Over a month ago, I started the Attogram program along with the Candida diet. I had horrible constipation, sought the wonderful advice of this forum, and eventually did end up stopping the Attogram products to get my bowels moving again. I also used mag-citrate which made things happen quickly.

Then I went to Austin, TX, and had a wonderful time eating like a fool. The only side effects I had immediately were swelling from all the night shade foods I was eating and a little constipation. Luckily, I decided to end my trip with a visit to my DC. I felt like I was running around in circles. I needed his advice as well as results from a functional analysis test I had taken.

He feels (and I agree) that heavy metals may be a challenge for me trying to overcome the yeast beast, so I agreed to take a test to see if indeed that was the problem. He also wanted me to stop taking most of my supplements except an antifungal (SF-722) and a probiotic. He even asked me if I wanted to use the Attogram products instead, and I was scared of the constipation, so I said no. He also advised me to take “Whole Health Mag Citrate” daily (up to 10) because he wants me to be a pooping machine before any heavy metals treatment would occur.

So after a week of the SF-722 and being a pooping machine, I started to have horrific vaginal swelling, hemorrhoids, and debilitating anal itching. I stayed home for 3 days and could hardly function. My only relief was reading all the posts from you wonderful people who have lots to say on this subject.

In the past, brief anal itching has been an indicator for me that I am eating something that’s feeding the yeast. When I originally started the Attogram, the minor itching dissipated. I haven’t had more than 4 or 5 episodes with vaginal yeast infections and 2 UTI’s in 45 years, but I suppose that’s enough!

My partner suggested I stop the SF-722 once again because he feared it was the cause of die-off. Does that make sense? My thought was that the Attogram purge drink would not have caused so much vaginal and anal misery. I swear when my partner started probelm solving with me, the itching subsided for a bit. The mind-body connection is real!

So now I am feeling better after using Kolorex cream (which I overdid) and the un-petroleum jelly (wonderfully soothing and mild) and stopping the SF-722, and my head is more clear. Happily, my vagina is almost back to normal.

However, now I’m trying to decide if I should take this heavy metals test. I’m afraid it will cause more vaginal and anal stress. The protocol sheet says “L-glycine (which I take during the urine sampling) can markedly increase urinary spill of toxic metals when used in conjunction with DMSA (also part of the protocol). All I can think is that my “nether-region” will suffer again! (I love those words.)

Sharon, if you’re reading this, I gathered you’ve been through the heavy metal ringer. Did you take a test for it, and did it cause you problems afterwards?

Also, I ordered the Candaclear, vitamins A and E suppositories, and Yeast Arrest in case the vaginal and anal itching don’t totally subside. Or perhaps I need to do this treatment anyway to repair damage? I thought I would try the vitamin suppositories first to try and help heal my nether-regions. Then I’d use the Candaclear. Am I thinking clearly about all this?

Also, I want to try the Attogram again, but I’m not sure when to begin again, and if it's safe to continue to use the Mag Citrate with the purge.

And one last question, does anyone know about yeast infection culture tests for men? I’m afraid my partner and I may be passing the yeast back and forth, but we aren’t necessarily having symptoms.

I am sooo sorry for the long post. I am wholly grateful for the forum’s knowledge and experience!

Suzy

Hi Suzy,

It sounds like you've had a tough time.

I'm sure I'll miss some of your questions. If you want to be more sure I'll be able to answer clearly back to you, it really helps me if you post the question part of your post at the end rather than imbedded. I'm capable of 'active listening' and detailed feedback but in my role here, there isn't time for this approach so I just pluck the main questions out and take a 'run at them.'

The mercury forum here is not moderated by me as I believe that one should be an MD and or ND who is extremely sensitive to environmental illness and allergy issues as well as well acquainted with metal issues and the drawbacks/stresses around the treatment and diagnostics for metals. There is a fair bit of good information on there however.

