Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
helminthictherapy group:

I have a serious autoimmune disease (Asthma, Crohn's, Multiple Sclerosis,
Colitis) and I...

   o Would try this therapy in a heartbeat
   o No way am I going to try anything like this
   o I would try it if I was sure it was safe
   o No, too expensive.


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Thanks!

Hi there, Nottingham University recently published this study in which they
acheived 100% remission for a small study group of Crohn's patients by
inoculating them
with 50 hookworm. http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/55/1/136

You need to register for a free account to read the complete summary.

It took 45 weeks to get to remission, and some were not able to reduce their
other drugs whilst achieving remission, but this is encouraging for the larger
study
currently underway into this topic at Nottingham.

Coupled with the research by Weinstock at Iowa it is beginning to look very
promising for helminthic therapy. Not just for Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis,
either. There
are other studies that show it works for asthma and hay fever, and perhaps
multiple sclerosis.

Wikipedia has an entry for helminthic therapy for those interested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminthic_therapy

Day one:

Arrive at the Clinic in Tijuana.

It is a clean, neat office with several rooms, and a balcony with a
view of the pacific ocean, a very polite gentleman who was the MD, a
nurse, and a waiting room.

The Doctor was fluent in English- and very pleasant to talk to.


Zero Hour:

The process began with the application of the moist gauze containing
the L3 larvae of Necator Americanus to my upper chest.   The gauze was
held in place with a very thin plastic film with an adhesive on it.


Minutes 1-20:

After about 10 minutes I felt a slight sensation under the gauze akin
to a gritty or pulling sensation that was barely noticeable which
progressed into a pricking sensation.  At 15 minutes I felt
light-headed and a warmth in the face.  The pricking was noticeable,
and was reminiscent of a bug biting me.

To combat the feeling of warmth, I took a 25mg capsule of the
antihistamine Benadryl (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride).

The warmth and light-headed feeling disappeared within minutes of
ingesting the Benadryl, and I was surprised that the sensation of
pricking disappeared as well!.


Minute 18-60:  The antihistamine helped almost immediately.  The
sensation of being bitten disappeared- though the very slight
sensation of pulling or grittiness was still present. No other great
pain or discomfort was noticed.  Occasionally, there was a sensation
of being lightly scratched.

We left the clinic after being there about an hour and a half or two
hours (there were several other people being treated as well.)


Hours 2-23:  As the feelings of slight discomfort in my face or under
the gauze would return, I would take a Benadryl, and the discomfort
would subside.  Virtually no pain.


Day 2:  Took off the bandage after 24 hours.  There was no redness or
inflammation. My skin is unusually sensitive, so I attributed the lack
of a rash to the antihistamine- though I do not really know.


Day 3:  After 2 1/2 days, a slight dry cough occurred for a half hour,
though do not think that the cough was the result of a larvae passing
through the avioli of the lung.


Day 4:  Approximately 3 1/2 days after application of the larvae, I
had intermittent feeling of the need to cough.  About a dozen mild
episodes very similar to the previous day.  This cough is similar to
the cough you still have two months after having the flu.  A very
slight, mild dry cough.

These episodes continued through the evening.


Day 5 (Saturday):  Feeling as I always do, except for an occasional
slight cough that has all but disappeared- akin to when you feel the
need to slear your throat.  Slight headache is present though I do not
know if it may be related to the infection.

Day 1: DAY OF INOCULATION
in the clinic in Tijuana. Everything very ok over there!!!!!!!!
Directly after infestation through a gauze pad with the larvae I have
a slight tickling sensation under the pad, like a feather touching
the skin. We are monitored within the next hour.

Day 2: HARDLY ANY SYMPTOMS
Infestation site only slightly swollen and only very tiny red spots
there.

Days 3 to 6: SLIGHT  ITCHINESS
I have got some more spots on other parts of the body due to the
larvae migrating through the blood vessels. They look like normal
mosquito bites and itch slightly.
(Slightly coated throat and some harmless sensation in lungs on day
3. On day 6 I would have over 20 to 30 spots apart from those of the
inoculation area, some diarrhoea.)

Days 7&8: INTENSE ITCHINESS
The red spots on my body are pretty itchy now.
In the morning slight stomach discomfort.
Throat feels coated and I clear it more often. I feel a slight
general weakness; have gas.

Days 9&10: THE PEAK: LIKE "HAVING A NORMAL COLD"
Have a sore and tight throat; upper respiratory tract, lymph nodes
and sinus involved a bit, have a running nose. As if I had a normal
flue. General weakness and sleeping a lot.
(The itch of the red spots has been calming down. Day 10 is already
much better concerning the flue-like symptoms.)
				 -----
Upshot: Side effects are not bad at all.
A tip: antihistamines help.

