Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 6/18/2011

Question
Hi,

I am 44 years old.  About ten years ago I started with burning itchy feet.  The itching was so intense it kept me awake at night.  I went to many doctors with no help.  The itching then spread to my hands.  About two years ago I also had aching muscles and joints, tingling all over and headaches.  I was diagnosed last year with celiac disease.  After about one month I felt great!  I continued to feel good until this past Feburary.  Since then the itching has returned along with the headaches.  I started candex five days ago but the itching seems to be a little worse.  Is this something I should stick with?  How about changing my diet?  I do not eat anything with gluten but do have diary products.

Thank you very much for your time.

Answer
Hello Lee,
I really couldn't say what would be best for you given that I don't know your full history, but I can tell you a couple things that might be helpful.  If you have not found a dietary change to completely eliminate your symptoms, it may have been a contributing factor only in the process, and therefore you need to address other areas.  I am assuming from the name the candex is to help decrease yeast overgrowth, and that's a reasonable next step whenever anyone has had dybiosis or malabsorption issues (which undiagnosed celiac disease would be).  Most supplements that do this may temporarily make symptoms worse before improving, so it may not necessarily be bad for you, but you may need to add in other supplements to assist, such as a fiber, probiotic, digestive enzyme.  And it may be worthwhile to eliminate a food that you think might be contributing to symptoms, even if it's not the whole reason it will make everything easier.  Digestive health can be tricky, so if you can find a ND near you that would be beneficial so you can get more specific advice.  
In health,
Dr Conner