Do parasites cause autoimmune diseases?

Posted , 72 users are following.

I have recently completed 2 stool sample tests that have rendered the same outcome, positive for parasitic organisms but unable to identify. Now I have to complete the exam a third time. I have still not received any treatment and have experienced some serious health problems over the past few years, including an idiopathic cardiomyopathy a little over 2 years ago. Two years before this I was hospitalized for a serious virus that could not be identified. This involved a very high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and the start of kidney failure, however I went to the emergency room at the right time. One month later, I had mono, then 4 months later, had a palsy in my left foot, then less than one year after, started experiencing chest pain, serious headaches, and extreme fatigue. The emergency room kept sending me home telling me it was a virus. Finally several months had passed after numerous visits to this ER, I went to a different hospital where they found a cardiomyopathy. My ejection fraction was 35%. I am only 37! Just after this, I noticed one day that I had experienced severe itching in the rectal area with several days of white discharge that had an odor of infection. I waited for a couple of months to see if things would get better, and they didn't, so I went to the ER. I told the doctor about the cardiomyopathy and previous mysterious illnesses, he completed a brief rectal exam, and said it was probably internal hemmorhoids. I asked if a parasitic infection was possible, and he said it was very unlikely because I hadn't been out of the country in several years. So he never tested my stool. Two years have passed, and I have had the same/similar problems since, and have reported this to the doctors over and over. For the past year and a half, I have developed new symptoms. Extreme fatigue, weakness, joint aches, headaches, constipation and diarrhea, greasy, yellowish stools, sweat that smells like ammonia, skin peeling out of my mouth, gas, burping, bad breath, weight loss and loss of appetite. In addition, I have mysterious skin rashes with hives on a daily basis, and started taking pictures of them to document this. In December of 2012, I tested positive for lupus with a positive ANA, and my doctor ordered the test because my eosinophil percentage had consistently been flagged on my blood reports as high. I still was not getting any answers, so I switched all of my doctors and have been going to the city. This is a world renowned hospital. Upon meeting my new doctors, they ordered a repeat of blood tests. This time the lupus was negative. The doctors quickly dismissed the lupus results prior, and said that sometimes people just test false positive, with no further explanation. Back in April of this year, my doctor informed me that my vitamin d level was very low, 12, should be between 30-40 he said, so I have been taking prescription vitamin d. I met with an infectious disease specialist a month ago, and she said she didn't think that I had parasites, but she would test because of my eosinophils. Bingo, I do have them, and now the doctors are trying to say they are parasitic but may not be causing my symptoms. For several months I have noticed that there is strange looking debris after blowing my nose into a tissue. Last night, I am about 99% certain that it was a small worm, certainly looked like one, and I was a teacher, so I am fairly well educated. I saved it in the tissue and put it in a zip lock bag. I don't know whether to call my doctor or not on Monday morning, as I don't trust him, and think he will once again be dismissive. I already went through the HIV phase with him, and told him I didn't have it, as I've only had 4 partners my entire life, have never had unprotected sex, I don't rim, and had an HIV test. I haven't been sexually active in about three years, so I knew I couldn't have it. I retested a couple of months ago to satisfy him, and it was negative once again. I have asked him if any of my past symptoms are connected, and he didn't think so. I disagree. The only diagnosis I have is another one of idiopathic nature, uticharia, (spelling) and says my blood work is fine, which it isn't, because my vitamin d was very low, and my eosinophils are still high. Any advice on what I should do? Prior to all of this stuff over the past 5 years, I was very rarely I'll. now I can no longer do many of the things that I used to, as I don't feel well enough, and I would really like to get some normalcy back in my life. Is there a doctor who can answer this without telling me that I am imagining things? The test results obviously indicate that I am not.

6 likes, 127 replies

127 Replies

Prev Next
  • Posted

    How is everyone doing?  If you have more information regarding DE...please let me know...also, I purchased doggie treats with DE in it and she loves them!!  I also purchased the  bar of soap...goat's milk with DE..it's not the greatest smelling but it helps with the creepy crawley things...hope to hear how y'all are doing!

    frustrated

  • Posted

    Hi Frank ~

    Have you tried the DE everyone has spoke about?  I started just under a month now and I'm doing well.  I mean I still have symptoms of the parasites but not as bad and I've noticed that some of the parasites have come out....in many different ways. Anyway, it's amazing something with no side effects and tasteless can do so much...but then again if I were around for hundreds of years baking in the sun and feeding off the ocean...I may be in better shape, too....well, best of luck to you....

    feel better

    frustrated

  • Posted

    I want to second what someone talked about earlier, diatomaceous earth also called DE, it works to help with parasites and all manner of various gut problems.  I won't go into all the issues I have had but I almost feel like for me DE has been a miracle.  It took a little while, it wasn't like I started to take it and immediately I was better.  It has been over a period of months.  I take 2 Tablespoons a day, which is an amount I worked up to by starting with a teaspoon and adding another teaspoon after several days.  t doesn't have much taste but it's texture is a little gritty.  I usually take it in a combination of plain regular yogurt mixed with crushed pineapple with the juice still in it and I use a sweetner cause I like things sweet.  I usually make little 4 ounce containers of which I eat 3 each having 2 teas, I like to spread mine out throughout the day, some people make smoothies and take the whole amount all at once, also some just put it in a glass with water or juice and chug it.  Make sure the DE you use is food grade with nothing added, not a commercial one for swimming pools.  I orginally got into using De because my dog had fleas and parasites and I was treating him.  I had gotten a book about silica in the form of DE to try and figure out what to do for my dog and lo and behold I found out I could take it myself.  I had never heard of this.  There is a lot of research online you could look into before you try it and also talk to your doctor to be on the safe side.  Personally I am feeling so much better, my blood sugar levels in the AM were in the 130-140 range, yesterday it was 89.  My stools seem to be pretty normal more like when I was young and the smell, color and consistency more normal, sorry for talking about that but that is the subject.  A caution--I had several times in the beginning when for a day or so as I was upping the amount I would feel unusually bad then I would just go back to the previous amount for a few days and I would feel better again.  I hope this helps someone, take the time to inform yourself but I have not had any problems with breathing it or getting it in my eyes, though I am very careful how I use it.  I am not a professional, I am speaking from experience though of having many gut issues including C difficile and I have seen improvement I am not taking pains meds for my gut any more.  Blessings on you all.
    • Posted

      Hi Bonita ~

      I can atest to De food grade.  I started taking it apprx 6 mths ago and found it had tremedous results.  I do want to caution those who start this and find that perhaps their "parasite" problem seems worse rather than better.  DE will give you "die-off" and that's the parasite dying and the remains are trying to rid the body or the parasites do not like DE and try to flee on their own before perishing.  In any case, take it slow and be paitent. 

      DE is a great product but it can take some time before you see results.  I, myself, found I had a bit more energy.  That initself was a good thing.  As far as my pup, I gave her a biscuit of DE mix and she loved it!! It seemed to settle her down with all the itching and licking.  In fact, I need to purchase more.  I purchased mine online off Amazon.  I was unclear how to use it but called the distributor and spoke with the owner and he gave me some guidence on how to take it and how to up the anty each week.  Also, if you are suffering from arthritis, DE food grade will help in that area too.  Phil, the distributor, told me that those who suffer from extreme arthritis usually do well when they work themselves up to 3 tbls a day.  This is a slow process and please take care as to not rush this product.  Meaning, don't start at 1 tsp then after approx 5 days go up to 3 tablespoons....take it slow and go up gradually.

      Good luck and I hope you find it helpful as Bonita and I have.

      Warm regards

      Frustrated

  • Posted

    have you been tested for Toxoplasmosis it sounds like all of your symptons insist they do a DNA PCR test for toxoplasmosis it is a parasite it comes from cats other mamamals flys fleas and roaches can be a vector you can use urine or blood for the test or sputum from the throat also you should be tested for Hemochromatosis it is an iron storage disease and is associated with infectious diseases
  • Posted

    Test for Toxoplasmosis a DNA PCR test you could start with IgG and IgM but to get the DNA test is the best way blood urine sputum can be used it comes from cats other mammals rare meat vegetables sometimes through well water litter boxes or anywhere cats might deficate flys are a vector and ticks which give Lyme disease and TGondi jparasites Drs. do not routinely test for this you hav4e to insist also rash is seen lumps eye blurrings deafness sometimes Schizophrenia caused by parasite in brain extreme thirist weight loss confusion don't have to have HIV night sweats or day can lose teeth more look up on internet don't stop read all you can insist the DR> test you also associated with Hemochromatosis read about that also CDC says Drs. do not have enough education on such it is an iron storage disease inherited look it up 
  • Posted

    Test for Toxoplasmosis DNA PCR test along with Igg igm insist 
    • Posted

      Hi

      I am asking about some terms i don't understand what is meaning

      such as :DE , lgg , igm , Diatomaceous earth

      if any know them i highly appreciat.

