Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; Taking Meds while on NSD? Dealing with Colds/flu?

For the past few weeks I have been suffering from first a head cold, which cleared up for a few days, then I thought was followed by the flu. The worst symptom was an ear ache. I started to suspect I had fungus in my ear, so yesterday I went to my MD and he was able to confirm.

He has prescribed Cortisporin Ear Drops. I was not to happy about that choice, since my experience with the cortisone injection only fed my fungus and lead to Candida almost a year ago, which I only felt I recently recovered from. I had wanted to try the Nystatin Ear Treatment, recommended by the Healing Naturally Program I have been following, but he would not prescribe that, since he never has, and doesn't know anything about it. He assured me, the Cortisporin drops would not circulate my entire system for 3 weeks like the Cortisone injection last year, and I could just stop taking them if it got worse instead of better. So in desperation I agreed, and so far, I do have a little improvement, but at least it didn't get worse.

So, what the heck is going one with me? I have been stressed, it is cold/flu season, but I can't believe that after only 2 months of introducing sugars back into my diet, mostly in the form of fruit, and those almond joy candy bars I make using Aguave Nectar, my immune system already can't fight off any germs it comes in contact with. I am basicly falling apart! I have not gotten sick with a cold or flu since starting NSD. Are sugars really this bad? Why me? I am a mess.

Oh, and my MD also gave me a prescription for Zoloft. I didn't ask for it, but he suggested it, and since I am exhausted fighting off this ear thing for the past few weeks, I took it.

Maybe I shouldn't have asked him for the Percocet prescription. LOL. (which he wouldn't give me!)

So, is anyone taking Zoloft or had Cortisporin drops? How might this effect AS or Candida? I couldn't argue with him, I am stressed, (I also havent' slept a full night in 3 weeks with this pain) so if an anti-depresent will help my immune system by eliminating stress, I am willing to try anything at this point. Obviously, after all I have tried, something is still not working for me.

Looking back, I guess the wise thing to do would have been to up my probiotic dose as soon as I felt a cold coming on, and also eliminate all sugars again. Maybe I could have avoided this full blown ear fungal overgrowth thing. Its very painful (I did entertain those suicidal thoughts, like when I am in an AS flare of crippeling pain - maybe I shouldn't have shared this with the MD).

I also took some Percocets for a few days with the ear ache, they were left over from my son having his wisdom teeth pulled, which I think was another mistake, only adding toxins to my body, making things worse in the long run.

Anyway, let me know your thoughts, especially on the anti-depressents. I hate to start taking these meds if I don't really need them, but if they help, I guess at this point I will take them. Its just that after all my hard work detoxing, I am going to start adding these toxins to my body. I guess I can just be real cautions, and be on continuing vigerous detoxing program, elimating the toxins as I put them in. That sure sounds like fun! But, maybe if the anti-depressents work, I won't be stressed, and my immune system will be stronger! Its so confusing!

Hey Jeanne - Just replied to your other post regarding your recent problems. Treating a fungal infection with an antibiotic/steroid is just a weird and wrong idea I think. Is it a confirmed fungal infection? Because you were right in requesting an antifungal in that case, otherwise the guy is treating you for a bacterial ear infection!

And I can't believe if you're in pain to the degree you need percocet and requested a painkiller, he denied it! He at least could have suggested a med other than percocet if he was worried about addiction issues.

Hi Jeanne,
I'm sorry to hear about the cold and ear infection. How discouraging to get an ear infection that you can't shake after all you've done in the last year to get yourself healthy!

I'm assuming you have an external ear infection, if the doctor gave you ear drops. The external ear is the outside part, the area you can very nearly stick your finger into.

Given your experience with the cortisone injection, I can appreciate how hesitant you are about using cortisone again. I would concur with the doctor, however, that drops in your ears would not go into your system. I don't know whether cortisone drops are effective for an external ear infections, though.

As as educated guess, I wouldn't think that Zoloft would negatively effect the Candida or AS and make you get worse. The bigger issue with Zoloft is that it's really not a medication you want to take short-term. For most people, it takes about six weeks for the Zoloft to begin to take effect. Also, getting off of Zoloft is not something most people can do abruptly. When I weaned myself off of depression meds two years ago, I stepped the dose down gradually over a six week period and I still had a lot of uncomfortable withdrawal effects.

