Success Stories from our Members
(Also see Testimonial Page on this site)

Hello folks,

This is the much requested collection of success stories. I’ve left the author’s name’s in place but have taken out the name of the member who they were writing to when extracted sections of personal posts. I’ve also shortened a few of the posts and combined a couple others if written by the same author on the same topic.

We have an incredible gang of folks working together here. I could never have imagined how much love and healing could be spread via the internet if I'd never come to the Whole Approach forum. You guys make it the special place that it is!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

With love,

Tari-Lee


************************************************************************************************************
June 30 2008

(And I hope you enjoy the earworm!)

I started the elimination/candida diet on March 31. I can't believe how good I feel.

When I started, my score on Dr. Crook's quiz was 241, with 180+ being "symptoms almost certainly a result of candida." A month ago I was at 190 and yesterday, I was at 85. A score of 60 is the lowest candida measure with his quiz.

I have energy again. I am riding my bike to work several days a week. I'm involved in a political campaign and our local Komen affiliate--after several years of virtually no outside involvements.

My agitation has lessened tremendously. Oh, sure, I still get grumpy and angry--that's life. My crying jags are gone.

My fatigue is gone. I still tire easily but I can pace myself better. I can have a work meeting at 3:00 in the afternoon and be an active participant. Four months ago, I couldn't tell you my own name after about 1:00. I can stay awake past 8:00. I am reading (voraciously) again.

I am gluten-, corn-, yeast-, and sugar-free. I eat a small serving of fruit maybe once every two weeks. Same with dairy. I eat more high-glycemic carbs than I should but I'm trying to watch it. I've craved sugar only once through this--and if you knew what a sugarfreak I was before, you'd be amazed. My coworkers can't believe I'm not indulging. I still have my 1/3 cup of coffee a morning. Eh, what can I say?

I haven't felt sick since my GSE die-off a few weeks ago. I used to *always* feel sick, like I was coming down with something--always. I've lost 12 lbs--12 that I needed to lose.

My husband was a bit skeptical at first--and also pretty bummed that our Friday night pizza night was off, and all of that. The turning point for him was when I showed him that the nail fungus I'd been battling for nearly five years is GONE. He's been much more supportive since then (he was grudgingly supportive before--it was a big change for him, too.) For some reason that was his lightbulb moment when he really *got* that this was working for me. He's been a rock star since.

I know that this isn't over by a long-shot. I have no plans to change anything I'm doing. Why would I? It's working. This is my new lifestyle and I'm overjoyed that I've got my health back. The next thing is a deep dental cleaning in a few weeks and then I'll really feel like I've beat out the yeast.

Thanks everyone for all your good input and support. As we've all discussed in various threads, this is an awfully lonely process to go through. I hope this post will help someone who is struggling feel that there is hope. It *does* get good again. Really.


************************************************************************************************************************

I just wanted to say "Thanks" once again for having this forum and leading me to good health. I marked my one year anniversary of following this program and I couldn't have imagined feeling this good a year ago. My stomach doesn't hurt all the time now, and, frankly, my family doesn't have to endure the toxic gas. They thank you, too! lol I never thought I wouldn't crave all that junk I used to eat! The recipes are so helpful and I feel so satisfied eating this way.

The most amazing think for me is that I have fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and I haven't taken any meds for about 3 weeks. It's been rainy and chilly here in Minnesota, which was usually a sure time I'd feel awful. I had hoped I would find relief from the pain if I stuck with this "way of life", but at times it seemed like the progress just wasn't coming in that area. My candida score was always high because of the chronic pain, and I was just resigned to the fact that it might always be that way.

But now I'm so excited. I've been working a tremendous amount of hours as a photographer and countless hours on the computer, with little time to see my massage therapist or even to renew my perscription that I had run out of. And I don't feel rotten! I feel good. Thank you! Thank you! You have given me hope! I've had chronic pain for 20 years. This is so wonderful. I know the progress may be one step back for 2 steps forward. The pain may come back, but I feel confident it won't stay.

I couldn't have done it without this forum and everyone's support here, especially Tarilee, Ashley, Helen, Judith and Sandi, bless her soul. Thank you all!

Gay

************************************************************************************************

Hello everyone, I just wanted to update and know how you're all doing? Smile

I think I'm about two and a half weeks into this now? In any event, after the first week something amazing happened, I had more energy than I've had in years. I'm so excited to continue this, every day I feel better and better. I know there are still rough times ahead but for once in my life, something is actually working. My friends tell me that I seem so much happier suddenly and have color in my cheeks Wink .

