Parasites

[key]

What is up with all the talk about parasites lately. It seems to be all the hype. Has anyone here actually done a "cleanse" for them or been tested for them? Was anyone's test positive? WHere do they get their information and is it accurate?

I guess I am just curious, because after reading on some of these sites, it freaks me out that I have them. I am skinny and have digestive problems. I am a vegetarian and never eat meat, but they say you can get them from vegetables, etc. I just don't understand why mainstream doctors don't test for them and how they know so much about it. Everytime you read it on the internet, it seems someone is selling some colon cleanse. I did that one time and it caused horrible smelling gas and loose stools, but I definitely never "saw" any parasites and only did it for a week, because it made my bowels pretty upset!

It all grosses me out and I don't even want to think about having worms crawling in me! That is SO repulsive.

Ok, any thoughts on this?

Monica

[Robix]

Hey there,

Before suspecting I had celiac I tried doing a million things to get rid of my stomach problems, fasting, detoxing and then I found the Dr. Natura site where they actually have pictures and everything and also got so freaked out that I actually bought the cleanse package. (can you say "sucker?" or "paranoid?" lol! Am so deathly afraid of bugs, can't stand the thought they might be breeding and laying eggs inside my gut! Ack!!! )

It says on the site that many people are inaccurately diagnosed with IBS and Celliac disease when they should be tested for parasites which apparently cause the same symptoms. I spoke about this with a friend of mine and doctors here just don't test much for parasites, even though 30 to 40% of northamerican adults have them apparently. (the sites claim more, like 80% of adults). Naturopaths test for parasites routinely though, and are more aware.

I think its the Eastern V. Western medecine paradigm. Eastern medecine looks to eliminate the cause, western medecine looks to treat the symptoms.

I am still happy I bought the package as this is why I started looking into IBS and celiac disease as possible causes for my mysterious ailments, and realized I have classic celiac disease-related issues.

I didn't finish the cleane though, so can't comment on if it worked well. Judging from the pictures though, seems like it does spit-shine your digestive system out though! Yuck!

[key]

That is the website I have seen. I just think it may be a money making business sometimes. Yes, it is nasty what they show on there! Anyway, I bought another health book and it talks alot about parasites causing us health problems. Sometimes I think they want to sell their products and therefore they make us paranoid. Just my personal opinion of course.

Thanks for sharing your story though. I think actually my problem lately is getting gluttened too many times and then needing to not drink caffeine, because it makes me have IBS type symptoms. It is annoying though. I love my coffee, I love my diet pepsi and iced tea! These are one of my only pleasures in life. AT least this is how I view them. I know I have a distorted view! I don't drink alcohol though, I am vegetarian and I have cut back on dairy and I can't have gluten now. Also the gluten free breads I am now trying to stay away from. Along with processed foods.

I guess I think that if you had parasites that you would have diarhea or smelly gas or some other symptoms then what they claim. I was looking at the ingredients on their stuff and it says Senna, which is a laxative and Psyllium. Both of which make you go to the bathroom more and yes, I guess you would get "cleaned" out, but does it really kill the "bugs"?

Monica

[Robix]

Both of which make you go to the bathroom more and yes, I guess you would get "cleaned" out, but does it really kill the "bugs"?

Monica

The cleanse is 3 parts:

1. is a non-prescription parasite pill that you take everyday, kills the parasites and eggs

2. is colon adhesive mix that makes stuff in your digestive system stick to it - including parasites, eggs and nests (kind of like biore strips do with blackheads!) That's the psyllium drink.

3. is a tea that makes you "go" and expell it all.

Its still in the box on my shelf! Now am thinking I may do the cleanse after all! Gross!

[Rachel--24]

I believe that alot of people do have parasites. I dont know about all those herbal supplements and cleanses though.

I did try one back when I was trying to self-diagnose and *something* did come out the very next day. Dont know what it was though. It very well could have been a parasite but I have no idea and it never happened again.

My doctor regularly tests for parasites. I know of a couple others on this forum that go to my doctor and they were found to have parasites but my own test was negative. I did have a c-diff infection though.

My doctor doesnt use herbs or supplements for treating parasites. I think maybe all that stuff is for profit. Not all herbs work for all parasites. How would you know what to buy if you dont know what type of parasite you have? My doctors use antibiotics that are specific for whatever infection you have...they dont treat anything that doesnt show up in a test.

