Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Parasites--Need Help!!

I am desperate to find some answers. I am 26 years old and for the last year I have been living with a parasite infection.  I initially thought it was pinworms and went back and forth to the doctor several times. I was treated with mebendazole over four times.  I first was prescribed one pill then saw another doctor and was prescribed one more pill.  I had stool tests done, which came up negative. But at the time I wasn’t having regular bowel movements due to another medication I was taking that tends to constipate.  I knew it was a false negative and was then prescribed 3 pills of mebendazole a day for three days.  My infection still persists. I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist coming up soon but I am desperate to know what is going on inside of my body.  I think my doctor thinks I am losing my mind because of how I describe my symptoms but I know what I am feeling and I know I am not crazy.  Some of the things that happen to me are in the evening I will constantly feel tickling around the inside and mainly outside the anus. The tickling is not limited to that area I often feel the tickling moving through my labia and around the perineum.  The tickling I will also feel in the sides and back of my underwear and up and down my lower back and up and down my thighs.  I have put my hand over the tickling and feel sliding past my hand and flickering or like a clicking sensation.  Also I will often wake up to clicking feeling between my butt cheeks near the anus, but mostly when I have on tight restricting clothing or underwear.  I have tried to catch them with tape and I cannot physically see anything but I am certain it is there and it is driving me insane.  They flick around and move very quickly I can’t keep my finger on them even when I do feel them moving past my fingers. This is ruining my life.  I have little to no sex life with my boyfriend because of this. I have tried everything to get rid of this parasite I have changed my diet, I am a very clean person also and have lately been stressing myself to be even more clean with everything in and around where I live, sleep and eat.  I have tried all kinds of natural cures, and parasite or colon cleanses and nothing is working.  If anyone can tell me what I am dealing with or can suggest what I can do it would be helpful.  I do not know what else to do I have spent so much money on trying to cure this infection. I am grossed out and stressed out.  Please anyone HELP!
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I know I have Pin Worms and bad! I have taken 4 different meds for them and none have gotten rid of them...now they are so bad they are causing a severe rash on my abdomen and arms where the eggs hatch the worms then they attach into my skin causing the horrible itchy red rash. I am now on Dr Nutra's parasite herbs, Colonix colon cleanser and tea. I pray it gets rid of these pests! Many Sleepless nights due to thousands of these buggers wriggling on my anus and vagina....nerve racking! Has anyone else had this horrible rash from pin worms???? I cannot find any research on it? I also keep super sterlizing my bed, floors, laundry etc. etc. Has anyone had it this bad? This rash is painful, inflamed, itchy...what have you done to clear it up? Can anyone help?????///////
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Food Allergies and the Leaky Gut
Only in the last decade has anyone recognized the concept of a leaky gut. And still, most doctors have never heard of it — but it’s a concept that could well explain the evolution of most food allergies.
So what is a leaky gut? As the name implies, leaky gut occurs when the wall of the intestine
develops microscopic leaks. Normally there is a barrier between the food within the intestines and the blood vessels that pick up the digested food components and circulate
them throughout the tissues and organs. These blood vessels are located below the layer of cells lining the gastrointestinal tract.
Digested food normally enters those blood vessels using two routes. It either passes through the cells lining the intestine or through membranes in between the cells. Over 70% of food absorption occurs through the membranes.
However, if the membrane barrier is damaged, whole food particles can enter the bloodstream. And this is bad — large particles of food trigger the immune reactions we refer to as “food allergies.”
It is quite common for newborn babies to suffer from leaky guts, which explains why babies who eat table food during their first six months often suffer with food allergies. But once the immune system has developed and matured, the stomach no longer experiences leaks.
But how does a person develop a leaky gut in the first place? In fact, there are a number of reasons.
Gastrointestinal infections — triggered by typhoid, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis, toxins and the loss of “good bacteria” — can easily damage the intestinal barrier system.
