Hi everyone...
My name is Robin and I just found this site by accident. I am in a deep state of frustration because I am so sick that I'm unable to work. I have 4 kids (3 of them teens) and so much to live for. I just finished reading 3 books I'm sure you're all familiar with - The Yeast Connection, The Missing Diagnosis, and The Yeast Syndrome. I AM THE STAR IN ALL OF THOSE BOOKS!!!

Once a healthy, slim, active me has gradually (over 17 years) lost my ability to function, one body system at a time. I've always had a "gut" feeling it was caused by antibiotic use 17 years ago because that's when all the problems started. (I was in my late 20's then.) Over time, and as new unbearable symptoms developed, I was diagnosed with cystitis, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcer, reflux esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus, and last but far from least - Crohn's disease. Plus, I was never able to conceive a child (my 4 kids are adopted) and, in the past 5 years, I've gained over 100 lbs!!!

With each diagnosis, doctors told me that my immune system was fighting my own body and there was nothing they could do. With the most devastating ailment by far (the crohn's) they also told me it would progress and that the foods I eat were not a factor. I couldn't go anywhere or do anything because I was "chained" to my toilet and completely drained of any energy - always feeling on the verge of collapse. I can't work ... can't collect disability because none of these conditions is officially labelled a disability ... and no one believes I'm ill because I "don't look sick." (i.e. with crohn's you're supposed to be emaciated - not obese.) Besides, I just don't feel like describing the diarrhea problem to everyone. I've lost friends and family and live in a lonely "hell."

But then I discovered the yeast infestation possibility and that gave me so much hope. Unfortunately, I cannot find a doctor close by who recognizes such an ailment - let alone treat it. So I've taken matters into my own hands for the past 5 months (going on 6) by doing low-carb dieting and supplementing with Primal Defense. I'm up to 11 PD's per day. In this time, 50 lbs. dropped off me. But the problem is, the diarrhea and the urgency are still with me. And I now have extreme fatigue and rapid pulse (between 100 and 107.) I'm experiencing worse panic attacks than ever and I feel like I can't breathe - like something is choking my throat, especially when I lie down to go to sleep. Are these symptoms of die-off and do you think die-off can last this long if I've actually been having a yeast overgrowth for 17 years? Perhaps I have more yeast because of the excess weight? Please keep me inspired because I'm about to quit the low-carb and PD's any minute because I'm not sure if the medical community is right and the yeast syndrome is pure quackery.

-Robin