[key]

THanks Rachel. I was just curious if anyone had tested positive for parasites. My GI doctor has never offered to test me for parasites. I don't really like him though. I think he is just a prescriber of medicine! It is annoying. I am SO fed up with them. I just want to be well, but when you read stuff from the natural docs, well I don't believe everything they say either. Common sense tells me some of it is quackery! I believe alot of them are a bit fanatical. I am into natural stuff, but only the stuff that makes sense.

Monica

[jerseyangel]

Monica--Last year before I was diagnosed, my GP did an O & P (ova and parasite) workup on me. I had to take 7 stool samples over 3 days. Then I took them in the little vials they provided to the lab where they also took a blood sample. A week or so later, my doctor had the results. This was covered by our health insurance. I tested neg.

[Rachel--24]

Monica--Last year before I was diagnosed, my GP did an O & P (ova and parasite) workup on me. I had to take 7 stool samples over 3 days. Then I took them in the little vials they provided to the lab where they also took a blood sample. A week or so later, my doctor had the results. This was covered by our health insurance. I tested neg.

Yeah...this is the right type of test for parasites. Your GP can order it for you. The one I just did recently was an O & P but was a little more extensive. It also checked for bacteria, yeasts, and blood.

[Claire]

Parasites are real as anyone who has gone to some of the foreign countries can tell you - especially Latin America,

To really gross you out, my grandmother had a near relative who was sick for several years. She lost an alarming amount of weight and was expected to die. I don't know how or who it was that a parasite was suspected but she had a big one - a tapeworm that measured 18 inches in length! My mother told me about seeing it after it was placed in a basin of water. If you never saw a tapeworm I know a site on the internet that has one. I think it unlikely that anyone really wants to see it! Claire

[Felidae]

I wrote a paper on tapeworms in zoology. I actually find them quite facinating. Of course, I don't want a live one anywhere near me. My gp has tested me for parasites almost every year while we were trying to figure out what was wrong with me.

[Guest Robbin]

I was worried about parasites before I was dx'd, and my dr. tested me for them. I was negative, but I wonder about the herbal treatments--are they potentially harmful if you already have irritated bowels? I had such severe D and bleeding that I was afraid to try them. I think a dr. should be the one to test you for them. (much as I hate to recommend any more dr. visits to anyone!) I don't know what I'd do if I saw a worm floating in the toilet. I think I'd probably pass out cold!

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

What is up with all the talk about parasites lately. It seems to be all the hype. Has anyone here actually done a "cleanse" for them or been tested for them? Was anyone's test positive? WHere do they get their information and is it accurate?

I believe that alot of people do have parasites.

......I did try one back when I was trying to self-diagnose and *something* did come out the very next day. Dont know what it was though. It very well could have been a parasite but I have no idea and it never happened again.

.......I did have a c-diff infection though.

....... My doctors use antibiotics that are specific for whatever infection you have...they dont treat anything that doesnt show up in a test.

I hope I didn't cut up the quotes too much.

Rachel -- I alway learn from you. You help me more then you know (((HUGS))) When you wrote about c-diff what is that? I know when I took antibiotices for my root canal I really felt a world better. Can we have an infection in out gut causing it?

I was wondering about parasites too.

I was tested last week and waiting for the results. I really want to have parasites and not celiac disease. I can explain how I got parasites, if I do in fact have it. Hurricanes 4, in 2 years, and our water source was contaminated. I also have a little doggie that has them really bad just found out when getting his health cert to fly.

Oh, and I read that parasites are more active durning a full moon. The last few night (full moon) as I was falling asleep my tummy makes noises like there is a dragon inside screaming "Feed me I'm hungry!"

Has anyone else here had them?

[Ursa Major]

I was worried about parasites before I was dx'd, and my dr. tested me for them. I was negative, but I wonder about the herbal treatments--are they potentially harmful if you already have irritated bowels? I had such severe D and bleeding that I was afraid to try them. I think a dr. should be the one to test you for them. (much as I hate to recommend any more dr. visits to anyone!) I don't know what I'd do if I saw a worm floating in the toilet. I think I'd probably pass out cold!

Robbin, last year in May I tried a parasite cleanse from the health food store, because I thought I've had the symptoms that could suggest parasites for a very long time. Well, I was feeling worse every day, until, after a week, I went into full-blown celiac disease (I guess that cleanse was just the last straw). I had chronic, liquid diarrhea for six months, nothing could stop it (Immodium made it worse), until I figured it out and went off gluten. Quitting gluten stopped the D cold within a day!

But they did every test imaginable, including parasites, during the summer, except for celiac disease testing (my doctor told me later that since I was gaining, instead of losing weight, she didn't think I could have celiac disease).

Of course, since all the herbs in the cleanse, and the psyllium, are very high in salicylates, I was sicker than I had ever been while taking them!

