

was only 31 and taking high doses of Blood Pressure

Medications. I am not one to just take a pill and

keep quiet.... I didnt want to have to take theses

things and I knew in my gut something was causing

it... and I needed help. I began reading up on

medical and herbal things.

I had rashes on my body...always hot... always

itchy... gaining weight drastically....short of air.

I had sinus surgery in April of 1998 and had some

cysts removed. Feb of 1999 I was eating pickled

peppers and my throat swelled. I went to my second

allergist. I found to be seriously allergic to wheat,

yeast, eggs, molds, dust, cats, dogs, trees, pollen

and many other masked allergies as well. I began

weekly injections and CHANGED MY DIET. I had been

walking for nine months prior to that and had no

weight changes... but after I saw the allergist and

changed my eating habits... I lost 82lbs and back in a

size 9 again..... that was a quick loss too... in

about 3 months.I eat entirely no wheat... yeast or

eggs now. In March thru July 1999 I was weaned off

my blood pressure medications and no longer take them.

My pressure is fine now with the diet changes. My

weight leveled off and I have kept it off. In August

of 1999 my asthma started to go out of control.

November I stopped my inhalers and coughing myself

into a hernia. Its above my navel. I was given

several lectures from the doctors that I must use the

inhaler (flovent) I refuse the predisone. It causes

my yeast to go <CRAZY> I began having throat trouble

after my hernia operation. Jan 2001 Blood test showed

overgrowth of Candidia yeasts.... Throat culture

showed fungal infection. (thrush) I was given

Diflucan for fourteen days. Next throat culture

showed two fungal strains of infection. Another 14

days of Diflucan. Shoulder and neck pain. Ear pain.

Throat is bad still now. I have frog voice.

NutriBiotic Ear Drops.... I will look for those. I

tried the mullein and ear candles. No help.

It is obvious that fungal treatments arent helping. I

was told not to use Diflucan with Nystatian.. or at

same time as mycelex tabs. I have used the Natures

Secret Candistroyer and had many die offs from it...

breakouts... flair ups..... but I cant get rid of it.

I had read that when its in your system sooo long it

grows into a powerful stain of fungal that is smart to

the drugs. Resistant to them. I believe that.

I dont know about an nebulizer... isnt it steriods

too?

But they sure are nicer... to aid in breathing. I

dont know if I would want to.

So you have a stubborn Dad huh? The older generation

just cant give up the foods... my grandmother always

trying to get me to eat some bread despite the fact

she knows I am to AVOID. It irritates me. But thats

just her.

you can ask me anything you like. I am so happy

to have someone who understands. Thanks

God Bless

BonnieAnn

--- <GiftedlyOutspoken@...> wrote:

>

> UGH -- steroids... my dad has COPD, and after

> multiple bouts with pneumonia and all the

> antibiotics and steroids that come with that... I'm

> sure he's a walking mushroom. His blood sugar

> really spiked last time. (in fact I wouldn't be

> surprised if some of his current breathing trouble

> is due to candida). But he is also BULLheaded...

> he's on oxygen almost 24/7, food is about the only

> pleasure he has left, he's not into giving up his

> desserts or non-organic meat/dairy :-(

>

> He also has a hernia (from colon surgery)! I'd

> wonder if you were him using a nom de plume, but he

> can't type that well ;-) (plus he's too BULL HEADED

> to take care of himself like you do)

>

> Would it be good for you to use a nebulizer instead

> of inhalers? (Would you *want* to?)

>

> Also -- just stumbled across something new today --

> NutriBiotic ear drops: grapefruit extract, alcohol,

> and tea tree oil. Good size bottle for $5.95.

> Maybe you can get some.

>

> And mullein(ated?) oil is good for the ear pain.

>

> BTW, I wasn't referring to you being on antibiotics

> now -- just observing the similar circumstances, and

> wondering if, on some level, the constant parade of

> antifungals is somehow backfiring? Or maybe with so

> many, they are working against each other?

>

> If you already explained this, sorry -- and if you

> don't mind me asking -- do you have any idea what

> set off your candida infection? How long did it

> take you to get this bad?

