pamyla

Hi Jessica, how are you? I've read a few books about anti-candida diets and what struck me was how each one was a little bit different in what they allow. What tends to help me is for dinners to eat some baked or grilled chicken. I just add olive oil, salt and whatever seasonings you choose. Then lots of veggies, salads, boiled or steamed broccoli, squash, beans, etc, etc. If you're allowed, brown rice is also a good choice for starch. For breakfast, my staple has been oatmeal. For lunch I'm big on soups. Progresso makes a good Lentil soup that doesn't add in a lot of extras (and has lots of sodium). For snacks I tend to go for nuts, especially almonds, and sometimes popcorn. Are you allowed to have corn? Corn chips with a bean or salsa dip are good too. keep us posted on how it goes for you! Pam ps - for salad dressing my doctor recommended mixing flax seed oil with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Not the tastiest, but it's okay....

Hi guys, I agree, The Yeast Connection is a must-read. I'd also love to share recipes. I bought a candida cookbook, but I haven't made too much out of it. However, just a few weeks ago my friend gave me a sugar-free salad dressing recipe. Yum!! First one I've found that I like, so if you want the recipe, let me know Jessica - Never heard of Dr. Brodsky, did you like him? I saw Dr. Rind. He's currently in DC, but when I saw him he was located in Rockville. Although he helped with the candida, I don't think that's his primary expertise.

Thanks for the information you guys. It's been on my mind lately as I'm currently taking antibiotics (first time in over 5 years). I'm a little nervous about having a reoccurence. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the probiotics only help in reestablishing your good bacteria. If you have a candida overgrowth problem, you have to first cleanse and starve them. Then, the probiotics will be able to reestablish themselves. Pam ps - Gordon, is that you? I've been trying to get in touch with Frances to see how she's doing. Hope she's ok. Also, if you want I can give you the name of the doctor I saw for candida (he's in dc).

I'm not familiar with either of those products. Where do you get them? And how exactly do they help?

I have had problems with candida. I have tested positive for it 3 times (ugh, it's so hard to get rid of!) Candida, for me, was brought on by an overuse of antibiotics for years growing up. I've attempted treatment a few times. I've tried the prescription route, with nystatin and diflucan, but for me I had better luck with herbal supplements and controlling my diet. Treatment did help me, it brought back a little of my energy. And I still tend to avoid sugars, breads and pastas (although I'm not as strict). If you think it may be an issue, I think it's a good thing to look into. However, I don't believe it was the cause of my symptoms, just an extra thing going on. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Pam

Good luck with your move Jessica I hope everything goes well for you in Florida!

Hi Stacey, sorry to hear about the pains you are having Weirdly enough, when I was first having problems with the pots stuff what led me to the doctor was pains on the left side of my abdomen. I wonder if it's the same?? I had a ton of tests.... I specifically remember having a liver/spleen scan (which was normal). During that time I was also found to have a cyst on my ovary, but the cyst finally went away (I felt it do this) and it was definitely not the same pain. This I'd describe more as a dull ache that came and went, kind of felt sore in that area? And the area that was sore was right below my ribcage. While I never did figure out exactly what was causing the pain, it eventually subsided on its own. Although I know I had the soreness for many months. Sorry I don't have any solutions but just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. Pam

Hi all, well I still haven't made it to the store to get salt tablets. And the more I think about it, the more I'd just like to get the salt from my diet. So, anyone have any creative ways to get more sodium in your diet? Any high sodium recipes you'd like to share? I remember hearing that someone on here adds salt to gatorade. And I learned from another person that they drink vegetable broth. Most of my sodium comes from canned soups, but that gets old.... There are tons of low sodium recipes, how about high??

Lorell, my blood pressure also goes from low to high. When I increase my salt and fluids I can actually lower my blood pressure. The reason is that my body is overcompensating trying to keep blood up to my head (making it high), so when I help it out with more fluid volume it can lower. Hopefully I'm explaining it well So salt is definitely a must! I also have gotten mine from CVS pharmacy in the past, but they usually have to order them. I believe they were called Thermotabs.

Thanks for the info I think I might have to get some salt tablets, I feel like I dump salt on everything already too

Hi Frances! I thought that the EDNF group had a good idea - they have created CD-ROMs and brochures detailing EDS and distributed them to doctors, dentists, etc. I think education is a great way to get the word out about pots. And if doctors understand pots more fully I think the patients would have more credibility. http://www.ednf.org/literature.html Pam

Hi Nina, From one clutz to another I hope you are feeling better

I've been on zoloft for years now, but getting on it was tough for me. I think I had about 3 months of brain fog and various other symptoms. But the symptoms were tolerable so I kept with it. On the other hand, trying Paxil, I couldn't tolerate more than a few days. It's very individual, so my advice is to listen to your son. And, take it slowly. I wasn't able to stick to the increase schedule that my doctor originally wanted me to, I had to tailor it to how I was feeling. I wouldn't increase until my symptoms went away at the current dose. Also, I think they're still learning about the connection between SSRI's and suicide. I saw firsthand the effect of Prozac on a friend of mine. It's good to be aware.