That doesn't mean that I wouldn't recommend depression meds to anyone. A year and a half ago, when I was in a lot of pain and no one could figure out what was wrong with me, I made the choice to go back on depresson meds. Because Zoloft caused me to gain weight, I chose Wellbutrin and I don't regret the choice.

If you believe you are having ongoing trouble with depression, meds can be very helpful, but I wouldn't advise taking Zoloft for a short-term problem with an ear infection.

I don't know enough to discuss the toxins in depression meds.

I hope you can get over this infection and get back on track health-wise. You've been so dedicated to your health, you deserve to get better.

Karen

I am wondering if there is any trace starch in these meds that might lead to a flare after continuous daily use?

Another problem I am now realizing is, I have such anxiety about taking meds, hence why I chose NSD, that I now will need a anti-anxiety medication as well, if I want to take the anti-depressent. I don't really like where this is going.

I think I should probably talk it through with my therapist next week, before I make a decision.

He suggested I continue taking Aleve, although I was already on double doses, more frequently then recommended on the bottle.

Its depressing just going to an MD! I need to find a naturopath who understands what I am doing. He just doesn't get it.

He looked in my ear with that ear tool thing (nearly sticking it down my throat), and said he saw fungus. I know MD's don't understand the whole fungus thing, which is why I questioned what he was prescribing. I was desperate.

Ah Jeanne, I hope you can find some answers which are right for you. It must be frightening to see your body behave this way in spite of all of your efforts.

It sounds as if what you have is swimmer's ear which can be caused by water pooling in the ear after swimming or bathing. If your ear feels stopped up with water, you can try lying on that side for a while to get it to drain.

I wonder if there are any natural remedies for swimmer's ear.

Good luck as you work to get this resolved.

Karen

Hi Jeanne,

Sorry to hear regardint the ear infection. I am of no help on this matter. But maybe for future reference... I have had touch of flu twice while on NSD, both times I took Dayquil and Nyquil and never had any problems with them. Never tested with iodine, just telling you what my body told me.

Helped me get over the flu (last time my mother passed it to me when I stayed with them prior to moving to Argentina).

Best to you in recovering.

Tim

So sorry you are not feeling well. Have you tried going to a Naturopath? My naturopath has been wonderful. She has not been able to kick AS yet for me, (Hoping NSD will do the trick, I'm starting my second week) but she has been able to cure several health problems for me that the MD's just gave me medicine to control. Good luck and hang in there.
Annette

Thanks for all your suggestions. I don't know why I didn't come here for advice 3 weeks ago when it all started.

Per Megan's advice, I started using 10 drops of Coconut Oil with 4 drops of Clove Oil Blend (Oregano would do the same, but I had this Clove Blend that just came in the mail on friday ) in each ear, 4 times per day. Today I am finally getting some results, I actually slept all night.

I got the dosage from the healing naturally website. She has a entire article on ear treatments. I don't know why I couldn't figure this out sooner, it was all right in front of me. Going to the MD only confused me more. I guess it was brain fog.

http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/treat8.php

Yesterday, after starting the oil drops, I was so tired all day, could hardly move, couldn't eat, etc. It was like when I first had the candida overgrowth and couldn't get out of bed for 5 weeks. So I knew that was a sign that the fungus was being killed off and the oils were working. Luckily its not as bad as the initial candida, and today I am doing much better. I admit I was worried yesterday.

I also just learned that a cousin, who has chronic problems with fungus is having success with Aloe Vera Juice. She gets it at Trader Joes. I have some Aloe Vera Gel that I got at Mountain Rose Herbs (same place I get my coconut oil), that is for dietary use, so I am adding that to my Veggie Juice now.

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

My massage therapist told me a while back she takes it also from Trader Joes.

Anyway, I hope this will help someone with an ear infection in the future. These essential oils are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, etc, so they should work for any ear infection.

Re: dealing with colds/flu, how about nasal irrigation with salt water with a neti pot? i've read that neti pots can work wonders. I have one, and tried to use it once, and need to try again.

With regard to the ear infection...is there any way to irrigate your ears with salt water drops? Maybe the same principle as the neti pot salt water irrigation applies to the ears?

Those are my only ideas aside from herbs. I have taken stinging nettle w/ quercetin in capsule form to relieve congestion.

Also, speaking of natural treatment of fungus...tea tree oil is supposed to work just as well as antifungal creams, etc. I wonder if a naturopath might suggest using that as eardrops???

****This is all pure speculation****