Helminthic therapy and gastrointestinal diseases

⚭Home>Effects of helminthic therapy>Helminthic therapy and gastrointestinal diseases

Mouth ulcers[edit | edit source]

Testimonial:

“Mouth ulcers - they happened frequently and were severe, now it barely ever happens.” (Link expired)

Barrett's Oesophagus[edit | edit source]

Testimonial:

"Two years ago I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus. I had a endoscopy 2 weeks ago which showed no Barrett's." (Link expired)

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE / EoE)[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and eosinophilic esophagitis (EE / EoE)

GERD (reflux)[edit | edit source]

Testimonials :

"I was suffering from reflux… I was pleasantly surprised that it went away when I started hookworms to treat my allergies." (Reported in a private discussion, Apr 2012)

"… my daughter who has eosinophilic esophagitis is off of Prilosec for the first time in six years!!! Only one incident of reflux in the last eleven days and none of the other typical symptoms that we've seen without it -- sleeplessness, crabbiness and emotional volatility because of increased pain. I'm not giving her anything else -- no antacid, betaine HCl, TUMS, or baking soda in water because it's so impossible to get her to comply. This is absolutely huge for us." (Reported in a private discussion, Apr 2012)

“I have Lupus and GERD as a result of the high doses of steroids to control symptoms. I reduced the steroids over the past two years and the GERD persisted. I started hosting 25 HW in April and increased the dose at 3 monthly increments. There has been a marked improvement from October.” [1]

“Used to have problems with GERD which seems to be mostly a fructan issue for me. Before HW, I avoided GERD symptoms by cutting back/eliminating fructans in my diet. After a few months of HW (5-15 over the last 6 months), I now tolerate fructans better and only get reflux problems if I overdo it.” [2]

“Since starting NA, my acid reflux has all but disappeared. If I ate very much of anything near bedtime, I would always wake up struggling to stop it coming back up, and I would prop myself up on pillows for gravitational help. Now it is simply never a problem, and I have no fear of absolutely stuffing myself right before bed.” [3]

"Has anyone else noticed that the 'reflux' GORD symptoms they have had for years disappear with Helminths too? It seems to be a common theme amongst many people I have donated NA to. A very welcome benefit. Many people have been taking all kinds of treatments to control pain/discomfort around the solar plexus area for years following a 'diagnosis' of reflux but it seems it may just be inflammation in that nerve rich area?" (Link expired)

"I've been hosting NA for a smidge over a year now, and I've definitely had less trouble with GERD. I used to have pain if I consumed any of a number of acidic or spicy foods, several kinds of carbohydrate-based foods, or alcohol. Now I can mostly eat those things again, as long as I am careful not to put too much in my stomach at one time… When my shipment was delayed and the worms arrived weeks late and dead, I started to have the pain again until I got replacement larvae." (Link expired)

"NA have helped me with reflux ..." [4]

Autoimmune gastritis (AIG)[edit | edit source]

Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the stomach, finally presenting with atrophy of the mucosa. It is very important to note that chronic atrophic gastritis is not synonymous with AIG, as atrophy of the mucosa is the final result of a chronic inflammatory disease independent of etiology, which is mainly Helicobacter pylori gastritis or AIG.[5]

Testimonials :

“I struggled for over 8 years with autoimmune disease, coeliacs, lymphocytic colitis and gastritis. Progressively my immune system decided food was the enemy. I began having allergic reactions to foods I’d eaten all my life. In a short period of time, my health became so chronic I hit rock bottom. The physical, emotional and financial cost has been huge. Finding an integrative GP was the game changer for me. Helminthic therapy was recommended. Initially, as expected, my immune system was not happy about sharing my gut. Starting with just 2 HDC, after almost 5 months we’re up to 10! Helminthic therapy has brought healing, happiness and joy back into my life. I’ve re-introduced foods back into my diet, gently. I no longer experience pain, bloating, belching or diarrhoea every time I eat. Only 2 of the last 140 days with any symptoms. I enjoy eating now. Bliss.” (Reported in a message submitted to the wiki.)

