I've been treating Lyme for almost 2 years and babesia for a year and a half. Just finished what is supposed to be my last round of current protocol before moving on to bartonella. And for the past month, I have been EXHAUSTED and my joints have been stiff and painful. Knees, especially, have become very painful -- it's hard to get up from sitting. These were my first symptoms two years ago. I was frustrated and baffled as to why they're back now and only got worse through this latest round of abx.

Then, a touch of mild grossness here: I recently switched to a natural deodorant that is not an antiperspirant. After a few weeks, I have an itchy red rash under my arm. Bells ring -- candida.

Now, I just came across this older thread indicating that candida can cause joint pain: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3885857. Holy cannoli.

Is this what is causing my recent symptoms? I also have a lot of bloating.

Then, what to do about it?

Diflucan is supposed to be part of my protocol but I couldn't take it because of an apparent anaphylactic reaction. I'm afraid to try the best alternatives, which are pretty closely related chemically. And Nystatin isn't worth trying in my doctor's opinion because it mainly treats candida in the gut and this is systemic.

I've been taking GSE the past couple months, but only on abx weeks because it's a biofilm buster, and I don't want to bust a ton of stuff when I'm not killing what's released. (BTDT and caused a horrible flare and herx.) I have been eating too many carbs -- need to get serious about cutting them out again. I picked up oil of oregano but can't figure out how to add it into my current protocol (on enough antimicrobials on "on weeks," and not supposed to be on any on "off weeks.") Going to call my NP, but any other ideas for me? Think I need to focus on this thing for awhile.

Have you ever tried this www.iherb.com/pr/Thorne-Research-Formula-SF722-250-Gelcaps/18560?
I've used it, and it seemed to help my digestive symptoms a lot. Not sure if it targets systemic candida.

Also, the antibiotics themselves could be making your joints feel worse. My joints were starting to bother me after I had been on antibiotics for a while (or maybe I was also getting a candida infection).

The rash under your arm sounds like it could be an allergy, but if you've been on antibiotics for a while, it seems probable that you might be dealing with yeast.

I'm really having a hard time finding a natural deodorant myself. The one I got has been looking like there's some kind of mold growing on it for a while, so I haven't used it. It seems like cornstarch and baking soda, or whatever is in the natural ones, would be a perfect home for the nasty bacteria.

Thanks so much for the thoughtful responses! I totally didn't think of the fact that it could be just more Lyme from breaking biofilms. I've been doing better than usual about keeping up with that part of my protocol. Could be.

I really don't like the idea of antiperspirants anymore, but I'm not sure that jives well with a tendency toward candida.

I'll revisit the good suggestions above and see what I can incorporate. Can start by adding more tea tree oil to my epsom salt baths. (Oh, I sound so old, lol.) Definitely back to being strict with the carbs, sigh.

Girlie said...
Dhalias - what has your NP/PA prescribed these past months for you since you can’t take the diflucan?
Did she recommend the GSE?

You mentioned joint pain -
Do you have a white coated tongue?
What about “down below “?
I would think you’d have usual signs of Candida - no?

NP gave the go-ahead for GSE. She also prescribed an antifungal that's related to Diflucan but I'm not taking it. Last allergic reaction set me back for months. I want to ask about incorporating oil of oregano and olive leaf extract.

My tongue has had a bit of a coating for as long as I've thought of looking, but the doctors don't seem to think it's bad enough to mean much. None of the usual type of yeast infections although I was having some vague discomfort before starting the GSE.

My new PCP did a blood test for candida and it was positive but not terrible if I remember correctly. (I need to find those test results.) She recommended the candida diet.