The metal test is not one I would approach unless you can get stronger and more stabilized though the DMSA orally is less agressive than the DMPS injections used to test urine. I don't know if it is AS effective.

Your trial with magnesium and sf722 sounds unpleasant and aside from the possibility that you took way too much sf722 or there was something else affecting you as well, I cannot offer ideas as to why you felt so badly. Eliminating too frequenty can create problems if the stools are very loose and this may be what you are describing. It's hard on the anal tissue.

I would strive for a clean colon, not a loose stool. The program here that you're familiar with helps to cleanse the colon but it does so through scrubbing and bulking, not liquefying. The purge drink needs to be started very gradually to build up dosages so that those with sluggish bowels have time to adjust to it. The dose should start very low and not increase until you've had three days of regular elimination. Going up by 1/4 or 1/8 teaspoon is enough.

Some people still need to use some of the supports suggested in the article (like the mag for example.) You might be better off to use an alkalizing substance like Thorne's buffered vitamin c as a gentle laxative support. And if you are cleansing properly you will have regular, bulked, well formed bowels but many of them.

Using the purge slowly with Floracol Probiotic Blend to speed cleansing and elimination is one experiment you may consider. You could also look at some of the other suggestions in the article.


Constipation – A Modern Epidemic


I hope this has been some help. Feel free to post more questions or to clarify.

TLC

Thanks so much for wading through my rambling and responding so quickly.

I was definitely eliminating a lot of very loose stools which I now understand can cause some of the symptoms I had. Could the anal itching have somehow spread to the vagina? Or do you think it was just coincidence that I developed somewhat of a vaginal yeast infection?

I'm feeling much better, although still a little itchy at times. I had shiatsu therapy for the first time today, and I really loved it! However, the therapist did say my intestines felt like there was an armored shield around them. Yikes!


One question that probably was lost in my last post was about yeast infection testing for my partner. Is there a reliable yet easy test out there that can diagnose if he has yeast overgrowth? Is is likely that I've passed it to him?

So now I'm ready to begin the colon cleanse with Attogram, but how low of a dose would you suggest I begin with?

I'm sorry about my style in the last post. You are working your tail off trying to give everyone a clear response knowing that people are possibly anxious and often quite ill. You are doing the work of angels.

Thank you.....

Suzy

hi Suzy,

No, I never did take any sort of heavy metal test. I was terrified to do the provoked/challenge tests. My instincts were just yelling at me back then not to do it. I suppose it's a good thing I didn't, because I was ill with undiagnosed Lyme Disease at the time. I don't think my body would have liked having to deal with a provoked metal test on top of everything else!

I was diagnosed with mercury toxicity, lead and cadmium toxicity, through Applied Kinesiology and also Autonomic Response Testing. While those types of tests are not considered scientific, I trusted the doctors (both MD's and ND's) who performed them on me and felt comfortable with the results. What those tests did not tell me, however, was whether those metals were actively circulating in my body, or had been stored somewhere in my body.

There is a relatively new heavy metal test that is out though. It's called the Urinary Porphyrins test by Metametrix. It is not a provoked test. I do not know about what sort of detailed information that is provided from the test because I never went through with that test. I have the kit here at home though. I didn't do that test because it requires that you drink no more then 3 cups of water/fluid the day before because the urine has to be concentrated when the test is done. I haven't been able to restrict myself to so little water.

Your question about anal itching spreading to the vagina. I think the answer to your question is yes, in some cases. It's known as the migratory path, or sweat path, in women. Even with the most fastidious hygiene practices, some pathogens can migrate from anus to the vagina. But, I wouldn't ignore the fact that you could have two separate things going on too.

I hope you find relief and success with the products you've ordered. They've certainly helped me! I still use them today.

Your question about yeast being passed between partners . . . there is some disagreement about that. I personally think that it can be passed between partners. But you'll find plenty of people who are far more educated then I on yeast issues, who don't agree with that! I don't know about specific candida tests for men. I do know that some doctors and practitioners end up treating both partners in some cases of chronic candida just to see if it helps.