So thank you all so very very much. I cannot possibly express my utter joy through this medium but know that this program and your support has truly been a guiding light in this darkness.

Vulpine

**************************************************************************

Feb 2008

Hello I have not been here on this forum for almost 2 years now. I came in only to retrieve some information I had written in a message to help someone else. In doing so, I read some of my old posts.

This was my first message in February 2006:

"Hello everyone, this is my first post and it is not joyful.

I am so discouraged today. I have been battling with candida related problems for many years. Bronchitis, prostatitis, burming pain in mouth and recently fungus on my scalp. Of course I also experience tiredness, hopelesness and mental confusion."

Not a rosy picture right? Well I am happy to declare that all these symptoms have completely disappeared. For the last 18 months I have felt none of it.

I found my solutions right here through my interaction with others in this excellent forum.

Tarilee, Ashley (ashleygait) and Susan especially (peacefulmeow) were extremely helpful and generous with their time and experience.

I do remember all those sinister thoughts and seeing no possible end to the suffering. I have been there in the dark corner of my soul and spirit. I had completely lost faith. But some people here had not and they offered brilliant support. I got better - much better. You will too.

Thank you

Paul

***************************************************
July 2007


Hi all,

Some of you know me since a while. I remember the first time I connected to this website, I was so sich that I thought I was going to die !

It took 2 years to feel very well again but don't get discouraged, during these 2 years, I had lots of great moments.

I want to give a hope for those who connect here for the first time and are completely sick : today, I'm happy, I feel great and I'm 4 months and half PREGNANT !

Finally, this disease helps me to understand my body and knows what is good or not for me (and for my baby).

Bye,

Nathalie

*************************************************


I found this website when I was searching for July 2007 Attagram products. I didn't want to drive to my chiropractor's office anymore,since life is so busy right now. As so many others have written, I just think it's a Godsend! I've been battling this yeast for over 10 years, but never quite found a way to keep it GONE. I could tell whatever I was using quit working, but I couldn't understand why. I just thought I was weak and couldn't keep sugar out of my mouth! With this forum, I find so many great ideas on how to manage this treatment, and stick with the diet. It has been incredibly helpful!!! I sometimes forget how much my stomache hurt before. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this information available.

The recipe section has even motivated me to cook!! Sometimes I just laugh out loud, when others express the my exact feelings-"They expect me to eat this stuff!"

Best Wishes,

Gay
************************************************
June 2007

une 26 2007

Well it has been offically one month since I began my diet, and as hard as it was, things are looking real good, not only did i lose a TON of weight, but my symptons have just baout dissapeared, I cant belive how much sugar I was eating (sugar and yeast are my biggest issues)I had a PROBLEM, I would eat ice Tea Mix out of the can!!! and Jello mix out of the can!!
It's amazing how this diet can make you realize how much junk and posion we put inour bodies, i eat fresh now, lots of salads lots of good protiens, when I am hungry I try not to feed the urge to eat, but try to figure out what my body needs.I even made fried zucchini patties "breaded" with ground up almonds and flax seeds, fried lightly in olive oil and sprikled with sea salt.Its WAAYYYY good!Instead of craving fast food, i am craving salads, hummus, and veggies. my energy level is up, my triglycerdies way down, and tomy suprise my bloodpressure went from 160 over 90 to 120/79!! in a month and a half! I am really seeing the great effects of this diet on my body and honestly that keeps me going on it, although trying at times, I know it is teaching me a new way of eating for a healthier me, and I have dropped 8 pounds alone and kept it off just from dropping all the garbage I was eating!It's almost become second nature to me now, i can go into the grocery store and tell you immediatley what I can and cant eat, what I like that I can eat and what tastes like cardboard lol! I know that there are people on here that are much sicker than I, and I wanted you to know I am not really intending to use this as a wieght loss tool, but I just had to tell someone how having to be on this diet, has actually done amazing things!

Good health to you all!

Wife Lady

***************************************************************************************
Hi again Linda! wavey2

When I first began having severe candida problems (in like 1995 I was 24) I would react like no one's business to absolutely everything on the planet. I wasn't aware at the time what the heck was wrong with me so I was doing a lot of things with my ND trying to get a diagnosis & how to treat me.

