blastocystis hominis

[AAdan]

Hi,
I has traveled a few years back to Mexico and had also experienced some trauma in my life which enabled a lot of stress. Since then I had experienced severe bloating and digestive discomfort. It was as if my food was sitting in my gut and it felt like it wasn't moving. Also I experienced a lot of gas trapped in my stomach. Since that time I went to have special tests done concluding I had this parasite and a bit of candida. I took the pills prescribed to clear this parasite infection and I also had a colonoscopy done. The Gastroenterologist concluded everything looked great and my  problem was probably related to IBS. I also had separate tests done that concluded everything was okay, so I do believe the lack of modern technology did and proper testing was an oversite in finding this parasite.

Since receiving a followup, my tests came back negative with no signs of this parasite. I am a bit skeptical and was wondering what type of procedures and modern testing should be used to conclude accuracy? Any feedback would be appreciated. I still continue to experience problems after 2.5 years.



This discussion is related to Treatment for elimination of Blastocystis hominis from colon.

[rollie430]

Yes, cut starchy foods out of your diet! You are also probably gluten intolerant.

[rollie430]

I have been looking for a doctor in the US (preferably Los Angeles, CA) in order for me to obtain the treatment protocol from the CDD in Sydney, AU. Wondered if you could share your doctor's name with me.

Thank you.

[scottp77]

To all suffering from blastocystis:

I was treated by Shirley Scott, M.D., of Santa Fe, NM starting around 2001.  I was first diagnosed with blasto about five years before that.  Various drugs prescribed by a San Francisco doctor had helped clear the bug temporarily, but did not keep it from coming back.  In working with Dr. Scott over a few years, I was able to clear the blasto. and it has not come back since about 2006.  She rotates drugs and is also knowledgeable about herbal treatments and rebuilding the gut.  She is an infectious disease specialist who is an expert on parasites.  Consultations are done by phone.  Her office number is 505-986-9960.  Also, I had read that the former Great Smokies Lab found that artemesia annua and quassia were two herbs that helped kill blasto.  I feel that in many cases, drugs are necessary to kill blasto, but I would also consider incorporating these two herbs, if tolerated.  Good luck.

[kajaoslo]

Hi,
I've just finished the triple drug therapy prescribed by dr econs (I need to wait 3-4 weeks before retesting...) but please see list below for doctors willing to help you and your daughter in the USA.

Good luck!

United States



David Edelberg, M.D.
2522 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
phone: [phone]
www.wholehealthchicago.com  

Dr. William Stuppy
1136 W 6th St Ste 401
Los Angeles, CA  
Reference: AGA Abstracts, Blastocystis hominis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and eradication with Nitazoxanide

Dr. Jon Kaiser
Integrative Health Consulting, Inc.
655 Redwood Highway, Suite #225
Mill Valley, CA 94941



Europe

Dr. A Econs
Allergy Medical UK
The Raleigh Park Clinic
Raleigh Park Road
Oxford
OX2 9AR
http://www.allergymedicaluk.com

[windsor9101]

I'm not sure they can as those drugs are not available here.   I tried them (albeit unsuccessfully) after obtaining them on line.  I hear it works for many, but didn't for me.   I'm gonna try this Kitnos, Rifaximin, Albendazole treatment described above next.

[NZGirl1967]

Since writing my original post I have found out that I am FRUCTOSE Intolerant.  I did some research on the internet and found out about this Breath Test that tests you for Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth, Lactose & Fructose intolerance.  All signs of belching has gone away and my abdomin pains have gone.  My appetite is back but I am still at the same weight.  I am feeling more energetic and am getting better day by day.  I have left my stressful job and am not stressing about whether or not the housework is done and I am taking time out for myself - doing stuff for me!!  A combination of stress and fructose intolerance caused all my symptoms.

[sharkbait666]

My son has BH, he is 11. Please tell me where I can find a Dr in the USA who can prescribe the 3 drug treatment by Professor Borody in Australia. Or if you have been able to convince a Dr in The USA to prescribe the 3 drug treatment, what it entailed and how you went about it.

After reading so much on the internet I feel it's worth giving the treatment a try. My poor little boy is suffering so much.

Please help

[Harry777]

I had Blasto, did the triple therapy protocol, tested clear and still felt awful.

