what would you do if you were me?

[8 winks]

i am not well
since september i have been plauged by
urinary tract infections, blood in stools, fevers, conjunctivitus, yeast infections - these are really troublesome and only seem to go away while i have my period, insomnia and extreme fatigue, muscle pain, chronic coughs - recently with bouts of uncontrollable coughing, alergies to new foods and increased severity to dust and fragrences, swollen glands, dry skin and scalp, dehydration, coated tounge, bloated stomach. not necessarily all at once though...
from september to mid november i lost about ten pounds simply because i had no appetite, then i craved salt, added it to everything i ate, now i feel uncontrollably hungry, eating more in one sitting then i may have over days a few months ago. i have gained a bit of weight back simply from injesting so much breads.

i went to the doc for the conjunctivitus a few days ago and it was reaally discouraging as i felt there was an extreme need to diagnose prescribe and evacuate me from the office.

i smoke, maybe 10 - 15 ciggaretes a day sometimes less. i am sexually active but i take birth control and pray i am not pregnant. i am a full time student, 23 female.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??!!! what would you do?

[Pob]

First two things I would do would be stop smoking and see a doctor about all those symptoms.

Smoking can be a factor in a coated tongue, coughing, digestive disorders and many other problems.

Are you eating a balanced diet with lots of fruit, veg and complex carbohydrates? Are you supplementing b12 and iodine? Are you taking Omega oils (Flax oil, hemp oil)?

As a smoker you will need more vitamins than a non-smoker.

Is it possible you have an STD? Do(es) your partner(s) wear condoms?

Don't take offence by any of that - just going on what you have in your post that I see as a potential health hazard.

[Hemlock]

You sound immuno-supressed to me and run down, in order to boost your immune system take a really good veggie/vegan mineral and vitamin supplement every day and a B complex vitamin as well.
STOP SMOKING!!!! I did after years of smoking - smoking is probably responsible for most of your symptoms. eat a balanced healthy diet and try and exercise every day.
If you don't take care of your immune system it will eat you

[8 winks]

i think i eat healthy. i try to. i eat apples/oranges every day recently, grapes, always nuts seeds almonds (including lots of flax) oatmeal, olive oil, whole wheat cereals, tons of brown rice, soymilk and chickpeas/other beans daily, random veggies as they encounter me like mushrooms and broccoli especially, i makes stirfry or steamed veggies almost every day. i have had a soda only maybe once this month... my biggest divergence in diet is random sweets that i can not resist... it's a weakness i must admit when someone offers me a cookie.... i try my absolute damnedest to be 100 percent vegan but gosh it's difficult when you live with your parrents.

i am taking vitamins as i can... god help me if i don't quit ciggarettes soon.... i may have an STD... as i am alergic to latex i take my chances (i am bad, i know ), do you think an could an STD cause me to feel like absolute crap for three straight months?

[rujoon]

If u suspect u have an STD u better visit a doctor.. these are not things to be trifle with and u can spread it to a parthner or if u get pregnant, ur unborn child..
I agree with the rest about smoking.. quit asap.. its bad for ur health and lungs especially..
I m sure if u have to will to be vegan, u can quit smoking

[Seaside]

8 winks, I, like everyone else so far, would stop smoking! I would also get a juicer, and start drinking the juices of vegetables like carrots, kale, parsley, wheatgrass, celery, etc. a soon as possible. I would also go on a raw foods diet for a week or two. Look into some books on the function of the liver, and do what you can to support its functioning, as it sounds like your liver needs some TLC.

If you suspect an STD, get it checked out! Untreated, you most certainly could be suffering for months, as some of them, like gonorrhea and syphilis, will not go away on their own, are very serious, and still get transmitted in spite of the efforts of modern medicine to stamp them out.

I hope you feel better soon.

[jillian]

... as i am alergic to latex i take my chances (i am bad, i know )

Get polyurethane condoms. They shouldn't be difficult to find.

[twinkle]

Hi 8 Winks

Gliondrach is having technical problems posting at the moment and asked me to pass on the following message

"To me, it seems as if she has a combination of gastrointestinal trouble and Candida. It could be Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBS, etc. Many of her symptoms are similar to those in Candida infections. This can also lead to gut problems.

If you just mention the things below and advise her to seek medical attention for a proper check up.
------------------------------------------
Coeliac disease can result in painful bones, ulcers inside the mouth, skin rash which can be itchy. The colon is affected by the autonomic nervous system and, therefore, can be affected by stress.