Well I lived a "healthy" life up until I had to take an insane amout of antibiotics in College because I was having severe abdominal pain (it was caused by candida by my gyno wasn't hip on that so I was left thinking I was losing my mind). The antibiotics made the pain worse, so they just gave me higher doses, more often.

After about a year of this (along with me being on the pill for 10 years) I had no idea what I was doing to myself. I was young and totally naive and I sure the heck had never heard of candida.

So eventually my body kept feeling weirder and weirder until one day I literally woke up and all of a sudden I was overcome with this anxiety that I could not control to save my life. I went to the gym to try and work it off, and I got on the stationary bike and as soon as I got on it made it worse, so I went home in a panic.

I tried to take some vitamins and all of a sudden I had this massive reaction to it. It was simply a multivitamin, I took them forever now why is this happening?... all of a sudden I couldn't eat any citrus fruits, I would react to those, I couldn't take any sort of supplements, I tried and I literally would crush them up into fine powder and lick the tippy tip of my finger and would put it on my tounge and immediatly react. (I would get this rush of what felt like adrenaline to me) It would throw me off so intensely I wouldn't sleep for like 4 or 5 days! I started having manic depressive mood swings 4 days up 3 days down, I got a psychiatrist and tried meds and those made me suicidal. In microscopic doses. I couldn't drink coffee- oh heck no- not for almost 8 years after I started with my little health crisis- no tea, I'd react. I couldn't eat anything pickled, I couldn't even touch it with my skin on like my hands or something.

Well I ended up seeing an ND about 5 years ago. She said I have systemic candida and adrenal malfunction. She had me eating garlic & acidophilus. But I was having dieoff from that and didn't understand what the heck dieoff was (she didn't even know) it wasn't until I came here that I understood that was part of the process.

I have since began working out again, daily, I can take vitamins AND supplements and they MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!!! SmileSmileSmile

I started the program here last summer in July.
It would have to take a freight train to get me to stop this program. I can't tell you how much it's helped me. The trick is just stick with it! You are going to feel HORRIBLE for a little bit, but believe me it will pass.

You are in that beginner's panic stage.
I was in that stage for like 10 years...
don't wait too long to get your life back I wish I hadn't...

MUAH!Smile
sickchick

********************************************************************


*************************************************

i Linda. You are definitely in the right place! I have been on the program since last summer and I can tell you every day I fell better and better!! Yes

I also came in with oddball chemical reactions I would literally react to tea, coffee, herbs, medications, there was like 6 years when I couldn't take a vitamin! I was reacting to every tiny amount of everything!!

All I can tell you is your life is about to change and we're all here to help you on your path!

Look at these wonderful people in the forum! All with one goal: health.

great to meet you good luck with your own journeySmile

sickchick


********************************************************************
Hi Everybody,
I just returned to Florida for a couple of months. In early August I bought property in Tenessee for rental and also a new home for myself. Please, take note those who are new to the program.....10 months ago I was unable to stay out of bed for a whole week to do anything. I look back and it is just sooooooo unreal. This program works; if you will work the program. Believe me I know and feel your pain; but just stay on program. You may not do it perfect; but it still works. Anyway, I thank the Lord for leading me to this program. It is basically a gift with all the kinks worked out.
So....hug yourself often and know that if you stay with the program...you will get well.

Peggy

*********************************************************************************
Hello Dearies,

I still have to complete two more weeks of the Phase I protocol. I had to take some time off because of a cold that is hanging around forever. I must admit that I've enjoyed the vacation from the anti-fungal!

I recently had my annual physical and I'm delighted with what seems to be happening with my body. My blood pressure is now in the super healthy range of 110/65. My cholesterol levels -- and all the cholesterol ratios -- are in the normal and super healthy range now. My internist is very conservative too and likes to see low numbers. When he told me the results he said, "You're not going to believe this... but...!" He was so excited. I had a reduction in cholesterol numbers of over 100 points.

For years my cholesterol and CRP numbers had been high. My internist even wanted me to begin using Statins, which I could not tolerate and stopped using. Now that everything is in the healthy range, I'll not need to do anything.

I always suspected that these increasing numbers were related to my candida problem, but of course, I couldn't prove it. The only thing different that I've done to earn these healthy values is the Whole Approach protocol, including the Attogram/Lahoz Protocol, the WA diet, and some of the WA recommended supplements. I've also done chiropractic and accupuncture.

