enlarged Circumvallte Papillae and Yeast?

It began with the sensation that I had a hair caught in the back of my throat. Within a week, I felt as though there was a lump in my throat just below the larynx. Soon, each time I ate, I felt as though I had food stuck in my throat, and my larynx would become very uncomfortable. I felt as though I needed to clear my throat constantly. I went to see a doctor and was prescribed penicillin-based antibiotics, but the doctor didn't have a definite diagnosis. The antibiotics came and went, but the sickness didn't. Actually, the sickness got worse, affecting my mouth and tongue, as well as my throat. The roof of my mouth felt rough, and my taste buds became inflamed, and plaque was forming on the very back of my tongue. Each time I ate, it seemed to get worse. I went back to the doctor. He gave me a prostate exam and some steroidal nasal spray. That's right, I went for a sore throat and got a prostate exam! WRONG END, BUDDY! Ugh! Well, needless to say, my throat problems weren't cured in that visit! A couple of weeks later I went back to the doctor, only to have him refer to the ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) specialist. Before I go any further, do the math. I've got at least $400 in doctor visits already, and no answers; except that my prostate is healthy.

On the second month of being ill, I decided to go with my own diagnosis, and to treat myself. I spent numerous hours researching and concluded that I have a systemic fungus or yeast overgrowth similar to candidiasis. Retracing my steps, I realized I was the perfect candidate for it. Prior to becoming ill, I had several rounds of steroid injections in my shoulders due to an injury. Additionally, I went through three-rounds of antibiotics in one year. Coupled with a poor diet and high stress levels, all those factors became the perfect storm for a terrible systemic yeast infection. All the steroids and antibiotics threw my system out of balance and allowed the yeast to thrive.

Once I came up with a diagnosis, I had to come up with a good treatment plan. Treating a systemic yeast infection requires serious measures, and dedication to a treatment program. I tried a few home remediesbefore I found something that really seemed to work. The treatment is aggressive and can last for weeks, if that's what it takes. Here's how I treated myself and how you can too -

What you'll need and what you'll need to do -

- Candidase capsules from a vitamin shop. These capsules help control candida overgrowth. Take 2 capsules 3 times daily between meals; 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

- Garlic tablets. 2000 mg or higher. Garlic is hostile to fungus, and is good for you too! Take 1 tablet 3 times daily.

- Day 1 and 2, gargle twice per day with the following - Mix 1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar and 1/8 tsp sea salt, in a shot-glass of warm water. Slowly add 1/8 tsp of aluminum-free baking soda to the mix. The mixture will fizz like soda as the baking soda neutralizes the acid in the vinegar Gargle deeply with this mixture and spit it out. Do not rinse or drink for 15 minutes. It's okay to swallow a little of the mixture as none of the ingredients is harmful to your health at these amounts. It only tastes terrible. Also, gargle an additional 2 times per day with the same mix, except exclude the vinegar. The baking soda helps produce a more alkaline mix which is hostile to fungus, neutralizing acids which are produced in your mouth and throat. After days 1 and 2 exclude the vinegar and continue to gargle deeply several times per day, especially after eating.

- Brush your teeth, tongue, and roof of the mouth thoroughly at least twice per day with toothpaste sprinkled with 1/8 tsp of baking soda. Try to reach as far towards the back of your tongue as possible to clean as much plaque or yeast as you can. Sterilize your toothbrush with boiling water or alcohol after each use. Do not use ANY mouthwash during this treatment period. The mouthwash may upset the already delicate bacterial balance in your mouth, which can lead to recurring yeast overgrowth.

- Change your diet. No dairy, sugar, sodium, bread, glucose, citrus, acidic or starchy foods. NO soda. No high fructose corn syrup. No alcoholic beverages. Basically, no processed foods, or junk food. You should eat rice, eggs, fresh veggies, sodium-free canned-veggies, fresh fruits, canned fruits, mixed nuts, and fresh meats (except pork), vegetable juice. It's very important to not eat breads or other baked goods which use yeast. NO YEAST OR SUGAR, PERIOD!

- Don't take antibiotics, steroids, or allergy and cold medications that can dry your throat excessively These will only make your condition worse or prolonged. Take benadryl during this treatment period, if you have allergies, or trouble sleeping.

If you follow these guidelines, your symptoms should improve rapidly. Within a few days, you should feel the difference. I highly recommend continuing this treatment at least a week after you feel better to reduce the chance of relapse. Don't jump back into your old diet as soon as you start feeling better. Gradually add your favorite foods back into your diet, or keep eating healthy.

I hope this helps someone beside just me!

Good luck, and get well soon!