Chronic Yeast and IC.... Help!

[valkay18]

Hi there... I am having some major issues in addition to my IC. In March of 09, I was diagnosed with IC. Went on the strict IC diet, and within a few months I started having major issues with yeast. A few months later, it became what I think is systemic. I had major gas, vag itching, rectal, you name it! All I had to do was it something with even a little sugar, and the itching & gas would start up. I also suddenly have certain antibodies in my blood that suggest allergies, which I have never had. I went to my OB today who is also a Naturopath. (Amazing combo!). He thinks I have yeast and leaky gut, and believes it is being caused by the acid-free diet I am on. I am SOOO sensitive to foods with any acids that I avoid it all together. Plus, I'm on prevacid, which knocks out my acid as well. So, I believe this all led to my chronic yeast.....

So, here is my question. How do I make the gut more acidic without eating acidic foods? I would think that others with IC have this problem too because we are all on a low to no acid diet. I have no idea what to do! This issue has plagued me for a long time. It went away when I was pregnant, and came back in the 3rd trimester. I know it's yeast in the digestive tract, due to my PH being too alkaline. Just wondered if any of you have experienced this or have any thoughts on making the gut more acidic.

[needsrelief]

Im struggling with yeast also. Infection after infection. I have been on 4 weeks of treatment with diflucan and still still have a yeast infection. i got a yeast culture done to see if my yeast is resistant to diflucan and I should find out today. There are some probiotics that are very good for yeast like fem dophilus. also anything with strains of probiotics such as Saccharomyces boulardii and lactobacillus brevis can disrupt the growth of yeast. some people use oregano oil, garlic capsules, or coconut oil and says that helps with yeast.

As far as your dr goes with saying that you need to put your acidic foods back into your diet to get rid of yeast I kinda disagree with him or her and heres why. I didnt try the IC diet till recently before then I was eating anything that I wanted including acids. I still had a bad yeast problem. My doctor says that yeast feeds on sugars and the more sugars that we indulge in the harder it is it to wipe them out with meds and keep them coming back. Im hypoglycemic so getting tappering done on sugars gives me migraines.
I think what your dr was trying to get at is that yeast cannot not survive in an vaginal environment where the PH is very acidic. However if the vaginal environment is too alkaline that may welcome another problem bacterial vaginosis. so I guess the goal would be to to have your vaginal environment PH balanced. btw I didnt have a problem with yeast or BV untill I got IC. good luck I hope you and your dr can find a solution to your yeast problem

[Montie]

Valkay 18,

I had to chime in, my heart goes out to you. Years ago before I had IC I had not stop yeast infections that never went away. I also had sever endo at the same time. I found an Allergiest in Abilen Tx, (I wished I could remember his name) who specialized in treating women with this condition. He put me on a very very high dose of acidophilus 3 x's a day before meals. I had a strict diet of no surgars or starches or any kind of mold, fungi foods such as mushrooms and hard cheese. They are some foods that convert to surgars and help feed the surgars that are already in your body. I also had to make my own bread out of a certin flour and use club soda in replace of yeast to get it to rise. I wont lie it wasnt good but not to bad if you toasted it. He also had me get a book called the "Yeast Connection" that was helpful.

It took about a year for my sysmtoms to start getting better where a least I would only have a infection once a month and not just continuously. For me it did not completely go away until I had to have a full hystorecomy (sp) due to the endo and then I did not have any more problems?? Me or the gyno did not understand why. Now 12 years later I was diagonised with IC. I cant imagine having IC and yeast both.

I just wanted to share my experience with what helped me, please by all means consult your doctor before trying the diet or a high dose of acidophius. Our diets are limited enough with the IC diet.

I hope you find some relief soon.

Montie

[Jinny Jean]

I have yeast as well, and I happen to be on both anti candida diet and the alkaline diet, so basecly I eat veggies (TONS) and meat, qunoia, rice, corn chips, buckwheat, and I drink almond milk. I eat a ton of pears also. I dont eat sugar of any kind, or bread (that is not spelt)... I make sure my urine is alkaline. If you like, check out the "Body Ecology Diet" by Donna Gates. Lots of people say this is the best anti candida diet they have been on. It really is all about balancing your PH.. So not to acidic and not to alkaline. Our bodies are out of balance, so we need ot get them back in balance

Jenn

[leelee88]

I strongly believe in Probiotics. They not only help get rid of yeast they also keep you regular and help boost your immune system..

[lisa7688]

I also strongly believe in probiotics. Fem Dophilus has helped me a lot. I have been considering cutting back to every other day since I've been on them daily for 3 years and haven't had problems. I like this particular probiotic because they have reasonable research as well as the benefits I've had. After reading about the difficulties you're having though, makes me think I should stick with taking them every day.