    			  Let's see what the future brings!

My condition: pronounced allergies, asthma

I have had a tough time with my health.  Like many others, I have two
fairly common and well known auto-immune disorders.

For me, those disorders are Sjogren's Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis.

I feel these two auto-immune disorders may plausibly respond to the
benefits a hookworm infestation.

The reason for my hope is that a growing body  of medical journal
articles are indicating that an increasing number of well known
auto-immune disorders respond positively to small to modest
infestations of hookworms.

The infections that have major studies that indicate a benefit for
hookworm therapy are Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn's Disease, Inflammatory
Bowel Disorder, and Athsma.

Many of these peer reviewed medical journal articles and studies are
indicating that very long remissions are possible in these with the
infestations.

It is my hope that this treatment will greatly benefit not only my MS,
but my Sjogren's as well, as Sjogren's is an auto-immune disorder.

Though I have been lucky to have a long period of relative quiet with
my MS, my Sjogren's syndrome is not to peaceful.

The early difficulties of Sjogren's include a lack of tears and
saliva, problems with vision, talking and eating for starters.
Additionally, joint pain, and other problems as well can occur early on.

The course of the disorder generally develops into an auto-immune
attack on the internal organs of the body- such as the lungs, brain,
and kidneys.  I want to especially prevent that fate if possible.

If I can make a well reasoned attempt to prevent these problems
(problems which are treated with chemotherapy agents) I will do so.

Given the medical journal articles that I have purchased, and found
over the internet, I decided to try the treatments offered with
helminithic therapy.

Because of the widening range of auto-immune disorders this therapy
seems to help, I did not want to pass up this chance to pro-actively
act to take control of my health, rather that react with drugs and
chemotherapy agents.

Well, the very occasional cough has continued three or four times a
day, with the feeling being very much akin to the feeling of a need to
clear your throat.

Nothing very big or dramatic, but I wanted to note the feeling.

Days 11 to 17: STILL HAVE A "PSEUDO FLUE"
Still the same "hookworm flue": A sore throat; upper respiratory
tract, lymph nodes and sinus involved; a running and blocked nose.
Profound general weakness and fatigue, sleeping a lot. Also slightly
stiff limbs. Sensation of fever on one day only. Antihistamines help
me a lot through it.

Days 18-22:  CALMING DOWN
The "pseudo flue" (considered to be an allergic reaction officially I
think) is finally improving and I feel much better now.

I eat "forbidden" food and it is like a miracle, all my food
allergies and even my histamine intolerance are gone, I can eat
everything again, not a single reaction. As if I had never had food
allergies before. I am euphoric. It is a small stage victory and a
good sign indeed.

Hi Everybody!!


A)  Well, first I want to mention that a short lived improvement with
the sensation in my hands- though I want to stress - I am not positive
that it is the result of my hookworm infestation.

My feet and hands have a collection of symptoms called  'Stocking and
Glove' sensation.

This  is the name that is given to people who have peripheral neuropathy
(numbness) of the hands and/or feet.  This is when the hands and feet
have lost some or much of their sense of touch.

In this condition, there is sense that when objects are touched it feels
as though a person is wearing a silk stocking or a glove over your hand.

When the larvae were circulating in my blood system, I had that stocking
and glove feeling diminish by 60%.  I was touching everything.  Feeling
the cloth on my chair, my arms, my loved ones cheeks- everything felt so
new and fresh it was really great.  When I could not touch anything
better, I would touch my fingers together.  Each object felt like I was
touching it for like a two year old touches things-  it felt so great
compared to how I have been for the last 10 years!

The feeling left after a few days.  (I hope it will come back over
time.)

As a bonus to the above was a feeling that I was energized for several
days.

I normally feel very tired and sleepy- and yet I cannot sleep very
easily.  But, a few days at least, I felt only half as tired as normal-
though I still could not sleep.

B)  I also had an odd experience about day 20.  I suddenly felt a little
pain- just like there was a tiny little needle sticking me in abdomen-
in the area below my navel.

This was followed by a short lived attack of diarrhea.  I am wondering
if this is what is going to be coming up.

I took anti-histamines, and either they had a positive effect on the
pain or it was just chance that the discomfort disappeared.

I have some immodium (an anti-diarrheal)  medicine ready, and some more
anti-histamine as well.

cal1700

On Day 22, I felt a sharp sticking or poking sensation in my abdomen.
        I took 25 mg of Benadryl (antihistamine) and the sensation went
away.

This sensation was followed within hours by a bout of diarrhea.  The
length of illness lasted about one day.

On days 23-25 I had very profound fatigue.

