Discussion:
seeking a "final solution" for recurrent Candidiasis during five years following no-recurrence of lower-tongue cancer
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uncleSally
2012-06-23 22:15:42 UTC
Permalink
Hi,

It's been a long time since I visited this group, and I was surprised by number of porn, and spam, posts that seem to have metastasized here.

Since successful chemo and radiation treatment for stage 2-3 3mm. lower tongue cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), with minor left-side lymph involvement ... five years ago ... no return ! :)

But, I have a recurrent yeast infection (yes, the tongue with stippled white deposits, which has been treated multiple times with several different typical drugs, like Fluconazole, unsuccessfully. It comes back within a week or so.

I have adapted to permanent impairment of much of my salivary function, loss of almost all sense of taste (except for sweet), and become primarily vegetarian, living primarily on soy-milk (fresh-made) laced with both whey protein and skimmed-milk powder.

No natural appetite or hunger, although, interestingly, my always keen sense of smell (never smoked, never drank alcohol) has become even keener, and smell "alone" can trigger the most wonderful, vivid, "ghosts of tastes past" :)

The vegetarianism is not because of "religious" or "ideological" reasons: mainly because a permanent deformity at the base of my tongue (at the epiglottic vallecula), makes it impossible to swallow anything hard, or not semi-liquid. I am told this deformity cannot be "fixed" surgically, and the local roto-rooter man declined the work :) And meat, of any type, would taste like "cardboard" to me, in addition to being not able to swallow it unless it was cut into tiny pieces and soaked in butter or oil.

I can "force" myself to swallow raw eggs for extra protein, and I can eat very soft steamed fish with butter, or mayonnaise, as a lubricant. But, in terms of desire to eat those good things: it's just gone.

So, I am wondering what to do: my overall health is good, at age near 69, I work out regularly including cardio, weights, bicycling, swimming, and am quite strong.

I feel repeated courses of the fluconazole type meds, which seem to be the only game in town, cannot be good, in the long run, for my immune system.

I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who has some ideas on recent new medications, treatment startegies, for a "final solution" for recurrent Candidiasis ... ideas, please, which are backed by legitimate medical research, and science.

And, thinking out of the box: am I mistaken to assume that this chronic yeast infection, absent other dramatic physical symptoms or illnesses, is something I just learn to live with (while making sure nobody eyeballs my tongue) ?

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful reponse.

And, if you are still here, in this forum, greetings to some of my former "angelic" sources of support here including Steph, J., KellyPoodle, and many others !

thanks, Bill
gordo
2012-06-24 03:44:25 UTC
Permalink
On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:15:42 -0700 (PDT), uncleSally
Post by uncleSally
Hi,
It's been a long time since I visited this group, and I was surprised by number of porn, and spam, posts that seem to have metastasized here.
Since successful chemo and radiation treatment for stage 2-3 3mm. lower tongue cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), with minor left-side lymph involvement ... five years ago ... no return ! :)
But, I have a recurrent yeast infection (yes, the tongue with stippled white deposits, which has been treated multiple times with several different typical drugs, like Fluconazole, unsuccessfully. It comes back within a week or so.
I have adapted to permanent impairment of much of my salivary function, loss of almost all sense of taste (except for sweet), and become primarily vegetarian, living primarily on soy-milk (fresh-made) laced with both whey protein and skimmed-milk powder.
No natural appetite or hunger, although, interestingly, my always keen sense of smell (never smoked, never drank alcohol) has become even keener, and smell "alone" can trigger the most wonderful, vivid, "ghosts of tastes past" :)
The vegetarianism is not because of "religious" or "ideological" reasons: mainly because a permanent deformity at the base of my tongue (at the epiglottic vallecula), makes it impossible to swallow anything hard, or not semi-liquid. I am told this deformity cannot be "fixed" surgically, and the local roto-rooter man declined the work :) And meat, of any type, would taste like "cardboard" to me, in addition to being not able to swallow it unless it was cut into tiny pieces and soaked in butter or oil.
I can "force" myself to swallow raw eggs for extra protein, and I can eat very soft steamed fish with butter, or mayonnaise, as a lubricant. But, in terms of desire to eat those good things: it's just gone.
So, I am wondering what to do: my overall health is good, at age near 69, I work out regularly including cardio, weights, bicycling, swimming, and am quite strong.
I feel repeated courses of the fluconazole type meds, which seem to be the only game in town, cannot be good, in the long run, for my immune system.
I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who has some ideas on recent new medications, treatment startegies, for a "final solution" for recurrent Candidiasis ... ideas, please, which are backed by legitimate medical research, and science.
And, thinking out of the box: am I mistaken to assume that this chronic yeast infection, absent other dramatic physical symptoms or illnesses, is something I just learn to live with (while making sure nobody eyeballs my tongue) ?
Thanks in advance for your thoughtful reponse.
And, if you are still here, in this forum, greetings to some of my former "angelic" sources of support here including Steph, J., KellyPoodle, and many others !
thanks, Bill
I am still lurking. Had radiation 7 years ago for cancer of the
throat, tongue etc. So no saliva and can't swallow toast. I am not
able to help with your yeast infection but it is good to hear from
someone who survived. I don't think Steph is looking in anymore, he
was a great source of info. I have no sense of smell but I get
hungry. Be glad you can smell things. For some reason I would think
that yogurt daily might help your problem.
uncleSally
2012-06-24 14:57:08 UTC
Permalink
Thanks, Gordo,

It's good to hear from another "survivor" !

I do eat yoghurt, but not daily, and I think eating it daily is a good idea. And my current "witches' brew" daily mouthwash contains:

baking soda
salt
apple cider vinegar
tea-tree oil (minute quantity: that's damn strong stuff)

I plan to add in some hydrogen-peroxide and borax next week (small amounts).

I've thought about trying to get sugar-free, but can't imagine it: that's the one area of taste left that can send me into "bliss" :)

And, here in Thailand, I can obtain the first crude distillate of the coconut-sugar-palm-tree's exudate in 1 kilogram cake form (not chemically treated): this sugar has got to be the world's most exquisite sweet (and I felt that way before I had cancer): it has "overtones" of butterscotch, or caramel !

If you are at a Thai restaurant, ask them if they can let you buy a small sample of palm-sugar (naam taan preep): but if what they brings you look gold or yellow, and is soft and mushy, like mud, then it has been chemically treated, and I'd skip it. It's used in many Thai dishes.

I was tempted to take five kilograms of this sugar to a friend in Singapore, but I realized that these 1 kilogram "raw" light-brownish cakes would probably look suspiciously like either drugs, or something deadly, to airport security, and I didn't particularly want to get hassled. Selfish of me, huh ?

to your health, Bill

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