Schistosomiasis / bilharzia / blood fluke .

[AustralianAdz]

I have been traveling south east Asia for 15 years .

Phillipenes , Bali , Thailand Cambodia to name a few .

Recently I have been diagnosed with schitsosmasis or bilharzia .

I have been experiencing severe symptoms for three years now and have tried multiple medications .

I am currently in Australia and to be treated for this is nearly impossible and quite expensive .

Can anyone recommend a hospital in Bangkok where I can be treated .

Alternatively a reputable website where I can buy legit medication . " praziquantel " zentozide .

Also if anyone knows the exact dose to take and how long for ..

I have taken a small dose of this tablet with immediate results ..

Can someone please help .

Thanks in advance ..

[quidnunc]

If you plan to be treated in Bangkok, I suggest you request that this thread be transferred to the Bangkok forum.

As for getting the medicine in Chiang Mai, there is a pharmacy on Ratchadamnoen that carries imported medicines not ordinarily available in Thailand. If you start at the Tha Phae gate intersection, I think it's the first pharmacy on the left as you head west on Ratchadamnoen. But it might be the second one.

Edited May 26, 2014 by quidnunc

[dave2]

re

If you start at the Tha Phae gate intersection, I think it's the first pharmacy on the left as you head west on Ratchadamnoen.

its the first ... here ya go

dave2

[Chicog]

I'd go here first:

http://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/hospital/index.php

[AustralianAdz]

Thanks . I didn't realize I was in chiang Mai forum .

I am currently living in Australia , been too I'll to travel .

Probably need Meds sent to me to begin with and see how that goes ?

Thanks .

[AustralianAdz]

With the current unsettled government I have been hesitant to visit Thailand .

Is it still safe now ?

[Mrjlh]

I would suggest the "Tropical Pathology Hospital" on Ratacha Withi Rd west of Victory Monument. They deal with all the unusual tropical diseases.

[quidnunc]

I would suggest the "Tropical Pathology Hospital" on Ratacha Withi Rd west of Victory Monument. They deal with all the unusual tropical diseases.

Just in case the OP doesn't know, this hospital is located in Bangkok

[worgeordie]

Surely the medication must be available in Australia,have

you been to visit a Hospital or Doctor there,and sure they

must have a Tropical diseases Hospital there too..

regards Worgeordie

[onthedarkside]

Thanks . I didn't realize I was in chiang Mai forum .

I am currently living in Australia , been too I'll to travel .

Probably need Meds sent to me to begin with and see how that goes ?

Thanks .

Moving to Health Forum

[AustralianAdz]

I have been to 27 independent doctors here in Australia .

All except one have misdiagnosed me .

Unfortunately , that doctor no longer works and is retired .

The process here in Australia has been very difficult to say the least .

I live in a remote part of Australia and quite far from major hospitals or specialists .

I can't be placed in a que here in Australia to be sent away without medication .

I have been to emergency 4 times in 2 years , to be sent away , with no help , no referrals except to mental health .

It's quite frustrating and I'm running out of options . The longer this goes on the more damage to my vital organs and the worse I feel .

[AustralianAdz]

Thankyou for the website links . I will look this up now .

[AustralianAdz]

Just for other people who may be reading and may be affected by this parasite .

I stood on a nail in Phillipenes whilst holidaying in boracay . I had a local doctor give me a tetanus shot and thought nothing of it .

I never went swimming in fresh water And tried my best to keep the wound clean . I have later learned that this infection can enter unbroken skin ! It could have come from contaminated tap water by having a shower, or by getting water in mouth . What's more unsettling is the use of the hand held washers attached to the toilets . This parasite can enter the body and migrate straight to the bladder , then throughout the body . It's a serious health concern for all travelers in south east Asia .

I did not develop symptoms until 4 years later when my immune system at an all time low .

[ataloss]

Just read an article about this the other day, and nothing's changed in treating Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) in the 20 years since I was in Africa. The worm can grow upwards of 1.5+m in length. The worm exits the human body at the ankle to lay its abundance of eggs, other eggs are passed thru the urinary tract or intestine. If, as is the case with many Africans, no drug is available then it is at the ankle where the worm is captured by winding it around a thin pole. The worm is wound to extract it without breaking it, as the remaining portion may retreat and rot.