Candida can be exacerbated by oral contraceptives, and can lead to IBS. Candida can cause a white coating on the tongue, rashes, swolen face, hair follicle inflammation on the arms and legs, allergies, lethargy, weak muscles and conjunctivitis.
-----------------------------------------------
"

[cedarblue]

if twere me i would see my GP again and tell them all the things i have been feeling over the last few months whether or not they are still happening - i would also press for some blood tests.

[Mija]

Oh dear, your symptoms do not sound good at all... Usually I would ask whether people have enough peace of mind and no stress, but your symptoms sound too scary Sometimes a pill could be a problem, as it has very negative side effects on some women, so it would have to be replaced by some other kind. However, if I were you, I would see a GP ASAP.

[tigerbabe]

As someone who's also allergic to latex I can tell you that Durex do a non- latex condom called Avanti. They are expensive when you compare them to latex condoms but it's worth it!

[thecatspajamas1]

First, stop smoking. 15 cigarettes a day is a lot.
It seems like your immune system is not very strong. Have you ever been tested for HIV?

[pat sommer]

Good advice. STDs especially scare me these days- Clamydia is everywhere- hard to detect until much damage is done. I suffered heaps and spent 15 yrs and $$$$$$ trying for a baby.

[herbwormwood]

i am not well
since september i have been plauged by
urinary tract infections, blood in stools, fevers, conjunctivitus, yeast infections - these are really troublesome and only seem to go away while i have my period, insomnia and extreme fatigue, muscle pain, chronic coughs - recently with bouts of uncontrollable coughing, alergies to new foods and increased severity to dust and fragrences, swollen glands, dry skin and scalp, dehydration, coated tounge, bloated stomach. not necessarily all at once though...
from september to mid november i lost about ten pounds simply because i had no appetite, then i craved salt, added it to everything i ate, now i feel uncontrollably hungry, eating more in one sitting then i may have over days a few months ago. i have gained a bit of weight back simply from injesting so much breads.

i went to the doc for the conjunctivitus a few days ago and it was reaally discouraging as i felt there was an extreme need to diagnose prescribe and evacuate me from the office.

i smoke, maybe 10 - 15 ciggaretes a day sometimes less. i am sexually active but i take birth control and pray i am not pregnant. i am a full time student, 23 female.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??!!! what would you do?

You are asking what I would do. I would definitely see your GP about this.
When you say you saw your doctor about conjunctivitis, had you been previously about other things or was that the first visit? The conjunctivitis may be the least of your worries, did you actually go into the office with all these other things and only mention the conjunctivitis? Urinary tract infections left untreated can turn into kidney infections, which can be very serious indeed. Also what you describe as blood in stools, fevers. Get off the computer right now and phone for a doctor appointment.
Make a list of what you have told us and show the doctor. The internet cannot be a substitute for medical attention. Even the most knowledgeable people cannot diagnose a problem like you have over the internet. Take a friend with you into the doctor's office if you want, its allowed.
Also take a urine sample for the doctor to test, and suggest a "full blood count" blood test at the very least. Tell the doctor all you have wrote here, they are not psychic. And please, come back and tell us what the doctor said.

[Feodor]

I would once again agree with it seems like everyone else here: stop smoking. I mean I would if I had such problems.
Second thing that worries me is the birth control pill. Honestly, I'd rather not have sex than take the pill that has unknown side-effects. The problem with chemicals is that they have an effect directly on your organizm, passing by the control of your organizm. From digested normal natural products your organizm takes only what is needed.
Thirdly, bread is one of the products that is very highly processed. From various sources I have heard that bread clusters your organizm, so my advice is stop eating it all together.
Forthly, your immune system. Here I would agree with Hemlock, you need to do everything you can to fortify it. Physical activity is crucial. If you not very active person, and don't do any sports, walking for an hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening is the least you have to do. The product I found that improves your immune system is Pine Nut Oil, the info about it i have posted for you on this forum in the Products and companies section:
http://veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7039

[ConsciousCuisine]

i am not well
since september i have been plauged by
urinary tract infections, blood in stools, fevers, conjunctivitus, yeast infections - these are really troublesome and only seem to go away while i have my period, insomnia and extreme fatigue, muscle pain, chronic coughs - recently with bouts of uncontrollable coughing, alergies to new foods and increased severity to dust and fragrences, swollen glands, dry skin and scalp, dehydration, coated tounge, bloated stomach. not necessarily all at once though...
from september to mid november i lost about ten pounds simply because i had no appetite, then i craved salt, added it to everything i ate, now i feel uncontrollably hungry, eating more in one sitting then i may have over days a few months ago. i have gained a bit of weight back simply from injesting so much breads.

i went to the doc for the conjunctivitus a few days ago and it was reaally discouraging as i felt there was an extreme need to diagnose prescribe and evacuate me from the office.

i smoke, maybe 10 - 15 ciggaretes a day sometimes less. i am sexually active but i take birth control and pray i am not pregnant. i am a full time student, 23 female.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??!!! what would you do?