Now I'm extremely motivated and I'm eagerly awaiting this congestion to go away so I can resume the colon cleansing. I must admit that I had been wondering whether it was worth doing since my die off has been severe and persistent. I think I have my answer now. It IS worth it!

Another interesting observation is that I had continual vaginal yeast infections prior to doing this Protocol and they persisted during the Protocol. Tarilee had mentioned (and so did my internist) that vaginal yeast infections often accompany colon cleansing. When I took the break from the anti-fungal, my infections reduced and I felt nearly normal for the first time in 10 years!! I know that they'll probably come back when I resume the colon cleansing, but I'm beginning to think that the light at the end of the tunnel for me is indeed a Light and not a Train wreck!

I'm still early in this process, I know, but one just can't deny the healthy changes that are occurring.

Like I've said before, I'm getting better and I didn't even know it!!

With Gratitude to Linda, Tarilee and all the Caring People Here on the Forum,
Sharon

Note From Tarilee:
I thought I should clarify some thing you mentioned above Sharon. Vaginal yeast infections often accompany any kind of anti-fungal cleanse, whether system or colon focused. Also, a colon cleanse without the anti-fungal would not likely have the same effect. Glad to hear that you've had a reminder of how nice life can feel without them. You're obviously heading in the right direction! Cheers!


*********************************************************************************
I love Digesticol!

I've just gotta share that I love Digesticol!! I finally ran out of my old digestive enzymes last week and decided to start using the Digesticol I'd recently ordered. My bloating is much less pronounced after eating, I feel like I have more energy and clarity of mind after eating. I think that since I'm taking vitamin supplements with my meals that the Digesticol is even helping me utilize the vitamin/minerals better. And, I've lost 3 pounds since taking them and I'd been stuck at the same weight for ages.

I didn't realize how poorly my old "designer" digestive enzymes were working. I've just ordered more Digesticol because I'm placing the whole family on them now.

Sharon

********************************************************************************
Well, since I've been moaning and groaning and complaining about nearly everything under the sun, I thought I'd share something brighter.

I have two more weeks to go and then I'll have completed Phase I. My initial candida questionnaire score was just over 480. I decided not to take the questionnaire weekly because I thought it would be too depressing and I've been feeling die-off the entire time.

I took the questionnaire today and I've dropped nearly 90 points!!!!!

I still have a very very long way to go, but golly ... 90 points is a big deal for someone like me who's had this since birth!

Thanks to Linda, Tarilee and everyone here on the Forum for helping me through this difficult, yet rewarding journey.

Sharon

*****************************************************
Hi...When I first got ill 2 years ago, that was what clued me into systemic candida...I had a raging vaginal infection and the diflucan made me feel better for a week, but then I felt sick again and the YI came back...and I had the same old, same old argument with my GP too.

After doing the diet and following the protocol, I have no more infections of any sort...I have only been sick once in 2 years, and that was a slight cold, whereas I used to be sick with something every other month...and I hardly ever see my doctor anymore.

This program gave me my life back and many others here too. Give it a whirl and see the results for yourself.
Sandi

******************************************************************************************
Tari-Lee
Hi,
I just wanted to share some good news. This past summer my health declined to the point that I had to have assistance to do even the littlest tasks. I've been working on detoxifying and antifungals for 6 months and my life has changed forever. I have engery and a desire to live and be healthy. I had no idea that I was making myself sick by the choices I was making and I didn't know that candida was the cause. After seeing several specialists I ended up with two neurologists and a rheumatologist. The doctors did MRI's and exstensive blood work. Both rounds of blood work showed that I tested postive for the Rheumatoid Factor and a boarderline positive ANA titer for Lupus. He decided to wait for three months and repeat the blood work. I just had the blood work repeated and the nurse said that both tests are now negative! I very rarely have pain now and I can tell if I start becoming toxic. I've been so blessed to have found the knowledge of a healtier lifestyle.

Best Wishes,
Kasey's Mom

****************************************************************************************
Tarilee,

I wanted to say thanks for all your help as well as all the other great people on this forum! I am on phase 3 month 3 and I am feeling really good. Last week I went to my doctor for my second live blood analysis. The first one was six months ago when I was in phase 1. On the screen we could see a lot of yeast floating around in my blood. She even ran some video tape so we could compare between each test. Well…. This time she looked and looked and looked and could only find one little spec. I was so happy and she could not believe it. She was so surprised that she put the side off to the side and checked it throughout the day. The next day she called my and wanted to know everything I have done and taken.

I continue to watch my diet very closely. I still have some food allergies. Will this continue? Also should I continue to take antifungal once I have completed month 15?

Thanks again,

John

*****************************************************************************************
Hello all , SamplerSharon i'm going through this kindof mid stage aswell infact it has just about fully taken over my life but i'm feeling the major benefits most of the time and thats what keeps me going cause i'm feeling things that i've never felt my whole life . Increased energy , better sleep , no fatigue , skin looking better , no stress , anxiety , bloating , i can also go down the shops not feeling under pressure and these are just to name a few .

It's great i feel like a new person .. the now i'm still trying to sort my diet i've bought numerous candida related cook books and being a male being in the kitchen is not my strong point but i've done the basics by making sure i cut out the major things but always on the lookout for new cooking ideas and this site has loads . Its also inspired me to buy a juicer and hopefully i will receive it this week ... i'm so looking forward to the juicer it sounds as if it'll make my life alot more easier !! I've started buying better kitchen equipment aswell and the cost does'nt bother me because even if i finally get rid of candidia my diet will remain mostly healthy anyway for the rest of my life cause theres so many benifits with eating nutritional food .

Also what i finding helps aswell is going for colonics i've been for 4 now in the last month and i'm finding major benefits !!

Anyway Sharon all the best and keep up the good work and thanks to all involved in this site and as Sharon says it is Candidaful Life !!!!! Don1

****************************************************************************************
I think we can all learn from each other's questions. When I first found this site, I spent hours reading question after question that had been posted . . . and in the responses to those questions is where I found out that there is hope out there. My symptoms weren't so unusual or difficult to treat. I wasn't an anamoly -- which was a term a doctor once used for me. I fired that doctor by the way.

Even though I thought I'd read all the books published on CRC and thought I knew all about it -- it wasn't until I read the questions and answers here that it all clicked. Symptoms that I hadn't connected to my CRC finally made sense because those symptoms were indeed from yeast overgrowth.

This place has helped me get to know my body better, to understand yeast better and it has led me in directions that I would never have taken had I not read the questions and answers. Now after 43 years, it's all beginning to make sense. Here is a place where wonderful ideas and suggestions abound. Here is a place where tremendous insight resides and it helps us all heal.

Right on, group hug time.

Sharon


*****************************************************************************************
…..I just wanted to say that when I fist started getting well I became obsessed with candida--I did absolutely nothing but read and I must have checked this forum a 100 times a day because i truly felt like I was onto something. It was the first time I felt like I had a real direction in fighting this thing and so many people around me supporting my effort. It really consumed all of me for a very long time.

The most amazing thing happened though--about a year later I started to let go a little--partly because the things i had to try so hard at in the beginning came naturally to me--like the cooking and all of that...but also because even though i hadn't realized it, my newly budding health allowed me to do things I couldn't dream of doing before and that took my focus off of my illness and back into living.

This has been a very long journey for me and I believe it's a journey for life--When I was "away" from the forum for the past few months I realized that although I was doing well, i do better when I'm conscious of the fact that candida is a part of me. All the same I needed that time away, completely away to allow myself the freedom I hadn't had in years because i was so obsessed with the illness. Now I think I've come to a good middle point--and so will you.

I think it's a kind of necessity being a little overboard with this in the beginning--for me it was like discovering a cure--even though that's not what this is--it's a path, but a path to wellness where before all I knew was illness...it was hope and hope was what I needed so I held onto it really tightly. Maybe it's a bit the same for you...? I just want you to know that everything i put into this brought me to where I am now and I know you will get well too. I also know there will be times down the road when you'll look back and marvel at how far youo've come...

Have a good night ladies and get and stay well!!

Ashley


***************************************************************************************
This forum has been so important to me over the last couple of months. I feel like I have new friends that I've never met, if that makes any sense. I found WA at such an important time in my life.

Take Care,
Kasey's Mom


**************************************************************************************
I believe that leaky gut has to be healed with nutrition, care and diet; and I probably had it, but now with the information on WA and the products....I would venture to say that I am 95% better.
Thanks WA you probably saved my life.
Peggy


**************************************************************************************

I've been diagnosed with IBS in the past and most of the time I had Diarrhea but occasionally I was constipated. Now my digestive system is more "normal" than it has every been.