You should remember that I have rather several auto-immune diseases,
with side effects of strong fatigue anyway.  This was way different.

During this fatigue, I was having a hard time keeping from falling
asleep when I was walking and talking with other people.  I could not
drive.  I could not function in the restroom without falling asleep.
It was really strong.  I slept about 23 hours a day.

It was not at all painful, but I was out of commission. By Friday, the
effect was diminishing.

Well, the fatigue is diminishing.  If I could put a number on it I
would say that it is 80% less than it was at it strongest three days ago.

Also, Pepto-bismol seemed to help and the nausea and digestive
disturbances and acidophollis supplements help with my digestion as well.

At age 35 years I was in perfect health, at the top of my career and
leading a very active lifestyle.

Early February 2003 I had a sudden MS attack and given a diagnosis of
Multiple Sclerosis, paralysed from the neck down.

I consider myself lucky to some degree, my type of MS is Relapsing
Remitting which means the body repairs itself but is susceptible to
further attacks.

So far and with time I've recovered nearly completely after each
attack, just experiencing residual damage.

I have an attack every year around April-May like clock work; I guess
you could say it is that time of month.

Here's a brief history of my MS attacks which required
hospitalisation, of which I also have records and MRI scans.

First attack 2003 complete paralysis neck down.
Second attack 2004 limited use upper arms
Third attack 2005 vision loss
Fourth attack 2006 unable to lift left leg
Fifth attack 2007 unable to regulate body temperature

I currently eat a very healthy Low fat diet, exercise daily, and take
nutritional supplements - fish oil, evening primrose oil and a good
multivitamin.  I attribute this to my ability to still walk and my
ever quicker recovery rates.

MS Therapies tried thus far
Needle therapies Betaferon and Copaxone
Minocycline
Low Dose Naltrexone

Although these therapies work well for some, and more than likely
helps slow the progression, I continue to have my annual attacks and
my MRI scans shows activity.

I would now like to try a probiotic treatment showing great promise
in treating many different types of autoimmune conditions such as MS,
Cohn's ,Ulcerative Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Asthma, and
severe Allergies.

I was first put on the trail after watching a BBC documentary showing
low incidents of autoimmune conditions in Africa amongst those
infected with parasites, headed up by DR. Weinstock.  Dr. Weinstock
is currently conducting further research at the University of
Nottingham.

I then researched the net coming across this four year MS/parasite
study in Buenos Aires although small shows exceptional results and
further studies will be continued.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/MultipleSclerosis/tb/4870

Finally I found this amazing story of one mans journey through the
perils of Africa to cure himself of Asthma and extreme allergies.  We
have been in touch and I am now willing to walk in his footsteps (not
literally thank god).

http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2006/4/30/91945/8971


I will monitor and share my progress good or bad, answering queries
and give regular updates.

Ric

September 25 2007 Arrived in at the clinic in Tijuana, felt extremely
comfortable and was greeted by a very friendly doctor and nurse staff.

The clinic was very modern and clean, once in the Dr's Office a small
adhesive bandage was applied to my skin.

Afterwards I was monitored for one hour to make sure there were no
adverse reactions, first 15 minutes I felt a slight flushing in my
upper body.

Week one
Dry cough
Rash around infection site
Stomach upset

Week two
Periods of fatigue
Light flu like symptoms
Ms symptom fluctuations

Week three
Rash on mid body similar to the rash of infection site upper body
Periods of fatigue
Hay fever seems to have disappeared

Week four
Nauseous
Stomach upset
Periods of fatigue

Well, the fatigue is still greater than before I was infected.  Still,
much improved from 10 days ago.

Gas diminished greatly.

Some itchy areas- which I treat with hydro-cortisone cream.  This
treatment takes care of the itchy spots fine.

Cal1700

DAYS 23-27 CALMING DOWN
"Flu" is much better, but still there.

DAYS 28-32 NEARLY BACK TO NORMAL.
Hookworm-related fatigue on some days, not bad anymore.
Still no GI problems at all. Never got that.

Days 33-37 NO HOOKWORM-SYMPTOMS ANYMORE
back to normal
Oddly enough I can still eat all the forbidden food, no allergic
reaction at all. A little miracle. But this is not my actual allergy
problem, cause it was easy to leave out this stuff, so let's see what
will be happening the next weeks and months.

Overall- very good results with a low level of Hookworm infection.

My seasonal (Fall) MS flare has lasted for less time than in probably
four years- (The Sjogren's typically kicks it up greatly).

Additionally, I seem to feel better than I have in probably 6 years.

My Sjogren's is still there, but less than normal.

I am able to do more activities than I have in years, and take less
time than normal to recuperate by far.