The fungus Candida albicans commonly produces infections that destroy this barrier. It can penetrate the lining of the intestine, reaching the blood vessels and leaving microscopic holes in the barrier.
Candida infections in the colon and small intestine frequently result from widespread use of
broad-spectrum antibiotics. Normally, the colon contains a small amount of Candida. But as the good bacteria are killed off, these antibiotics allow the fungus to grow wild in the colon — and sometimes it even progresses all the way to the
esophagus.
There are also a number of drugs and medical procedures that can damage the membrane barrier. Among them are aspirin and non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Advil and Naproxen. Steroids (cortisone), radiation treatments and chemotherapy drugs can also be quite harmful.
Once a person’s intestinal lining is riddled with microscopic holes, he or she can develop allergies to a variety of foods. This is especially true of everyday foods. Of course some products are more likely to cause allergies than others. At the top of the list are: cow’s milk, soy products, peanuts, corn, cheese, coffee and chocolate.
When the immune system attacks particles of these particular foods, it also worsens any preexisting autoimmune disease — such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or lupus.
And since many of these conditions also exacerbate the leaky gut syndrome, flare-ups often mimic symptoms of exposure to certain foods.
Once the intestine is damaged by inflammation or toxins, the door is open for bacteria, viruses and fungi — which are normally excluded — to enter the bloodstream.
This can lead to a number of symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, aching joints, confusion and difficulty thinking, as well as various skin disorders.
You should know that several laboratories test for leaky gut syndrome.
A test substance (usually a combination of mannitol and lactulose) is taken by mouth.
Mannitol is the control, since it normally passes the healthy intestinal barrier. But lactulose is generally blocked. Urine is collected over a 6-hour period and tested for both substances. High levels of lactulose in the urine suggest a leaky gut.
The treatment you select to combat leaky gut will depend on the cause. First, one should cease taking any drugs associated with a leaky gut. If Candida is a cause, it should be vigorously treated. Probiotics will help prevent a recurrence.
Many have suggested that high doses of glutamine can heal the gut.
Several studies have demonstrated that there is little benefit from glutamine and that high doses can actually increase brain glutamate and trigger excitotoxicity, which destroys brain cells and connections. Intestinal cells use glutamine as a fuel.
If taken, it should not be used for more than two weeks.
There are more helpful alternatives, such as: chondroitin sulfate, phosphotidylcholine and the other phospholipids (lecithin)  magnesium ascorbate, probiotics such as Theralac,
branched-chain amino acids (leucine. isoleucine and valine)
omega-3 oils, natural vitamin E AND all of the vitamins and minerals The phospholipids, branched-chain amino acids, vitamin C and omega-3-oils heal the holes in the
intestinal wall.
Because the entire lining of the gut is replaced every 14 days, healing can occur rapidly when you provide your body with all of the necessary nutrients. Some have noted that food allergies generally disappear once the intestinal lining is repaired.
The probiotics, especially Lactobacillus plantarum and L. reuteri, have been shown to reduce the various leaky gut problems associated with chemotherapy. Another good nutrient combination is white and blueberry tea — and you should drink it twice a day. The flavonoids in white tea have been proven to support the growth of two healthy
bacteria in the colon.
Finally, a yeast organism called Saccharomyces boulardii has been shown to prevent Candida albicans from penetrating the intestinal wall. It is available without a prescription
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Raw pineapple, core included worked for us, but you do need to wash the bedding & clothes of the whole family in VERY hot water every single day for 3 weeks, too. Now that was the big chore for a family of 8!!! Oh..and disinfect the whole bathroom every day. Wash hands umpteen times a day. It is SO easy to get reinfected, My kids would bring them home from school. Our doctor gave us test squares to press against the anus at night when the itching starts. It will usually pick up the eggs, if not the worms.