Kasey's Mom


****************************************************************************************
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, a few days ago I was writing because i was having horrible VI's....probably from die-off. I backed off my caproyl for a few days and my symptoms are gone. Yeah! BUT that's not the great news. I went to the ob-gyn today (what fun!!) for my yearly check-up, and NO YEAST!!!!!!! For the first time since last april!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought for sure it would still show up. I still have to wait for the culture, but who cares. I am super excited. And my doctor wasn't so sure about the whole systemic yeast thing, but she didn't completely write me off. If she only knew!! The yeast didn't just magically disappear all on it's own!! We all only wish So here is a banana dance to celebrate even a little progress on this fabulous program
[/QUOTE]


************************************************
Hi
I want to wish you all the best luck in fighting your health issues, it sounds like you have a real battle on your hands. Just remember you are in the right place to get the best help. It sure has helped me and alot of others, where alot of other avenues have not. I am not saying that I am healed, but I have come a long way since I started this course of treatment.

Just hang in there and most important of all believe you are getting well. That is probably the hardest thing to do when you are feeling low, I well remember those first two weeks of the caprol, I really thought I was dying. That was in May and now I am almost normal. Whatever that may be.

Just take very good care of yourself, especially through the holiday season. Merry Christmas, and I hope the New Year holds nothing but health, happiness and prosperity for you and yours.

Sandi


************************************************
Hi there,


I'm so sorry that you are having such awful time right now.

Back in October, I felt the same way. I told my husband I felt like I was "dying from the inside out". I could barely function.

It took me an entire month but I created a plan to get well giving me the resolve to continue on.

The plan includes:

Diet
The diet is really becoming second nature, and I am just now being able to add some fruit (after nine months).

Last February, I was tested and told that I had hypoglycemia. For me, I found that eating 45% vegetables (try to eat half cooked and half raw), 15% high quality fats, 30% protein, and 10% starchy carbs has helped me so much.

The recipes offered here on the forum are really incredible and are often my 10% starchy carb "treat".

Exercise
I had to come to terms with the fact that I wasn't well enough to exercise at the levels I used to which included running and weight training. I am walking just .5 mile a day right now taking about 15 minutes. This was the biggest thing for my ego to accept since in February 2001, I ran a marathon. Yesterday was my first day of adding back in some light weight training for about ten minutes (and I feel great today other than being a bit sore ). I used to weight train at least an hour six days a week in addition to running.

Supplementation
I added AbsorbAid and Vitalzym to my supplementation plan which is really helping.

Assessment
I take an assessment of where I'm at every month since starting and tweak the program. I've tweaked the program a lot to adjust to my progress. I think that this is very important.

I'm nowhere near where I thought I would be in terms of exercise. Every time I tried something, it would exhaust me BUT I learned to STOP. Now I feel so much better.

Support and Research
This forum and I'm lucky since Mary Ann is my neighbor. She is a great cook and has designed many of the recipes posted on this forum.

Also, continuing my research to learn more and more. I feel like the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.

Results
My husband commented last week that he knew I was feeling better since now when I get up, I actually make the bed!

Observations
The hardest times for me is when I tax my system due to lack of sleep or stress. During that time of month, I used to have an entire week of no energy. Now I'm down to only two days each month.

Please don't give up hope. We are here for you. Keep trying different strategies and refine your plans.

Two thoughts I keep in mind:

Progress, not perfection.

HALT when you're hungry, angry, lonely, or tired is when you need to halt and watch your step so you don't falter. For me, it is when I'm tired.

Sorry this is so long...

Take care!

Cindy O


************************************************
Hi everyone,

I've written in this section before, but felt it was time for another letter.

I'll try not to make this a long story, but by now you all know me.....so no promises...

About 10 months ago, we left our home here in Jacksonville and moved to the Tampa Bay area. This was before I had started the Whole Approach program.

When we left here I was feeling very very bad!

NO energy whatsoever, bloated as if pregnant, lower pressure in the lower abdomen, you name the symptom...I HAD it!! Like Cindy said above, was lucky if I made the bed, went from the bed to the couch and spent most of my day!