>

> Re: nail fungus

>

> I am not on any antibotics and havent been for a

> good

> while. I am, however using cortisteriods for

> asthma.

> My inhalers are bad news. I rinse as they tell me

> to

> do... I REFUSE to use predisone at all costs.I

> must

> use something the doctors tell me. When I try to

> not

> use the inhalers, my asthma will go out of

> control. I

> had to have a hernia emergency operation last

> December

> 15th due to coughing from asthma. (I thought I

> didnt

> need the stuff and had stopped it...not good

> choice.

> Hense, I coughed myself into the hospital. Not

> fun.

> I feel like I am in a catch 22 with the problems.

> I

> get my weekly antigen injections and all the

> numerous

> other things that I do... but always a new

> problem.

> They just line up on me....

> My ears HURT so bad... They have been looked at

> numerous times but nothing to be seen the doctors

> tell

> me. I get like a swelling then pain.Sometimes

> itchy.

> Allergy related maybe. Yeast related definately.

> I

> get dizzy and sometimes unable to tell which

> direction

> a noise is comming from. My neck and shoulder has

> increadible joint pain also. This comes and goes

> often.

> I need to find a doctor who is just into candidia

> related disorders..... I get so frustrated.

>

> I am glad to have found this group.... Everyone

> with

> common problems...THANKS!!!

> bonnieann

>

> --- <GiftedlyOutspoken@...> wrote:

> >

> > " Don't laugh " ? You won't catch me laughing at

> > something that *works*! :-)

> >

> > I'm not good with a sore throat -- only got

> thrush

> > that one time (thank God) I think after 6 months

> > straight I'd have a date with the front end of a

> > Greyhound bus!! Wonder if you could sorta

> " gargle "

> > with a yogurt drink? Or maybe even some

> acidophilus

> > in water? And do I remember hearing that salt

> works

> > against yeast? Maybe a warm salt water gargle

> would

> > help (with the pain if nothing else).

> >

> > Infected ears are the pits! Hope you don't

> start

> > getting dizzy...

> >

> > You know, when I hear the laundry list of

> > antifungals you take -- then you say it is

> getting

> > worse instead of better -- it reminds me of all

> the

> > antibiotics I took that made me worse.... HMMMM

> >

>

__________________________________________________

February 7, 2003

Hank, I will be most interested in the replies to your query. I am SD and

naturally fight yeast. While my husband APPEARS healthy, his toenails are all

black from fungas. I have tried to get him to treat this but he does not think

anything about it other than the cosmetic appearance. I worry that all of my

efforts are being thwarted by being passed continually to me from hubby.

rheumatic Nail Fungus

First a little history, then my question:

I have PA (Psoriatic Arthritis) for about 4 years.

I am about 90% cured since I started AP (Minocin 100mg MWF with

probiotic) in April 2002.

My psoriasis is now gone since I used Dovonex covered with plastic

wrap (prevents cream from rubbing off). Two years ago it did not

work at all.

Fingernails are still discolored and pitted. Last year they were

tested (scraped at the Dr. office) and the microscope showed a

fungus. Apparently Minocin does not work on fungus.

In Dec 2002 I tried " Fungi Cure " an over counter topical Anti-Fungal

Liquid (Undecylenic Acid) on my nails every day. The results were

that I now have a band of clear nail with pitting before and after.

This shows that one - it is a fungus and two - it is systemic and I

need to attack it from the inside.

QUESTION:

What has worked or not worked for any of you to treat a fungus

infection?

Diflucan?

Erythrocin?

Nizoral?

Flagyl?

Sporanox?

Nystatin?

Thanks,

Hank

February 7, 2003

Hi Hank,

You wrote:

" I have PA (Psoriatic Arthritis) for about 4 years. I am about 90%

cured since I started AP (Minocin 100mg MWF with probiotic) in April

2002. "

I've had PA for about 5 years and started the antibiotic protocol

about 3 months ago. I'm wondering, how long was it before you

started to feel 90% cured?

Btw, my psoriasis is also now almost gone since I used Dovonex

covered with plastic wrap.