I would never smoke another cigarette. I would go on a sexual fast. I would be completely honest with the Doctor. I would stop adding salt to food. I would eat only whole, natural foods-nothing boxed, nothing packaged, no sugar, no yeasted foods, no soy. I would include sea vegetables, chlorella, wheatgrass, dandelion, burdock, yellow dock and barley grass in my diet. I would do lots of other things too, but this is a good start

[Pilaf]

First two things I would do would be stop smoking and see a doctor about all those symptoms.

That says it all. Please do yourself and the people around you a favor and kill the cancer sticks. Then see a certified health professional about your remaining health problems.

[qwaychou]

I hope this person is feeling better.
One point I'd like to add about birth control pills. I am no doctor, and this is only heresay, but I've heard that the way birthcontrol pills work isn't by preventing a sperm from fertilizing an egg, but by preventing the embryo from embedding into the uterine lining, in effect, you might actually have gotten pregnant, but prevented the baby-to-be from implanting.

[pat sommer]

nope. pill works by telling your body you are already pregnant and not to ovulate. IUD prevents implantation.

[NorVegan]

Been tested for b12 deficiency? Read somewhere her that BC pills could damage the body’s ability to absorb b12 proper. The only other thing I come to think of it cranberry that in some degree prevent urinary tract infections. Sugar is also a bad idea considering the yeast. And smoking, well, I guess that you know that it would be a good idea to quit that?

And off topic: The BC pill has 3 functions.
1: Prevent ovulation.
2: Make the cervical mucus more hostile to sperm.
3: Make the uterus lining thinner. (That is the effect that is the reason for that BC pills often are used to control heavy periods. The problem is that BC pills only remove the symptoms, and not the main problem).

[VeganLiz]

Hi 8 winks

Sounds to me like you have some of the same problems as me. I have candida (where the candida bacteria overpopulates your body, goes out of the gut and invades your body). Symptoms are wide and varied but mine include yeast infections that never go away or keep re-occuring, stomach problems such as bloatedness and diarreheoa, food cravings especially sugar and starch (which is what the bacteria feeds on). Other symptoms include athletes foot, itchy anus (sorry people) skin disorders, mood swings, low energy, coating on the toungue etc.

About a year and half ago I went to a specialist nutritionist registered with the candida website. She put me on a strict long term diet (no refined carbs (white pasta, white rice, bread etc), no sugar of any form (this includes natural sugars such as fruit) especially no yeast (that includes all alcohol, breads you name it), no fungus (e.g. mushrooms, nothing fermented e.g. tofu, limited soya products. It was tough and i stuck to it for five months then lapsed. In that time I felt so much better, thrush became virtually non-existent, I had so much more energy, lost food cravings and lost 1.25 stone of weight.

Basically you go on the diet to starve the candida of its food (sugar and yeast - don't forget refined carbs turn to sugar). Then the stomach can repair its lining, your body can start to reciver. Then you need to take pills such as acidipholus to kill any remaining candida, then you take good nutrient pills (can look up names) to rebuild the good bacteria in your body. You have to do it in that order. there is little point taking acidopholis if your body as so many candida bacteria - it will make little difference. You have to starve the bacteria first....

Trust me you can spend tons of money on thrush solutions and it can come back anyway. Find a nutritionist who can work with your vegan diet and you will feel so much better. Also she said that part of my skin problem was due to not enough fatty acids so she encouraged me to eat lots of nuts and to this day I mix in ground linseeds and linseed oil into my gluten free cereal.

I must admit the diet has lapsed and over the last year the weight and symptoms have crept back. BUt it is my new years resolution to start again so I have (although two choccie bars have been slipped in - whoops!)

Look on the internet re candida - lots there. By the way I went to see a gyneocolgist re the thrush and even after 3 months of taking weekly pills and pessaries it came back. So you have to change your diet if that is the problem.

Anyway I'll shut up now but let me know if you want more advice/info...

Liz x

[VeganLiz]

Also on the food you have mentioned for candida problem:

cut out fruit (yep all of it - dried, fresh the lot - sorry)
cut out wholemeal cereals (look for gluten and wheat free)
cut out soya - use rice milk instead of soyamilk
definately no mushrooms

Ps let me know if you are likely to follow a candida free diet and are in Britain cos I can recommend certain foods in shops for alternatives.

Liz X

[herbwormwood]

Looks like 8winks has not posted anything at all on veganforum since December 8th, last year, so she may not be reading the replies here. Can a moderator tell if she has logged on?