[tiffjake]

I am doing that Dr. Natura cleanse right now. Today is my first day. I don't know if I have any "bugs" in me, but I do think I have some collected stool that needs flushing out. I figured this one looked good because many of the others I have seen are so intense that they are only 3 days or a week, and they tell you to eat a certian diet. This one is not like that. No weird reactions today, and I am eating whatever I want to. But I will tell you now that I will not be looking at the toilet before I flush!!!! I don't want to know!!!!! I am going on faith and the scale here (looking for weight loss = cleaning out backed up stool).

I will keep you posted on how it goes.

[tiffjake]

I am doing that Dr. Natura cleanse right now. Today is my first day. I don't know if I have any "bugs" in me, but I do think I have some collected stool that needs flushing out. I figured this one looked good because many of the others I have seen are so intense that they are only 3 days or a week, and they tell you to eat a certian diet. This one is not like that. No weird reactions today, and I am eating whatever I want to. But I will tell you now that I will not be looking at the toilet before I flush!!!! I don't want to know!!!!! I am going on faith and the scale here (looking for weight loss = cleaning out backed up stool).

I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Ok, so, I am quiting the cleanse now. My urine is burning like UTI, but when I stop taking the stuff for a day, then the burning stops (?!?!?!) so I am stoping the cleanse.

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

-

[happygirl]

x

[Rachel--24]

How are you guys getting tested?? Parasites arent easily detected and one stool sample is not enough. There should be 4 or 5 samples taken over a 3 or 4 day period to get more accurate results. Never a one day sample.

[Madge]

I don't have any bowel problems, but I started doing Dr. Schulze's Intestinal Formula #1 and #2 because my boyfriend did it (his doctor suggested it, he had leaky gut), and I thought I'd try it too. (By the way, for him it cured his leaky gut). The first two weeks I felt great, nothing unusual. But into the third week, I saw my feces MOVING. I couldn't believe it, but it happened again the next time. The bowel movement was literally shaking back and forth! I did an obsessive internet search, and found out that the little "rice-like" pieces I was seeing were tapeworm segments, and that they can move on their own. Every day after that I saw them, and then some other red globby things, which I later found out were "flukes." Determined to get rid of these creatures, I supplemented what I was taking with anti-parasite herbs, and now every day I see what appear to be bowlfuls of flukes, tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, spongy egg sacs, things that look like beans, peas, and corn, which I assume are egg packets. These animals comprise the bulk of my stools now. It's unbelievable. I'm completely infested.

I have had stomach aches since I've started to rid myself of them, but it is such a relief to get rid of them, and perhaps the infestation can explain the fatigue and brain fog I've had lately. I have traveled in Europe a bit this year, but not to any third world countries, and I thought I was pretty careful about what I ate. I have had food poisoning a couple of times in the past year from trips to the East Coast, and I do have a cat, but it was a big shock to find I had parasites. My point is that if I am infested, and if it's a coincidence that I found out, chances are a lot of other people are too. I don't want to scare anyone, but after my experience I would recommend that EVERYONE do a bowel and parasite cleanse, because it's not that expensive, it's not much of a commitment in time or energy, it can't hurt you, and if you almost can't risk NOT doing it!

[2kids4me]

Okay, my background is veterinary medicine. I've seen lots of parasites. From what I have seen of the bowel cleanses - there is a lot of scare mongering.

From: Open Original Shared Link

There are two main types of intestinal parasites: helminths and protozoa. Helminths are worms with many cells. Tapeworms, pinworms, and roundworms are among the most common helminths in the United States. Usually, helminths cannot multiply in the human body. Protozoa have only one cell, and can multiply inside the human body. In the U.S., the most common protozoa are giardia and cryptosporidium.

Most parasites are host specific. You cannot get pinworm from your cat or dog. Only horses and humans (or primates) get pinworms. The horse pinworm will not infect a human. Pinworms cause intense anal itching as the females come out at night and lay eggs at the outer rectum

Intesinal parasites do NOT lay egg sacs. The eggs are visible only under a micropscope.

Tapeworm segments are visible in the stool or at the rectum, and do look like moving rice.

Any stool left by your pet in the yard for more than 24 hours may appear to have tapewom segments - but it is maggots. Flies lay eggs and the hatched larvae look like tapeworm.

Roundworms look like white earthworms.

Flukes are uncommon in USA, more common in Asia.

Giardia and cryptosporidium are one celled and ONLY visible under a microscope - these are the parastes that require multiple stool samples in order to rule them out.