Shortly after getting to Tampa, I found this forum....Thank God!! In a few short weeks, I noticed results. Granted, it didn't happen over night, and it wasn't always easy,as you all know. I went through some rough times and occasionaly still do.

The point I am trying to make is this....

I just became a different person as the healing went on.....I just LOVED the Tampa Bay area....loved the small place we were renting, thought the people there were the best I'd ever come across! Never for a minute did I miss "our home!" I even tried to talk my hubby into selling our house. Thank God he didn't listen to me!!

And when I found out we were having to move back was SO very upset about it. I actually cried driving away from there. I suppose I related Tampa as my "happy and healthier" place and related Jacksonville to my sickly and down place. And was almost afraid moving back would make me the person I was when I left.

What a difference feeling good makes. When I saw our house for the first time in 10 months, I couldn't believe how much I loved it!!

My whole attitude is SO SO different! How could I have NOT missed it??
(also a nasty neighbor had moved...which made it much more pleasant...HA )


We have been here since the first of the month, and I went from being a "couch potato" to being a person that can't sit down!! About the only time I "allow" myself to relax is to be at the computer and checking the forum, or writing emails to the new friend I've made here.

My energy is just amazing, between unpacking, organizing, shopping, I can't sit still! (I'm driving my hubby nutz with all the "honey dos")

Sure, I have a "bad spell" now and then, but it's either from eating something I know I shouldn't have or a die off from a new antifungal that I go on...which that, in my eyes is good. It's another step forward.

Okay, I've gone on long enough...but for any "newbies" out there starting the program. I'm a testimonial of this program working!!

Again, it's not always easy adhering to the diet but in the end...the results are well worth it! And AGAIN, thanks to Tarilee and Linda and ALL of you for your support and help!

I know I still have a ways to go...but this amazing improvement makes it ALL worthwhile, as you will find out as time goes on.

Happy Healing to all of you!!

jan


************************************************
Hi,

On the WA program we target the intestinal yeast for six months in order to get this thing at its roots and then we start with systemic antifungals...and it works believe me!!

Ashley


************************************************
Hi there,

I know this seems like the hardest thing in the world to do right now but believe me it is going to be so worth it for you when you get your health back. I have been suffering with candida for over 16 years. It started when my twins were born 16 years ago. And I just kept getting worse, and we had two more children during that time. With four children, a job and other responsibilities there were many days when I just wanted to die. I was misdiagnosed and was soooo sick for so many years and tried every imaginable treatment from colon cleansing, acupuncture, chiroprators, many major candida killers, 3 gastroenterologists, had my gall bladder removed, etc. until I found this program. I have been diligently following the program and I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. My die-off has been severe for the first 3 weeks of each phase so far and then I feel great for the next 9 weeks. I am seeing major changes in my body. The chronic itching in my ears, nose and rectum is almost completely gone. My tongue is pink for the first time in 16 years. I haven't had diarrhea in over 3 months and the chronic stomach pain and abdonminal cramping are gone. The nausea only lasts about 2 hours a day compared with the constant nausea I had before. I hope this gives you some hope to give it a try. It's so worth it to be healthy again. I wish I had done this 16 years ago!! It's hard, but all good things in life are and think of the accomplishment you will feel when you are well again!

Rene


************************************************
Hello,

I thought I'd check in to report further progress since my last post in this thread.

I've been on Phase IV for about 3 weeks, and sometimes forget I was ever sick. I moved from the east coast to Arizona about 2 weeks ago, a longtime dream that would never have materialized if I felt even 10% of the inertia I did just 10 months ago.

The only thing that's given me trouble in over a month was a hotdog in a bun, the classic protein/starch combination. I ate one after a long hike, and had a dizzy sinking spell during a nap. I hadn't taken any enzymes for a couple of weeks, and didn't have any on hand, but I'm sure they would have helped, and I got some today for emergencies. Staying away from hotdogs might be an even better idea!

For maintenance, I've been using a few different fiber products to keep my flora happy, including one I really like called Fibra Kania, which is mostly agave, nopal cactus root and fenugreek. Flax powder, psyllium husks and oat bran are a couple of other favorites. Healthy oils continue to be a staple as well.

Aside from the olive leaf extract, I just take a multivitamin and sometimes molybdenum. It's nice after so many months of supplements every couple of hours to get a break from all that.

