posted
I'd like to know this too. And, if we're talking about microscopic (I know babesia is technically a parasite) or like worms and things.
Also, what are symptoms? My LLMD didn't mention any of this, and I'm curious too.
Posts: 63 | From Catskills, NY | Registered: Mar 2012
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i betcha most of us do.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
100% of living humans have parasites. Lyme patients have extra delicious spirochetes for the parasites to farm and a weakened immune system and are going to have more.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
Ditto to Michael. A weakened immune system absolutely cannot keep them at bay. No question in my mind.
I'm starting to believe this is the most overlooked infection, and may be the primary one that needs to be treated/addressed.
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
I feel it is very important to differentiate between G.I. parasites such as giardia, ascaris and tapeworm and bloodborne parasites such as babesia and malaria.
Yes, probably everyone in the world has a small percentage of unwelcome guests -- be that parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungus or whatever. The state of the immune system is what controls whether these guests live in harmony or make a person sick.
There are lots of arguments about germ theory or whether improving the terrain is all that is needed.
I am not saying people should not treat parasites -- I just don't want people to think that that is always the answer. If you are underweight or have G.I. issues then it becomes more imperative to treat G.I. paraistes.
I am also not going to get into whether or not parasites harbor heavy metals.
Some old timers are familiar with hubby's history. But for those who do not know -- he treated for mercury toxicity from his dental fillings back in 1999 -- 2000. Then around Thanksgiving of 2000 he had a flu like illness which would not go away. The nausea and vomiting and Parkinsonian tremors came back -- his old mercury toxicity symptoms. But the symptoms were worse and did not respond to prior meds or chelation therapy.
He left work on disability on February 13, 2001 and has still not returned to work. It took a couple of years to get the tickborne illness diagnosis and begin treatment.
But initially in 2001 he lost 30 pounds in about 6 weeks. He was diagnosed with giardia, ascaris and trichostrongylus. He treated with very strong Nigerian herbs and it took about a year before his chronic gastritis healed and he started regaining weight.
But during that time his lyme and babesia and bartonella and ehrlichia/anaplasma and Borna virus and whatever else he has continued to progress. He developed many more neurological symptoms despite successful treatment of his G.I. parasites.
Hubby has used alinia and is currently using ivermectin in his treatment. But for him both meds were prescribed for babesia. He has no G.I. reaction to those meds.
Testing for G.I. parasites is not all that great. The best test I know of is the G.I. panel from DiagnosTechs. They use saliva, blood and stool all in their testing.
Fortunatly hubby has never had a tapeworm, but there have been lyme patients who have dealt with that. Some G.I. parasites take specific treatment just like any other coinfection.
And I do know someone (the husband of a former massage therapist) who ended up in the hospital from a bowel blockage when they tried to treat ascaris with pau d arco tea. So it is important to do your research and be aware of potential side effects whether treating with herbs or meds.
I do think G.I. parasites need to be on the list of coinfections or other conditions which need to be ruled out for all tickborne patients.
Bea Seibert
I also want to add that anemia and elevated eosinophils are also classic parasite symptoms -- either G.I. or bloodborne.
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
When I think of parasite infections, I don't just think GI. Because of all of Gael's posts, I think more of the system infections caused by filarial worms.... that go everywhere throughout the body. Only specific long-term, anti-parasitic treatments can get to it.
I am so amazed and inspired by Gael's personal story. It makes me wonder if more people took the approach she did, maybe more would be healed like she has been?? One wonders...
I'm giving it my best try. I'm so damn tired of this disease.
One way or another, I hope we all make it to wellness. It's just so good to share and inspire each other.
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
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