Once we learned about the raw pineapple, ate plenty & often, we did not get reinfected after we once got rid of them. If you do all that and still no signs after that kind of test, it is probably your nerves. They can develop a memory or those sensations can be caused by allergies. MSG is famous for an itchy butt and is in lots of prepared foods. There are drugs and supplements containing similar compounds usually, too, so if you have a reaction to MSG, then these might also cause the same reaction.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Gastrointestinal Tests
Most doctors, other than a gastroenterologist, do not consider GI tests as a routine test, other than stool screening for colon cancer. In fact, there are a number of tests that examine gastrointestinal function of great value. While most labs do not do these
tests, several special labs perform some highly valuable tests.
these tests done early in life, around age 21 and certainly by age 45. They
not only tell you a lot about your risk of gastrointestinal cancer but also provide a lot of useful information about how well your GI tract is functioning.
The Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis by the Genova Diagnostics  (Great Smokies
Diagnostic Laboratories). This test package includes analysis of your digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which is of special concern to those having had chronic ulcer disease, esophageal disorders (GERD) and a loss of digestive ability commonly
seen with aging. In addition, it provides tests for absorption of
foods and special metabolic markers. For example, they measure the N-butyrate in your stool, a compound that plays a critical role in preventing colon cancer.
Also included is a test for fecal lactoferrin, which measures inflammation in the bowel. This is important for those having inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Routine tests for occult blood — a sensitive measure
for possible colon cancer and mucous which can indicate inflammatory bowel disease — are also included.one of the most important tests included in this analysis is the microbiology study. Most doctors fail to understand the critical nature of this study and rarely order such a test. Basically, it is a test that measures, by cultures,
the various bacteria growing in your stool specimen, both good and bad. Normally the colon contains special “good” bacteria whose job it is to protect the lining of the intestine
and help metabolize the numerous chemicals entering the colon. A lack of these good bacteria is a major cause of gastrointestinal disease, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel disease. Often these diseases can be greatly
improved or even cured simply by replacing the missing or deficient bacteria.
I read of one lady who had been to five different doctors, three of which were gastroenterologists without any improvement of her condition. She was tested for these good bacteria and found to be severely deficient in two species. After two weeks
of supplementation with oral capsules containing the missing bacteria, she had a total recovery the first time she felt normal in over ten years. These beneficial bacteria include Lactobacillus species, E. Coli and Bifidobacterium species. Capsules containing billions of these live organisms can be purchased from most natural health stores.
Always buy high quality supplements and be sure to keep them in the refrigerator.
Occasionally, the stool will contain an assortment of “bad” bacteria. Some of these are strongly associated with severe colon disease and can increase one’s risk of developing colon cancer. These include Citrobacter freindii and Klebsella pneumoniae. Finally, the test includes cultures for the yeast organism Candida albicans. While the colon normally
contains a small amount of Candida, larger overgrowths can cause a host of problems, some serious. When these large overgrowths occur the organism can travel up the intestine and can penetrate the wall of the gut, thereby entering the bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, it can enter any tissue or organ, including the brain. Very few doctors are aware of this. While suppression of the immune system, as
seen in cancer patients and those with HIV infections, is a major cause of yeast overgrowth, there are a number of essentially normal people who can suffer as well. Diabetics are at a special risk because of their high sugar level and immune suppression.