I was probably not as deeply afflicted as some of the folks here, so as always, your mileage may vary. However, sticking closely to the Attogram Protocol has amply rewarded all my efforts, and continuing to stay completely off sugar (with the exception of bananas and an occasional Granny Smith apple) and avoiding simple starches as much as possible hasn't proven difficult in relation to the benefits.

Hang in there, everybody!


************************************************
Hello,

I don't know if you're just doing the diet or if you've started with the products here on the site...? I tried battling this thing on my own, then with a doctor who, after having almost no luck with candida treatment, put me on these products as a last resort. So I started out with a loose candida diet, a number of different antifungals and then, once I found this forum and the products, I cut back to only one limit a day and a pretty strict 4 day rotation diet. I'm forever grateful to the guidelines on this site and the people who (namely Tlee ) helped to educate me--I would have been lost without them!

I'll say this though--any everyone's probably sick of hearing it by now --I was REALLY ill when I first started the WA--I was basically bed-ridden from candida and unable to do anything. I could go on and on about all of my symptoms and how I'd lost my life to this horrid thing but i fear I'd bore us all to sleep! So suffice it to say that through a lot of commitment and dedication to this full program I have little by little gotten my life back. I'm nowhere near well--but I've gone from being unable to shower even twice a week to going to school four days a week and working part time. This program WORKS and I don't know of any other one out there that can rival it--i've tried a lot of them believe me! It's an up and down ride, it can be frustrating at times to say the least, but it WORKS and I'm eternally grateful for ever being put in touch with this web site. But as Jan said--it takes commitment--really and truly, and you WILL see a difference.

As far as suggestions--I don't know if you're on the full program or not, but if not I would suggest definitely to order phase one and get started right away--If you are, then know that you're on your way to getting well, but that it WILL take time. The hardest thing in any of this is having the patience to get through those difficult times. When you start to feel a little better you want it and expect it to last forever, and when it doesn't and you feel poorly again you feel like you're starting from zero--but you're not. Every bit of what you're doing now is helping your body to become stronger, and every time you feed your body good, nourishing food, and allow yourself the time to heal you're getting closer to being well.

It's not a linear thing though--it's a lot of up and down--but that's what this forum is here for--we all go through it and know how desperate it can feel at times and how you may want to just throw in the towel and forget the whole thing. This forum has made all the difference to me in my recovery--so my suggestions are just this--listen to your body, be patient and loving with it during your healing, commit 100%, and stay with the forum--this is what has worked for me--and I hope so much you start feeling better soon.

I remember when I first came across this forum a year ago and was reading what members had to say who had been on the program already for months. And I was wishing that they were me, so I'd already have a few months under my belt and be feeling the difference. They used to say the same things I'm saying now! It's funny how a year later I AM that person!

In any case, take care of yourself and know you're on a good track here.

Ashley


************************************************
Hey there,

I've pretty much had problems with candida since I was 14 too--that makes one year less than you (I'm 27). I know what you mean about thinking you'd gotten hold of the miracle cure--I spent every day for the first month on caprol waiting to wake up better. And every day that I didn't it began to dawn on me that this is indeed a long haul.

I will say this--what you're doing now for your health and your body is so extremely important. You are so lucky to have come across this site--I know I owe every step towards health to the people here...We all know how you feel and the support and strength I've gotten from this forum and its members is beyond what I expected...

As for progress and measuring it--that's a bit tricky...As you go on you will start to have good days--and some bad, but the bad become less and the good become more. Your symptoms go away, resurface, and then go away again and the periods they're gone last longer and longer...This is a process and it isn't all in one direction either--You can feel great for a few weeks and then when your body has had enough of a break to start healing again you may feel poorly again for a little while. There is nothing predictable or linear about this--The one thing I do know is that everyone who's stuck by this program and it's diet (very important) has seen improvements, if not miraculous turn arounds...This does work, but it takes time.

If you're anything like me you've probably known for a while that something was amiss but you learned to live with it none the less. You just accepted that that's how you were. Coming out of that cloud and realzing that you can actively give health back to yourself is such an incredible feeling and that's what you're doing right now. Don't be discouraged--tackle this thing head on and be an active participant in your recovery--you will be amazed at how your self awareness increases, how you learn to listen to what your body tells you, and how little by little you will improve and become well again.

I have a very long way to go but I have come a long way too--I'm not yet a success story but I'm hoping I will be. Stick with this--it will be the best thing you

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tarilee,