Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I am traveling in Colombia and I think I've contracted a parasite. I did an ~22 hour fast three days ago and felt great doing it. The next day I felt uncharacteristically worn down and sluggish. It was a fairly stressful day with a lot of stuff going wrong so when I when could barely keep my eyes open at 9PM I figured it was just due to stress. I got 10 hours of sleep that night (very rare for me) but woke up yesterday in the same funk. I did some mild exercise yesterday and ended up needing a nap which is also uncharacteristic of me. This morning I again wake up still feeling un-rested along with some bloating and constipation. A few places in my gut/intestines are slightly sensitive to being poked and prodded.

Because I don't feel any other types of head cold or sickness symptoms I'm pretty comfortable with my self diagnosis. Let's say for the sake of argument that I do in fact have a worm (although please let me know if you think I'm way off on this and need to see a doctor). [Side note here: I AM quite gluten sensitive and the tired/head-fog symptoms ARE quite similar to a gluten exposure for me BUT: I'm cooking all of my meals myself and I'm 99% sure I haven't been exposed.]

Question 1: I'm thinking that I had low grade parasitic infection going on for a little while before my IF day, but when I fasted it put the parasite in panic mode. As soon as I fed myself (and the parasite) after my fast that's when my symptoms became noticeable. Does it make sense that IF days could be a good way to detect parasitic infection or is this probably just a coincidence?

Fortunately (or at least fortunately now that I believe I do have a parasite), parasites are quite common in Colombia. Doctors here have it pretty dialed in as to what combination of medications people should take and they are easily available and amazingly cheap. I picked them up today for less than $2.00. Tinidazol: 4 tablets tonight and 4 tablets tomorrow night. Albendazol: 2 tablets tonight.

This makes me consider my attack plan. Apparently the best time to treat parasites is when they are most active which happens to be around the full moon cycle (full moon in 7 days from when I'm writing this).

Question 2: Would I be better off waiting a few days to time it closer to the full moon? I'm worried about the parasite taking an even better hold during that time. Perhaps this amount of time is negligible?

Question 3 (main question): Obviously my very-low-carb Paleo diet is great for keeping these buggers under control as is. When I add in some fasting I can imagine this really makes it hard for these little guys. What's the best way to incorporate fasting into my attack plan? On one hand you're supposed to take medicine while they are active. So that would mean fasting in the morning, eating a large meal in the early evening and then taking the medicine. On the other hand I can see fasting after taking the medicine could be a way of "kicking them while they are down". Perhaps the approaches aren't mutually exclusive? I could fast 22 hours -> eat -> medicine -> fast 22 hours. However I might also wreaking havoc on myself with this double-fast + parasite poison combination.

Sorry about the long and personalized post. I ask in such detail because I think there is an opportunity for Paleo-lifestyle approaches to be hugely effective in treating parasites. I look forward to hearing everyone's ideas, opinions, and experiences!

flag	asked Apr 11 2011 at 16:14 awolf 568●4●14

Lots of adamant advice that I should go see a doctor. Thank you for the concern everyone. I will definitely take this under consideration! I would still love to discuss some of the other questions I raised in here regardless of my diagnosis. – awolf Apr 11 2011 at 17:13

bsunde · Answer 1 · 2011-04-11 16:35:24Z UTC

If you are concerned, go see a doctor. Please.

Your attack plan is actually more complicated than simply submitting a stool sample to your doctor, and then you will know for sure.

Don't take any medications unless you have an infection!

Generally, symptoms for the common protozoan infections are intense and involve diarrhea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterborne_diseases

Marie · Answer 2 · 2011-04-11 16:58:34Z UTC

Yeah, go to a doctor for a fecal test, esp if you've been swimming in any bodies of fresh water. It will cost you, what $3-5??? and it will be an interesting cultural experience. I felt the CARE I've received internationally to be far superior to the US methods, especially when looking at cost effective diagnoses.

{I've had giardia and amoebas while living in Central and South America, multiple times thanks to living like the locals. It isn't that bad, but you do need to get a diagnosis ASAP. }

Thomas Seay · Answer 3 · 2011-04-11 16:34:23Z UTC

First of all, I don't know, and I don't want to pose as an expert. However, I just finished reading "Bacteria For Breakfast", written by a professor of pharmacology at Penn State University. In it, she details how large doses of probiotics have been proven in numerous studies (with or without antibiotics) to improve such conditions. It's best to take huge doses with a number of different strains of "good" bacteria for best results. It might be worth a try.

Mark V · Answer 4 · 2011-04-11 16:57:52Z UTC

2

See a doctor.

answered Apr 11 2011 at 16:57

Mark V
1,094●4●10

Kelly · Answer 5 · 2011-04-11 17:13:03Z UTC

Hi! Where in Colombia are you? I live in Bogota, maybe i can try and help?

First thing is you can get to a pharmacy and ask for an anti parasite med, they do these over the counters. Usually its 1 or 2 pills a day for 3 full days. You should feel relief but then you need to repeat again in 15 days. If there is someone there who can help ask for what you need (if you are at a hotel, they can help you order via the phone, or an english speaker is always nearby ask for help). get two doses so you have the 2nd box ready.

These also are anti inflammatories so you'll feel better either way, but after the 2nd box if it comes back within 30 days you'll definitely need to see a doctor. It could be amebias which are tricky buggers.

email me if I can help!! (kellciadesigns@gmail.com) kelly

Parasite Attack Plan

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