Safe and effective medication is available for treatment of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis. Praziquantel, a prescription medication, is taken for 1-2 days to treat infections caused by all Schistosoma species.( http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/treatment.html )

The non-drug scenario is not a sight for the squeamish. Schistosomiasis was the principle reason I declined invites to swim in rivers or the local ponds, alligators was the other. I also stay clear of swimming holes, pools and rivers in Asia.

Good Luck AussyAdz! Try obtaining Praziquantel in Australia.

[Poompui]

Have you tried any of the online pharmacies??

And what part of Australia are you at present?

If you can't source any of the medicine you need I can ask my inlaws if they can track some down in Thailand......

[FBN]

Schistosomiasis can not be transmitted through any source of treated water such as showers, tap water etc. It requires direct exposure to the stream or pond of fresh water contaminated by the parasite. It penetrates unbroken skin and causes a skin rash "swimmer's itch" due to an allergic reaction that occurs when the parasite enters the system.

Praziquantel is the preferred treatment.

[Poompui]

The online pharmacy I looked at shows that they are out of stock....

http://www.pharmacydirect.com.au/product/biltricide-tabs-600-mg-8-pbs-006752.aspx?type=1

You can contact them or try other online pharmacies.....but surely you can access a doctor to write a script.

Or a vet.......

[AustralianAdz]

Just read an article about this the other day, and nothing's changed in treating Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) in the 20 years since I was in Africa. The worm can grow upwards of 1.5+m in length. The worm exits the human body at the ankle to lay its abundance of eggs, other eggs are passed thru the urinary tract or intestine. If, as is the case with many Africans, no drug is available then it is at the ankle where the worm is captured by winding it around a thin pole. The worm is wound to extract it without breaking it, as the remaining portion may retreat and rot.

Safe and effective medication is available for treatment of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis. Praziquantel, a prescription medication, is taken for 1-2 days to treat infections caused by all Schistosoma species.( http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/treatment.html )

The non-drug scenario is not a sight for the squeamish. Schistosomiasis was the principle reason I declined invites to swim in rivers or the local ponds, alligators was the other. I also stay clear of swimming holes, pools and rivers in Asia.

Good Luck AussyAdz! Try obtaining Praziquantel in Australia.

Attached is a photo of what come out of my body after having a bath with apple cider vinegar .

Edited May 26, 2014 by AustralianAdz

[AyG]

I had wondered why the OP couldn't be treated with drugs from an Australian pharmacy. According to MIMS Praziquantel/Zentozide/Biltricide is not available there.

Dosage information is available at http://www.drugs.com/dosage/praziquantel.html but basically it's 20 mg per kg of body weight taken by mouth every 4 hours 3 times.

[Sheryl]

I suggest you contact this hospital http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html

And ask for the name of a senior doctor with experience in treating schisto

This is the private wing of a major teaching hospital.

[VocalNeal]

I'd go here first:

http://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/hospital/index.php

So would I.

Surf for <Tropical medicine clinic bangkok> you can get there by BTS and walk from Victory monument. The clinic and the department of tropic medicine are in the same complex so if you get referred to another doctor he/she will likely be close by.

Repeat "prescription" can be filled for less money from Chula Pharmacy on Rama 4 between Surawong and the MRT station.

Edited May 26, 2014 by VocalNeal

[Chicog]

I have been to 27 independent doctors here in Australia .

All except one have misdiagnosed me .

Unfortunately , that doctor no longer works and is retired .

The process here in Australia has been very difficult to say the least .

I live in a remote part of Australia and quite far from major hospitals or specialists .

I can't be placed in a que here in Australia to be sent away without medication .

I have been to emergency 4 times in 2 years , to be sent away , with no help , no referrals except to mental health .

It's quite frustrating and I'm running out of options . The longer this goes on the more damage to my vital organs and the worse I feel .

If only one says its Bilharzia, what do the other 26 say it is?

[hagler]

I am Australian and contracted Bilhazia when I was in Africa (Malawi) over 20 years ago. I was successfully diagnosed and treated within the Australian medical system for it with no fuss whatsoever.

I am not a medical professional by any means but I think your issues may lie elsewhere.

[AustralianAdz]

I have been to 27 independent doctors here in Australia .

All except one have misdiagnosed me .

Unfortunately , that doctor no longer works and is retired .

