Id like to chime in here. I can't say for 100% to the OP if it is the Nystatin but that is CLASSIC reaction of someone who is infested with yeast. I don't use candida/yeast/fungus lightly because A) no one (including alternative doctors) take it seriously because of the fact that it is overdiagnosed B) everyone has different levels of candida and believes that it is their main problem. But in my case, i recently found out i have yeast in my small intestine (that was not detectable by stool sample) and have found that antifungals that work will literally give me panic within an hour (usually around the time it hits the small intestine and starts to kill candida and releases toxins (acetaldehyde). I get panic, heart palpitations upon standing and weird blood pressure fluctuation, get really really lethargic (which is weird because at my regular state i am usually "wired but tired" and unable to relax my nervous system) and also sleepy. My head feels so fogged up, i feel toxic and feel weak and dizzy and that of course triggers panic which is nothing really but the body's alarm system telling you something's up.
Nystatin works for some but I have not used it yet even though my doc gave me a prescription for 500,000 units, 3 times a day for a month because the die off would literally kill me. Other fungals that have been extremely strong to the point where I know it works is garlic and candex. Garlic has so many different compounds that are antifungal that candida usually has a very hard time adjusting to all its components, much like rotating or combining antibiotics against strong bacteria. Much like any form of life on earth, the ability to adapt is usually compromised when bombarded with multiple attacks as opposed to one mechanism like nystatin which has a very specific way of killing yeast (i believe its to creatine a barrier around yeast cells so they essentially starve but i'm not 100% at the moment). And candex (normal dose is 2 pills X TWICE a day, I took 1/4 of ONE capsule in water) does the same thing to me. GSE (grapefruit seed extract) does this as well and at first I thought I was having a bad reaction to phenols or something but it was the die off that occurred.
I guess the question is should you continue to push. And only you can know that. I really think that id be unfunctional and creating way too much liver and tissue damage by creating die off but in order for the constant acetaldehyde poisoning to stop, i need to kill the yeast. vicious cycle.. currently I'm waiting on a genetics profile to check for mutations in my liver enzymes to see which ones need help and which ones are missing, etc. and perhaps that will shed some light on how to detox better.
Also, aside from genetics testing, candida/fungus creates ethanol as a byproduct of consuming simple sugars. Everyone knows this. But what happens once people who have this infestation eats, is that ethanol is drawn into the bloodstream which causes symptoms of being drunk, brain fog and so forth. The normal metabolism of ethanol is that it is converted into acetaldehyde (which is 1030X more toxic to the body than ethanol itself, same family as formaldehyde and we all know how bad formaldehyde is) and then acetaldehyde is converted into acetate/acetic acid by an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase/oxidase. Acetic acid can be used in the kreb cycle for energy as well since it is converted into coenzyme A (also used for hormones and adrenal health. reason for b5 supplementation with adrenal issues).
The problem with candida is TWO FOLD:
One, you're being constantly poisoned from the inside out with ethanol on a daily basis. Tissue damage ,symptoms of those suffering from long term candida are similar to alcoholics. And it is due to the acetaldehyde build up (which will be described below). Ethanol by the way, damages the mucous membrane in the gut and causes irritation. (also called glutamine rebound which is why you feel like crap after drinking) and constant release of ethanol first destroys the gut lining causing leaky gut.
Two, the toxic build up of acetaldehyde is the main reasons (known to date) for candida symptoms sufferers. Acetaldehyde is SO toxic to your body and cells, it blocks and binds (also known as cross-links) with coenzyme A, nerve cells, etc. and destroys your cells. Normally the liver reduces acetaldehyde to acetic acid (vinegar) with that particular enzyme and here is where the problem lies. First, the body is overwhelmed with constant acetaldehyde. So there is more coming in than going out, eventually leading to liver exhaustion, non alcoholic fatty liver, detoxification problems (which also leads to buildup of OTHER toxins that would normally be excreted out but cant be now because of an overwhelmed liver and glutathione and sulfur depletion). Basically at this point, the rain barrel that was collecting drops of toxins is overflowing and isn't draining the toxins out as fast as its coming in. Hence, system shutdown.
The gene ALDH2 is the main gene that determines enzyme productivity of breaking down acetaldehyde > acetic acid and those that are homozygous wild type have no mutation and have no problem processing acetaldehyde (normally, such as drinking alcohol). They are more prone to being alcoholics for this reason but less prone for liver and organ damage. Those who are heterozygous have decreased enzymatic activity (not as fast and full as homozygous wildtype) and it is unclear how much enzymatic activity is going on so if you are heterozygous you still lack the enzymes because it can be anywhere from 10% to 70% or something in between 0-100%. Homozygous mutations however, means you have veryl little to none enzymatic activity when it comes to your body's ability to detox acetaldehyde into acetic acid. These people turn very flush when they drink any form of alcohol, get extremely sick (the far eastern population such as Chinese, japanese, have the highest % of those with this mutation. reason is unclear) and are less prone to being alcoholics but more prone to liver damage and organ damage. So you can imagine, if you are a homozygous mutation or even heterozygous, even if you don't drink alcohol you are much more susceptible to organ and tissue damage and overall systemic toxicity than those who can clear this toxin out faster.
Aside from genetics, nutritional status also affects the enzymatic activity of acetaldehyde breakdown. Taking NAC has been known to mop up and bind acetaldehyde so it does not cross link and combine with other cells. other b vitamins such as b1 and b2 are important in this process as well as mg, Zn. And of course molybdenum (but it is a trace mineral so dont overdo it) which is a crucial trace mineral in enzymatic activity of sulfur and acetaldehyde breakdown enzymes.
My situation is that i am extremely ill and recently I have pinpointed it to candida. Quite actually unbelievable and i still have a hard time believing that it can cause my body to not be able to even walk a few feet or take care of myself at such a young age but ever since discovering the concept of toxic buildup in the body and detoxification, it is much more clearer now. The stage that I am currently at is treatment, the vicious cycle described above as well as many others I'm sure. I am looking to optimize my liver and organs through vitamins and genetics testing in ANY way possible and also double teaming this matter with TCM herbals. If it will work, who knows.
Hope this post helps someone in the future!