Subject: Adult
Primary diagnoses: psychosomatic disorder
Length of illness: x years
Treatment: natural therapies - Parex & Microbex (parasite killing herbs by Metagenics) failed to clear D.fragilis from stool tests but some reduction in symptoms whilst on treatment.
Iodoquinol x 1 - stools clear of D.fragilis and symptoms relieved.
Severity of symptoms: moderate to severe
Outcome: cured after Iodoquinol treatment x 1

Jackie-
I just saw your website tonight and was so excited to find someone who has been through the same kind of ordeal that I have. ......
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Hello again Jackie:
In a nutshell, here is my story:
I'm 48 years old and until I was the age of approximately 32, I enjoyed excellent health, being very active physically including playing competitive tennis. Then I began feeling very tired after eating both wheat and sugar products. The problem got worse with each passing year. Soon I was feeling lousy after eating dairy products and at that point my wife said "we have to do something about this" .
I started getting more colds and flus and generally feeling run down a lot of the time. Finally, in the early 90's, I starting a long journey of seeing first one doctor and then the another. I was given the standard allergy tests with shots injected under the skin and the results were that I was as "healthy a patient as they had seen" according to their measurements. I had gotten to the point where one night I unknowingly ate some dairy sauce and the next morning went into an incredible rage and hostility for no apparent reason.
We had heard about "leaky gut syndrome" and figured this was a manifestation of the problem.

Doctors meanwhile were insinuating that it may have been in my head as they, in their infinite expertise, could find no clinical pathology.

Finally, we heard about a holistic doctor with a solid reputation for diagnosing mysterious illnesses and so I went to him in late 1998. He performed blood, urine and stool tests and finally (15 years later) I had a confirmed diagnosis of dientamoeba fragilis. The doctor put me on a regimen of herbal treatments which I have just completed. In addition, I am awaiting results for an updated stool test from Great Smokies Lab in North Carolina. I 'm sure that while the herbs kept the problem at bay, it has not cured it. I'm seriously considering taking Iodoquinol or equivalent but am researching all I can on its risk factors and relative effectiveness. The idea of taking all the toxic drugs without a decent chance of a complete cure is not really appealing; however, after dealing with this for so long I will probably just "bite the bullet" and proceed. ..I also have a whole list of other symptoms which have manifested over the years including foggy mental states, impaired balance, food sensitivities, etc. .
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Jackie-

I just got the results back from my doc via the Great Smokie's Lab and it came back negative! I'm not sure that I fully accept the results after anticipating having to use the "artillery" but I'm quitting all herbal supplements and see how I feel. I'll know soon enough if my symptoms re-appear. Incidentally, my doc had me on two different herbal multi pills with each pill having five or six different herbs. The first, put out by Metagenics (phone # in U.S. is 1-800-647-6100) is called Parex and the stronger one (also distributed by Metagenics) is called Microbex. The latter made me nearly throw-up one hour after taking the first time- I had to gradually get up to the full dosage.

Thanks so much for your info and support- it was so validating after such a long time with clueless doctors misleading me that it brought tears to mine and my wife's eyes. You are performing a valuable service in this work!
More Later A

Jackie-
First a a little info about Parex- My first two months in treatment was strictly with just Parex- Subsequent testing showed the DF was still there- So my doc put me on Parex and Microbex for three months; dosage was 2 pills each, three times a day between meals. Micobex contains: Old Man's Beard- 182mg, Grapefruit seed extract- 100mg, Oregon Grape Root- 75mg, Barberry 4:1 Extract- 50mg, Goldenseal Root 4:1 Extract- 25mg, and Cat's Claw Vine- 25mg. I hope this helps. .....
Will be in touch.
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Jackie-
Just a quick note to say that I'm having symptoms again- as I found before, the herbs seem to only keep the D.F. at bay and temporarily alleviate the symptoms. After I stopped taking them, it was a steady decline until one day I was so down, irritable, listless etc. that I started taking them again and I picked right up. I advised my doctor, and he was very skeptical- nevertheless, I've convinced him to give me a 20 day subscription of dodoquinol, which I'm praying will do the trick. He's also having me take Hepto-Gen from Vitamin Research Products. It's supposed to protect your liver from free radical damage as a result of the medicine. I'll let you know how I fare.
Will be in touch- A

