I'd agree with the idea that it takes time to heal candida and leaky gut. Adherence to the diet is crucial - no sugar, no processed food, no yeast, no malt, limited grains etc. I added in the anti-fungals - caprylic acid worked for me - about six months into the diet and these finished it off. I still eat a mostly anti-candida diet, however. Occasionally I will have something with Sugar but rarely.
I felt awful during those first six months, as you say you do. This really is a good sign. Dead candida carcasses in the blood stream are even worse than live candida in the gut. They are VERY toxin and really do your head in, causing Depression and upset. So it's great that you're getting this stuff out and you will feel so much better when you've healed your gut.