The process here in Australia has been very difficult to say the least .

I live in a remote part of Australia and quite far from major hospitals or specialists .

I can't be placed in a que here in Australia to be sent away without medication .

I have been to emergency 4 times in 2 years , to be sent away , with no help , no referrals except to mental health .

It's quite frustrating and I'm running out of options . The longer this goes on the more damage to my vital organs and the worse I feel .

If only one says its Bilharzia, what do the other 26 say it is?

The majority put it down to stress ! Stress related heat rash , exma or dermatitis . Or the most insulting , ' that it's all in my head ' and I have got countless referrals to mental health . Symptoms include the feeling of bugs crawling under your skin . Simply because there are worms in your bloodstream .

[AustralianAdz]

I am Australian and contracted Bilhazia when I was in Africa (Malawi) over 20 years ago. I was successfully diagnosed and treated within the Australian medical system for it with no fuss whatsoever.

I am not a medical professional by any means but I think your issues may lie elsewhere.

Can I ask where you were treated and how ?

The doctors I asked for praziquantel have said they can not get this drug in Australia .

My condition is severe . My other issue is I have a weakened immune system . No doubt years of this being in my body has broken down my barrier to fight off pathogens .

[AyG]

OP, if you search the Internet for "praziquantel" or "biltricide" you'll find plenty of sites selling it.

A previous posting gives you the dosing information you need.

Cheaper to order from the Internet than to travel to Thailand.

However, if you decide to self-medicate in this way and it doesn't work, please seriously consider the opinions of the large number of medical professionals you've already consulted. They may not all be wrong.

[CNXBKKMAN]

No worries in Thailand even with the coup at the moment. Get a tourist visa gives you a 60 day stay and a 30 day extension. Loads of reasonable flights from Perth, Melbourne , Sydney and Brisbane and then visit any of the decent bangkok hospitals. You might enjoy the change of scene and taking it easy.

Personally if I was in Australia in the back of beyond somewhere I would want to get it sorted in Australia on Medicare or whatever it's called now. If I was getting no joy locally I would go to Sydney, Melbourne and present myself directly at the appropriate tropical diseases hospital. I am sure they can sort it in Australia.

[Sheryl]

I think the James Cook Univ. Hosp (Townesville) has a strong tropical med capacity.

[arjunadawn]

In Thailand it is quite possible to tell a doctor what you have and be treated accordingly. However, I would highly suggest you revisit a differential diagnosis to positively rule out if it's something else. You mentioned many doctors had overlooked this diagnosis, but one found it. Clinical diagnosis' can be be suggested by your complaints, WBC with Differential, etc. but the Urine or fecal lab would clearly show the parasite at some point in its life cycle. I recall we used simple x10 power oil immersion magnification to see them; not very advanced stuff. But it's either there or not. For so many to miss it is a concern.

Yes, damage can be done from this bug but I am not recalling this as an intractable disease; I recall it does have pretty good response to treatment. Unless there is migrated damage to organs a host of doctors can no better treat you than a single competent doctor in AUS; I'd think. Perhaps knowing a particular strain, s.joponicum, etc., can influence a few designer drug options, but this shouldn't require traveling the globe. I wish you luck.

[FBN]

Just read an article about this the other day, and nothing's changed in treating Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) in the 20 years since I was in Africa. The worm can grow upwards of 1.5+m in length. The worm exits the human body at the ankle to lay its abundance of eggs, other eggs are passed thru the urinary tract or intestine. If, as is the case with many Africans, no drug is available then it is at the ankle where the worm is captured by winding it around a thin pole. The worm is wound to extract it without breaking it, as the remaining portion may retreat and rot.

Safe and effective medication is available for treatment of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis. Praziquantel, a prescription medication, is taken for 1-2 days to treat infections caused by all Schistosoma species.( http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/treatment.html )

The non-drug scenario is not a sight for the squeamish. Schistosomiasis was the principle reason I declined invites to swim in rivers or the local ponds, alligators was the other. I also stay clear of swimming holes, pools and rivers in Asia.

Good Luck AussyAdz! Try obtaining Praziquantel in Australia.

Just a correction here; the parasite you are referring to above is Onchocerca volvulus which causes river blindness. The bilharzia parasite (worm) is only a few mm long, if that.