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I am in my 30's and have suffered from threadworms since...

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I am in my 30's and have suffered from threadworms since being a small child. I discovered I had these after seeing them in my faeces at about age 9. (Although in reality they are rarely seen in your poo once it has hit the water!)

Until seeing them I had not realised that the sore itchy bottom that I suffered from on occasion was due to worms! After realising what you have the itch becomes excruciating - in your mind as much as your bottom!

I was treated but the symptomatic itch returned a few months later. The whole family was then treated but again the worms returned.

Over the next few years both myself and my family were treated on many occasions whilst my mother paid scrupulous attention to cleaning of clothes and linen and regularly damp dusted the entire house to try to eliminate them - she could not have tried harder!

Over the years I continued to be reinfected - I began to recognise the particular irritation and knew each time reinfection occurred - even when not seeing any live worms! Eventually at the age of about 18 I gave up even trying to combat the worms - the embarrassement became too much. I even gave up telling my mother!

As a result I have experienced guilt about 'carrying' worms and what I can only describe as an ongoing emotional battle/termoil. I know I have infected others - friends and family - I recognise the symptoms, but I feel there is little I can do without a public and widespread treatment. How do you tell everyone you know or anyone who has visited your home that they need treatment!?

Most of the time I have simply tried to put the whole thing out of my head - not always easy!

Recently I have had a family of my own - and of course recently they became infected. At first the symptoms were the sore irritation of the bottom/vagina. I knew what this meant but was afraid to act.

When I finally saw a live worm on my childs bottom it gave me the impetus to act. I showed my partner (I needed reinforcement that it wasnt just in my head) and went to the chemist for treatment - 2 doses, 2 weeks apart. I cleaned like I have never cleaned before - and yet again they have recurred. Again my partner saw one - so I know I'm not going mad.

Since then I have read as much as possible about them and continue the battle. I have also found one other person who has suffered in the same way for many years - I thought I was the only one!

I have come to realise a number of things about this parasite:

1. Many people have them - but are largely too embarrassed to tell you. I believe incidence is even higher than current research suggests, though studies are few and I do not have evidence to support this.

2. Many people do not have or do not recognise symptoms. I have seen from experience that if worms are present from an early age the irritation becomes 'normal' and the brain fails to attend to it.

3. Even if you eliminate infection from your household, you are likely to be re-infected by someone you know who has them. Sods law!

4. If you have kids, it is practically impossible to stop children from putting hands/toys in mouth or to ensure that they scrub before every hand to mouth contact. Worms are therefore likely to recurr again and again.

5. The eggs are very difficult to get rid of - they can be anywhere - in dust, clothes, furniture, door handles - in fact anywhere that is touched in your home... think about it! Eggs can be killed easily - but getting them all is practically impossible.

6. The only real way to combat them is through taking another dose (Pripsen tablets are easy and fairly effective) every time the symptoms occur - dont give up and dont get too embarrassed - keep going back to the chemist every time or even give your family a regular dose eg every 6 months.

7. Throw away the guilt - you are not dirty or scum - just normal. You are not alone - even if you think you are!

Because of shame and embarrassement I have not even been able to give a real name or email address but I hope that these experiences can be of some help to others in the same situation.

Best wishes

Ongoing......

[i:4ed33a07ff]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:4ed33a07ff]

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Everything you have written here makes absolute sense to me.

    I am 26 and have had worms since I was about 10 years old (probably earlier). I told my mum about the worms once when I was younger but she didn't do anything about it. I think she might have forgotten or was in denial? I was then too embarassed to tell her again (it had taken me weeks to pluck ip the courage in the first place) so I just ended up living with the worms!

    The itching was always worst at night. Sometimes it was so unbearable that I would make promises to myself that I would tell someone the next day. But in the morning, the itching had usually subsided- and I would make myself forget about the worms. Sometimes I would have no itching for a few months. I used to pray that this was finally the end of it... but they always came back. I got so used to it that despite the terrible discomfort, I could not bring myself to do anything about it! I know now that this was silly and irrational, but I just felt so ashamed and dirty- I still do.