Turns out the cause of all my issues is actually a genetic disease called Pyroluria. Do some searches on Pyroluria and see if it matches your symptoms.

I blog about Pyroluria now too.

pyrolurialife.com

[RACI88]

Yes Mullum herbs have a natural blend - I'm actually from there but am yet to try it. For those who have recently been diagnosed, don't waste your time with Flagyl!! This drug made me so sick and didn't do a thing. I've tried a number of herbal remedies also to no avail. A lot of natural remedies cost a fortune and there's no real evidence on these to treat BH so be cautions. I've had blasto for a number of years now and I have no idea where to from here... help anyone??

[NZGirl1967]

To continue my story, since 2007 I have suffered from the following:
Suddently I was belching excessively
Discomfort in my abdomen. feelings of severe hunger pains
When the pain is severe I feel like vomitting but can't
Feeling tired and unmotivated.
Weight loss (minimal weight loss)
Bowel motion pattern changed over the years
Stomach making noises of gurgling loudly
Appetite less
Flatuence more frequent, especially in the mornings
I also noticed in Feb 2008 that in the back of my mouth I had a small blister like growth that doesn't hurt and the doctor took a swab and nothing came back from the lab.  2008 my doctor put me on the triple therapy but this did not make me better.
I have had several blood tests (all normal) except for when I am in pain.  The elevated blood tests showed that my WBC, Neutrophils and Globulin plasma were elevated.  I have had a gastrosocopy which was normal and was tested for H.Pylori which was negative.  In 2008 a gastro specialist told me that I had Aerophagia but how could this just happen all of a sudden over night.  
I have had an ultrasound on the organs in my abdomen and they are all normal.  I have recently been back to another gastro specialist and she told me that she suspects IBS...No way is that.   I will do some more research about BH.
If it is BH that I have then at least I know how to fix it.. Thank you.

[pelw]

I was tested positive for Blasto a few days ago.

I've been having heartburn at nighttime even it i don't eat, gas, bloating etc.
Has anyone with this sense more gas pain and bloating after eating carbs (potatoes, bread etc)? thanks

[mlouie]

For those interested in herbal treatment, Mullen Herbs has come out with a couple of formulas specifically for BH: http://www.mullumherbals.com.au/alternative_medicine/blastocystis_elimination.html
I have not tried them since I went the drug route but if my BH should flare up again, I will give them a try, since the drugs are brutal.

[gwtx2]

You make a good point that some variants of BH could/can be more harmful. I was diagnosed with this after several months of physical/mental stress. My stool test also showed an abnormally low Secretory iga, which protects the intestines from harmful bugs such as BH. The recommendation was to take L-glutamine and Saccharomyces boulardii supplements to assist in rebuilding sIgA. Coincidentally, before I knew this, I had been taking a Whey product which contains L-glutamine for a few days prior to this and was better. My stools had become formed instead of being too soft. Since taking these supplements, I have seen much improvement, but it is still too early to tell if the BH will be fully under control. It may take weeks to know since BH seems to run in cycles. On top of those supplements, I have been taking many different anti-parasitic herbs in accordance with facts I've read on the Internet and in the stool test report. Some of these include Oil of Oregano, wormwood, fresh ground cloves, Goldenseal, black walnut tincture, grapefruit seed extract. I am going to also try quassia and curcumin later. Limiting refined carbs helps.

You did have a bad case, especially losing that much weight. I've only lost 3-4 lbs which I can contribute to eating less carbs and other things.

[mlouie]

Whether BH is harmful and pathogenic depends not just on the state of the person but on which type of BH one has. Some types of BH are more pathogenic and harmful to the person, even if they are in relatively good health. BH made me very sick and no amount of holistic treatment, nutrition and building up the immune system helped. I worked with very experienced holistic practitioners, who were unable to help me. Finally, I was sent to an MD who did stool testing by Metametrix labs and identified BH. I tried various drug treatments but didn't start getting well until I did the 3-drug treatment from the Sydney clinic (was fortunate to find a doctor in the US who would support me in ordering it). And I was not stressing out about BH because I didn't know I had it until I'd been sick for nearly a year and lost 20 lbs. By the time I finished the 3-drug treatment, I'd lost 30 lbs total, which I did not need to lose, so was underweight and weak. I did have to do a lot of holistic treatment after the 3 drugs to rebuild my gut and recover my health. I had a raging case of Candida overgrowth after the drugs. So holistic treatment and nutrition after the drug therapy was very helpful. I have gained back the 30 lbs now and my digestion, while not perfect, is much better.

