My Journey to Yeast-Free Living

Today I'm writing the first entry in my new blog, "Loving Life and Living Yeast-Free".  I find it fitting that the "Inspirational Quote of the Day" I received this morning via e-mail was:
      "Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty."
                                                                                         Thomas S. Monson
Thank you, Mr. Monson. That is what I have learned and keep learning every day.  Without difficulties I would not be where I am today and I certainly would not be writing this blog.  Now I have a passion and here is how it came to be.

(Note:  This blog will not be about my health issues.  It will be about yeast-free living.  However, I will tell you about my journey in this first entry in hopes that if you are going through some of the same things, just know, it will get better!)

After hammertoe surgery in June of 2012, my surgeon noticed that I had a lot of swelling in both of my legs.  I had always had swollen ankles and had been taking a water pill for years, but this swelling was uncomfortable and was not going away.  He sent me to a local vascular center and I was eventually diagnosed with a combination of lipedema and lymphedema. I began wearing compression hose daily and went for numerous sessions of massage therapy.  I also began to have laser treatments on some veins in both of my legs.  All of this really helped with the swelling and I lost over 5 pounds of fluid in my legs.  It was then that I decided to try to lose weight to help with the healing process of my toe. I joined Weight Watchers on December 29, 2012.  I was really excited to try to get back to my goal weight. Weight Watchers had worked for me in the past, and I was encouraged by the recent 5 pound loss.

For years I have kept the Kleenex company in business.  I won't go into details, but I learned the hard way about chronic allergies and nasal polyps.  In January, I was referred to a wonderful ENT. Medication shrunk the polyps.  After a CT scan a few weeks later I got the best news ever!  I did not need surgery to remove the polyps.  But, I did need to have some allergy testing.  A few weeks later I went back for testing and an hour later I received my results.

I was allergic to a couple types of dust mites, a couple of weeds (Nettle, E. Plantain, and Pigweed), and three types of mold (Alternaria, Hormodendrum, and Candida).  I had never heard of any of those things before.  I added Hepa air purifiers to my home (one upstairs and one downstairs) and covered my mattress and box spring with casings.  I bought new pillows and covered them, too.  But, when I read the page about Candida allergy, I just couldn't believe what I was reading!!  What do you mean I can't have any dairy?  What...no beer or wine?  What....no bread?  I was starting to comprehend that Candida was an allergy to yeast.  What??  Yeast is in more than just bread?

I just kept calm and started researching.  And researching.   And researching.

Stay tuned...............



Here are the links to some things I have mentioned in this entry that you may find helpful:

Daily Inspiration

Weight Watchers

Lipedema

Lymphedema

Riceworks


I also plan on including in my blog some of the yeast-free foods I have found that I really love.

Here is one of my favorite "yeast-free" finds!!




I think they are yummy and a great alternative to potato or tortilla chips!  Great with homemade guacamole!

I welcome your comments!  Let's start a dialog!!




Comments

  1. Great post. I don't post as much about candida as I used to... I am pretty much healed. Just working on my liver, gallbladder, colon and that end of the mess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for being the first person to post on my blog! I'm so happy you are doing well with candida. All I know is that I feel so much better since I've been yeast-free beginning on February 14th. I had my gallbladder removed in 2003. I wonder if this is all related somehow. Have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  2. Hi LaDonne! I was wondering if you have ever considered acupuncture? All of our family sees one that is located by the airport @436 and Hoffner. Her name is Kimberly Loi, she's really great and approaches wellness holistically with a major component being diet. She might be worth a couple of visits.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Vanessa! Welcome back to Orlando! I am enjoying the pictures of your home remodel. To answer your question, I hadn't really thought about acupuncture. I will keep it in mind, though,for the future. Thank you for the referral!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LaDonne, After months of ridiculous inflammation, bizarre symptoms,and a slew of possible diagnoses (including cysts, Celiac, and Crohn's) I was recently diagnosed with Candida. I have begun to make even more positive changes in my diet and lifestyle. Understanding what is going on inside has been extremely reassuring. I strayed a little during spring break, but I am looking forward to getting back on track... and sharing notes with each other (so nice to go through something like this with a friend). What a great way for us to reconnect.
    I, too, have a fantastic acupuncturist... she's in College Park... I'll happily pass on info if you're interested.
    Hugs to you for now... we'll chat more soon.
    L

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Lisa! All I can say is...wow. Believe me, I'm right there with you. I'm sorry about your diagnosis of Candida, but happy that we can reconnect this way. It is definitely a diet/lifestyle change, but it is worth it to feel so much better. Yes, give me the name of your acupuncturist. I'm open to a lot of alternatives. Take care and I'd love to talk more soon, too!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment