Everybody poops.
but it’s entirely possible I might poop more than everybody.
in the world. combined.
At least, that’s how I feel. And I can imagine the other 1.7 million North Americans feel the same way. Us “leaky-gut” kids suffer from what’s known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease. IBD is a blanket term for two autoimmune diseases: Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis. Both are digestive diseases that effect the small intestine (Crohn’s), or large intestine (UC)… or if you’re really lucky leaky, both. Both diseases are said to have no known cause nor cure. In other words, get used to it. It’s yours for life.
In 2005, at the age of 18, I was diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Colitis. Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? I believe that’s latin for “more painful than a constant state of childbirth.” I could detail the life-altering symptoms of these diseases but chances are you aren’t reading this blog for a better understanding of IBD. That’s what Wikipedia is for. Chances are, like me, you’re looking for a solution.
Solution?? Cure?? As extensive and academic as it is, you won’t find those words in your GI’s vocab. A guy could get sued for saying something like that. Not that he would even be tempted to. He can offer no real solutions, only drugs, more drugs, and surgery.
I learned pretty early on that the conventional medical root wasn’t the path for me. I decided to pursue whatever alternative therapy I could find that made sense. As with any shift in paradigm, it requires a learning curve. I have tried almost every natural alternative there is. Read my “What I’ve Tried” page for more details. You won’t be disappointed. Cut to six years, 25+ doctors later… I’m eating parasitic worms of my own accord and I couldn’t be more excited.
How did I get there? Glad you asked. Sometimes a poop joke or two go a long way. So don’t be shy.
A few months ago I was talking with a co-worker and she mentioned that she had recently read an article about a man who, as a last resort treatment for UC, traveled to Thailand to infect himself with parasitic worms. As long as he hosted the worms, his UC remained in complete remission. This dude even figured out how to harvest eggs from his own stool… whaaat. Needless to say, she left my office and I immediately googled this guy who should be called a hero in his own right. Sho’nuff, I came to this article .
After reading several studies on the subject I was convinced worm therapy made perfect sense. It’s based on what is known as the “Hygiene Hypothesis.” … not to be confused with ”hypotenuse.” This is the furthest thing from a math class so don’t let the term scare you. It’s just an alliterated way of saying we (highly developed countries) are too clean. We have removed ourselves from the environment (through the use of antibiotics, anti-bacterial soaps, disinfectants, etc.) to such an extent that it has interrupted the delicate balance of our body’s immune system. If certain T-cells are not sufficiently stimulated, other T-cells which are responsible for stimulating the antibody-mediated part of the immune system will be overstimulated, thereby producing an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks itself. If the T-cells are properly stimulated, that will give them something to work on, rather than ravaging an organ. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about giving my T-cells a decent job that doesn’t involve ripping open my colon.
Side effects listed were: watery/bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, stomach cramps, gas… and that was only supposed to last for a few weeks MAYBE.
Basically what I’ve been experiencing for 6 years straight. This treatment is child’s play compared to what I’ve done. So bring it on. I’ve got nothin’ to lose but time. But we all lose that.
After I was convinced it only took a few weeks get more information from the main suppliers. I decided to go with AIT. The worms were at my door about 2 weeks after I ordered them and I pounded those suckers (literally) back like a good Irishman. Now, the waiting game begins.
I’m keeping track of my progress here so others who might be interested in this form of treatment may have a better idea of the what to expect, how it works, etc. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or advice!