Hi Ernie, I've also been looking for used exercise equipment. Hopefully I'll find a bike soon I've had good luck with www.craigslist.org. Not sure where you're located, but it's basically a free classified site organized by city. I've had good luck with buying furniture off there in the past. Pam

Hi everyone, I just wanted to clarify that Falls Church is in Northern Virginia. So maybe some of you that are in DC or Maryland would be interested in joining us? Pam

Hi Dan, Just wanted to echo what everyone else has been saying - good luck to you. We'll definitely miss your posts - but am glad to hear you are getting stronger Take care, Pam

I'm just curious, how much sodium does everyone take daily? And do you take it in supplement form or get it mainly from food? I think I get about 2,000 to 2,500 mg a day, and I'm wondering if I'm at a good amount or if I could do with more sodium. I typically get mine from eating canned soup, pickles, popcorn, etc.

Hi Ling, I get the stiffness too. I always have to start my day with a hot shower (yes not the best for pots, huh?) but without it my body just doesn't want to move. The other thing I've found that helps me is taking MSM. When taking it I seem to have less aches and pains. I thought it was my imagination and I tried going off it for a few months. I started getting a lot of aching in my knees, hands and feet, so I'm back on it now. I agree on exercise being important. However somedays I feel like I get exercise just doing everyday tasks Now that it's warm I'll hopefully be swimming and walking more. Hope you find something that helps you. Pam

Hi Steph, Have you considered using an online survey tool to collect the data? I do this at work and poll large groups of people. It's really quite simple. There are lots of free programs out there and once you set up your questionnaire it collects the data for you. And it usually gives you lots of good statistics I've heard survey monkey is a good tool. http://www.surveymonkey.com If you click on pricing you'll see a basic subscription is free. They also give a large list of other survey sites. If you want my help, let me know. This is right up my alley, especially as I'm about to begin grad school where I'll learn lots about testing and statistical analysis. Pam

I'm also fairly skinny, in fact I've lost weight since first having pots problems. I eat all the time, but it doesn't seem to matter. (hey not complaining about that part as I do like to eat!) But sometimes I will lose a few pounds for no reason at all and I don't like that too much..... I was recently at a new doctor's office and he told me that he has many "small" patients like me so I guess it is common. And yes I agree with you, people have no problem saying 'you are too skinny, you need to gain weight'. They don't realize that those comments aren't always great to hear.

I believe that your employer has 14 days to send out the initial letter about COBRA. However you have 60 days from the date of termination of your coverage in which to sign up for cobra. I would guess the packet will come pretty soon, I think mine came within a week or so. If you do plan to sign up, I'd just use the same insurance card at your doctor's appt. because as long as you sign up in that 60 day period it will be backdated so that you don't have a break in coverage. Does that make sense? This is the official cobra site: http://www.cobrainsurance.com/index.html

When I first got sick with pots I gained a bit of weight and then in the course of a month I must have dropped 20 lbs. I wasn't doing anything differently and it also scared me at the time. I'm also pretty skinny. Eventually I found that my weight evened out a bit (although I'm still skinny) Hope it gets better for you.

Sorry to hear you're feeling that way I was that way yesterday, but luckily feeling a bit better today Hang in there, it will improve. Just know that and try and keep calm until it does. I find I get anxious when I'm stressed out and have too many things going on in my life. And, I sometimes get the anxiety right before my period comes. Wacky hormones I guess

I actually used to live in Tampa, but don't recognize Beverly Hills..... I'm actually a Virginia native. I lived in Tampa years ago for about a year. Recently my husband was relocated to FL, so I lived in Naples with my parents for a few months and then we bought a house in Ft. Lauderdale. Unfortunately I don't have any doctor recommendations for you. My first pots days were spent in Tampa and I flew home and went up to Hopkins as my FL doctors weren't too helpful. I recently saw another doctor in Pompano Beach that someone on ndrf recommended, but I personally was not that impressed.... There is a FL state-wide support group however, have you tried asking them? I think one of the founders lived in Tampa. good luck!

Hi Jessica! I lived in Florida last summer, where are you visiting? Anyways, I had similar problems when I first got down there and I found I needed to increase my salt intake even more than I usually did in Virginia. Must be that crazy heat and humidity