Help! Scared I’ve got a parasite

[grrrr2]

Hi

just not sure what to do!

I’ve had IBS in the past which has been thoroughly investigated (calprotectin, colonoscopy, endoscopy, etc etc) and it was all fine, just IBS. That was several years ago. My symptoms have been fine for the last few years and only really flare up occasionally if I’m stressed etc although even then it’s very rare and mild compared to how it used to be

but I’m just back from my holidays/travelling for a fortnight. I was in rural Southeast Asia. I stupidly came into contact with tap water (not drinking, just teeth brushing from the hotel tap) and ice in drinks. I also ate raw fish (although in a very fancy restaurant) and pork (again, in restaurants)

I was fine at the start of the holiday but developed some diarrhoea at about day 6. No sickness, just some discomfort and a bit of cramping/nausea then diarrhoea, worse in the morning and during the night

but that’s exactly how my IBS used to be so I assumed it was just that flaring up again. But it hasn’t got better since I’ve been home and it’s been over a week now. It’s not too bad throughout the day but worse during the night and in the morning. I’ve just woken up with the discomfort and diarrhoea again.

i think it might be ibs worsened by a change in weather, tiredness and jet lag etc but my IBS has been completely fine for the last few years. I’m worried it might be a parasite- especially as I read that roundworms can make asthma worse and I’ve been really wheezy tonight (again, could just be a coincidence and triggered by tiredness etc)

my GP is really difficult to get an appointment and I don’t think they’ll be keen to do any tests since I’ve had lots of tests in the past for IBS and im young and otherwise fine, so I could see a situation where I wait weeks and weeks for an appt and they don’t do anything, so I was going to go privately for a test to see if there are any parasites (a poo test I think rather than a blood test?)- but if I do that, will the GP accept the results? Or will I need to do the tests all over again at the GP?

thanks in advance!

Loads of private clinics do free parasite tests pay for one and put your mind at rest.

Look on Google.

GP will accept the results. If it is negative probably IBS flare up.

Could you try a dose of mebendazole just in case? It's sold as threadworm treatment but works for some other parasites as well.

If it makes no difference then book a private test

Just tell your gp surgery you need them to do a stool sample following a holiday. It's perfectly normal, you can pick up a test at reception after a phone consultation.

As someone that travels a lot - my first thought is not parasites.

I think just the change in diet / water etc has triggered changes in bowel movements - not even IBS but as someone who has it your bowel is likely to be more sensitive. And now you are worried the stress has made things continue.

I am not sure what parasites you are thinking of - my son has had Gardia and another one- he had so many issues his gp referred him to the tropical disease unit in London. You can contact them for advice if you want but I

Suspect you have not had your symptoms long enough for them to be evidence of a parasite.

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/our-hospitals/Hospital-of-Tropical-Diseases

But I think your first step would be to speak to a chemist and try anti worm tablets.

Just take a tablet, no need to pay for private tests.