New and don't know if I have candida (plus couple other questions)

[Guest guest]

I'm new to this group. Found it on a comment made by someone on

mercola.com

I've wondered if I have candida, but I'm not positive. My doctor is

certain I had West Nile virus three years ago, based on the symptoms I

had. Since the possible (but unconfirmed, the blood test was ordered 3

months too late to confirm anything) WN infection, my health has been

up and down; fatigue and lack of energy, strange sore throats that

come and go, and a flaky kind of " scummy " scalp. My doctor has given

me different diagnoses: fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, junior rheumatoid

arthritis, etc.

I took Reliv soy shakes and had lots of energy, but the soy protein

really messed with my monthly cycle and thyroid (I'm hypothyroid and

take Armour and Cytomel to control it). I quit taking Reliv last year,

though it was very hard to get off (almost like I was addicted to it).

I miss the high I got from them, but my thyroid and cycle are normal,

so that's better than an energy buzz.

This summer I went on a higher protein, no grain or sugar diet and my

health started to improve - my energy wasn't super high but it was

more level; my scalp completely healed; I felt really great, even

though I was consuming dairy and nuts (no-nos on your candida diet).

But after 8 weeks decided to eat some grains as the whole idea of

never eating grains again scared me and my mother was concerned that

it wasn't healthy to not have some grains once in a while. And now my

scalp condition has returned and fatigue is more prominent. I know for

certain sugar makes me feel terrible, and although I love sugar, I

don't eat it very often. I mainly use stevia and once in a while,

honey. Grains really slow me down mentally; I feel sharper eating

protein and vegetables.

I have tried virgin coconut oil but had to quit taking it. I'm not

sure if I'm allergic to it or if it's die off. But my tongue becomes

white-coated and gets very painful. Plus, I just don't feel good when

I try to take it - my lymph nodes swell and become painful, and I get

headaches. It's really terrible, and I get so sick I have to quit

taking it completely. It is possible I'm allergic to coconut oil? Or

should I wait to take it at a later time after I've had some time away

from grains and such? I know a lot of people with candida and health

problems consume coconut oil and have great success.

Also, I really don't know if I can give up nuts or dairy. I mostly eat

raw nuts, especially almonds. They don't seem to bother me at all. I

also consume about 1/2 cup of homemade milk kefir daily and enjoy it.

I've tried a lot of supplements and things. But nothing has never

helped me return to how I was before I was sick with WN. I'm only 24

years old and a full-time college student. Sorry if this is a long,

rambling post. You wouldn't know I'm a 4.0GPA student, would you? :-)