Hi,
This is my first post. I see many people have many different symptoms. Mine are brain fog every day that has worsened over the years, weight gain in belly(not just bloating), toenail fungus(25 yrs), and my right elbow and ankle have thick darker skin. Also the soles of both feet have such thick yellowing skin that I don't feel a tack if I step on it. My belly looks as if I am pregnant for the last 5 yrs. I have gained 35-40 pounds which all came quickly just in the belly. My thyroid tested normal. I went on the Atkins diet 11 yr ago to lose a few post baby pounds and I lost well over 20lbs. Now the same diet does nothing at all. I follow it closely. Between the terrible brain fog and the weight gain, my self esteem is zero.
Two days ago I started taking extra virgin coconut oil(1-2tbls)3 times a day. Yesterday I started oregano oil, garlic, a product called Candida Cleanse which has grapefruit seed,Pau d'arco, black walnut and many more. I also started the bentonite/psylluim cleanse. I have been on a good probiotic for a least 8 months. When would I expect die-off? Can someone explain what I should experience? Being that I have bad brain fog all the time, I can't use that as an indicator. That is by far the first and worst symptom I want to cure. Dr.s just say "you must be depressed" which is
not the case at all. One also said I must have ADD but that wasn't the case either. I didn't have the brainfog as a teen but I did have the toenail fungus and thick sole back then. I am now 48. Sorry this is so long but it is my first post ever. Thanks for any info you can offer.
Typical die-off symptoms include headaches, going to the bathroom more and a variable worsening of other symptoms you have.
You should experience die-off almost immediately after taking a yeast killer, like x-virgin coconut oil. A yeast killer won't work effectively unless you are following an anti-yeast diet, but you would still feel bad not long after taking the killer.
If you don't feel bad after taking a yeast killer, then it isn't working. Either yeast is not your problem (your symptoms certainly point in the direction of yeast), or you need another killer.
I recommend you consider the possibility that something else is causing your trouble. For me, my yeast trouble was related to heavy metals (in my case it was mercury from my silver fillings, but there are other metals and other sources).
It's interesting that you mention silver fillings. I do have one but I used to have more. I just posted on another forum about crowns. I have four of them on my front teeth. They are porcelain on the front with metal backs. Do you know if crowns are made with mercury too? I could probably afford to have the filling replaced but if it's the crowns too, I would not be able to afford it. Thank you
I'm not sure about crowns. That would be a good question for a dental forum. My gut tells me that it probably isn't amalgam, but my gut has been wrong before.
The fact that you have a silver filling (about 50% mercury which slowly releases itself into a person's body) and had more before would suggest your body is suffering from mercury buildup. I would find out everything you can about heavy metal toxicity (in your case it would probably be mercury toxicity also called Amalgam illness).
I suggest you find out about your crowns to make sure there are no heavy metals involved in them, replace your remaining filling and begin chelating (removing heavy metals).
It's important to replace any amalgam fillings before chelation and definitely find out as much as you can about chelating before you begin. Chelating is not completely safe if done haphazardly.
I can tell you that I had a bunch of health problems for decades, but replacing my 12 (!) Amalgams and chelating has helped me feel much better.
Your symptoms are very similar to what I experienced. The brain fog and bloated belly (I normally wear a size 4-6, but looked 12 mos pregnant) in addition to general fatigue, were some of my symptoms. Before finding the actual problem, despite eating healthy and working out, I had gained alot of weight. Turns out, I had intestinal worms. I am much better today after cleansing for about 20 months, but I still have a way to go to get my health back.
What you are taking right now for a candida cleanse is also anti-parasite, so it may uncover a similar problem for you. You almost need to sift through stool though to know if that might be the issue, otherwise they can exit undetected.
In my case, the brain fog is caused by all the toxins in my blood surrounding my brain. It gets worse during cleansing, but totally lifts when I get the infection down. Just something to think about, it's not a pleasant subject, but your symptoms are very similar to mine.
I did remove a few more things from my diet. I was already on low carbs. I gave up my beloved coffee and also cheese. I am not happy with whats left but I am desperate to feel better. I do now seem to feel extra foggy. I am hoping that is an indication that it is working.
I do look like I am pregnant. I was thin till about 4-5 yrs ago and then my belly ballooned way up. I don't eat a lot even before the diet. I basically couldn't take in any less so low carb seemed to be worth a try again. My head is so foggy that sometimes it just seems like a hopeless downward spiral.
What color were the worms and how long did it take to get the infection down and begin to feel any better? If your weight was all in you belly too then it certainly is possible I have that problem. Most people would gain it in their face, arm and legs as well. Mine is all belly. I always had hips and thighs even when I was thin. I was pear shaped and now I am a round apple. I totally look odd when you compare my belly to the rest of me. Thank you for your help. Sounds odd to hope you find something wrong doesn't it?