I did have a lot of physical and emotional stress when I got sick with BH and it's possible that triggered it, but once the infection takes hold, just treating the stress and building up the immune system are not always sufficient to recover. In my case, it tooks drugs to knock out the infection sufficiently for me to be able to recover. And I am not someone who takes drugs lightly. I am very sensitive to drugs and only take them as a last resort. I use supplements, homeopathy, nutrition, herbs, energywork, etc. first and only take drugs when all other options are exhausted.

[gwtx2]

It is my opinion that many, many people get and have Blastocystis hominis. Most of the time it is harmless and at times can cause digestive problems. Like many other harbored germs like herpes for example, I'm thinking BH becomes symptomatic when under physical/emotional stress for prolonged periods. I also think the body can get rid of this parasite, or at least diminish the count by building up the immune system through good nutrition, supplements, exercise, and a less stressful life. Stressing out about having this parasite will only cause more problems related to anxiety and stress, including aches and pains, more digestive problems, insomnia, tension, etc. Humans get parasites all the time and a healthy body is capable of getting rid of most of them. Some parasites are very harmful, but BH is not one of them. Just my opinion.

[desperateanddietless]

I too completed the triple therapy recommended by Jackie @ Badbugs last month or so.  I thought I was better, but after about 7 weeks, it's come back with a vengeance.  Strangely, I've had 3 stool tests which were all negative, but I know it's back despite what the tests say due to my exact same symptoms. I am now desperate.  I'm going back to the doc next week to try to get the older (tougher) triple therapy.  Fingers crossed - tight.  I don't know where to go from here.  This bug is the PITS!!!

[TKMed]

Hi Macbo,
I have also been tested again for BH after taking a triple dose prescribed by the sydney gastro in Oz. For a while, it was negative. A question for you, how do you treat it once Genova Diagnostics have figured out you have it ? regards TK

[Agv2010]

I infected with blastocystis-hominis and my doctor say that metronidazol will kill all in 8 day, today I just receive a test control from the lab. and still appear blastocystis-hominis. are you sure that will be a final solution?. this prescription:

Kitnos (etofamide) 500 mg every 12 hours for 15 days
combined with
Albendazol 200 mg every 12 hours for 15 days
combined with
Rifaximin 200 mg every 8 hours for 15 days
and Metamucil.

[eapa]

Can you please post the name of the specilist who is willing to deal with b-hominis ?

" figured this out on my own, but have since run into one specialist in California who treats for 15 days as well."

[dmckj]

Hello Blastocystic Hominis sufferers,

Despite what much of the current mainstream medical community claims, blastocystis hominis (or at least certain sub-strains) is clearly and unequivocally a pathogen.

I've worked extensively in latin american countries and have come down, repeatedly, with amoebiasis and blastocystis hominis.  The amoebas were relatively easy to beat.  Not so blastocystis hominis.

Although I am not a doctor, I ascribe the failure of most treatments of blastocystis to a near complete lack of understanding of both its natural cycle and as well difficulty in its eradication.  Doctor's have an unfortunate tendancy of underprescribing for things they don't understand, and third world have a tendancy to pass our antibiotics like candy.  The result of this ignorance on both sides has created superbugs, and blastocystis is one them.

From my own extensive personal infection history I can tell you that the way to figure, better than doctors can, whether you are infected is to write down, exactly, when you are having the 'worst' symptoms.  I did this after doctors, including near-worthless tropical medicine disease 'specialists', told me there was 'nothing wrong because you have already completed treatment with metronidazol'.  Latin American doctors laugh at metronidazol (= Flagyl) because of widespread resistance of bugs to this.  I have not yet met ONE American doctor who understands this.  Further, doctors will typically treat you ONLY with metronidazol while being completely unaware of the fact that you have to KILL all the bugs through your intestinal track, something metronidazol does NOT do, or else they will come right back in a matter of weeks.  You need a luminal antibiotic such as Kitnos (etofamide), Pharmeban (idioquino..something), and/or paromycin.  If you don't do these drugs in combination YOU WILL NOT GET CLEARED.