Jackie-
I've been on the Iodoquinol for 6 of a 20 day regimen and although it very apparent that I'm taking medicine, I must say I am very clear mentally and other symptoms are virtually gone. Previous experience with other antibiotics have yielded similar but lesser results so I'm guardedly optimistic. The first few days were the worst as my body adapted to the drug, but overall it's not as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, today I have felt allot of energy and been very productive. The way I see it, this is probably my last option. If problems persist, I'll probably be taking the herbal remedies the rest of my life. I have come to the conclusion that this parasite (contrary to what my doc feels) is definitely systemic and not restricted to the gut. My mentally faculties go from about a "5" to a "9" or "10" when I get some treatment but relapse within 10 days of quitting. I would love to know specifically why this happens. Of all the symptoms, this is the one I have the hardest time dealing with. Symptoms include confused thinking (like being retarded- knowing you have a certain ability in your "well" state, that is unavailable in your "sick" state), irritability, lack of motivation, and general lethargy.....
A

Hi Jackie:
Well the 20 day treatment was not as bad as I thought it would be. All symptoms vanished while on it, but right after I finished it I caught a virus which all members of my family caught. Believe it or not but we have not been able to shake it totally and it's been a month!. I mention this because since I caught it I've had some prostate/urinary symptoms. Otherwise I have been very clear mentally with glimpses of some good energy. I'm cautiously optimistic that the parasites are gone ( I just sent my last 3 day test to the Smokies Lab) but will doubt it if, after getting rid of the virus, I still have symptoms. I have had some moments where I have felt like "so this is how you are supposed to feel". I'll keep you posted on my progress or lack thereof!
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Jackie: I just got the results back from the GSD (three day test) and they say I am clear! My subjective experience is that the DF is gone as I don't have the mental fog/confusion, my weight is staying the same, and my energy and strength are back. I think the drug did the trick. Both my wife and I are still experiencing symptoms with this virus which = it turns out has been the flu all along. My regular family doc said it's a tough one to lick. I've felt fine, gone for a four mile hike and experienced a minor relapse. Can't wait to finally shake it- then hopefully all I will have to worry about are my food sensitivities. Anyway, if it is at all possible for you to take the Iodoquinol, I would say try it. Otherwise, a less powerful drug, as you suggested, may be in order. I'm wishing you the best in your efforts- = that critter is a nasty one. Stay in touch and let me know how it's going.
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Hi Jackie-
Well it's been about three weeks since I finished the Iodoquinol and I wanted to let you know the results. The best description for how I view the situation is that I am cautiously optimistic that the drug did the trick! Both my mental clarity and urinary function have returned to and are staying at normal levels. Typically, symptoms would return within 7-10 days after finishing a bout of the herbal remedies-- seems the herbs were lessening the symptoms but not curing the condition. The drug really seems to have worked its wonders. The only problem is that the drug blasted my immune system (as usual) and I got a virus about 8 days ago which has been a bear to get rid of. I'm really looking forward to seeing how I feel once the bug is totally gone. Based on this experience, I would definitely recommend trying the drug if there is any way you can tolerate it. ( Subjectively, it did not seem to be a very harsh drug)
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Jackie
:..... I am no longer experiencing DF symptoms and it has been about 5 months since treatment I think it's safe to say that the Iodoquinol worked. I am still very limited in the foods I eat, but the offending foods don't affect me as seriously as before..... It may be that I'll have (food sensitivities) for the rest of my life, but it is great to have energy, weight back on, clear thinking etc. Please advise all your contacts with DF to take the drug if they can.
I want to sincerely thank you for being there at the depths of my despair and say that you are providing a wonderful service with your web site to mankind. Take care of yourself and I'll be in touch.
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Jackie: I got your most recent e-mail and needed to correct one item. I actually took the drug for one full course of 20 days, three pills per day. As I remember, each pill contained 650 mg. of the drug.
Take care and don't let anyone give up!
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