The effect of tranquillizers and sleeping pills on the gut is unclear, but there is no doubt that a very high percentage of users develop the Irritable Bowel Syndrome and chronic candidiasis either during therapy or during withdrawal. The symptoms can persist for many years after complete withdrawal from the drugs.More gastro-intestinal problems were reported in people taking lorazepam (Ativan) than other drugs in the same group, such as diazepam (Valium). It is known that these drugs block the absorption of zinc so it is possible that they hinder the absorption of other vital nutrients, thus allowing the body to become depleted; Candida thrives in these circumstances. Here is the typical experience:June had been off diazepam (Valium) for two years. The first six months had been very rough but she coped well and was pleased with her progress. She had much more energy and felt she was coming alive again; the depression she had experienced for years had gone. When she had been drug-free for about ten months she started to have digestive troubles – constipation, bloating and pain. She was fully investigated at the hospital and told she had the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The high-fibre diet made her symptoms worse, everything she ate seemed to upset her, the skin around her anus itched and became sore and her ears itched and discharged a watery fluid. When this touched her face it caused a rash. Altogether she was very low and could not understand what was happening to her. When she saw a television programme about tranquillizer withdrawal she rang the counselling line and things began to fall into place. They recommended a book and in it she read about the Candida connection and the large numbers of people who have been on these drugs and then experienced bowel problems.At her local health food shop she found a book on Candida and she bought the supplements it recommended. She was unable to tolerate these in the suggested doses so she started with a small dose and gradually increased it. A relative paid for her to have a week at a health farm and she felt this helped her a great deal. She was givenan 80 per cent raw diet and was astonished to find that many of the vegetables she could not digest when they were cooked proved no trouble when they were raw. (This is quite a common experience.) She continued with the diet at home and tried to take more care of her general health. She washed her hair frequently with an antifungal shampoo and used an anti-fungal nappy rash cream on her face. She felt much better after a few weeks and felt well six months later although she did notice if she strayed too far from the anti-Candida diet her bowel symptoms returned.*83\326\8*