I'm concerned about a trend in my recent lab results. For the past couple years I've had elevated eosinophils. They tend to go up and down slightly over the months. By the time they get really high and my LLMD sends me to the hematologist, they usually drop back down closer to upper normal range.
This happened recently. Saw the hematologist about a month ago, he said that my eosinophilia was "resolved" because it was still slightly elevated but not extremely high.
Well, my latest level drawn earlier this week was 19, with the normal range being 0-7. It is starting to rise again. (Last week was 17)
I think I'm also symptomatic.
Last week I thought I caught a stomach virus. ****Skip here if you don't want details**** Started with severe abdominal bloating and cramping. Then strange frequent bouts of foul smelling, pale looking, watery diarrhea that floated on the surface of the toilet water! It was so bad that I didn't make it to the bathroom a couple times because I had no warning.
It took several days for my stomach to calm down. I still feel completely wiped out. Drained of life. I've been sleeping most all of the day and night. I just get up to take my IV's and antibiotics. And make myself stay up a few hours in the evening. I missed appts this week because I couldn't leave the house. Thankfully the stomach is better now.
I've tested low positive before for strongyloides. My doctor didn't want to treat at that time because he wants me to be strong positive. I have an immune deficiency so it was pretty amazing that I got a response on that IgA test! I think that means I have an infection that needs treated.
I've also tested positive on the Metametrix test for an unknown/unidentified parasite. When I took the test, my doctor was concerned about parasites and was looking for a reason to treat. When I got the results he only treated me with an abbreviated Dr.K 10day protocol. Probably not enough of any medicine to help. I've asked for more and they have said that they afraid that now is not a good time.
I'm severely anemic, my iron is good now that I've had IV treatments. They suspect that I'm loosing blood from my GI tract (though it is not visible). You all also know that I have severe osteoporosis (I'm not even allowed to pick up my newborn niece The doctors fear that I would break another vertebrae!). All that despite adequate supplementation, good diet and previous active healthful lifestyle. It is baffling. My GI doctor is testing me for crohn's.
Can parasites cause crohn's?
Do you think that I have strongyloidiasis? Or something else?
What should I do?
With my immune deficiency, I would really like a doctor to help me and guide me with this. I don't want to self treat but I am getting sicker and am wondering if this is my only option.
Thoughts? Thanks.
[ 09-27-2012, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: sammy ]
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Sammy,
Parasites can cause Crohns, severe G.I. disturbances and anemia along with a host of other symptoms. Google symptom list. High eosinophils can definitely be a sign of parasites.
You tested positive for strongtloides. What is your doctor THINKING?? If he won't treat you, start some antiparasitic herbs and or salt/c.
There is a parasitologist listed on lymestrategies that they highly recommend and he treats by phone. Don't wait till you get sicker, you need to treat NOW!
Gael
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
I once had a great doctor who described high eosiniphils as being present for "worms, wheezies, and weird diseases" if only she had treated me for Lyme back then.
but yes, allergies, parasites, and any almost any inflammatory condition.
I know many feel we treat our animals better than ourselves by deworming them once a year or so.
I would talk with your LLMD again.
Posted by mr al (Member # 18191) on :
hmm.I was just tested for this as well. My number was 46 which was high.
My doctor just said that it could be a sign of Babesia.
This is all so confusing. How do you figure out what else it could be?
Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :
I'm just so sorry to hear you having to go through yet one more thing....
Praying for you and your doctor's....What else????
I know nobody has checked me for half of the stuff I read on here......
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
With eosinophils that high and diarrhea, esp the kind you describe, I don't think that was a virus! That is the description of a very bad case of parasites! ANd given your positive tests,
and given your history of travel in areas where parasites are rampant, including unusual ones . . . For Pete's sake, you need treatment!! You can't wait any longer.
Ask J for help and for him to get help from Dr. M. Please don't wait on this. If you have to wait, due to logistics, I have some other suggestions, and we should talk on the phone. In fact, we should talk anyway, as I do have suggestions.
This is such a foundational issue for really all of us, but some more than others, depending on exposure, etc. Lord have mercy, sammy, you need a good turn of events here.
gim is right to always be hammering us about parasites. We should all be "deworming" ourselves yearly, as vets do for pets. Only it's not just worms, it's so many other parasites. Sigh. It never ends, does it?
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
The doctors fear that I would break another vertebrae!). All that despite adequate supplementation, good diet and previous active healthful lifestyle. It is baffling. My GI doctor is testing me for crohn's.