    The worms continued- on and off- while I was at university. I plucked up the courage on two separate occasions to go to my GP, but the treatment didn't work. A few weeks ago, I saw a worm in my stool. I have seen these worms on many occasions but this time, for some reaon, I felt compelled to do something! I told my boyfriend (who is training to be a doctor) that 'I think' I have worms. Silly I know, but it took me days to get the courage to even say this. Now it is out in the open (although not the entire truth), I feel I can begin to do something about it. My boyfriend doesn't think he has them, which to be honest I'm rather surprised about considering we have lived together for over four years! I have ordered some drugs off the internet and will start a strict cleaning regime! I am so worried, having read these posts, that the mediaction and cleaning is unlikely to have a lasting effect. I feel gutted! I am also really concerned to read about people who have had worms for years and found them in their eyes and nose! Are these really the same worms- I have never experienced anything like this! Is this soemthing that might happen to me soon?

    I am however relieved that some people have had worms for many years and have still been able to conceive. One of my biggest fears has been that my worms will prevent me getting pregnant.

    It is also so comforting to read that other people are going through the same horror as me! I truly sympathise with you all.

    Please comment on this post!

    Thanks for reading (wow, that is the most I have ever said about my worms- it feels good to let it all out finally!)

    • Anna196444
      Anna196444 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, did you ever get rid of the worms? I've had them for 7 years now and it's driving me crazy! No one else in the family has ever had them either, we got no pets and a very clean home. I've seen the specialists in London and they don't seem to know what to do.......help!
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Just to say that I have been through the medical system and referred to the tropical hygeine hospital who just laughed at me and didn't help.I find diet helps a bit but am desperate to know what the answer is.I have also taken garlic.The main thing is stop scratching though its really hard,wash everything on 60 especially night clothes,underwear.Wipe the bathroom regularly and all the bed linen has to be washed and ironed.Hoover everywhere...the list is endless.Try taking wormwood,black walnut and keeping off all sugar.Wash every morning and scrub your nails.

    I hope all above might help but I am personally still struggling.do you think a dr could read all this and actually take it seriously ?

    • Anna196444
      Anna196444 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, did you ever get rid of the worms? I've had them for 7 years now and it's driving me crazy! No one else in the family has ever had them either, we got no pets and a very clean home. I've seen the specialists in London and they don't seem to know what to do.......help!
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I am in my fourties and have also suffered from threadworm most of my life. I was referred by my GP to the Tropical Disease unit in my local hosplital and was told by the consultant that I will have to learn to live with this condition. My husband and children are not infected, thank goodness, however, I am very aware that it is a matter of time. I am irritable most of the time and I am convinced this is due to the awful daily discomfort I have to endure. I find it hard to believe that there is no treatment for recurrent threadworm. I believe that those who suffer from this condition develop resistance to the medications available. There must be someone out there who has a treatment for this terrible infestation and if not, will someone please start working on it........

    Thanks for sharing everyone. It does help to know I am not the only one.

