Ok, here it goes...I recently started working in Africa 28 days on/28 days off. I had mono in late 2008. Since then I have not felt the same. Diagnosed with Sjogrens early this year. Self diagnosis of gluten sensitivity in late 2012. I had high liver enzymes which led to the investigation that revealed the gluten sensitivity and Sjogrens. Still have low platelets, but liver enzymes are normal.

I got to Africa for my second hitch in early October. It was recommended that I take an antimalarial. I started taking Malarone a couple days before getting here. I took it last hitch with no troubles. Well, from day one I'm just not feeling right. I had trouble concentrating and being productive. I had brought a bunch of granola type snacks with me this time. With the gluten sensitivity I thought maybe there was an allergy to grain in general so I stopped eating it for a couple days and felt a little better. Well I needed some snacks so I started eating fruit instead. The brain fog returned. I began to eat some of the snacks I brought and the brain fog got worse. I'm at my wit's end at this point and had been looking online about sjogrens and food allergies , etc when I came across info about candida.

The next morning I had nothing but fruit coctail and fruit juice for breakfast, and a banana for a midmorning snack. I thought I was going to die! Back up a few months...earlier this summer I lost the finger nail on my pointer finger. Fungal infection. Back in September I saw my physicain to get some bloodwork done and refill my malarone. I asked her about the fingernail and she said she could prescribe some lamasil, but would rather not have me take that with malarone. Ok, so I brought some 100% tea tree oil with me to treat the nail fungus. After eating the fruit and having a really bad reaction, I had put the pieces together and was pretty sure I had a yeast outbreak. Further research about malarone indicated that the drug might weaken the immune system allowing the yeast to proliferate. Ok, so I stopped taking the malarone. I feel like crap and I have to get some work done. I get desperate and that evening put 3 drops of tea tree oil in a cup of water and sent it down the hatch. That was two nights ago. No bad reaction when I wake up, so I follow it up with 4 drops of TTO in a cup of hot tea. I felt MUCH better yesterday and was actually able to be productive! I then took 4 drops TTO w/ tea before lunch yesterday.

I had seen a pharmacy that was on the route between where I work and where I stay. I made a list of any and all potential drugs/herbs/probiotics that might help and decided to walk home and try the pharmacy yesterday. Sure enough, they had Lamasil (generic) and Pau d'arco! The Lamasil was $20 (28 tablets 250 mg)and the Pau d'arco was $40 (100 capsules). I discontinued the TTO and started the Lamasil last night. I feel like a champ today! I have eliminated as much Sugar as possible from my diet. I took one of the Pau d'arco capsules this morning. Should I be taking this in conjunction with the Lamasil?

Normally I wouldn't go out and just start taking prescription meds without doctor consult, but hey...any port in a storm, eh? I'm in freaking Africa! I was a bit surprised to find the pharmacy as well stocked as it was. I have an appointment with an allergist already set for when I get home. I will also follow up with my physician about the Lamasil.

One thing I'm not sure about is how long I have been plagued by the yeasties. Did they take over when my immune sys was comprimised from mono? Regardless, it seems like the malarone did play a big role in allowing the yeast to explode out of control. No more antimalarials for me. Glad to hear they have final developed a malaria vaccine!

I'm also intrigued about the possiblity of mercury playing a role in helping the yeasties. I live on the gulf coast of Florida and eat a lot of fish (snapper, grouper, swordfish, tuna, etc) that have been reported to be high in mercury. Many of the advisories for fish consumptionare for pregnant/expecting mothers, so I didn't pay it much attention. Now I'm wondering if I have high mercury levels??? I think I will do a several month round of Lamasil and then start a mercury detox. Any recommendations for removing mercury from my body?

Also looking forward to getting back to the states so I can start some probiotics!