I think my 1 and 3 year olds have Ca... 
#158824
13 y
11,142
† Cross †
I recently discovered that I have terrible Candida overgrowth and strongly believe that both of my young children have it as well. They are both vegetarian (always have been) with very healthy diets, and being so young, my guess is that they contracted it from me during birth. :(
The symptoms are much more obvious in my 3 year old than in my 1 year old. There are so many, I am sure to forget many, but they include:
Chronic constipation since about 6 months old. (the only "solution" the brilliant specialists have been able to provide me with in all this time is to leave her on a daily dose of miralax. That is not acceptable.)
A fading appetite that recently, has become a terrible problem, to the point that I have to force her to eat so that she gets nutrients. She just wants milk CONSTANTLY. Or cheese. Her cravings for sweets are monstrous, and I've never been big on giving her/them junk/sugar, but she literally cries for it now and begs all day every day for sugary junk/candy, etc.
She has terrible sleep disturbances, and that is once I finally get her to sleep, which is no easy feat. It takes hours, well into the wee hours of the morning. She tosses, turns, wakes up crying all night long.
Terrible night sweats.
Awful breath, despite a healthy Diet and excellent oral hygiene.
Still is not yet toilet trained. Due to the severe GI issues, that has been problematic.
Yeast infections on the skin of her bottom as well as complaining of anal itch.
Very overly-emotional often times and hyperactive, yet always says she's tired.
Always complaining of tummy aches.
Constantly scratching inside her nose, sometimes until it bleeds.
The list goes on....and on....
After 2 years of taking my 3 year old to see a GI specialist (and allergists. And sleep specialists. And neurologists.), an endoscopy test was (finally) recommended. They will require that she be under anesthesia, which makes me very nervous. I am 99% sure, based on her multitude of symptoms that the problem is Candida, though I suppose it is always possible that it is a different issue, such as inflamed intestinal tract, as mentioned by the GI specialist....but I would bet on Candida.
In the opinion of those who are familiar with these things, should I allow the endoscopy, and the possible risks associated with anesthesia? Or should I put off this procedure and just start trying to treat candida (for both of them...as well as myself...) and see if the laundry list of symptoms improve?
I am inquiring here, as I have more faith in the opinions of the people here than doctors. The GI "specialist" completely blew off my thoughts that it could be candida, saying it was not possible.
And how would I go about treating this in a 1 year old and a 3 year old? I am barely able to get her to eat as it is, let alone able to get her/them to eat many of the things I've read are helpful in treating this. And that includes water. I have to FORCE her to drink water, and am lucky to get 2-4 ounces per DAY in her! It's terrible. And what about enemas? Is it even safe to attempt those on little people? They would NOT be still and I'd be concerned about causing damage to that delicate tissue by them moving. Can the Candida be effectively removed without enemas? Especially in a child suffering from chronic constipation! If it IS safe, what type to do? I am guessing ACV would be way to strong. And retention would be quite challenging.
Ugh!
Forgive my scattered rambling....I am just so exasperated at this point! From dealing with clueless, closed-minded doctors, and from not knowing how to go about healing my children now that I do believe I have FINALLY discovered the true problem (candida), given the limitations due to their ages and health challenges (constipation, probable inability to have enemas performed, etc.)
So any advice, personal experiences, and/or information would be so greatly appreciated!!! I can see more and more HOW MUCH she is being affected by this and HOW bad it is now. And my 1 year old will end up as bad by the time he is her age. It breaks my heart. :'(
Please help!
Thank you in advance.- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... Pokermaniac
13 y
10,026
This is a reply to # 2,020,57399% that problem is wrong zinc/copper ratio in meals.
All people should know 3 basic ratio:
Sodium / Potassium - 0,47-0,83 so best is 2:3 for example (i use following dosage) 3000mg sodium(its like 18 salt peach) and 4500mg potassium (parsley and broccoli mostly)
Copper / Zinc - 1:10 for men and 1:5 up to 1:10 for woman - from 1:7 up to 1:12 no more 1:15 for man.
Copper from parsley mostly - i have 2,5mg copper and 15mg zinc from fish and eggs and 10-15 from supps = 25-30 - ratio=1:10 - 1:12 since few days after one year wrong ratio.