Thanks,

Sharon

February 7, 2003

In a message dated 2/7/03 7:40:57 PM, leland@... writes:

<< I am keeping it under control to where they are no

longer red and puffy but they never seem to get completely well and that

is very frustrating. I don't want to have to have the nail bed dug out

on the side by a podiatrist if I can keep from it. >>

My husband (not on antibiotics) has had toenail fungas problems for 20

years. We even tried an expensive prescription drug that cost $10 a day!

His big toenail is affected....it turns black and theres " junlk " living under

it...

NOTHING helps.... the doc said the only way to cure it is to pull it and the

other nails out..

Pris

Old pigs CAN learn new tricks or they can be taught obedience.

" Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training " book

http://valentinesperformingpigs.com/trainingbook.html

February 8, 2003

Hank,

You have raised a subject that is cummulatively responsible for roughly 80%

of the aggravation and ire that I have experienced in my life (I'm still

young). I have w/o question the ugliest toes on the face of the earth.

Over the course of many, many years I have tried everything on your list w/

the exception of Erythrocin. If any of them were responsible for any

improvement, it was so modest that it was unnoticeable. If you try any of

them be aware of the potential side effects, which are well documented for

several of them, though I did not experience any. If you try Sporonox,

monitor your liver enzymes and look into their money back guarantee program.

It saved me several hundred $ and I believe the program still exists. I

have also tried tea tree oil, Vicks, and several others that I'm somewhat

ashamed to even mention. Some people probably do have some degree of

success w/ all of the options/drugs mentioned. If the over-the-counter

stuff works for you, you are decidedly in the minority. I would not waste

too much time with it, if doesn't appear to be the answer. Consider the

strong stuff, they do have a much better track record, though there are is

some risk. My problem, I believe, is not w/ the fungicide, but w/ the

delivery of the drugs - the stuff just isn't getting to where it needs to

get on a consistent basis. Fingers may be easier than toes. So for my next

attempt I'm going to really take off the gloves (or maybe socks) and declare

war and break out the Dremel, and then throw some Naftin at them, which I

hear from a semi-trusted source is the latest and greatest. Apparently it

interrupts one of their biochemical processes involved w/ sustenance, so

they can't grow and they wither and die what I hope is a very excruciatingly

painful and dreadful death. If this works I've given some thought to

starting up a Dead Fungus Society for the expressed purpose of taking

delight in the demise of all fungi. Our motto will be, 'The only good

fungus, is a dead fungus.'

Good luck,

Jeff

----Original Message Follows----

From: " hwpiatek <hank@...> " <hank@...>

rheumatic

Subject: rheumatic Nail Fungus

Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 22:53:57 -0000

First a little history, then my question:

I have PA (Psoriatic Arthritis) for about 4 years.

I am about 90% cured since I started AP (Minocin 100mg MWF with

probiotic) in April 2002.

My psoriasis is now gone since I used Dovonex covered with plastic

wrap (prevents cream from rubbing off). Two years ago it did not

work at all.

Fingernails are still discolored and pitted. Last year they were

tested (scraped at the Dr. office) and the microscope showed a

fungus. Apparently Minocin does not work on fungus.

In Dec 2002 I tried " Fungi Cure " an over counter topical Anti-Fungal

Liquid (Undecylenic Acid) on my nails every day. The results were

that I now have a band of clear nail with pitting before and after.

This shows that one – it is a fungus and two – it is systemic and I

need to attack it from the inside.

QUESTION:

What has worked or not worked for any of you to treat a fungus

infection?

Diflucan?

Erythrocin?

Nizoral?

Flagyl?

Sporanox?

Nystatin?

Thanks,

Hank

_________________________________________________________________

Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.

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February 8, 2003

My turn!( Liked your letter, Jeff, funny) even though it's a bummer of a

topic- and one that I am interested in.

About a year and a half ago I was sitting with my Aunt in a hotel lobby

in Missouri, and she said, have you ever seen toenail fungus? I said,

umm, well no. So she pulled off her shoe and sock and showed me her

toenail, now, she said, if you ever get this on you toe you will know

what it is. So I get back home and a few days later i drop a rock on my

toe. A few white spots appear and then over the course of a years time

it turned into a fungus jamboree. I knew what it was all along, as my

Aunt had shown me, but during that year I just hoped it would go away.