My personal bug cycle is strongly and clearly 5-6 days.  The sicker you get, the fewer 'good' days you have between the bad days.  Realizing my bugs had a 5 days cycle I concluded I HAD TO kill at least two cycles, meaning you need to take AT LEAST 10 days of treatment.  If you want to be even more agressive, 15 days is even better.  I figured this out on my own, but have since run into one specialist in California who treats for 15 days as well.

To clear yourself of blasto, you might consider trying:

Kitnos (etofamide) 500 mg every 12 hours for 15 days
combined with
Albendazol 200 mg every 12 hours for 15 days
combined with
Rifaximin 200 mg every 8 hours for 15 days

I take these with Metamucil, about one tablespoon.

This rid me of ALL gas and bloating problems, it revived my appetite, and my energy level as well.  It also cleared my stools of any signs of blastocystis hominis for many months of testing.  My wife never cleared herself of these, and I got re-infected and am now treating myself again.

Also, if you have diahrrea research suggests you SHOULD take immodium with these drugs.  The warnings against doing so are not borne out by research you can do yourself on the web.  Controlled studies show that taking immodium actually speeds up the cure rate when taking antibiotics.  It would seem that the idea of flushing your system of toxins is an old wives tale, and that probably taking immodium allows more residence times for the medicines in question, thus improving their efficacy.

Finally,  for those who REALLY wish to whip this, I would strongly suggest duplicating the treatment I have listed above after a 10-15 day break.

DO NOT LISTEN TO DOCTORS WHO TELL YOU TO TAKE FLAGYL FOR FIVE DAYS AND THEN TELL YOU YOU MAY HAVE 'IBS'.  They are bordering on, in my opinion, malpractice in doing so and will be helping to create in you more resistant bug strains.

The web site www.badbugs.com is a GREAT place to learn how to take more control over your own health and not get 'taken' by the medical community.

[MacBo]

Now I see elbrute mentioned Diagnos-Techs in the post above; that's a good lab, too - my doc has had me send adrenal hormone saliva tests to them.

A question: in either of your cases, has your doc mentioned the possibility that BH could migrate into the gall bladder or liver? Some amebic diseases do that, and it would explain some other symptoms of mine - but the remedy my doc has had me use (iodonoquil - sp?) is only effective in the GI tract.

Also thanks, elbrute, for the mention of the Ayurvedic remedy. I'll look it up.

[MacBo]

Over years of travel, I've had several GI parasite problems, and to a person the docs I've gone to have said that most labs do not do parasite testing very well - many false negatives - and that the place to get a good reading is Genova Diagnostics (the former Great Smokies Lab) in Asheville, N.C. Your doc can order a lab pack sent to you, and you DHL or FedEx it back for testing.

I have a very recalcitrant case of BH -- but the good news is that Genova certainly knows how to test for it.

[elbrute]

My daughter has eczema, and we took her to our nutritionist to look for possible causes.  He ran a stool lab and found blastocystis hominis. He used this lab:
www. diagnostechs. com/ main.htm

He recommended AP Mag capsules by Ayush Herbs, Inc. (one capsule, 3x daily) as a natural remedy.  The ingredients are Azadirachita indica, Embelia ribes, Pipper longum, Aegle marmelos, Momordica charantia, Ocimum sanctum, Berberi aristata, Holarrhena antidysenterica, in a vegetarian casule with chlorophyll.

The only problem was, my daughter couldn't swallow the capsule (too large).  It tastes HORRIBLE, so there's no way I could sprinkle it in yogurt.  But he said it it usually effective in the treatment of B. hominis.

The other treatment, which my daughter was happy to take, was Nitazoxanide.  It's a prescription, but we got it without a prescription from Mexico (under the brand name ParaMix).  We are currently undergoing the treatment, so I don't know the results yet.  Our nutritionist claims that Paramix is absolutely effective though.

My daughter never had symptoms of parasites. (other than the eczema, and the fact that she is very very thin - however she was a premie, and has always been skinny.)