If you are seeing what looks like egg packets or worms - this may not be parasites but indicative of intestinal inflammation - mucous threads, cells sluffed from the intestine come out as globs mixed with mucous/blood because of the local inflammatory reaction and look like red globby things. The only way to confirm they are parasites is to look at them under a microscope.

Intestinal parasites can be more serious if you are pregnant. Your health care provider will tell you which drugs are safe to take during pregnancy. Treatment for intestinal parasites during pregnancy should be closely monitored by a qualified practitioner.

another site about intestinal parasites: Open Original Shared Link

from site listed at start of post:

Generally, conventional medical treatments can eliminate parasites more quickly and with fewer side effects than most alternative treatments. Alternative treatments may be helpful as supportive therapies. However, your health care provider must find out what kind of organism is causing your problems before you start treatment. The following nutritional guidelines will help keep organisms from growing. It is important to maintain good bowel habits during treatment.

Avoid simple carbohydrates such as those found in refined foods, fruits, juices, dairy products, and all sugars.

Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have antiworm properties. Drink a lot of water to promote good bowel elimination.

Consume more fiber, which helps get rid of worms.

Supplement your diet with probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacilus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii ( 250 mg, taken one time per day between meals), and bifidobacteria, to keep parasites from spreading.

Digestive enzymes will help restore your intestinal tract to its normal state, which makes it inhospitable to parasites. Papain taken 30 minutes before or after meals helps kill worms.

Vitamin C (250 - 500 mg two times a day) or, if well-tolerated, much higher doses of up to 6,000 mg per day in otherwise healthy adults) and zinc (20 - 30 mg per day) support the immune system. Lower vitamin C dose if diarrhea devel

I have assisted with hundreds of abdominal surgeries and never once have I seen stool "stuck" to the colon wall as claimed in many colon cleanse sites. The intestine is constantly in motion (peristalsis). Even in animals where an obstruction exists - the intestinal wall that is on the other side of the obstruction ( can be balls, rocks, pantyhose, bones, carpet, plastic, needles and thread, etc)..the intestine distal to (past) the obstuction is pink and nothing "stuck" to it.

Bowel cleanses can make people very sick. They are not for everyone. If you are taking medication or have other medical conditions, or are pregnant - they can cause harm. The herbs in the cleanses can interact with other meds. Research your choices and then decide if its for you

Just my opinion.

Sandy

[ravenwoodglass]

Okay, my background is veterinary medicine. I've seen lots of parasites. From what I have seen of the bowel cleanses - there is a lot of scare mongering.

From: Open Original Shared Link

Most parasites are host specific. You cannot get pinworm from your cat or dog. Only horses and humans (or primates) get pinworms. The horse pinworm will not infect a human. Pinworms cause intense anal itching as the females come out at night and lay eggs at the outer rectum

Intesinal parasites do NOT lay egg sacs. The eggs are visible only under a micropscope.

Tapeworm segments are visible in the stool or at the rectum, and do look like moving rice.

Any stool left by your pet in the yard for more than 24 hours may appear to have tapewom segments - but it is maggots. Flies lay eggs and the hatched larvae look like tapeworm.

Roundworms look like white earthworms.

Flukes are uncommon in USA, more common in Asia.

Giardia and cryptosporidium are one celled and ONLY visible under a microscope - these are the parastes that require multiple stool samples in order to rule them out.

If you are seeing what looks like egg packets or worms - this may not be parasites but indicative of intestinal inflammation - mucous threads, cells sluffed from the intestine come out as globs mixed with mucous/blood because of the local inflammatory reaction and look like red globby things. The only way to confirm they are parasites is to look at them under a microscope.

another site about intestinal parasites: Open Original Shared Link

from site listed at start of post:

I have assisted with hundreds of abdominal surgeries and never once have I seen stool "stuck" to the colon wall as claimed in many colon cleanse sites. The intestine is constantly in motion (peristalsis). Even in animals where an obstruction exists - the intestinal wall that is on the other side of the obstruction ( can be balls, rocks, pantyhose, bones, carpet, plastic, needles and thread, etc)..the intestine disatl to (past) the obstuction is ppink and nothing "stuck" to it.

Bowel cleanses can make people very sick. They are not for everyone. If you are taking medication or have other medical conditions, or are pregnant - they can cause harm. The herbs in the cleases can interact with other meds. Research your choices and then decide if its for you

Just my opinion.

Sandy

Thank you so much for posting this. You did it well and brought up a lot of good and accurate information in an easily understood way. I also agree that all this 'cleansing' stuff is scare mongering and can be dangerous.