“I had an accidental brush with gluten on the weekend just passed. For the first time in almost 10 years I had no immediate reaction; moreover no dread of being ill for the next few weeks and then some. Now that’s a hugely triumphant moment for me. So very happy with my life, feeling blessed. I am diagnosed Coeliac. I’ve also had lymphocytic colitis and gastritis over the past 5 years, all confirmed through biopsy by my gastroenterologist. Helminthic therapy was recommended to me after my last bout of gastritis after all other avenues had been thoroughly exhausted. I started with just 2 HDC, and now (at 7 months) I take 10 HDCs fortnightly.” [6]

Gastric cancer[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and cancer: Gastric cancer

Gastric ulcer[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and infectious diseases: Helminths and Helicobacter pylori

Gastroenteritis[edit | edit source]

See :

Crohn's-Like ileitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and infectious diseases: Crohn's-Like ileitis

Crohn's disease[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Testimonials:

The first eight reports are more detailed than the quotes that follow them.

Michael was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 1996 as a 17-year-old. Three operations and a slew of drugs relieved the symptoms, but only at the cost of unbearable side effects. After reading scores of research papers, Michael decided to try helminthic therapy. He was not overjoyed at the idea of swallowing worms, but everything he read convinced him it was worth the risk. When he was 25 he ordered a batch of pig whipworm eggs from a German company called Ovamed (it is illegal to sell or breed helminths in the US). Michael drank 2500 eggs every two weeks for three months. His symptoms began to disappear. In April 2010 he allowed 35 hookworm larvae to burrow into his skin and says that his Crohn’s disease has been in remission ever since. “As soon as you say worms people get freaked out,” Michael says. “But it’s not like you feel disgusting worms wriggling inside you. People forget that they have billions of bacteria crawling over their skin right now.” Before self-infecting, Michael’s intestines were ravaged and bleeding. When Moshe Rubin of the New York Hospital Queens examined Michael’s intestine earlier this year, he found that his “small bowel looked almost completely normal”. “It’s not a controlled trial, but the suggestion based on this observation is that helminthic therapy was helping him,” Rubin says. (Citizen scientist: hookworms changed my life. New Scientist, 2011 Aug 6)

"... it seems to have worked...my doctor is pretty optimistic about it actually." (Link expired)

The following three reports are by, or about, the same person, written over nine months.
- "... what can i say? life's a party!" (Link expired)
- "... she feels good, good energy, good color, very little pain or discomfort. She sleeps well and has a very good quality of life." (Link expired)
- “One year ago I was ill and hospitalized. I could have died if I kept going the way I was going. My dad and I researched hookworm for 6 months and decided to go for it. I am living a normal life now. Living each day happy and healthy... I honestly believe the worms saved my life..." (Link expired)

"I feel like I have my life back... I continue to experience a gradual improvement in all of my crohns symptoms, but am relieved to see the lab work backs us my observations." (Link expired)

The following three reports are by the same person, over twenty months.
- "Pain and discomfort are almost nil. No urgency at all. Best of all today had a solid bm... it is a real joy to see this definite improvement." (Link expired)
- "Gut wise i feel better than i have in many years, including when i was strictly on SCD for 2 years." (Link expired)
- "My health is the best it has been for many years... Feeling really good and thankful..." (Link expired)

"... my blood work shows that I am ‘healthy’. As my family dr. said, ‘You are like a normal person.’ That's something I have never heard!” (Link expired)
"... symptoms stopped when I took the TSO and subsequently the Whipworm... Plus now I am tapering off my Imuran without any worsening of my condition." (Link expired)
"... my allergies to the following foods have disappeared: avocado, cherries, plums, peaches, almonds... and am now in remission from severe Crohn's disease." (Link expired)
"... the change is nothing short of spectacular and has really transformed my life." (Link expired)

