Candida Infections and CFS/ME/FM

January 26, 2014 / Charles W. Lapp, MD / Ask The Doctor

Cally L. wrote me, “I’ve been reading about candida overgrowth. Is this something you think is valid? Something I should be tested for?”

A: Candida overgrowth is a common phenomenon in persons with CFS/ME/FM, probably because NK Cell Activity is low in most patients and it is the NK Cells that are thought to help fend off candida or yeast. It is thought that candida produces a toxin that can exacerbate CFS/ME/FM. However, we do not think of yeast infections as causing or triggering CFS/ME or FM.

For several years I worked with Dr. Billy Crook, who was considered a pioneer in the treatment of candidal infections. He taught me to seek out at least two systemic yeast infections (for example monilial vaginitis + a skin infection, or a candidal skin infection plus oral thrush) before considering powerful treatment with fluconazole (Diflucan) or other antifungal agents. Otherwise he would suppress yeast overgrowth by using chronic oral nystatin, probiotics, and a low carb / low yeast diet. You can find the details in his book, “The Yeast Connection.” Dr. Crook did not recommend testing for candida since the organism is normally found in everyone’s GI tract, so most tests were inaccurate or just reflected this symbiosis.

One comment on “Candida Infections and CFS/ME/FM”

Joanna Bowyer says:

January 29, 2014 at 12:14 pm

What supplements (and doses) do you recommend for someone with CFS and FM to increase energy levels?

Dr. Hillman was born and reared in Utica, New York. He attended college at Clarkson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and then spent two years toward a master’s degree in biochemistry/oncology at the University of Buffalo’s Roswell Park Division, where he did research in leukemia. Dr. Hillman attended St. George’s University School of Medicine, and completed his clinical years at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, graduating in 1996. During the Summer of 1994 he also did research at the University of Buffalo Dental School using PCR technology on RNA subtyping of gram negative oral bacteria. Following medical school, Hillman went on to a Family Practice Residency at North Shore / Long Island Jewish Hospital in Bay Shore, NY.

After his residency, Dr. Hillman worked for the US Army at the West Point Military Academy (Keller Army Hospital family practice unit), worked in the Emergency Room and hospital admitting areas, and ran a private practice as well. From 2005-2006 he also worked at the Winn Army Hospital at Fort Stewart, GA, before setting up a private Family Practice in Huntersville, NC in 2007. In addition to his private practice Dr. Hillman also has an interest in helping clients with disabilities. He has worked for ProMed Urgent Care in Occupational Medicine and performed over 13,000 examinations for Social Security Disability.

Dr. Hillman has a family member with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so he has a long standing interest and empathy with the disorder! He is married and has two sons and a daughter. The family lives in Huntersville.