Did not- got worse.

So, now I'm on some big bad drug Lamisil (potential liver damage). the

coincidental thing is that at the time I finally had the doc check it,

was the time Martha began posting about the use of Flagyl with Nizoral -

that her Dr. (senteff?) had her on for both the antibiotic effect as

well as the fungal effect. And I thought of my own situation and

wondered if this fungus thing in me is systemic, and perhaps not just

something that I picked up somewhere.

So, out there in e-mail land- do you see any connection with the fungus

issue and the inflammatory diseases? Any fun-fungus experiences anyone

want to pass along?

K

Jeffery scott wrote:

>Hank,

>You have raised a subject that is cummulatively responsible for roughly 80%

>of the aggravation and ire that I have experienced in my life (I'm still

>young). I have w/o question the ugliest toes on the face of the earth.

>Over the course of many, many years I have tried everything on your list w/

>the exception of Erythrocin. If any of them were responsible for any

>improvement, it was so modest that it was unnoticeable. If you try any of

>them be aware of the potential side effects, which are well documented for

>several of them, though I did not experience any. If you try Sporonox,

>monitor your liver enzymes and look into their money back guarantee program.

> It saved me several hundred $ and I believe the program still exists. I

>have also tried tea tree oil, Vicks, and several others that I'm somewhat

>ashamed to even mention. Some people probably do have some degree of

>success w/ all of the options/drugs mentioned. If the over-the-counter

>stuff works for you, you are decidedly in the minority. I would not waste

>too much time with it, if doesn't appear to be the answer. Consider the

>strong stuff, they do have a much better track record, though there are is

>some risk. My problem, I believe, is not w/ the fungicide, but w/ the

>delivery of the drugs - the stuff just isn't getting to where it needs to

>get on a consistent basis. Fingers may be easier than toes. So for my next

>attempt I'm going to really take off the gloves (or maybe socks) and declare

>war and break out the Dremel, and then throw some Naftin at them, which I

>hear from a semi-trusted source is the latest and greatest. Apparently it

>interrupts one of their biochemical processes involved w/ sustenance, so

>they can't grow and they wither and die what I hope is a very excruciatingly

>painful and dreadful death. If this works I've given some thought to

>starting up a Dead Fungus Society for the expressed purpose of taking

>delight in the demise of all fungi. Our motto will be, 'The only good

>fungus, is a dead fungus.'

>Good luck,

>Jeff

>

>----Original Message Follows----

>From: " hwpiatek <hank@...> " <hank@...>

>rheumatic

>Subject: rheumatic Nail Fungus

>Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 22:53:57 -0000

>

>First a little history, then my question:

>

>I have PA (Psoriatic Arthritis) for about 4 years.

>I am about 90% cured since I started AP (Minocin 100mg MWF with

>probiotic) in April 2002.

>My psoriasis is now gone since I used Dovonex covered with plastic

>wrap (prevents cream from rubbing off). Two years ago it did not

>work at all.

>Fingernails are still discolored and pitted. Last year they were

>tested (scraped at the Dr. office) and the microscope showed a

>fungus. Apparently Minocin does not work on fungus.

>

>In Dec 2002 I tried " Fungi Cure " an over counter topical Anti-Fungal

>Liquid (Undecylenic Acid) on my nails every day. The results were

>that I now have a band of clear nail with pitting before and after.

>This shows that one - it is a fungus and two - it is systemic and I

>need to attack it from the inside.

>

>QUESTION:

>

>What has worked or not worked for any of you to treat a fungus

>infection?

>Diflucan?

>Erythrocin?

>Nizoral?

>Flagyl?

>Sporanox?

>Nystatin?

>

>Thanks,

>Hank

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.

>http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail

>

>To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

February 8, 2003

Hi & Jeff,

I'm having some fungus problems too. I have been getting more and more

of the white spots on my arms and legs which keep getting larger &

larger & my doctor doesn't seem inclined to do anything for it. He just

says get the Selsun Blue RX shampoo and use that...which doesn't seem to

do a thing for me.

