3 ms·

I've experienced this with liver flukes (fasciolosis). I've always been strong, quite confident, fit and healthy. But gradually over a period of 18 months or so

I've experienced this with liver flukes (fasciolosis). I've always been strong, quite confident, fit and healthy. But gradually over a period of 18 months or so I was experiencing chest pain in the right upper quadrant, binge eating (sugar / sweets) and ultimately had a panic attack or two. I was agitated, exhausted and a somewhat fearful. I felt like I might die and I made the necessary plans for that. Altogether a dramatic departure from my former "self". Thankfully some googling of symptoms got me on the right track, I got the medicine and got that nasty thing out (it took 12 months to get fully rid of them). Full body health checks, ultrasound, MRI, doctors, specialists all failed to diagnose this not so rare parasite. Lucky for me but sad for those who aren't likely to find the answers I did. Some others have had gall bladders removed due to false diagnosis of cancer due to dilation of the gall duct. I certainly feel they manipulated me to consume what was beneficial to them. Fortunately they made the mistake of not being stealthy enough. Perhaps they where too greedy for growth. Absolutely fascinating.

carlmr 4y ago
>Full body health checks, ultrasound, MRI, doctors, specialists all failed to diagnose this not so rare parasite. How did they find it in the end? Or did they just give you some broad antiparasitic. ?
- thelittleone 4y ago
  They didn't find it. Triclabendazole is only one effective treatment for fasciolisis. It's on the WHO list of essential medicines. Unfortunately a prescription is needed where I live and that country does not have the diagnostic test. More info [1] on two cases here where one woman had her gall bladder removed after being misdiagnosed cancer. How did I treat it? I ordered the medicine for dogs, cats and took the leap of faith. Now that's probably considered incredibly stupid and reckless by some but I had 100% symptoms relief within 48hrs followed by some die off. I followed protocol and did a second round of medicine 6 weeks later. This was during covid so I had no way to fly to a country that offered the diagnostic test. [1] https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2015/203/4/fascioliasis-australian-travellers-bali https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2015/203/4/fascioliasis-austr...
  - carlmr 4y ago
    Oh, wow, I'm really happy for you making this. I'm wondering why these diagnostic tests aren't more common. After all for pets we have routine checkups. I'm wondering if there's any imaging technique that could reveal this. I saw one House episode where they had a similar case, and they also went through 5 different imaging techniques until they found it.
    - thelittleone 4y ago
      The blood test isn't cheap and the parasite is prevalent in poorer tropical countries. Its suspected there are over 500k undiagnosed cases in Indonesia alone. I feel for those poor folks. Its often in cattle and the grass of pastures. But liver flukes have made there way to the sea and can now be caught by eating pelagic fish raw like tuna sashimi. Regarding imaging yes. Ultrasound of the liver can detect it but requires a technician with very specific training to identify it and depends on the stage of the infection. Ultimately AI could be a solution. But as that original article demonstrates, even doctors and ultrasound technicians at world class hospitals can misdiagnose the issue as cancer. If I had more knowledge in the field I would love to develop a project to reduce the cost of diagnostics to less than $10 and make treatment more available. Trestment should not be out of reach of underprivileged.
      - carlmr 4y ago
        >If I had more knowledge in the field I would love to develop a project to reduce the cost of diagnostics to less than $10 and make treatment more available. If it's an antibody test, couldn't we repurpose all these facilities manufacturing COVID tests? They manufactured quick tests for 1€ a pop. I expect this business to need something new to focus on, since COVID won't matter in the medium term anymore.

carlmr 4y ago

>Full body health checks, ultrasound, MRI, doctors, specialists all failed to diagnose this not so rare parasite. How did they find it in the end? Or did they just give you some broad antiparasitic. ?

thelittleone 4y ago
They didn't find it. Triclabendazole is only one effective treatment for fasciolisis. It's on the WHO list of essential medicines. Unfortunately a prescription is needed where I live and that country does not have the diagnostic test. More info [1] on two cases here where one woman had her gall bladder removed after being misdiagnosed cancer. How did I treat it? I ordered the medicine for dogs, cats and took the leap of faith. Now that's probably considered incredibly stupid and reckless by some but I had 100% symptoms relief within 48hrs followed by some die off. I followed protocol and did a second round of medicine 6 weeks later. This was during covid so I had no way to fly to a country that offered the diagnostic test. [1] https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2015/203/4/fascioliasis-australian-travellers-bali https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2015/203/4/fascioliasis-austr...
- carlmr 4y ago
  Oh, wow, I'm really happy for you making this. I'm wondering why these diagnostic tests aren't more common. After all for pets we have routine checkups. I'm wondering if there's any imaging technique that could reveal this. I saw one House episode where they had a similar case, and they also went through 5 different imaging techniques until they found it.
  - thelittleone 4y ago
    The blood test isn't cheap and the parasite is prevalent in poorer tropical countries. Its suspected there are over 500k undiagnosed cases in Indonesia alone. I feel for those poor folks. Its often in cattle and the grass of pastures. But liver flukes have made there way to the sea and can now be caught by eating pelagic fish raw like tuna sashimi. Regarding imaging yes. Ultrasound of the liver can detect it but requires a technician with very specific training to identify it and depends on the stage of the infection. Ultimately AI could be a solution. But as that original article demonstrates, even doctors and ultrasound technicians at world class hospitals can misdiagnose the issue as cancer. If I had more knowledge in the field I would love to develop a project to reduce the cost of diagnostics to less than $10 and make treatment more available. Trestment should not be out of reach of underprivileged.
    - carlmr 4y ago
      >If I had more knowledge in the field I would love to develop a project to reduce the cost of diagnostics to less than $10 and make treatment more available. If it's an antibody test, couldn't we repurpose all these facilities manufacturing COVID tests? They manufactured quick tests for 1€ a pop. I expect this business to need something new to focus on, since COVID won't matter in the medium term anymore.