I found a few case studies highlighting the potential dangers of helminthic therapy. These are probably rare, hence case studies, but I would like to be advised of the negative potential of any therapy I was considering before trying it. I was also told once by a helminth immunologist that in the mouse model, those mice bred for high risk of colon cancer also infected with whipworms had a much higher rate of colon cancer than those uninfected. He didn’t know if that translated into the human model, but felt that those of us experimenting with worms might want to have more frequent colonoscopies, just in case. Some frightening information:
A case of granuloma of the ascending colon due to penetration of trichuris trichiura : (and this wasn’t a heavy infection)
http://www.springerlink.com/content/f932×6x5n12327h6/
Colonic obstruction and perforation related to heavy Trichuris trichiura infestation : (not sure how many worms she harbored)
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2768490
Suppurative anal cryptitis associated with/Trichuris trichiura :/
http://www.springerlink.com/content/8433626380461n8q/
Hookworm infestation masquerading as Crohn’s disease: diagnosis by double-balloon enteroscopy. :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19209160
Granted, as someone writing WITH Crohn’s disease who has had bowel blockages in the past and surgery due to the stricturing that Crohn’s causes, and now is in remission with a small number of hookworms, almost symptom-free, I have to say, it’s worth the risk.
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You do realize that Helminth therapy is many times safer than the therapy you are probably currently using to control your crohn’s right?
Did you know that having infusions of Humira or Remicade makes you 3 times more likely to develop lymphoma and other cancers INCLUDING multiple organ cancer AND melanoma? What about all of the other side effects? If you have Crohn’s disease you are supposed to have yearly or bi-yearly colonoscopies anyways because simply having this disease puts you at a high risk of colon cancer. Did you know that? If you didn’t you need to fire your gastroenterologist.
Are you on steroid therapy too? Do you like the way you feel on Prednisone? Did you know steroids used to treat auto-immune diseases are linked to all kinds of nasty things, such as increased risk of heart attack, stroke, cataracts, liver failure and so on.
These drugs that the FDA (big phara) are approving in most cases cause more long-term damage to your body than they are actually helping. Because they cannot make a huge profit from Helminths, if any at all, Helminthic research is practically non-existent in the US and other developed countries.
If you could put your Crohn’s into indefinite remission, and the only major long-term side effect is an increased risk (get it, RISK) of colon cancer, which you already have from simply having crohn’s, would you choose it?
I sure as hell would if I truly had a choice; however, choice is not something we get much of in the US when you have a debilitating auto-immune disease.
I agree completely with you Anthony. I have been using helminth therapy for 4.5 years now and I have been able to stop using prednisone. My little pets have given me the quality of life I have not had in years.
Ooh, I love success stories. What kind of worms are you using, Tracy? For what disease? At what dose? 4.5 years is long enough to prove efficacy, I think. Congratulations and I’m so happy for you!
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