And then now I've been batteling three ingrown toenails. I've never had

ingrown toenails in my life and then the first one started, then a

second and then a third.....hmmmmmm....I know it's caused by a

fungus....start seeing a connection here? I'm just wondering if it's

not all connected to the yeast problems I have had and showing up on the

outside of my body now. I'd love to know if there's a connection there too.

Jeanette

February 8, 2003

,

There is a theory that fungi and amoeaba, specifically Limax amoeba, are

responsible for about 100 differently-named collagen tissue diseases,

including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Psoriasis, and other so-called

" Rheumatoid Diseases. " The drug of choice to combat Limax amoeba is

metronidazole, which is sold under the trade name Flagyl.

Fighting rheumatoid diseases with metronidazole is the focus of the

Arthritis Trust of America, just as minocycline is the focus of the

Roadback Foundation.

For a historical details, please go to

http://www.arthritistrust.org/history/history.php?page=1

Sincerely, Harald

At 05:32 PM 2/7/03 -0800, K. wrote:

>My turn!... The coincidental thing is that at the time I finally had the

>doc check it, was the time Martha began posting about the use of Flagyl

>with Nizoral - that her Dr. (senteff?) had her on for both the antibiotic

>effect as well as the fungal effect. And I thought of my own situation and

>wondered if this fungus thing in me is systemic, and perhaps not just

>something that I picked up somewhere. So, out there in e-mail land- do you

>see any connection with the fungus issue and the inflammatory diseases?

>Any fun-fungus experiences anyone want to pass along?

> K

February 8, 2003

Hi Orin,

I live in the Cayman Islands which are in the tropics and do not wear

anything other than sandals all year round. So my toes aren't squeezed

into anything. I do not cut my nails short (sometimes I forget to cut

them because they aren't squeezed into shoes...LOL! I don't get nail

slivers in the toenails and I make sure my feet stay dry as I don't like

to let them be wet for any length of time because I don't want to have

fungus problems with them. I do take good care of my feet and that's

why I am questioning why all of a sudden I have such problems with

ingrown toenails. I am keeping it under control to where they are no

longer red and puffy but they never seem to get completely well and that

is very frustrating. I don't want to have to have the nail bed dug out

on the side by a podiatrist if I can keep from it.

Jeanette

Orin wrote:

>I must be bored this Friday night cause I sure am talkative.

>

>In a message dated 2/7/03 6:08:42 PM Central Standard Time,

>jefferysa@... writes:

>

>I've given some thought to

>starting up a Dead Fungus Society for the expressed purpose of taking

>delight in the demise of all fungi. Our motto will be, 'The only

>good

>fungus, is a dead fungus.'

>Good luck,

>Jeff

>

>Ha ha Thanks Jeff I got a chuckle out of that. Theres fungus among

>us! ha ha I would like to mention a few things about nail fungus

>that apply to psoriatics. There are commonly nail changes with

>psoriasis that may appear to be fungal infections and the presence of

>a small number of fungi in a culture doesnt necessarily mean that the

>fungus is the cause of the diseased nail. Treating a psoriatic nail

>with antifungal medications may not do anything positive. That being

>said, I would also note that a nail damaged by psoriasis is that much

>more likely to develop a fungal problem.

>When treating any type of fungus of the feet, be it athletes foot or

>a nail infection you should air out your shoes to keep them as dry as

>possible inside. You might place them outside in sunlight, the UV

>from the sun will help to kill the fungi. If you have treated for

>fungus and it immediately returns in spite of faithful treatments you

>may have to get rid of any shoes you have worn while you were

>infected as they are likely filled with spores that may immediatly

>reinfect after treatment. Keep your feet as dry as possible. Fungi

>need water to survive. If they cant get a drink they die. Also you

>should change socks, preferably cotton for its water absorption,

>twice a day and wash them in bleach and the hottest water possible to

>disinfect them and help prevent reinfection. Another poster mentioned

>cutting nails as short as possible during treatment. This is

>probably advisable especially during topical treatment because the

>medication doesnt soak into and through the nail very well.

