posted
Was wondering if these tests would disclose the presence of parasites such as worms. Dr wants me to get this test as I have shed too many pounds over the past 6 months. thanks, gejr1
Posts: 40 | From northern nj | Registered: Mar 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Wise doctor to consider parasites.
But also know that lyme can play havoc with weight (in either direction, or sometimes, boomerang from loss to gain).
As for the tests, it's a bit complex and some parasites just won't show up in tests.
Still, I'd have your doctor run the basic ones and then go from there.
Gael (glm - and some number I can't recall), or GiGi - two other posters here, hopefully be by soon to help as they often post about parasite treatments and tests.
Others, too, but I wanted to answer here to differentiate this thread from the Duplicate one to this.
Some LLMDs incorporate parasite treatment with lyme, some before treating lyme. It's very common to have parasites with lyme, by the way. Comes with the total mix.
Lovely, eh? Just keep a sense of humor.
=======================
Have you been assessed for 3 other conditions that can cause weight loss:
Celiac disease (re: gluten)
Diabetes (but if that pops up, lyme treatment can often help if it is a cause and effect kind of situation)
Addison's (adrenal exhaustion)
- but if Addison's, the treatment of steroids can make lyme worse, so a LLMD needs to be consulted prior to treatment or to any kind of challenge test with steroids). LOW dose Cortef is well tolerated by many with lyme, though.
Addison's can be caused by lyme, though, and treatment for lyme, along with very careful adrenal support can help. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
Extremely unlikely that you will come out of those tests with the doc saying he found evidence of parasites. I've also wondered if these tests could possibly show evidence of parasites, but clearly it would have to be an intelligent gastro, and there simply aren't any of those around. I do think that the preparation for these tests minimizes the chances of worms being visible in these areas, as they are going to be devoid of food.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I have wondered about this myself. I wondered why the doctors don't notice worms when removing people's gall bladders, etc. Is it because they get money from doing the operations & if the damage was attributed to worms, they could face malpractice suits?
Anyway, here's some excellent info about one species of parasite - Roundworms -
It's in regards to horses but I'm sure it could apply to humans, as well.
The parasites migrate around the body & have complicated lifecycles. It wouldn't necessarily prove anything if a doctor does not actually see anything.
I think we really have to take this parasite business into account & study the lifecycles they may have. There are many different parasites & some have very complicated lifecycles. They do alot of damage in the body which can be attributed to a variety of different illnesses.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
My endoscopy and colonoscopy did not show that I had parasites, and I had a massive worm infestation.
They are good tests to do, however, because they do find some things .... well, maybe .... they found nothing in me, but at least they ruled out some conditions.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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quote:Originally posted by MichaelTampa: Extremely unlikely that you will come out of those tests with the doc saying he found evidence of parasites. I've also wondered if these tests could possibly show evidence of parasites, but clearly it would have to be an intelligent gastro, and there simply aren't any of those around. I do think that the preparation for these tests minimizes the chances of worms being visible in these areas, as they are going to be devoid of food.
- True! My gastro doesn't believe in Candida because he's never "SEEN" it.
I would imagine most of the parasites and yeast are in the small intestine??
Plus, as Michael said, the prep would remove all the "bad stuff."
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo:
Plus, as Michael said, the prep would remove all the "bad stuff."
Well, from the colon anyway, but it didn't remove the parasites in the small intestine. Tapeworms actually attach.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
A major reason for doing a multiple parasite protocol especially when neuro symptoms are involved is that parasites are not restricted to certain areas, but are often found in the brain as well.
Most of them are not visible with the naked eye and some of the meds need to be crossing the blood brain barrier (Albendazole and Alinia do). to cross into certain areas.
I have never seen anything come out of me ever, nothing that I would be able to identify or that would resemble a worm, larva or egg, yet the treatment that I did years ago helped me to get totally well.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
You will do a prep before the colonoscopy so that the doctor will be able to see the bowel wall clearly. (I was awake throughout the procedure, you really can see everything!).
If you had any adult parasites that were visible to the human eye, they would probably end up washed out in the toilet with your stool after the prep.
Microscopic parasites, eggs, and anything living higher up in in the small intestine would not be seen in a routine colonoscopy.