And I agree with Tarilee. Mercury and other heavy metal toxicities is really, really important to explore. But it's something that I wouldn't touch without the help of an educated and experienced practitioner. Read, read, and then read more on the subject. Try to learn as much as you can and then find a practitioner that can help.

Hugs,
Sharon

Hi Suzy--I'm glad you've started to feel a little better now--you poor girl!!! i get anal itching and vaginal infection quite easily lately so i can empathize--though nothing as severe as what you described...Please let us know how you're getting on!!

Sharon--I'm really glad to hear from you, just cause we don't get your wonderful presence on here too often and I always value and listen to what you have to say...

How has your Lyme treatment been going? Have you seen any change or improvement? If you get a chance, please let me know how you are--if it's any consolation I truly am beginning to get my lyme under control, though I know I caught this in a much earlier stage than you did. I wish you all the luck and healing that I've had myself so far...

Take good care ladies,

Ashley

Hi again Sharon--I just read your other post where you went into detail about your own protocol--disregard my question here okay? Thanks for keeping us posted!!

Love ashley

Hi Suzy,

That was a sweet thing to say!

Lots of women get yeast infections when they overdo it on the anti fungals. I think I posted some musings on this in the women's sections's FAQ's. Yours is my last post of the day and I'm so sorry, I've run way over time today so this will be brief.

Yeast testing for men is not as certain. It is a good idea to use condoms (unlubricated polyurethane lubricated with home made, sterile flax gel would be the safest bet.) You can search for flax gel recipes and lubrication to get more information on this.

Good luck with your transitions and I hope things are starting to settle for you. Let us know how you're feeling ok?

TLC

Thanks for that Sharon,

About that new test, If it's the one I'm thinking of, I think I had it. If so, it showed nothing abnormal though DMPS challenge showed high mercury. So I'm not so sure about what to think about that. When the doctor told me about it, it made sense but the results did not.

Cheers,

TLC

Suzy,

I made an error in my post above. For a simple, excellent quality vitamin c product that you can use for an anti oxidant and for laxative support, there is absolutely no reason why you can't use the more convenient and more economical, additive free buffered C from Yellow Sun Yellow Sun Buffered Vitamin C . Sorry, I don't know why I mentioned Thorne's product there. It's good for a highly acidic condition or for acute reactions like food or chemical allergies or acute die off but it's way to 'dear' and inconvenient to use daily.

Cheers!

Tarilee

I have experience with the metal detox - DMPS. I had 5 treatments of it, because my mercury level was elevated, and I wasn't getting better from other treatments. Of course I wasn't eating ideally either at that time. The first 3 went fine, except I had some stomach pain a few hours after the treatment, which went away the next day. The next two, I got a fever and bad stomach aches, and the last one, in addition my hands and feet hurt a lot - which was weird, and after researching this, I realized I was suppose to be replenishing minerals that are also depleted with - as they are technically metals too - like zinc. So after doing that I did feel better, but did not want any more DMPS. I'd also like to bring up ozone, because so little is known about it and it can be a great treatment for people with pretty much any virus, bacteria or fungus. My friend who is now a naturopath had lymes for 1 year before she knew what it was, and ozone helped her when nothing else could. It is used for cancer a lot, and pretty much anything, it's kind of a cure all. Of course this is a more extreme therapy since it is IV, but I have had it and do feel much better after a few rounds of it definitely.

Mercury is a very complex subject and we devoted a section of this site to it. Although it's related to candida, it is too serious a challenge for me to address as I'm not an MD or ND. You can read my views and cautions in that discussion section though I do not moderate it.

Ozone is highly unstable and can be highly caustic and I'm not informed enough about it's safety to offer any recommendations about it. I'm glad to hear that you're benefiting from it.

I hope the site section on mercury clarifies our position on this sufficiently. Good luck with your continued exploration and research. Take care,

Tarilee