Update on Infectious Disease Specialist, as promised

Today, after a month of waiting, I received the results of the blood and stool tests my Infectious Disease Specialist (IDS) had run on me.

Four serologies were taken for the "most common" parasites and six stool tests. Virtually all came up negative. I'm really glad I asked for the results over the phone and did not make a trip in. In addition, the 12-inch Ascaris I had submitted to the lab a few weeks ago came back as "vegetable matter." Nothing that has ever come out of my toilet ever looked as close to a large earthworm as this thing did.

The IDS feels that, based on the test results, there's nothing else she can do for me. She said that if parasites did not show up in the blood tests, it's doubtful they are causing the symptoms I am experiencing in my head. She did refer me to an IDS at Yale but I'm not sure I want to follow up with that.

I feel I can address the ones in my gut on my own, but I'm concerned about the ones in my head these days. I really suspect ascaris, since I already have it my intestines. They're/it's squirming - A LOT, and I think it's the Lugol's protocol I started. I started at 5 drops and have worked up to 9.

I've been getting this strange pressure, like my head's in a vice, and it's quite disconcerting. Despite these symptoms and my general concerns, the IDS declined to do an MRI or CT Scan. From what I've read, a Tapeworm in the head can grow to a point where the blood supply gets cut off and seizures and coma ensue. Surgery is required at that point.

I have my husband and mother on alert for either of these or other occurrences. It may be paranoia on my part, but if I can't get out whatever's in my head, I could be in trouble.

However, I have newfound hope. I went to a library lecture on integrative medicine last night. There's a new practitioner in my area. His wife does acupuncture and cranial-sacral therapy, and both sound great as adjunct protocols. I liked what I heard from this doc. He even mentioned parasites in his lecture and talked about a skilled darkfield microscopist in my area. I am encouraged.

I have a growth on my head, now about the size of a raisin, that has gotten bigger since I started anti-parasitical activity. I was putting povidone Iodine on it for a while, until it started growing, which made me a little nervous. I wonder whether it is trying to extract itself or just getting bigger. I think I'm going to have it removed by this integrative doc. I'm hoping that somehow I can get info on whether this growth is parasite-related or not.

So, do I think IDS's are worth looking into? Unfortunately, while I can't answer for all situations, in my case it appears they are just as much in the dark as most MDs, I'm sorry to say. I wish I had better news.