Overall, I have to attribute this to my infection with the Hookworm
larvae.  I am very happy.  I hope it will last (and think it will)!

As with anyone who is very ill, any improvement is welcome- and this
is a fairly large improvement!

Hi, I have not been able to track down the study this post is based upon but its
assertion is
interesting enough for me to post here:

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/jillsklar/what-do-ra-and-ibd-ha-1701

MS, IBD, RA , type 1 diabetes and asthma are now linked by a common genetic
mutation, as
well as their response to helminths, at least according to this lady.

The gene effects production of Interleukin 23.

Hi all,
A journalist named Moises Velasquez may contact you about a story he is writing
about
Autoimmune Therapies, the topic of helminthic therapy and my trip to Cameroon.

He has written some very good articles about science for the Christian Science
Monitor (a
very well respected publication in the USA) and wants to do an in-depth and
balanced story. I
have agreed to talk to him for his article and to be quoted and named. I trust
him to be
objective and factual after talking to him.

He has agreed to only use your names if you grant permission, pointing out that
to do
otherwise would be unethical.

So if you are comfortable doing so please help him. If not don't worry about it.

Jasper

!!!!!MY FOOD ALLERGIES ARE STILL GONE. I CAN EAT EVERYTHING !!!!!
that I have not been able to eat for more than 10 years. That is such
a good sign. As mentioned before, however, it is my airborne
allergies that are my actual problem. So let's see what else is to
come.

WEEKS 6 & 7 Hookworm Symptoms Back Again
My hookworm symptoms are back again (like described before).
I contribute this to the eosinophilia that is described in the
studies at this stage of the initial infestation. A blood test
confirms it.
I know understand why I have these flu-like symptoms, it must be this
transient systemic eosinophilia (which is typical in this initial
phase) which increases my general allergy and appears like a "flu" -
because eosinophils are also present in allergic reactions. Medicine
suggests that a systemic eosinophilia can heighten allergy symptoms.
But within the next two weeks this eosinophilia should slump
considerably anyway.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
WEEKS 8 & 9  Get Better Hookworm-wise
And really: The hookworm symptoms decrease from day to day (probably
due to a slumping eosinophil count).

Note: I misspelled one of the authors' names in my original post. here it is
again with the
corrected spelling:

Hi there, I keep getting asked for information on MS and helminthic therapy so I
thought I would just post it here.

There has only been one study that I am aware of, but it was well designed and
executed, and took 4 and 1/2 years to complete.

They used sophisticated tools, too. Like MRIs, etc.

It was published in late 2005 and was authored by Correale and Farez. The full
text is only available with payment from sites like PubMed,
but there are plenty of news reports out there that summarize it nicely.

My favorite is available here:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/MultipleSclerosis/tb/4870

If you want to purchase the paper you can access it here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?
cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlu\
s&list_uids=17230481

Weeks five through Weeks Seven.....fatigue, flu like symptoms, napped
frequently.

Weeks Eight through Nine Helmith symptoms completely gone.

Feels good to have my energy back!

I am now 2 months into my Hookworm (Necator Americanus) infection.

In North America, MS often seems to flare in the spring and fall for
many people- like myself...

Here is a brief account of the improvements I have so far seen---

1) My fall flare was noticeably less intense than normal.

2) My Sjogren's Syndrome seems to have improved, with more moisture in
my eyes and mouth.

3) My allergic reactions to the medicine I take have greatly
diminished--- this is worth the discomfort (monetary and physical)
involved in the whole experience all by itself.

Another bright spot-  The last remnants of my Gastro-Intestinal side
effects from my inoculation have disappeared.

Having had a first infection of 20 larvae, I look forward to boosting
my dose later this winter.


Best wishes to all for your good health and well-being!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Cal1700

I was looking at the google analytics logs for referring sites to
http://autoimmunetherapies.com today and found this link: http://autismtso.com/

I had never considered autism as a candidate for helminthic therapy before, and
this is only
one not very scientific result, but it is hard not to get excited.

> I had never considered autism as a candidate for helminthic therapy
before, and this is only one not very scientific result, but it is
hard not to get excited.>

Autism is riddled with autoimmune problems (allergies, gut problems,
and most of all, the parents of autistic children have a much higher
than normal incidence of autoimmune problems like rheumatiod arthritis
and MS.

Helmith treatment has a big potential to treat these kids.

The Autism Research Institute in San Diego has a lot of info on the
autoimmune aspects of autism.

The hookworm, combined with other treatments, has the potential to
help- I would think that the risk would be minimal.  It is a natural
treatment in my opinion- one that people have always lived with and
been healthy with in low doses.

Cal