    • Anna196444
      Anna196444 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, did you ever get rid of the worms? I've had them for 7 years now and it's driving me crazy! No one else in the family has ever had them either, we got no pets and a very clean home. I've seen the specialists in London and they don't seem to know what to do.......help!
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    hi there, i'm so glad i'm not alone, i first noticed worms in my dd poop 5 years ago when she was 3, and for 5 years i've battled with the little blighters, i don't know how we keep getting infected but we do. i keep a clean home, launder regular and am very strict about washing hands at meal times, i thought i knew where the source of infection was (my sister) yet she has also been treated at the same time as us, grandparents have been treated its driving me mad, i have had health complaints, ie anaemia, nausea, ibs, stomach cramps, a persistent cough, tiredness and weakness, all of which can be contributed to worms, has anyone else had health problems? alls i can do is carry on keeping a clean home, and to treat when we get reinfected which is an absolute certainty.
    • Anna196444
      Anna196444 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, did you ever get rid of the worms? I've had them for 7 years now and it's driving me crazy! No one else in the family has ever had them either, we got no pets and a very clean home. I've seen the specialists in London and they don't seem to know what to do.......help!
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I have had the exact same problem, been getting on at everybody especially my eldest daughter as our problem started when she was about 8. I have made myself ill and my family members miserable constantly checking they have washed. I have thrown bedding out, ruined bedding by boil washing it and made my hands crack with washing them over 100 times a day, if medical experts saw how many times I wash my hands each day they would think I had a compulsive disorder not worms, but I have to say reading about other peoples problems makes me feel normal, I think it should be explained on the medication that these parasited are difficult to eliminate, as I and many others feel like we are unclean as we cannot eliminate them. Gonna just keep treating them and keep my fingers crossed, as I have a 4 yr old as well can't keep my eyes on her 24 hours a day. Thanks :? [quote:9eaf3e8ac9=\"Miss T \"]Everything you have written here makes absolute sense to me.

    I am 26 and have had worms since I was about 10 years old (probably earlier). I told my mum about the worms once when I was younger but she didn't do anything about it. I think she might have forgotten or was in denial? I was then too embarassed to tell her again (it had taken me weeks to pluck ip the courage in the first place) so I just ended up living with the worms!

    The itching was always worst at night. Sometimes it was so unbearable that I would make promises to myself that I would tell someone the next day. But in the morning, the itching had usually subsided- and I would make myself forget about the worms. Sometimes I would have no itching for a few months. I used to pray that this was finally the end of it... but they always came back. I got so used to it that despite the terrible discomfort, I could not bring myself to do anything about it! I know now that this was silly and irrational, but I just felt so ashamed and dirty- I still do.

    The worms continued- on and off- while I was at university. I plucked up the courage on two separate occasions to go to my GP, but the treatment didn't work. A few weeks ago, I saw a worm in my stool. I have seen these worms on many occasions but this time, for some reaon, I felt compelled to do something! I told my boyfriend (who is training to be a doctor) that 'I think' I have worms. Silly I know, but it took me days to get the courage to even say this. Now it is out in the open (although not the entire truth), I feel I can begin to do something about it. My boyfriend doesn't think he has them, which to be honest I'm rather surprised about considering we have lived together for over four years! I have ordered some drugs off the internet and will start a strict cleaning regime! I am so worried, having read these posts, that the mediaction and cleaning is unlikely to have a lasting effect. I feel gutted! I am also really concerned to read about people who have had worms for years and found them in their eyes and nose! Are these really the same worms- I have never experienced anything like this! Is this soemthing that might happen to me soon?

    I am however relieved that some people have had worms for many years and have still been able to conceive. One of my biggest fears has been that my worms will prevent me getting pregnant.

    It is also so comforting to read that other people are going through the same horror as me! I truly sympathise with you all.

    Please comment on this post!

    Thanks for reading (wow, that is the most I have ever said about my worms- it feels good to let it all out finally!)[/quote:9eaf3e8ac9] :wink:

    • Anna196444
      Anna196444 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, did you ever get rid of the worms? I've had them for 7 years now and it's driving me crazy! No one else in the family has ever had them either, we got no pets and a very clean home. I've seen the specialists in London and they don't seem to know what to do.......help!
    • elise40849
      elise40849 Anna196444

      Posted

      Hi Anna, i want to know whether your pin worm eggs have affected your skin or scalp and how you get rid of them and bacterial infections