>

> Jeanette, if you are having ingrown toenails you shouldnt cut your

>nails short. You might do well to use supplementation such as

>gelatin and vitamins (sorry cant remember which ones at the moment)

>to promote healthy nails. An ingrown nail can start by the edge of a

>nail splitting off from the rest leaving a small sliver to dig into

>and irritate it until infection occurs. I had a friend who would

>occasionally ask me to dig out that sliver and for years he refused

>to get rid of those damned cowboy boots.

>If you have never experienced ingrown nails before, the first thing I

>would look at is what kind of shoes are you wearing now? Are your

>toes squeezed? Once an ingrown nail occurs there is usually a

>significant amount of swelling involved that makes your shoe that

>much tighter and that is probably the reason you have multiple

>ingrown nails now. When the weather warms you might elect to wear

>sandals or some other open toed shoe more often.

>

>In response to K; I studied along the lines of fungal infection

>of the gut, candida, to see if there was a likely connection to

>immune disorders.

>I have noted that in my own history as well as other people with

>psoriasis that an episode of strep, most often of the throat, is

>often prelude to initial onset or exacerbation of an existing

>psoriatic condition. Is it the strep or the antibiotics used to

>treat the strep? That led to the thought that maybe disruption of the

>balance in the flora of the gut caused by the antibiotic led to

>abnormal immune responses. One interesting theory on the matter comes

>from Dr. ? Crook's book The Yeast Connection. He had an interesting

>take on how overabundance of intestinal yeast affects the immune

>system but I dont think his theories are borne out in clinical

>trials. I believe he overstates their influence but if you do have

>yeast problems your whole body may benefit a little from correcting

>the imbalance. In short I dont think that an assault on intestinal

>yeast is curative of any major disease in and of itself but you might

>be able to remove the straw that broke the camel's back. Orin

>

>To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

February 8, 2003

I don't know if this will help anyone, but I had a bad nail fungus on

all of my finger and toenails after I finished chemo a couple of years

ago. This might be different from the ones y'all have with psoriasis and

all.... But anyhow, I didn't take any of the prescription pills - my

dermatologist thought they were dangerous and not very effective. I did

do a couple of prescription topical creams that weren't very effective

either. I found a gel on the Internet, called Nonyx, which worked great

for me. It took a long time, the nails had to grow all the way out, but

it really took care of it. It's not too expensive, as I recall about $20

for a bottle, which I still haven't finished. It smells like vinegar,

and you're supposed to do it morning and night. Kind of a pain, but it

worked.

YMMV,

February 8, 2003

When I first began battle w/ toenail fungus there was no internet, so I

spent time in the library and quizzed every podiatrist I could find. Since

then I've gone to the end of the internet and back and have yet to find that

magic bullet. What I have learned is that there are several varieties of

fungi believed to be culprits and that fungi like viruses, like bacteria,

have defense mechanisms they employ that can make them formidable. I am

always amazed how it is that organisms w/ the least cranial-like development

can create the most havoc in our lives. I once mentioned this very thought

to my carpool buddy and he commented that I haven't had any kids yet. One

other thing that makes sense is that fungi are opportunistic - give them the

right environment and maybe also a lame immune system that couldn't fight

its way out of a paper bag, they'll take advantage and set up shop. So I'm

inclined to believe, and I'm not aware of any studies that realistically

conclude otherwise, that any association of fungi w/ other diseases is more

likely due to this opportunistic tendency. But the thought that there may

be a more formal or causative connection is intriguing, so my eyes and ears

will be staying wide open.

----Original Message Follows----

From: " H. Leland White, Jr. " <leland@...>

King <lindaking@...>

CC: Jeffery scott <jefferysa@...>, hank@...,

rheumatic

Subject: Re: rheumatic Nail Fungus

Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 21:19:20 -0500

Hi & Jeff,

I'm having some fungus problems too. I have been getting more and more

of the white spots on my arms and legs which keep getting larger &

larger & my doctor doesn't seem inclined to do anything for it. He just

says get the Selsun Blue RX shampoo and use that...which doesn't seem to

do a thing for me.