"I saw my Rhuematologist today and got my latest ANA, sed rate, CRP results. He had to re read them THREE times! Said he just couldn't beleive it... the ANA shows me going into remission and the sed rate has gone from 350 to 40! and my CRP was near normal. (Link expired)

The following four reports are from the same individual, spanning 4 years.
- "HT is working for me! ... It has stopped the crohn's disease I have suffered from since the age of 12... I am now healthier than I have ever been.” (Link expired)
- "Within 6 months I was off prednisone and achieved remission from CD… Symptom free and drug free after 33 years of illness! WOW!” (Link expired)
- "Since using helminths I have been healthy enough to finish 2 Degrees and live and work abroad for the last 4 years without worry of being debilitated by CD… I would not be healthy and a productive human if it was not for helminths." (Link expired)
- “When I began taking helminths my gut was in awful shape and my GI doc wanted to preform another surgery. I chose to begin helminth therapy hoping that it would save me and my gut. Helminths did what no stop gap surgery or drug could do, it put my CD in remission (after 30 years of coping) and has controlled it since then. It will be 10 years in Jan. 2016. Best choice I have ever made.” [7]

"My mom… was basically waiting for emergency surgery when she started hookworm therapy for Crohn's disease. She only has five feet of small bowel left, and the surgery would have made it necessary for a permanent feeding tube. That was almost a year ago and now she's far from needing surgery. She was living off Ensure and now eats food again… She started with 10 hookworms then six months later took 15 more. She's not cured but has a quality of life she was never able to achieve with pharmaceuticals." (Reported in a private discussion, 2011.)

“I have had 3 resections with 6-8 inches of small intestine taken out each time. The last one was in 2004 and since going on helminthic therapy and gluten-free diet, I haven't needed surgery.” (Reported in a private discussion, Jan 2012)

“I have had five resections, and have had the helminths for 14 months and feel great. At the time I got my hw, I was heading for my sixth bowel resection, and permanent feeding tube. I escaped that scenerio by a hair. I do not get strictures anymore.” (Reported in a private discussion, Jan 2012)

"…almost 2 years into therapy… and officially had my last infliximab infusion as they are no longer required as the worms are controlling my crohns, happy days. 12 months ago I wasn't even lasting 4 weeks between infusions and was facing colon removal and permanent bag, so I had a 2nd hw infection and it just got better and better. Now my crp is low and I reach the 12 week between infusions and still have no symptoms so it is no longer required." (Reported in a private discussion, Mar 2012)

"I have now had 4 doses of hookworm ... I'm drug-free, have had a long period of being symptom-free. Well worth the trip so far." [8]

“His disease affects his entire digestive tract from mouth to anus.... He has been hospitalized at least yearly more often multiple times per year since he was ten. We started combination therapy (hookworm and whipworm) in September of 2011. He has not been in the hospital since... No cramping, no bleeding, no loose stools.” (Link expired)

"I have had Crohn's since 2000. I have tried every drug out there with little success and a couple of near death experiences. I have basically been living in a recliner for almost a year. From August 2011 until May 2012 I was moving between the bathroom and the recliner. This is my 3rd dose of hookworms. I had little hope that this would work but the results are unbelievable (and) the last month has been crazy great!! I hit my 100 days and painted my entire house, inside and out! I used my painkillers not for lower left quadrant pain but for being so sore from activity that I couldn't get out of bed!!! I love hookworms!!!" (Reported in a private discussion, Jun 2012)

"It has been over two years now since we began treating Crohn's disease in our daughter… (who was) diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 14 months... Treating our little girl with helminthic therapy was the single best decision we could have made… The treatment has enabled her to live a normal life… rather then one riddled with pain and fatigue, pills, injections, and steroids… She is now over three and a half, and is as happy, healthy, and beautiful as any parent could want…" [9]