      Another request : is Toxoplasmosis gondii not detected at Lab. ?

      and is it causes a chronic diarrhea for many years?

      Thank you

  • Posted

    Frank47.  I have been experiencing for the past 6 years many symptions.  I had gotten to a point that I cannot function properly.  I was so itchy and I would have hives all over my body and then they will disappear within 15 minutes.  I have gone to the hospital several times and everyone tells me I have a skin problem due to stress.  (ITS ALL IN MY HEAD)  not true.  First of all you need to get checked  for H Pylori Bacteria.  You have the symptoms and the problem with this bacteria is that if you have it all your tests will comeback negative.  There are three ways they can check for H Pylori.  Stool, blood work or breath test. Also the doctors couldn't explain why I have been like this for the past 6 years anemic.  Everyone told me that I'm pre menopausing.   After all these years of suffering I finally found out that I have H Pylori.  The treatment is two antibiotics and another medication to lower your stomach acidity.  I just finished treatment and for the first time in 6 years I feel energetic and HAPPY.  The itchiness went away.  Please check for H Pylori Bacteria.  All of my symptoms like  you, were getting progressively worse.  I was also checked for Lupus, HIV.  Definitely check it out.  Good luck.
    • Posted

      you should be testedfor Hemochromatosis also it is an inherited disease it is when your body has to much iron but you could be anemic also it is associated with many infections look it up Hemochromatosis association with infectious diseases and look Hemochroatosis up in general Drs. do not test for this they test the blood say it's fine but they need to test the Serum Iron serum Ferritan and TIBC   
  • Posted

    I asked for some medical  expressionS regarding tests but i didn't receive answers
  • Posted

    Hi there,

    I am not a doctor (yet), but I am in veterinary school, and my mother is a doctor.  Recently she was discussing a patient of hers (no names, of course) that has her completely stumped.  This patient has symptoms similar to yours, and I suggested parasitic infection.  She was shocked, but after some explanation on my part, she ran the tests.  It isn't that your doctor is a 'bad doctor', but there is an extreme under-appreciation for parasitic disease in the US because it's not something human doctors are used to encountering.  In veterinary school, we have to learn about potential zoonotic (animal parasites that can infect humans) parasites because we need to be able to warn our clients about certain risks when their pet has certain conditions.  Your symptoms are absolutely consistent with parasitic infection, but your doctor might not recognize this.  Further, there are very few reliable diagnostic tests for human parasitism.  When the infection has progressed from the initial intestinal phase (if it's GI, not all of them are!), it can cause a host (no pun intended) of systematic symptoms that are difficult to quantify.  Systemic parasitism will not produce eggs/larvae in stool, and blood tests can't always capture evidence of infection.  If I were in your position, I would ask my doctor to run a full parasite panel, and maybe ask about the risks of a broad-spectrum antihelminthic (dewormer) and a course of Doxycycline, with or without positive results.  Chronic Trichinosis can cause the symptoms you are describing, as can others.  Don't take this as medical advice, like I said, I'm not a doctor.  But, I recognize a gap in human medical knowledge pertaining to parasitism, and so asking your doctor about specific tests can't hurt.  Best of luck, I hope you're feeling better!

    A. S.

    • Posted

      Thanks for that.  I've always said I'd be better off going to a vet.....
    • Posted

      Oooooohhh...me too!! I actually called my GP an idiot. He was not happy. I told him that it's a really sad day a doc doesn't trust that a nurse knows her own symptoms and can identify worms in stool. I saw them, hundreds of them. It's not like I hallucinate, well not often.I just am so frustrated. Even though I have taken the med for the worms (2 days ago), it did take me almost a year to get anyone to write it.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.