And then now I've been batteling three ingrown toenails. I've never had

ingrown toenails in my life and then the first one started, then a

second and then a third.....hmmmmmm....I know it's caused by a

fungus....start seeing a connection here? I'm just wondering if it's

not all connected to the yeast problems I have had and showing up on the

outside of my body now. I'd love to know if there's a connection there too.

Jeanette

_________________________________________________________________

Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*

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February 8, 2003

Hi Hank

Fungal nail infections are nortoriously difficult to treat.

Fingernails are marginally easier to treat than toenails. The usual

culprit is the fungus Onychomycosis. Topical applications of

liquids or creams aren't usually very effective as they can't reach

the source of the infection which needs to be treated internally.

I was treated with Lamisil (Terbinafine) tablets 250mg daily for

several months to try to clear up long a standing fungal infection

of both big toe nails 3 years ago. I had nail clippings analysed to

confirm the diagnosis. Even with prolonged treatment I only managed

to completely clear one nail. I stopped treatment on my doctors

orders after developing painful joints. He looked up the possible

side effects and arthritis was listed, although I can't find any

reference to it on the net. I had hoped the awful pain and

stiffness I was experiencing was drug induced and would clear up

once I discontinued use, but it continued to get worse and I was

eventually diagnosed with RA. It was probably pure coincidence, but

I have often wondered if Lamisil was in some way responsible.

Needless to say, I still have one infected toenail and am concerned

that this fungus could be impeeding my Minocin treatment. I have

even contemplated having the whole nail removed, but that's drastic

action and I'm not even sure that would rid my system of the

fungus. It could still be lurking internally.

Not sure if this helps, but thought I'd add my personal experience

to the debate.

Lindy

> First a little history, then my question:

>

> I have PA (Psoriatic Arthritis) for about 4 years.

> I am about 90% cured since I started AP (Minocin 100mg MWF with

> probiotic) in April 2002.

> My psoriasis is now gone since I used Dovonex covered with plastic

> wrap (prevents cream from rubbing off). Two years ago it did not

> work at all.

> Fingernails are still discolored and pitted. Last year they were

> tested (scraped at the Dr. office) and the microscope showed a

> fungus. Apparently Minocin does not work on fungus.

>

> In Dec 2002 I tried " Fungi Cure " an over counter topical Anti-

Fungal

> Liquid (Undecylenic Acid) on my nails every day. The results were

> that I now have a band of clear nail with pitting before and

after.

> This shows that one – it is a fungus and two – it is systemic and

I

> need to attack it from the inside.

>

> QUESTION:

>

> What has worked or not worked for any of you to treat a fungus

> infection?

> Diflucan?

> Erythrocin?

> Nizoral?

> Flagyl?

> Sporanox?

> Nystatin?

>

> Thanks,

> Hank

February 8, 2003

Hi Everyone,

I had a flare just recently where my toenail half ripped off and got

blisters under my fingernails also I had to go on big steriods for this which

has been rare in my 15 yrs on AP but anyway I am doing a clean out and I have

noticed rubbing the nail with Oil of Oregano seems to be helping here. I

hesitate to say this as I also had the shots so I am not sure on this but

some of you may want to try this. I also have uped takeing this 2 drops aday

to 4 under the toung. I have RA but it has been in remission for 12 yrs but

my Discoid Lupus Pemphoid is the problem at this time. So every little

experiment here helps and maybe someone else will get the results I am with

this?? Just My View from Ohio

February 8, 2003

I also considered having the nails removed. I entertained that when only a

couple nails were afflicted. Did not seem appropriate at the time. A

podiatrist told me that it would halt the infection - he used the word

guarantee (like he was going to offer me my money or my toenail back?).

Well, I'm sure there are some very good podiatrists, but I simply have not

encountered any of them yet. As a courtesy to others I have just continued

to not wear sandals in public.

----Original Message Follows----

From: " purpleoranges2002 <melinda159@...> " <melinda159@...>

rheumatic

Subject: rheumatic Re: Nail Fungus

Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2003 09:34:10 -0000