I experienced the same thing, I felt I was not eating enough, probably between 800-1000 calories a day, and I was gaining weight and my belly was swelled. This went on for several years. What I did eat, was healthy, and I knew my body, I should have had a flat stomach.
Although a swollen belly could be a sign of intestinal worms, not everyone with this infection has this symptom, and not everyone with these symptoms has intestional worms. When I read your post, I noticed the similarities, so I wanted to mention it.
As far as what color the worms were, I have had them exit in different stages of decomposition. It seems like when my digestion and bowels are messed up, they come out cream colored and fairly intact, and have been anywhere from 3" to 18" or longer. At other times, when my system is functioning better, they seem to come out in pieces, and more digested and stained with stool. Usually if I put a sample in a baggie with water, they will turn off white again.
If you do suspect you might have this problem, or just want to be sure you don't, you might want to examine your stool for the next couple of weeks. You are taking many things right now that in addition to fighting candida, should also help with worms if you have them.
I found mine after an ND recommended raw garlic and onion for bloat. It worked, my stomach started going down, so I basicially fasted on this stuff for a couple of days, on the third day a bundle of worms came out, and I've been fighting them ever since. As horrid as this experience is, it is actually a relief to have answers to all my symptoms for the last several years.
I am much better now, but it is an endless fight for me, I kill alot of them, but they lay eggs and reproduce, so it just keeps going. But I get a little better every time. For me, the brain fog gets much worse during die off, and it can last for a few days to a week or more. Each cycle I have gone through, the die off is bad, but the duration seems to be less every time. My belly is near flat now, and when my infection does return, my bloat is nothing like it was in the beginning.
Like I said, your symptoms were so similar to mine, that I wanted to throw it out there for you to consider, but it is very possible that you have candida only, or something else going on. I got rid of hundreds of them with raw garlic alone. You could try the same thing I did for a few days, and see if anything is revealed, then you can go from there.
I'm glad to help, I hope you find answers and get better soon. There is so much support and information on this site, if it turns out you do have some sort of parasite, you will find you are not alone. Lots of people are willing to help, and you can contact me anytime.
Well, once the garlic sent out the worms, I embarked on a mission to get rid of them. I consumed anywhere from 1/2 to 1+ bulb of raw garlic daily. I did this for 2.5 months and was in total "remission", and felt great. I had to stop due to an illness in the family, or I believe I would be cured today. The problem is that I didn't get them all, and eventually they came back. Garlic wasn't the failure, I failed to take it long enough. Although garlic has been helpful since, it seemed to lose the momentem that it had in the beginning, and has never worked the same since.
My method was extreme, but I was not working at the time, and could basically stay secluded while I smelled horrible from the garlic. Most people could not do this.
If you want to try it, the easy way to take it is to smash the peeled clove flat (releases the medicine), then dice very small and wash down with water, or use a press, and spoon skin and all into a dollop of yogurt, then spoon into mouth and rinse down with water. I never ate it, or chewed, which is probably why my breath never smelled like garlic. The rest of me did though.
Thank you so much. You have been so helpful. How much raw garlic did you eat every day? Did you eat anything else? After taking away the carbs and now the cheese and everything else associated with yeast, I really can't figure what to eat to sustain myself.
I weighed myself today and actually gained a pound more. I also gained 2 in the last month on the low carb only. Last time on the low carb I lost 5 lbs the first week. I have been following it even more strictly then before and I gained 3 lbs! The one thing I did differently was I continued with my coffee until 2 days ago. I did drink alot of coffee every day.
I have stopped it for the last few days and I still gained 1 more lb. This is depressing. I am getting worse.
I'm a coffee drinker, and some would disagree with me, but I never gave up coffee, and have had several periods of absolute wellness, so I don't think coffee in my case was an issue.
As far as my diet, during the initial cleansing period, I ate alot of whole grain wraps with unsweented yogurt, peanut butter, or cream cheese to give them substance. The brand I used was LaTortilla factory, which has 14 grams fiber and 8 protein. Honestly, I had no appetite during this period, but my world was turned upside down when I discovered worms, and I was suffering from constipation because of them. I also ate alot of fresh/steamed veggies, non-sweet yogurt with blackberries or pinneaple. I did totally give up sweets during this period, except for the vanilla creamer in my coffee. I was really never a junk food person before this, so emitting most sources of sugar was not a big problem. Basically I was trying to keep my intestines free of too much food so that I didn't dilute the garlic. It worked, and the worms fell out of me for over 2 months. If only I had stuck with it......
During this whole ordeal, I lost about 26 lbs. I have since put a few back on, and I'm ok with that. My diet has returned to normal, which for me is basically healthy with occasional junk food.
Home
How long till I notice die-off 
