I was unusually healthy as an infant and young child. My mother tells me I was rarely sick and I wasn't troubled by allergies. During my teen years, I was bothered by menstrual cramps - nothing unusual. I married early and my son was born when I was 19. No significant problems on through my 20s except for moderate menstrual problems and occasional yeast infections.
Four years ago, I married again and beginning three years ago, my husband and I decided we would like to have a child. Although we used no contraceptives, nothing happened.
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| Candida Yeast Overgrowth Symptoms |
I think that some of my health problems began to develop about 2½ years ago. At that time, I began low-mileage running and over a period of months, I lost about 15 lbs. I also developed other symptoms, including fatigue and lower back pain. I visited my family doctor who said, "You seem to have a kidney infection," and he prescribed Bactrim (a sulfonamide antibacterial medication used for urinary tract infection) for 10 days. Now as I think about it, I was premenstrual at the time, and the disappearance of my symptoms may have been related to my cycle rather than to the supposed urinary infection.
During the next six months, while attempting conception, I developed increasingly severe dysmenorrhea, continuing lower back pain and general fatigue. So I sought further help from a gynecologist who in studying patients with infertility. About the same time, I began to have more acute pain on my right side with a lot of pelvic and abdominal bloating.
A laparoscopy revealed "mild/moderate endometriosis with a few adhensions" and chromotubation (this is an older method no longer in use) - which was attempted three times - showed that my right tube was closed,
I was placed on Danazol (a drug then used for endometriosis), and surgery was recommended. So I decided to seek a second opinion in regard to surgery and the quality of my husband's semen.
The following month, I began to have chronic uterine cramping, bloating, lower back pain, mood swings, nausea, occasional very painful right lower quadrant pain, insomnia, taut, dry skin (my skin was usually oily) and dizzy spells. I had so much pain that it scared me.
So I went back for further studies, and a hysterosalpingogram revealed that both of my tubes were open. Yet my symptoms continued. I was sick and emotionally and physically exhausted so my husband and I took a wonderful, but exhausting, two-week vacation.
Then I went to a university center and went through the infertility clinic. The head gynecologist thought I was "hyperestrogenic," which he said was not uncommon following a rigorous trip. Various studies were negative, including a test following intercourse.
When my symptoms continued, my doctor decided I was "severely depressed" and that she doubted that there was any organic basis for my symptoms. So she suggested I see a psychiatrist. I took her advice, yet, at the end of his evaluation, he said, "You aren't severely depressed and I don't think you need psychotherapy."
I was then seen by another infertility specialist at the same university center. He insisted that I be "scoped" again. This time they found "moderate endometriosis, but no adhesions." He recommended six months of Danazol. I developed a urinary tract infection following the laparoscopy, and I was treated with Bactrim and then ampicillin (an antibiotic).
I felt horrible for several weeks following this course of antibiotics. I attributed my continuing pain to endometriosis. Yet my doctor couldn't understand why Danazol hadn't eased the pain after I had taken it for over a month. (I think by this time he, too, decided I was an overanxious, depressed hypochondriac.)
Finally my pain abated and I began treating myself with vitamins and "friendly bacteria." I continued to have symptoms, induding terrible headaches, bloating, junky discharge and vaginal itching. I was given Vibramycin, although my cultures for chlamydia and herpes were both negative.
Next I went back to the second university center for further studies and again received the diagnosis of mild endometriosis. They also said it was possible that I was hypersensitive to ovulation.
About that time I read Yeast Infection No More and took the yeast questionnaire. My score was 181, which indicated the candida almost certainly was playing a role in causing my health problems. Among the items in my history that added significantly to my score were repeated courses of antibiotics, birth control pills, worsened symptoms on damp days and sugar craving. I also experienced fatigue, the feeling of being drained, depression, abdominal pain, and PMS.
Based on this history, a physician consultant interested in yeast-related health problems said, "Your immune system and endocrine problems may be related to Candida albicans. And I think a therapeutic trial of nystatin, diet and nutritional supplements may help you."
In discussing my problem with me, he said, "Although candida not the cause of your reproductive problems, it may be playing a significant role. And many women with hormonal dysfunction and reproductive organ symptoms will improve significantly on a simple, but comprehensive anti-yeast program extending over a period of six months to two years."
So I began on the nystatin. During the first two weeks, I showed a lessening of my symptoms. Not a lot, but I was encouraged. After I'd been on the program four weeks, I was literally "a new woman." My depression, fatigue, bloating, mood swings, urinary symptoms and vaginal burning had all but vanished.
I talked to my doctor, who said, "Keep on with your nystatin. You can even cheat on your diet occasionally and see if it makes any difference." And he said that because of my history of vaginitis, that a vaginal anti-yeast suppository would be advisable.
Then the exciting news. Because I missed my period, I went back to my gynecologist who, following the examination, said, "Evelyn, you're pregnant!" Then I began to wonder if it was safe to continue the nystatin.
One of my gynecologists said, "Stop it. You could develop complications." Yet, my own gynecologist said to continue. I also called Dr. Orian Truss, who said that in his experience nystatin during pregnancy was safe.
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| Candida Yeast Overgrowth Symptoms |
My pregnancy proceeded uneventfully, and nine months and three after starting on nystatin, my husband and I became the proud parents of a beautiful, healthy 8 lb. 9 oz. son. And in the birth announcement I sent to the open-minded doctor who advised my gynecologist to put me on nystatin, I said, "Thanks seems like too little to say for your part in helping us have this baby - we felt he should be named for you!"
He is a beautiful, healthy boy, and I am feeling good physically. I have trouble believing my good fortune. To find out more, you can check out Candida Yeast Overgrowth Symptoms.