Hi everyone,
I’m a 40-year-old male trying to figure out a long-standing issue that hasn’t fully resolved despite multiple interventions.
### Background
About 4 years ago, a GI test showed Candida albicans. At that time I had:
- Tongue thrush (white coating)
- Groin/genital itching + occasional breakouts
The breakouts settled over time, but:
- Itching still comes and goes (especially at night)
- Tongue coating reduced but never cleared
---
### Recent Intervention (FMT)
I recently did a fairly aggressive FMT protocol, and I did see significant improvements:
- Gut became softer, tenderness reduced
- Appetite improved
- Mood, energy, and depressive symptoms improved
- Sleep improved somewhat (but deep sleep still poor)
- I was able to stop prokinetics
Objective markers also improved:
- Oura Ring nighttime temperature increased ~0.3°C for ~3 months, then recently dropped again
- My immune-inflammatory index (from CBC) improved from ~550 → ~450
So clearly, something systemic improved.
---
### But the Core Issue Remains
- Tongue thrush still present (though less thick)
- Itching still occurs intermittently
- Tried itraconazole 200 mg for 10 days → minimal effect
Now I’m unsure what this actually is.
---
### Questions I’m Trying to Answer
- Is this still Candida — or something else (parasites, mixed infection, etc.)?
- If FMT + antifungals didn’t clear it, does this point to an immune issue rather than microbial overgrowth?
- How important is persistent tongue thrush as a marker? Can it remain even after Candida is controlled?
- Should I consider increasing itraconazole (e.g., 400 mg), or is that missing the point?
- Would colonoscopic FMT be more effective than oral for deeper colonization (small intestine, etc.)?
---
### Immune Angle (Important for Me)
Since some systemic markers improved but symptoms persist, I’m wondering:
- Could this be immune dysfunction (e.g., NK cell activity issues)?
- Has anyone explored NK cell testing or therapies for chronic fungal-like symptoms?
- Do peptides or immune modulation approaches help when antifungals fail?
---
### Antimicrobials / Herbals
- Tried Biocidin + antifungals in the past → no major effect
- Considering:
- Biocidin again
- Apex Energetics GI Synergy
- Other herbal antimicrobials
Questions:
- What actually works for stubborn cases?
- Do herbal antimicrobials damage the good microbiome, especially post-FMT?
---
### Diet & Triggers
- Strictly avoiding sugar
- A2 milk tea (no sugar)
- Some dates + date chocolate
- Noticed itching increases after sweet foods
---
### Other Health Context
- History of gut damage from Ayurvedic heavy metal bhasmas + colon cleanses → motility issues
- Previously needed prokinetics (now stopped)
- Still dealing with:
- Poor deep sleep
- Low-dose antidepressants + small cannabis oil
Additional:
- Clinically diagnosed ADHD since childhood
- Ongoing impulsivity, impatience, anger outbursts
- Had body-wide muscle weakness + weight loss, now stabilizing/improving
---
### Core Goal
I want to fully eliminate whatever this is, so that:
- The FMT microbiome can stabilize long-term
- Good bacteria can permanently take over surface area
---
### Where I’m Stuck
At this point I don’t know if this is:
- Resistant Candida
- Biofilm issue
- Parasites
- Immune dysfunction
- Or something misdiagnosed entirely
---
Thanks a lot 🙏Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who:
- Cleared stubborn Candida after failed antifungals
- Had similar “partial improvement but never gone” situations
- Explored immune angles (NK cells, peptides, etc.)
- Intel on NK cell therapy for Candida,
- Herbal protocols/supplements that can help.
Thanks a lot 🙏
Following is the Immune inflammatory index improvement, that Functional medicine doctors use;-