Ca / Mg - 2:1 - 700mg form food and 2x300 from egg shells - 300mg capcium is half teaspoon or 1/3 teaspoon of egg shells.
Magnesium 300mg form food and 350mg from supps.
Ratio is 1300/650 - 2:1 or 1000/500.
Do not use drags till you correct basics.
Give b-complex one daily.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... Unicorn70
13 y
9,993
This is a reply to # 2,020,573I'd find a good naturpath, one who has experience with treating children with gut problems. My daughter has had candida since she was about 2 after taking too many Antibiotics . I have it too. I finally found a good herbalist when she was about 4 or 5, she was treated via a bio resonance machine, I was very sceptical to begin with but it worked. She had severe constipation and she couldn't sleep at night, she was up for hours crying in pain, she had a shooting pains in her bottom and vagina, I had to sit her in a bowl of water and eventually she would pass a ton of gas and the pain would ease. She had so many food intolerances it was unbelievable. She was wetting the bed and needing to urinate very often, her hair was falling out. It was awful. The herbalist said she had parasites, candida, leaky gut and damage from the measles vaccine. It took about 2 years to recover, she had to cut out Sugar and yeast and take mora drops and probiotics. The shooting pains disappeared quite quickly and then over time she was able to eat foods she couldn't eat previously, except for milk. The probiotics stopped the constipation. She was doing well until she had the hpv vaccine and it effected her immune badly, so she's back at the herbalist again.
Good luck, I remember how bad it was but things will get better. Children respond more quickly to treatment than adults. They haven't got has much accumulated toxin's to get rid of.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
10,103
This is a reply to # 2,020,646Thank you so much for your insights! It is so heart wrenching to see your babies suffering and not know why or be able to take their pain from them.
What does a bio-resonance machine do?
It became very clear fairly quickly that all of these "specialists" just have no clue, and even worse, no interest in figuring out the true problem and curing it! Band-aid solutions like "just leave her on miralax" and "it should work itself out eventually" are all I have ever gotten.
I finally searched and searched and came across information about Candida, which I had never heard of before, and bells went off. I was excited to have finally (seemingly) figured out the problem, but quickly frustrated again when the doctors wouldn't even consider Candida as the problem, or engage in discussing it, and it was clear that was because they were clueless about Candida. A frustrating journey, this has been!
But I think you are correct, Unicorn...finding a good naturopath is the way to go.
And then begins the long journey of eradicating and healing, for all 3 of us.
Because I do not think insurance covers a naturopathic doctor, in your opinion, would having the endoscopy performed so the results can be provided to a naturopath be helpful? Or unnecessary?
She has had a tremendous amount of blood work done, all results being normal, other than one that showed low ferritin (sp?) levels. They wanted me to give her 45 mg of iron per day, which I did not do. So I already have a lot of information/test results I can provide them.
But limiting the out of pocket expenses as much as possible is crucial.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... mu-shen
13 y
9,932
This is a reply to # 2,020,654Just in case you were not aware - CZ does have a Candida Forum . Its called "ASK Dr JEFF" Post there - he´s sure to help!
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
9,897
MoreThis is a reply to # 2,020,665Thank you for the information, Mu Shen! I will copy and paste my post there!
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... ramkishan754
12 y
9,681
This is a reply to # 2,020,665Hello Everyone
1 to 5 year is most carefulltime for each baby.we must responsible for food cycle.
you must give her meal in dilute form when baby is 1 year,and set the meal time.give her green vegetables,mix vegetables juice,fruit juice,and organic juice,and prevent with choclates and fast food.
make a discipline with baby diet
thanks.......
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
9,897
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... Unicorn70
13 y
9,988
MoreThis is a reply to # 2,020,654Yea I went through the same thing with the specialists. They did say my daughter could have an endoscopy but they didn't think they would find anything, I decided against it. My son doesn't have candida but he did suffer from constipation from being a baby. Diet and more fluid helped him but didn't help my daughter, I think the Antibiotics had caused too much damage with her. I think I'd take saywhatagain's advice and start with the diet idea's, sounds like a safer option for children so young. This might be the turnaround you need especially if funding is a problem. I'm in the UK and the NHS pays for tests etc. I did pay privately for the herbalist though and so glad I did.