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Oh my god I am just so relieaved to finally discover Im not the only one living with this awfull and embarrising condition. I first had worms at the age of about 9. I hated it my mum got me the medicine and went crackers cleaning everything but it went and came back many times in the end I give up telling her as it didn't matter how clean I was they still came back. When I was 18 I got pregnant and horror discovered I had threadworms yet again. I went to my gp and blamed my sisters youngest kids for passing them on but In reality it wasn't I felt so ashamed and dirty. My gp just told me the usual to be very clean. I am now 32 years old and have had reoccuring attacks right up to this very minute having felf the familiar itch and finding one last night. I am not dirty I wash my hands regular I take a shower or bath every morning and I dust and vacume regular yet still I am not free. I get the medicine each time and I continue keeping my hygene at a very high level I feel ok for a bit and then low and behold they are back. I suffer from constipation and diarrhea and think I have IBS as I suffer from pain and bloating too but I do wonder if it is all the work of the worms ? I am still upset having to live with this but I am so relieved I am not the only one out there.
    • Anna196444
      Anna196444 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, did you ever get rid of the worms? I've had them for 7 years now and it's driving me crazy! No one else in the family has ever had them either, we got no pets and a very clean home. I've seen the specialists in London and they don't seem to know what to do.......help!
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi there

    I too am so releived I am not the only one. I believe I have had them since the age of 27 and I am 41 now. I have gone through periods of taking the medication and then giving up as they did not seem to work. Finally I plucked up courage to go to my doctor again for the first time in many years, since October I have had 3 doses of medication, both types and they just dont work, I have been super hygenic only to find them in my stool two days after a dose!

    I am going back to my doctor, but a pharmacist I talked to said I would probably be referred to the hygeine clinic, which is just not the answer!

    I will let you know my progress, please anyone out there, do you have any answers?

    Many thanks

    [quote:123ea451ff=\"Miss T \"]Everything you have written here makes absolute sense to me.

    I am 26 and have had worms since I was about 10 years old (probably earlier). I told my mum about the worms once when I was younger but she didn't do anything about it. I think she might have forgotten or was in denial? I was then too embarassed to tell her again (it had taken me weeks to pluck ip the courage in the first place) so I just ended up living with the worms!

    The itching was always worst at night. Sometimes it was so unbearable that I would make promises to myself that I would tell someone the next day. But in the morning, the itching had usually subsided- and I would make myself forget about the worms. Sometimes I would have no itching for a few months. I used to pray that this was finally the end of it... but they always came back. I got so used to it that despite the terrible discomfort, I could not bring myself to do anything about it! I know now that this was silly and irrational, but I just felt so ashamed and dirty- I still do.

    The worms continued- on and off- while I was at university. I plucked up the courage on two separate occasions to go to my GP, but the treatment didn't work. A few weeks ago, I saw a worm in my stool. I have seen these worms on many occasions but this time, for some reaon, I felt compelled to do something! I told my boyfriend (who is training to be a doctor) that 'I think' I have worms. Silly I know, but it took me days to get the courage to even say this. Now it is out in the open (although not the entire truth), I feel I can begin to do something about it. My boyfriend doesn't think he has them, which to be honest I'm rather surprised about considering we have lived together for over four years! I have ordered some drugs off the internet and will start a strict cleaning regime! I am so worried, having read these posts, that the mediaction and cleaning is unlikely to have a lasting effect. I feel gutted! I am also really concerned to read about people who have had worms for years and found them in their eyes and nose! Are these really the same worms- I have never experienced anything like this! Is this soemthing that might happen to me soon?

    I am however relieved that some people have had worms for many years and have still been able to conceive. One of my biggest fears has been that my worms will prevent me getting pregnant.

    It is also so comforting to read that other people are going through the same horror as me! I truly sympathise with you all.

    Please comment on this post!

    Thanks for reading (wow, that is the most I have ever said about my worms- it feels good to let it all out finally!)[/quote:123ea451ff]

    • Anna196444
      Anna196444 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, did you ever get rid of the worms? I've had them for 7 years now and it's driving me crazy! No one else in the family has ever had them either, we got no pets and a very clean home. I've seen the specialists in London and they don't seem to know what to do.......help!
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