Update

5/25/13

10 days post inoculation, and feeling okay. My rash has gone down significantly, and is hardly visible or itchy. I'm glad about this for purposes of blending in with strangers, but it was kind of cool to show it off to people.

I have developed what feels like a sinus infection, and my head feels like a balloon which is no fun. In the hookworm timeline, some helminth hosts do report a cough and respiratory symptoms, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is another sign of inoculation success. These symptoms happen as the hookworms migrate from the skin to the lungs, where they are "coughed up"and propelled into the digestive tract. I have also considered that being on prednisone (which I am) can leave one vulnerable to more infections because it suppresses the immune system, so it may be more of a result of this than the helminths. There are lots of variables to consider, and I'm trying to keep things as constant as possible so that I know when the helminths start working :)

I'm trying to stay optimistic, in spite of some annoying side effects. My next whip worm dose will be coming up soon, and I will report back then.

Thanks for reading,
Amy

5 Days Post Inoculation

Sunday, May 19: According to the Hookworm Timeline Days 3-5 post inoculation may cause respiratory symptoms, GI symptoms, and the rash may flare a bit. These symptoms are because the larvae migrate into the lungs where they are coughed up (you don't feel them or anything) and then they go down into the digestive tract. While I don't have a cough, sore throat, or anything I do have GI symptoms, and the bumps from the rash appear slightly more raised (see picture below). Everyone's course is different with helminths, but experiencing some of the expected side effects tells me that it's working :) 

I visited my doctor on Friday and she gave me a short course of prednisone at my request. My provider (The company that provides the helminths to me) has said that people sometimes go on a short course of prednisone to deal with the side effects, but only short term. On another note, my doctor has been incredibly supportive throughout this process. She has been open to alternatives and has agreed to support me and provide any necessary medical intervention along the way. Day 6-14 people sometimes experience a sudden but short term remission of all symptoms and side effects, so I will report back if that occurs- with elation! 

Thanks for Reading!

Two Days after Inoculating

5/20/13

Two Days After Inoculation Thursday, May 16: Rash went down a little compared to the day after inoculation. It still continued to itch, but topical Benadryl seemed to do the trick. My GI symptoms kicked up almost immediately though with lots of gas, bloating, stomach pains and all the "fun" stuff that goes along with it. The side effects are similar to what I experience when having a flare- so it could be some of that too. 

Helpful Documents

Here are some helpful documents for understanding Helminthic Therapy. These are some of my favorite, but more resources can be found on the AT website:
http://autoimmunetherapies.com/

Timeline for Hookworm
http://www.foodsmatter.com/natural_medicine_comp_therapies/helminthic_therapy/articles/hookworm-timeline-03-12.pdf

The Science Behind HT (Helminthic Therapy)
http://www.foodsmatter.com/natural_medicine_comp_therapies/helminthic_therapy/articles/hookworm-timeline-03-12.pdf

Stories of Success
http://www.foodsmatter.com/natural_medicine_comp_therapies/helminthic_therapy/articles/hookworm-timeline-03-12.pdf

Successful Inoculation: Hookworm Trial 3

5/15/2013

Hi all,

I received my batch of HW yesterday, and the inoculation seems to have been very successful (see photo below) with a lot of itching and many little red dots. I'm very excited and feel like my journey will now begin!

On the not so positive side- I do seem to be having some really bad stomach pain, and associated symptoms. It feels like it could be related to the actual Crohn's, but I haven't had a morning this bad in a while, which leads me to believe it could also be a result of my " worm-friends". If this persists, I may contact my doctor and go on a short course of prednisone, but I'll wait and see because I really hate prednisone.

Thanks for reading!

Another Update: Hookworm Trial 2

So, I felt an itch which is a good sign, but no significant rash (only two small red marks as you can see below) According to my provider, a therapeutic dose would produce a larger rash, with more dots because they are entry points into the body for the helminths. I'm going to get another dose next week, and hopefully it will produce a huge rash (I don't often hope for a big rash on my arm).

I feel slightly frustrated that I need to keep dosing, but it's sometimes just the way it goes according to what my provider has told me. The helminths are very sensitive to temperature changes and sometimes they die off. Keeping my fingers crossed for a new dose of happy and living organisms in the next couple of days.

Hookworm Trial 2

5/6/13

Hi Everyone! I just received my hookworm and I'm hoping it will work this time. I just applied the bandage with hookworm from the vials as instructed. See photos below: first is my inoculation station, second is the hookworm on my arm. They say an itching sensation happens soon after inoculating which lets you know that it's working, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I will keep updating to let you know how it goes.

-Amy