I wish you good luck. I know how much stress you are under but you will get through it.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
9,868
This is a reply to # 2,020,723I cringe every time I think of Antibiotics . When my son was born (my one year old), they told me that he had an infection, but were unable to culture it to see what it was. He was in NICU for 2 days with IV Antibiotics for 48 hours. I could kick myself for allowing that! But if I had only known then what I know now.....I never would have allowed that. I just wasn't thinking straight after 20 hours of labor. Surely that wiped out whatever good flora he had in his little baby body right from the start. He isnot yet as symptomatic and she is, but needs treatment as well.
I try not to dwell on the shoulda couldas, and concentrate on steps I need to take now to heal them.- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... Unicorn70
13 y
9,892
This is a reply to # 2,020,729I feel exactly the same, I wish I hadn't of done this or that and why couldn't I have known then what I know now as well and sometimes I still make mistakes. Don't blame yourself for giving your son Antibiotics . The infection may of needed treating with Antibiotics . What else could you of done! What other alternative did you have. You could of left it and your baby may of become very poorly. Only when our children suffer or we do and the medical proffesion can not help us, most of us turn to alternative help. Well some don't and carry on suffering.
I've been checking this forum out for a few years on and of and there are some really helpful people on here with lots of knowledge who can help.
Stay in contact, message me privately if you'd like to.- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
9,765
This is a reply to # 2,020,733Yes...I have to remind myself that what is done, is done and I cannot go back and undo or re-do any of it. Just have to move on, learn more, depend on the doctors less, and make better informed decisions in the future.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... fectoid2
12 y
9,933
This is a reply to # 2,023,212Please read my message in the thread below, if you haven't done so already.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... fectoid2
12 y
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- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
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- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... saywhatagain
13 y
9,881
This is a reply to # 2,020,729Don't beat yourself up about this, I'm sure if I was in your shoes, even knowing all of the terrible things Antibiotics can cause I would have let the doctors do this. The fact is Antibiotics save lives and sometimes its the only thing you can use. I'm sure this didn't help matters but Antibiotics can never destroy all the good flora, all the good stuff is still there, they just throw everything out of balance. You just have to try the best you can with diet to let things come back into balance on their own.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
9,794
This is a reply to # 2,020,738Thank you for all of that great information, Saywhatagain. I will follow up with that and learn more about it. I appreciate being pointed in directions that I have not thought of. Such an exhaustive search this has been!
Your positive words of encouragement are as helpful as the information. So thank you for that, as well :)
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
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- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... Unicorn70
13 y
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- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
9,868
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... mu-shen
13 y
9,932
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
10,103
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... saywhatagain
13 y
9,930
This is a reply to # 2,020,573Sorry to hear that your children are having such terrible problems at such a young age. It would be helpful if you would say something about what they normally eat, you say they have always had a very healthy Diet but what exactly does that mean to you as there are many different ideas as to what is a healthy diet. Were your children breast-fed if so until what age? Treating candida in children this young will be very different than treating in someone older, children should not be taking supplements or vitamins, don't think enemas would be a good idea for them either. Best way is to give some diet changes that can help to bring their bodies more into balance. I already have some ideas for some diet recommendations based on the symptoms and behaviors that you wrote about but I would like to hear what their current diet is first.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
9,922
This is a reply to # 2,020,694Thank you so much for your reply.
I did breastfeed them, but had a very difficult time producing enough milk with my 3 year old, and after only a month or so, I had no choice but to turn to formula. That was awful for me, as I never even considered that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed.
With my 1 year old, after only a month, I had emergency gallbladder surgery and that killed my already struggling milk production and was, once again, forced to turn to formula. He had to be on alimentum.
As far as their diets, not withstanding th
e fact that I can barely get my 3 year old to eat at all these days, a typical breakfast is a scrambled egg with chia seeds cooked with a little Extra-Virgin Olive-Oil , fresh fruit (sliced banana, fresh strawberries and/or blueberries, pineapples, clementines, pears, apple, etc). Or oatmeal and fresh fruit. And sometimes a whole grain waffle or buckwheat pancake lightly drizzled with raw honey or agave nectar.
My 1 year old generally naps through lunch and my 3 year old outright refuses to eat anything, so lunch has kind of disappeared at this time. A typical dinner is mostly steamed veggies (broccoli, asparagus, carrots, peas,...have not yet been able to get them to expand much beyond that, but continue to try to introduce new veggies), fresh fruit, beans, yogurt, (if they didn't have it with breakfast), sometimes a little brown rice or pasta (ezekiel) or a slice of plain Ezekiel bread. My 1 year old loves cottage cheese.