Another common mistake by doctors is to treat yeast infections by just picking an antifungal drug out of thin air. Yeast, as with bacteria, is sensitive to some drugs and not others. This means that the organism must be tested to see which antifungal drugs it is sensitive to. This is done by the same laboratory. Finally, the laboratory analyses all of the test results and creates a dysbiosis index. Dysbiosis is a condition where the bacteria in the colon are abnormal. A severe dysbiosis index indicates a high
risk of developing a gastrointestinal disease, including cancer. The earlier you evaluate your gastrointestinal function, the less likely you are to suffer such conditions
as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic constipation and colon cancer. Another useful test is the Intestinal Permeability test. This measures the integrity of your intestinal lining. A number of drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin can produce microscopic holes in the lining of your GI tract, which can allow intact food particles
and other substances in your food to enter your blood stream. This condition is called the “leaky gut syndrome.” It increases the likelihood that you will develop a food allergy or suffer other harmful immune reactions. The test uses two test substances, lactulose and
mannitol, to gauge permeability. You drink a solution of these substances. Normally, these two large molecules (called macromolecules) have difficulty passing through the gut’s barrier. Should, for example, a larger amount of the lactulose pass though
the gut lining (between the cells) more will appear in the urine. The same for mannitol, which passes through the cells themselves. Your urine is tested to see how much of each of these molecules passes through your gut lining. High penetration of lactulose indicates an increased risk of food allergies, inflammatory bowel diseases and arthritis. Excessive penetration of mannitol is associated with abnormal immune reactions
which can aggravate autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and immune thyroiditis for those who really want a comprehensive
GI examination, a test called the CDSA 2.0 is
offered by the Genova Diagnostics  . This really gets into serious scientific testing. It offers such things as Calprotectin, which is a
direct measure of gut inflammation and is an excellent way to measure the activity of inflammatory bowel diseases. More involved microbiology testing,
testing for parasites and special pancreatic tests are
also included. you can google Genova Diagnostics  for the web address and phone #
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Some of your symptoms do sound like pinworm, but some don't.  They live in the rectum and can pop out to form at itchy rash, but you don't report this and your doc would be able to see this.  Since these critters are tiny, it's unlikely you'd see them without magnification.  Part of the problem in using pharmaceuticals such as mebendazole is that they also kill beneficial organisms whose job is to prevent the bad guys from finding a home, so you might try supplementing with probiotics, particularly bifidus and reuteri.  Natural treatment takes a while, and is harder after you've used an antibiotic because you've killed off part of your immune system -- these critters are pretty much always around, but they become an infestation when our immune systems get weak for some reason and don't fight them off.  Then they can get persistent, and require a regimen that can last months so not only do you kill the adults, but also the eggs that hatch and the eggs that lie dormant waiting for an opportunity to survive.  There are many formulas for intestinal parasites, though virtually all will be based on clove oil, wormwood, and black walnut.  Some forumulas throw everything but the kitchen sink at them, but these are seldom effective because there isn't enough of anything in them to do the trick.  Anyway, be persistent, but as I say, some of your symptoms don't sound like intestinal parasites while others do, so I can see where your doc is confused if the tests are coming back negative.  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Did  your doctor ever identify the type of parasite  you were given the mebendazole for? Did your most recent test come back negative, and is it only the tickling and sensation of movement that makes you suspect you still have worms?

If four treatments with mebendazole didn't wipe them out, and you have tried natural cures, such as black walnut, oil of oregano, goldenseal, olive leaf, garlic  etc. without results, then you may have an absorption problem preventing these substances from getting into your system fully.

I would recommend you spend a bit more money and do the GI Effects Stool Profile test  from the Metametrix lab. You will find out exactly what you're dealing with, and the best way to treat it. My son did this test through a nutritionist's office, and it found whipworm, among other things. But when I showed the test to his doctor, the doc didn't believe the test, and had my son do a different test, which came back negative, so he refused to give him the needed treatment (mebendazole).

18 months later, my son repeated the Metametrix GI Profile stool test, and it was again positive for whipworm. I took him to a naturopathic doctor and she wrote a prescription for the mebendazole. Most regular docs don't use the Metametrix Lab unfortunately, but the Metametrix website will find you a doctor that does.

If it is something other than a parasite causing your symptoms, the GI Profile test will identify it, whatever it is.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Alternative Therapies Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Many couples are turning to acupuncture to treat infertility. But does it work? We take a closer look.
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Learn ow this ancient healing Indian medicine can work for you
Before your drop a dime at the pharmacy, find out if these popular cold and flu home remedies are a wonder or a waste