Endoscopy usually looks at the throat, stomach, and the duodenum /first part of the small intestine. This wouldn't reveal a parasitic infection. It could be helpful in diagnosing or ruling our other problems.
Standard tests for parasites usually involve testing stool. There are also blood antibody tests that can be done. I've been told that neither are very accurate.
Unfortunately, doctors are usually very hesitant to treat for parasites unless you test positive.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
My daughter had this done the first time about a dozen years ago and once or twice since then. The first time revealed eosinophils on both colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. We were told this can be from an allergic reaction or parasite. She had pretty severe problems for a year, mostly with severe pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, and this is all that was found. She is now 26 and not dx with Lyme (I think I may have passed it on congenitally) but many more symptoms are beginning to show up.
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
Remembering the show Dr.Oz did on parasites. They showed a colon swarming with worms. I guess Dr. Oz is the only doc that ever found parasites in a colonoscopy.
Makes you wonder how much of this kind of infection is being overlooked.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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Plus, as Michael said, the prep would remove all the "bad stuff."
Well, from the colon anyway, but it didn't remove the parasites in the small intestine. Tapeworms actually attach.
For that reason too!!
("I would imagine most of the parasites and yeast are in the small intestine??")
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sammy
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Member # 13952
posted
So, do you all think that if a doctor saw a bunch of live parasites during your colonoscopy that he wouldn't mention it? It would think that this would be a pretty significant finding even if he didn't know for sure what it was or how to treat it!
If you want to, ask to stay awake for the procedure. Then you will see exactly what the doctor sees on the screen. If there are visible parasites you both will see them. If not, neither of you will see them.
If you get anxious easily your doctor may not want to do the procedure without any kind of anesthesia. You will have to convince them that you will be fine and not freak out on the table. (But can you guarantee that?)
The colonoscopy can be uncomfortable at times but to me it was bearable. The endoscopy without sedation was much worse. They have to put the scope down your throat to look at your stomach and duodenum. It will make you gag and it feels like they are in there forever!
I didn't chose to have these tests without sedation. They gave me anesthesia (6x the normal adult dose) for the colonoscopy but it didn't work. I was wide awake. It kinda freaked the nurses and doctor out. For the Endoscopy I had to have it done without any meds because of testing that was done immediately afterwards.
Even if you are sedated for these procedures most GI docs take pictures and often video of the whole procedure so that they can go back and review it with you during your follow-up visits.
Another option if your insurance will cover it is a capsule endoscopy. You swallow it and it will go through your entire GI tract. You and your doctor can watch the video together if you'd like.
Good luck!
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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sparkle7
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posted
re: So, do you all think that if a doctor saw a bunch of live parasites during your colonoscopy that he wouldn't mention it? It would think that this would be a pretty significant finding even if he didn't know for sure what it was or how to treat it!
---
I showed my doctor several photos of things that came out of me & he had no clue what to do. I was the one who had to ask for ivermectin over 2 years ago. He didn't know how to give me a correct dose & the prescription couldn't be filled. He told me to contact the CDC... So much for "cutting edge" LLMDs.
This is a topic most doctors totally avoid. People have suggested to me that I had some kind of psychiatric disorder because I saw parasites in my bowel movements. I mean, what is that about? It's OK for animals to have parasites but people in America are somehow immune to them...
Go figure?
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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sammy
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posted
sparkle, I hear you. I've had so many mainstream doctors tell me that they suspect GI parasites, they tell me that testing is flawed, but not one of them is willing to treat without a strong positive test.
This issue has come up again for me because I have chronic eosinophilia (which can be caused by parasites). Doctors are a little more concerned now because of my immune disorder.
I also have several known exposures due to foreign volunteer and medical trips. The problem is multiple countries, multi infection possibilities. Doctors don't even know what to test for.
I wish they would just try treating with ivermectin but the won't. I've asked. Sigh. It got me a referral and more lab tests.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
sammy.
Have you considered ordering the Ivermectin and other antiparasitics like sparkle has done? Or doing antiparasitic herbs and salt/c?
I hope you don't ignore this and just take charge yourself. You can wait till the cows come home until some of these doctors wake up.
In the meantime some of these parasites are laying up to 200,000 eggs a day and will just keep making you get sicker. It almost killed me until I took charge. Time to empower yourself!
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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