Stool Testing And Parasites

[FruitEnthusiast]

My ND thinks I may have a parasite issue, because my leaky gut and related constipation problems are so bad. I, myself, have no reason to suspect that I have parasites, but I'm searching for answers because I'm sick so much of the time and not getting better.

She would prefer I get a very expensive (Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned) stool test to check for parasites. My insurance doesn't cover it. Has anyone used this testing or the standard stool test a usual Dr orders that is generally covered by insurance? Is the expensive one really that much better? She thinks there is no point in having a standard stool test at all.

Her other suggestion if I can't afford the expensive test, is to use a parasite cleansing product. She suggests Paragone by Renew Life. I have two concerns: 1) will a cleansing product irritate my already sensitive intestinal lining, and 2) will the product target the right types of parasites, if I have any.

Does anyone have experience with this stuff? I really need help here. I don't know what to do at this point. I can barely eat anything (only fruit, veg, beans, nuts), and I can barely have a normal bm anymore. My gluten related health problems are shutting down by body and my life, and I'm running out of options.

[Takala]

Oh, for Pete's sake

I thought I was having all sorts of issues, again, last winter, and it turns out I just needed to get rid of anything gluten free that was processed in a facility with allegedly gluten free oats.

This thing with the parasites, supposedly infesting so many, we would seriously be much better off if we had our dogs or horses take US to the veterinarian for a test, and then a worming, (which can be bought over the counter retail for anywhere from $5 to $12 for a 1000 lbs of horse) it would be cheaper, more accurate, and effective !

Read here about the "Paragon" herbal stuff: Open Original Shared Link

ParaGone1 contains 1323 mg per serving, about two capsules, of a variety of ingredients that include undecylenic acid, black walnut hull and seed, caprylic acid, quassia, bismuth citrate, cape aloe leaf, garlic bulb and pau d'arco root bark, according to ReNew Life. It also contains leaf and stem extracts from rosemary, wormwood and thyme as well as the seeds from clove, pumpkin, grapefruit and pippali. In general, these ingredients serve as laxatives or contain anti-parasitic, antiviral or antibiotic properties. Ingredients with anti-parasitic properties include black walnut and wormwood while several ingredients have antibiotic properties such as Pau D'arco, garlic, thyme, bismuth citrate, quassia and andecylenic acid, according to the Clayton College of Natural Health. Cape aloe leaf is a natural laxative that also possesses antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties.

[ravenwoodglass]

IMHO it would be best to go to your regular doctor to order stool tests for parasites. Cleanses can also be dangerous for us with an already compromised digestive system. If you are newly diagnosed it can take some time for us to heal enough for our systems to get back to normal. I know it is hard to be patient but it can seem like we are reacting to all kinds of stuff until we are healed.

[Bubba's Mom]

My ND thinks I may have a parasite issue, because my leaky gut and related constipation problems are so bad. I, myself, have no reason to suspect that I have parasites, but I'm searching for answers because I'm sick so much of the time and not getting better.

She would prefer I get a very expensive (Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned) stool test to check for parasites. My insurance doesn't cover it. Has anyone used this testing or the standard stool test a usual Dr orders that is generally covered by insurance? Is the expensive one really that much better? She thinks there is no point in having a standard stool test at all.

Her other suggestion if I can't afford the expensive test, is to use a parasite cleansing product. She suggests Paragone by Renew Life. I have two concerns: 1) will a cleansing product irritate my already sensitive intestinal lining, and 2) will the product target the right types of parasites, if I have any.

Does anyone have experience with this stuff? I really need help here. I don't know what to do at this point. I can barely eat anything (only fruit, veg, beans, nuts), and I can barely have a normal bm anymore. My gluten related health problems are shutting down by body and my life, and I'm running out of options.

Parasites aren't as rare as you might think. You can get them from unwashed fruit or veggies, or even some municipal water supplies may have them. A healthy digestive system would probably be able to squelch them, but if you already have a damaged intestine they can take hold? (when I was tested I had a very common one, which they usually think of as fairly benign) It's more likely you have a bacterial overgrowth though.

A regular stool test should show if there's any parasite in your stool. It's looked at under a microscope and the parasite is obvious to the trained eye. Most insurance would cover this standard test.

A bacterial overgrowth is usually tested for with a hydrogen breath test. Again, usually covered by insurance, but if you get a positive reading, it may be a bit of a guessing game as to which bacteria you have.

I strongly suggest probiotics, coconut oil, pumpkin seeds, oregano, garlic, and honey in the diet. They all help fight off the bad stuff in your system.

[mamaw]

We all have parasites & bacteria in our bodies but for many reasons they become over populated in our bodies.. Many eat unwashed fruit & veggies, lack of good hand washing & so on. Years ago the whole family did a parasite cleasne.. We used Paradox... it did make all of us a bit squeesey, grumpy, & tired but the results were wonderful once completed. Many issues disappeared & an energy like we hadn't known before... We felt bad while doing the cleasne but great after... I think you must weigh the pros & cons for yourself....it isn't something I would do on a regular basis. Some people never will do alternative forms of treatment but that is what our forefathers did before this wonderful mainstream medicine....!!!!!!*******!!! where all drugs come with a big warning label with serious side effects... you choose...

[FruitEnthusiast]

Thanks Ravenwoodglass, Bubba's Mom, and mamaw for your kind responses, and helpful ideas. I'm taking probiotics, and will start using the coconut oil that's been sitting on my shelf.

My ND actually called me to check how I was doing, and to see if I had started the cleanse yet, I was amazed. I had a chance to ask her more questions about it, and learned that the cleanse is supposed to clean any unwanted overgrowth out, including bacteria etc. If it doesn't help, she says, I'll know I didn't need it. At least I'm only spending about $40, rather than ten times that much. I think it's time to try it, so I'm starting the cleanse this weekend and hope it will eventually provide the tiny light at the end of the tunnel I've been looking for. I'm overdue for one of those right now.

[1desperateladysaved]

Many of us are trying grain free. The Gluten Free Society has information about that. I use almond meal and coconut flour. I also use bean flours.

I like to use olive oil in things. If you can eat dairy, butter is good too, and if no dairy. Maybe try ghee which is butter melted with the dairy removed. I found the recipe on the internet.

I saw a parasite with my stool several months back. It was white, had a diamond shape,and a whiplike tail. I looked it up on the internet and there it was. I am hoping that a Thyme product I was using brought it out with all of its buddies.

I had a Quest dignostic test for parasites. I noticed that it didn't seem as thourough as the test my son gets through his osteopathic doctor. I am sorry I do not remember the lab. However, I do remember that for that test one collects 3 specimens over 5 days. You also do a saliva test. The quest test included adding stool to the contents of 3 bottles as soon as possible.

I am now considering a different test for me.

Please, get well soon. Hang in there in the meanwhile.

[FruitEnthusiast]

I'm doing the Paragone cleanse now, this is the sixth day. Nothing has happened yet, except I started drinking Kangen water and the combination of the two is stirring toxins up and making me feel nauseated and headachy. I decided to do the cleanse because it is supposed to clear out anything that shouldn't be there from parasites, to bacterial or yeast overgrowth, etc. I don't have any problems taking it, it doesn't bother my stomach, it tastes ok, no adverse effects.