"Today marks exactly 600 days (20 months) since I have taken immunosuppressive medication of any kind. I suffer moderate to severe Crohn's, since 2006. I dosed with hookworm late 2010 (22 months ago), and twice in 2011. After three doses, I estimate that the hookworm alone achieves 85% symptom relief for me. I rejoice at the phenomenal benefit to my life. It would be no exaggeration to call my case a small miracle. I hope to continue to experience this degree of relief." (Reported in a private message, Aug 2012)

"I'm going to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro for charity on sunday. It's a pretty big thing for me, this time two years ago I couldn't walk much more than ten meters without discomfort, and walking anywhere for more than five minutes was out of the question. I don't half love my hookworms!" [10]

“I have crohns disease. I have had six bowel resections in the past, last one was seven yrs ago, and I have less than five ft left. I was heading for a feeding tube and surgery two yrs ago, when I got the worms. They work great for me, I am a super responder. All is under control now. I will make sure I always get topped up with hookworms, don't want to live without them.” (Reported in a private message, Dec 2012)

“My 11 year old daughter is nearing the 15 month mark with her hook worms... and I wanted to give an update. My daughter has not been on ANY medication (including over-the-counter immodium) since my last posting. She has solid stools most of the time, and I can count the intestinal cramping episodes on one hand. (And frankly we wonder if those few episodes aren't related to school/stress and not Crohn's?). We are not so naive to believe there won't be hiccups down the road, but the helminthic therapy is thus far miraculous... the improvement from a year ago is stunning! Our beautiful little girl is yet again thriving…” (Link expired)

"I just thought I'd share that yesterday was the first time I went to the grocery store in 6 months! I haven't felt this well in so long that it feels completely new to me. I felt quite proud of myself when I got home. In the past 6 months, the only two places I've been are my parent's house a few blocks away, and my son's school to pick him up. I'm starting to feel like a normal person again. I'm extremely pleased that my worms are working and that they are working so well! My "old friends" are my new (best) "old friends!" (Reported, after only 1 dose of hookworms, plus whipworms, in a private message, Mar 2013)

"Once the worm flu went away, I was in such a wonderful place. I was still taking my Remicade infusions, but I was practically off my Imuran… My colonoscopy showed major improvement, and I knew it was due to the worms." [11]

"I was diagnosed with Crohns in 2007. After the meds were ramped up to Remicade in January 2010 I explored alternatives and found helminthic therapy. I started on helminthic therapy in June 2010, had my last Remicade infusion on July 23, 2010 and never looked back. I've had my ups and downs, and earlier this year when the symptoms came back in full force and I realized my worms had probably all died, I got back on the "worm wagon" in early April of this year and am doing great again." (Reported to a closed group, Aug 2013)

“HT (hookworms) have completely changed my life. I can eat a normal range of foods now, my energy levels have been restored and I no longer take any pharmaceutical medication. I can't believe this treatment has not been adopted more widely, given how safe and effective it is.” (Link expired)

The following 2 posts are by the same person, 15 months apart.
- "… the incredible pain I normally experience in my upper abdomen from the crohn's (mostly located in my jejunum) has slowly but surely vanished! I mean, how do you not notice something like that after suffering for so long?! I guess the improvements were slow and subtle. Anyhow, I feel very certain I can thank my HW for that! Nothing, and I do mean NOTHING has ever helped my crohn's so completely. In over 10 years, even the years I considered myself in remission, I was never so completely free from upper abdominal pain after a meal!" [12]
- “When I started with HW I was having as many as 20-30 trips to the bathroom per day and through the night. I had a ton of intestinal bleeding. I was almost entirely home bound because I simply couldn't be far enough from a bathroom long enough to get anywhere… I was surviving solely on Absorb Plus at that time - no solid foods and was very under weight… It was around 4, maybe 5 months in that I noticed my abdominal pain had disappeared. Slowly my stools were becoming less frequent (10-15 times per day/night). Then they started firming up slightly. Then I was noticing less and less blood. I would have 1 good day out of 7, and I'd have energy and feel GOOD... I was able to go outside and do fun things with my kids again without being exhausted 5 minutes into an activity and desperately wanting to lie down. I wasn't constantly running to the bathroom. Now, I have really good days probably 65% of the time. I haven't had ANY blood in my stools in months now and my stools are mostly always formed… The urgency is MUCH better… For a while I was using LDN as well as helminths but now I'm using helminths solely… and I'm still seeing gradual improvement. This has been the single most helpful thing I've ever done for the Crohn's I've dealt with forever… I'm just so incredibly happy... I'm so glad I decided to try this. It's almost unbelievable… It quite possibly saved my life!” [13]