They only drink water with meals and milk in between. Almost no juice, unless I freshly juice it. My 3 year old is not big on juices.
They also take flaxseed oil.
Their diets aren't as varied as I would like, but they are little and all I can do is keep introducing new foods and hope they begin to develop tastes for more things. But I do try to keep it healthy, consisting of whole foods and no processed or junk foods. Maybe an occasional cookie or lollipop here and there. Not good, I know, but I do cave occasionally.
But hopefully that helps paint a bit of a clearer picture. Any advice and wisdom you would like to share is welcomed and appreciated :)
Thank you in advance :)- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... saywhatagain
13 y
9,839
This is a reply to # 2,020,710Okay, I can give you some recommendations based on Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine). Generally, they should be eating cooked food that is easy to digest, anything that will irritate the bowels is going to be problematic. Yes they may very well have candida, but candida is a symptom of the bacteria in the bowels being out of balance. An ideal breakfast could be something like cream of wheat, easy to digest, good for soothing the bowels (unlike other wheat has very low gluten content made from a different type of wheat), oatmeal is okay but may cause some bowel inflammation (I know we are told we need fiber for proper digestion but in many people it can cause more problems), I would avoid eggs for now, children this young are not able to digest these properly. Even fruit may be better cooked, especially apples and pears and generally I wouldn't overdo it on the fruit as some of these can also cause bowel irritation, see what the kids are asking for, if they are asking for a certain fruit give it to them, otherwise use in moderation. I don't see any reason why they cannot have a good amount of milk, can be very good for children this age, especially if they weren't breast fed, use only organic milk (I don't see why they can't have as much milk as they want as long as it doesn't cause gas or diarrhea, even if she eats less of other foods, milk could be very good for her) , yogurt and cottage cheese can also be good. Give them plenty of well cooked veggies, carrots and peas are great, also you can roast up some squash and mash it up for them, they may like this very much and its great for balancing the lower intestinal bacteria, all veggies should be steamed and well cooked so they are easy to digest, can add some butter or oil after cooking. Don't worry too much about adding new foods and new tastes, stick to what they enjoy, plain easy to digest foods is what they need right now. They don't need juice, in fact I would avoid it. It's great that you are avoiding giving them junk but your daughter's sweet cravings are coming from somewhere, you have to appease them in a good way, generally Sugar cravings mean that her body needs more simple easy to digest carbohydrates, plain white basmati rice could be something to use, as well as pasta is good for this kind of craving (most people don't realize that pasta made from 100% semolina is extremely healthy). I would avoid all beans for now as they can be extremely aggravating to the lower intestines, unless you can find mung beans which are good for the bowels. I know some of these suggestions go against traditional western nutritional ideas, we usually think of the main thing for digestive health to get more fiber and for some people this may be true, but according to your daughter's symptoms and her behavior also, the recommendations I gave you could be very helpful.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... saywhatagain
13 y
9,839
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... #158824
13 y
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- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... deotima
13 y
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This is a reply to # 2,020,573So sorry to hear about your little ones being poorly. It must be so exhausting for you.It sounds to be as if your 3yr old has thread worms. Candida and thread worms often go together.How you treat it is up to you. There are many forms of treatment, some by drugs and some natural. When her bottom is itchy, often in bed at night, you can sometimes see the worms - like little pieces of white cotton - round the anus. If one child has worms, the younger one almost certainly has as well.[And maybe you and husband]
As your children are veggie, are you sure they are getting enough protein in their diet?
As a child I had great problems with worms, and similar symptoms to your little ones. It wasn't until I was 13 that it was found that the worms were lodged in my apendix. This was removed and after a great deal of horrid medicine [ I remember having to drink salt water and a deep purple mixture for ages] that I got better.I'm sure that there are much better treatments now.Good luck. Deotima.- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
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This is a reply to # 2,020,814Thank you for sharing that information, Deotima. I have long suspected a possible parasite problem, and have had her tested multiple times, all results of which have been normal. However, I have read how terribly unreliable these tests are. But with negative results, the pediatrician and GI drs will not prescribe medication, and I would prefer a natural approach anyway. So, what would your suggestions be? If there is an OTC medication that is more effective, I would go that route, because most natural remedies that I have read about, although preferred by me, require the eating/drinking of things I know I would not be able to get them to eat/drink. They are too young to reason with, lol...so it is a challenge.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
9,711
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... fectoid2
13 y
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This is a reply to # 2,020,573Please dig into the studies that are now being undertaken by the NIH and CDC on The Human Microbiome Project.
