Specialised digestive center?

[rob2013]

Hey all,

Around 2 months ago I got a bad case of diarrhea that didn't totally clear up. After a couple of weeks I started getting other weird symptoms (elevated resting heart rate, extreme tiredness and weight loss) so I went off to see the good doctors at Bumrungrad. They found a 'moderate amount' of Blastocystis hominis in me, but the doctor said they are harmless. However I was given Flagyl which did nothing at all.

Well 2 months later and everything has gone bad. I've lost 5kgs, I wake up feeling like the life has been sucked out of me and my heart rate is still up and down (some days high, some days low). I'm eating only at home now but its only getting marginally better. I've had so many tests at Bumrungrad I've lost count, but the only thing that comes up positive is the Blastocystis hominis. The doc keeps telling me I'm stressed, I need a holiday.... not helpful.

I found this site today which is quite interesting as it shares a lot of latest research on Blastocystis hominis that states they can cause significant side effects in many people, and also that the drugs they normally give you don't work. http://badbugs.org/index.html

My question is, does anyone know of a cutting edge digestive practise that will take this seriously and treat me?

Or, do you know where I can get the drugs they list on this website that are supposed to be highly effective at treating this type of Parasite.

Secnidazole 400 mg

Diloxanide Furoate 500mg

Septrin Forte

Thanks!

Rob

[Sheryl]

Re the meds;

Septrin Forte is just a brand name for sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim AKA Bactrim and avaiulable at any pharmacy. The "forte" means double strength and would equate to "double strength bactrim". However that does nto fit with 800 mg as regular strength os 400 and "forte" is 800mg.

However, there do not appear to be any brands of Diloxanide or Secnidazole registered in Thailand. Possible that the hospital for tropical medicine might have it in some form.

As you know, b. hominis is asymptomatic in most people and it does not necessarily follow that just because you have it, it is what is causing your symptoms especially since what you mention (fatigue etc) is usually not of GI origin. Regarding the heart rate, it is perfectly normal for it to flunctuate throughout the day and from day to day. i don't know what you mean by "low" and "high" but anything between 40 - 120 is within normal range and flunctuations within that wide range are of no signifcance.

Unless you have symptoms that are specifically GI in nature (e.g. continued diarrhea, abdominal discomfort etc) it may be a mistake and waste of time and money to see a GI specialist and I would start instead with an overeall physical check up that includes a thyroid and testosterone panel.

If you do have specifically GI symptoms then I suggest you see Prof. SATHAPORN MANATSATHIT at Siriraj Hospital http://www.siphhospital.com/th/home

[rob2013]

Re the meds;

Septrin Forte is just a brand name for sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim AKA Bactrim and avaiulable at any pharmacy. The "forte" means double strength and would equate to "double strength bactrim". However that does nto fit with 800 mg as regular strength os 400 and "forte" is 800mg.

However, there do not appear to be any brands of Diloxanide or Secnidazole registered in Thailand. Possible that the hospital for tropical medicine might have it in some form.

As you know, b. hominis is asymptomatic in most people and it does not necessarily follow that just because you have it, it is what is causing your symptoms especially since what you mention (fatigue etc) is usually not of GI origin. Regarding the heart rate, it is perfectly normal for it to flunctuate throughout the day and from day to day. i don't know what you mean by "low" and "high" but anything between 40 - 120 is within normal range and flunctuations within that wide range are of no signifcance.

Unless you have symptoms that are specifically GI in nature (e.g. continued diarrhea, abdominal discomfort etc) it may be a mistake and waste of time and money to see a GI specialist and I would start instead with an overeall physical check up that includes a thyroid and testosterone panel.

If you do have specifically GI symptoms then I suggest you see Prof. SATHAPORN MANATSATHIT at Siriraj Hospital http://www.siphhospital.com/th/home

Thanks Sheryl,

Yes I do have ongoing GI symptoms since day 1. The doc just diagnosed it as IBS. However since it all started at the same time I see it all being correlated. The online research I have done shows that many many people have extreme fatigue as a result of b. hominis. The website I linked to has many testimonies and recommends a certified clinic in Sydney that is using cutting edge techniques and research to treat people with b. hominis and cure fatigue. I would like to find a similar doctor in Bangkok that is also using the latest research.

[Sheryl]

A post that would render both poster and this forum liable to prosecution gor defamation has been removed. If you wish to relay information that is defamatory in nature please do so by private message or else choose phrasing with great care.

[gamini]

Go back to Bamrungrad and see Dr Thirdchai at the gastro entorology clinic. He is the best. He treated my wife and I on several occasions. I dont know who you saw there the first time. But sometimes you do get doctors who are not that good at most hospitals. In Thailand the best way is to go to a doctor who has been recommended to you . Never let the hospital choose a doctor

[Sheryl]

Re the meds;

Septrin Forte is just a brand name for sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim AKA Bactrim and avaiulable at any pharmacy. The "forte" means double strength and would equate to "double strength bactrim". However that does nto fit with 800 mg as regular strength os 400 and "forte" is 800mg.

However, there do not appear to be any brands of Diloxanide or Secnidazole registered in Thailand. Possible that the hospital for tropical medicine might have it in some form.

As you know, b. hominis is asymptomatic in most people and it does not necessarily follow that just because you have it, it is what is causing your symptoms especially since what you mention (fatigue etc) is usually not of GI origin. Regarding the heart rate, it is perfectly normal for it to flunctuate throughout the day and from day to day. i don't know what you mean by "low" and "high" but anything between 40 - 120 is within normal range and flunctuations within that wide range are of no signifcance.

Unless you have symptoms that are specifically GI in nature (e.g. continued diarrhea, abdominal discomfort etc) it may be a mistake and waste of time and money to see a GI specialist and I would start instead with an overeall physical check up that includes a thyroid and testosterone panel.

If you do have specifically GI symptoms then I suggest you see Prof. SATHAPORN MANATSATHIT at Siriraj Hospital http://www.siphhospital.com/th/home

Thanks Sheryl,

Yes I do have ongoing GI symptoms since day 1. The doc just diagnosed it as IBS. However since it all started at the same time I see it all being correlated. The online research I have done shows that many many people have extreme fatigue as a result of b. hominis. The website I linked to has many testimonies and recommends a certified clinic in Sydney that is using cutting edge techniques and research to treat people with b. hominis and cure fatigue. I would like to find a similar doctor in Bangkok that is also using the latest research.

You need to be wary of what you find online, there are many inaccuracies and conflicting data. Careful control studies of people with and without IBS symptoms failed to show a meaningful difference in presence of B. hominis between those with IBS and the controls and the benefit of treating B. Hominis is at best a matter a controversy.

The doctor I recommended appears to be the most knowledgable in Thailand about both IBS and B. hominis.