Worried about anti fungal side effects?

Xelaetaks -

I understand the reservations in taking fluconazole (although I don't think it's significantly riskier than most other drugs). In fact, I think many of the "side effects" are actually signs of die off. Remember that when pharmaceutical companies tests these drugs, they document what participants in the trials report back...rather than the process you share with your MD when you share feedback about how you're responding to x,y,z and the MD evaluates what the feedback means and adjusts your protocol accordingly. It's kind of a stunted process, particularly since most of the medical world understands very little about yeast/fungal overgrowth.

For instance, there is a very clear warning on the systemic anti fungal Ketoconazole to stop taking it if you experience any heart issues. I either didn't catch that or didn't comprehend it when I first started taking it (this was at a time I was having major cognitive issues). 2 hrs after my first dose I nearly fainted. But I continued taking it for a year without any issues whatsoever.

Now, for some people this is a serious warning and they should stop taking it. But for me and I'm sure many other people, I'm nearly certain the initial reaction was die off that produces serious mycotoxins and neurotoxins that just overwhelmed my heart. Again, most people prescribing this medication have no clue about yeast/fungal overgrowth, how it manifests itself in relatively healthy people nor what happens during die off.

For some people (many, I suspect) this is hardly a reason to stop taking it--kind of defeats the purpose. What I now know I should have done is take a much smaller dose initially. Now, how many MDs ever recommend that???

So - back to your question... please read through the y/f overgrowth post in the "New to Lyme?" thread - it will help you decide what you need to be taking.
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=1606610&g=3644275#m3644275

I'm sorry if you've already shared this info but the answers to these questions are also important in making your decision:

Did an MD prescribe the fluconazole for you because you are taking abx?

Do you have symptoms that indicate an already-present yeast/fungal overgrowth?

Do these symptoms point torward a systemic or a local (gut) overgrowth?

Do you have a history of y/f issues?

-p

Post Edited (Pirouette) : 7/24/2016 9:47:48 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Pirouette-

Did an MD prescribe the fluconazole for you because you are taking abx?

Yes. A new llmd did. She wanted me to start fluconazole before taking abx. She actually wanted me to combine the too but I wouldn't take the fluconazole long term so my idea is to take it for a few days first, then start the abx after.


Do you have symptoms that indicate an already-present yeast/fungal overgrowth?

Messed up GI system. I think I have more stuff than just candida but it does seem to come with everything else. Yeast has also has shown up on various stool tests.

Do these symptoms point torward a systemic or a local (gut) overgrowth?

My symptoms are very systemic so I'd assume systemic is likely.

Do you have a history of y/f issues?

I took lyme antibiotics years ago and plenty of other supplements and anti parasitics over the past 2 years. I've also taken tons of probiotics and while it seems to help it doesn't look like a cure for me with candida.

If you feed the yeast/fungus with sugar and simple carb foods that turn into sugar easily, the antifungals won't work. The y/f can grow resistance to them if you're taking the antifungals AND encouraging y/f with a sugary diet. And if you continue to do that, you'll run out of ammo very quickly. It's a serious issue so you need to make a commitment to it.

Also, the reason why many people have poor, sugary diets is because the yeast/fungus itself is creating an unnatural addiction to sugar. The cravings are not a natural occurrence in your body - the yeast/fungus creates the cravings, otherwise they will die off. So once you start on the antifungals, as long as they are working you should also experience fewer cravings. But you also need to make a commitment to a better diet--not just for the purposes of keeping the y/f overgrowth in control but to support lyme & co treatment.

One suggestion is next time you go out for a social event, eat before you leave so you're not hungry. And again, hopefully you'll have fewer cravings to battle as well.

Hope this is helpful!

-p

Thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind and take the diet seriously. It really is an unnatural hunger, I think in a way it's kind of a mind over matter thing. I'll definitely keep more healthy foods on hand so I can eat when needed.

Cheers

So P~what kind of diet would you suggest? No sugar, no grains/wheats, probably, right? Are potatoes & rice ok, cuz I don't have much left w/o! And I do think kefir with abx is saving the gut. Any good ones you could suggest?

Diflucan can havr a effect on lyme...it will stop the efflux pump so abx will hit them ..it us a florinated drug..and stays in system quite a bit ...mwf puls r seemed effective ...went down from 5 to 3 ...trying herbs that have camphor...sent you link to that doc ...

yes, some people do pulse it, and I personally think that is good too bc it is easier on the liver that way, and it does have a long half life.

and yes there are articles saying that diflucan acts as a cystbuster on lyme, if i recall correctly. We had a big discussion on this in the fall. Some people said my symptoms were still lyme and that Diflucan took care of it, but others said I would have herxed if it was lyme rather than go to feel 100% better and agreed that when i took the diflucan it targeted candida.