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jun2012/nhgri-13.htm
http://commonfund.nih.gov/hmp/
http://www.hmpdacc.org/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/health/human-microbiome-project-decodes-our...
http://io9.com/5920874/10-ways-the-human-microbiome-project-could-change-the-...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18422288
This is all very, very new stuff (at least for mainstream medicine) and very relevant to this forum and this discussion.
Some conclusions from this are:
1: Everybody's gut microflora is individually unique
2: At birth, our intestinal microflora begin to be established on the journey through the birth canal
3: Further establishment takes place during breastfeeding
So what's being learned here is that in the absence of natural childbirth and breastfeeding, the more recent generations are a mess. If you couple that with the Antibiotic use of the prior generations and the birth canal being devoid of probiotics (think about the prevalence of vaginal yeast infections these days), it's no wonder our offspring are a mess.
Anyway, formula manufacturers are beginning to incorporate probiotics into infant formula now.
So, my advice to you is to read, read, read the information that's coming out of the Human Microbiome Project, and to focus on restoration of intestinal flora balance in your infant and toddler. They have a better shot at being fixed than we do as adults, because their gut microflora are not well established, or even existent.
I have been following these studies, and have started to make my own homemade kefir from milk kefir grains to try to a least help to rebalance my intestinal flora, or to at least prevent it from getting worse.
I could go on and on about the literature but as I said, it's best that you don't jump around to much and remain focused.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
9,707
This is a reply to # 2,020,877Thank you for that information, Factoid! I will research that information you have suggested. Thank you for providing the links. That is helpful.
It is so kind of you and everyone who has responded to take the time out of their lives to provide me with the information, advice and personal experiences to help find a solution for my Angels' issues. It means a lot to me. Thank you so very much!
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
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- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... stilljillofark
13 y
10,003
This is a reply to # 2,020,573I only wanted to tell you that you are an excellent Mother!
Your efforts will pay off eventually!
Do you have pH tape? Can you check all three of yours (pH,...urine and saliva)?
If any or all of you are not producing green, blue, or purple,...you also have acidosis starting. If I am correct,....I'd introduce baking soda in water. The human body needs to maintain 7.35-7.45. Most all of us are falling lower and lower on the alkalinity scale! One feels 100% better after a dose of baking soda settles a bit into the gut!
That, or an Alkaline Water machine. People's health greatly improve when they start drinking this water.
Lastly,...latero-Flora is a probiotic that the stomach needs to re-set after candida. If you can get a colony of Latero-Flora to set up residency in their GI tract,...good health would take off! :-)
I wish you some REST,.....and some light at the end of this tunnel!
Bless you dear exhausted Mama!
Jilly- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
9,997
This is a reply to # 2,020,910Thank you for your encouragement, Jilly! I appreciate it, as well as your suggestions. I was giving them the children's Jarro-Dopholus but will look into the probiotics you suggested.
Where does one acquire PH tape? Just any drug store?
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... stilljillofark
12 y
9,916
This is a reply to # 2,023,195Hi,
The pharmacy drug store does have pH test sticks,...but I don't think the tape. It is expensive too. I use Swansons.com,...here is the link, only $6.99:
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/q?kw=pH+tape&x=31&y=7
You get 15 feet,...and that will test the three of you for over a month! I simply tare off a 3/4 inch piece, and have at it. I test my urine and my saliva.
Good for you,....you'll beat this! :-)
Jilly
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... stilljillofark
12 y
9,916
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... XC
12 y
9,997
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... Somebody else
10 y
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This is a reply to # 2,020,573Hi,
I'm really curious to find out how you and your children are now? Have you managed to find the cause and treat it? I'm In the same situation as you now with my 11 month old and 33 month old daughters so am praying you see this message.
- Re: I think my 1 and 3 year olds hav... Pokermaniac
13 y
10,026
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