"I raced triathlon for several years... I struggled with the inflammatory results of all the training, and had relatively frequent flare ups of my chrons/colitis. Pre race anxiety also made things worse... So, I took a year off of training and decided to try HT without any exercise. Over the first year, I noticed a good deal of improvement in my symptoms and ability to tolerate allergens. Once I felt like I was stable, I started to ride my bike again. Over the next year, I was able to increase the frequency of my rides to 5-6x per week. I'm now racing cyclocross and enjoy it a great deal. While I have adjusted my expectations and anticipated outcomes, I still am able to get out, enjoy myself, and maintain a healthy lifestyle." (Link expired)

"At 6 months in I realized that my HW had made a profound impact on my crohn's symptoms. It happened very very slowly and gradually for me. I wish I had tried HW earlier in my disease process. I really feel that had I inoculated right away, I could have avoided a lot of pain and misery." (Reported to the Facebook Helminthic Therapy Support Group)[14]

“My son has crohns and HT has been very effective. It did take a while (well over 12 months) but he is in very good shape now and has been for nearly a year.” [15]

“In 2003 my Doc, Dr. W was involved in clinical study having to do with Helminths. He said I was a perfect candidate since I was not responding to the typical meds. I was to ingest whipworm eggs from pigs in a cup of Gateraid. I began the study and 8 weeks later began to have less symptoms of the disease. 8 weeks later and my symptoms were gone. A colonoscopy confirmed it. I couldn't' believe my eyes! It was healthy and pink! Not like the photos before that resembled hamburger. I have been in remission ever since!” (Posted in July 2014 to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.) [16] (Login required)

“A year after starting helminith therapy, I am 10 kgs heavier, eating really well, including all sorts of stuff I haven't eaten for years (although I am not eating EVERYTHING yet..), keeping fit, far more physically active and far less time in the bathroom. I am not "healed" but I am a hell of a lot better. Even my gastro said on my last visit to him, that he did not believe I'd be able to 'bounce back' without surgery and that he was pleasantly surprised.” [17]

“I am in 3rd year of therapy now. I had a colonoscopy done in May 2014 and it did not show any sign of crohn's. As a result I have been put off from medication (mesalamine). It is two months after stopping medication and things are normal. In my case the improvements are still adding on in terms or overall benefits.” (Reported to a closed group, Aug 2014)

“My daughter has Crohns and no matter which treatment she has had, over the last 7 yrs, her inflammatory markers never fell below 100. 3 months ago she started whipworm and hookworm therapy. I know its early days but yesterday her inflammatory markers where 27!!! Her treatment has been the same, with no other changes, so our little friends must be making the improvement! So pleased. Long may it continue!” [18]

“My son has done the combo of human ww/hw. (He started off with the HDC.) January 2015 was a total of 24 months. It was hard to know if it was working because the doctor put him on medicine. He was not doing well during the Holidays until we decided to see how he would do without any of the medicines. Well he's been doing great and living life free of crohns symptoms. When they did the endoscopy and colonscopy wherever the worms were located the doctor even said these areas appeared normal.” [19]

“The worms really have been a dream come true. I know my western docs say it's a disease of flare/remission yah da yah da but my experience has been straight flare from moderate to severe for 2½ years until the worms and then a straight decent to 98% remission a few months after starting the worms. I ditched the azathioprine (4 months ago) and so far everything has been grand.” [20]

“I can confidently say that my stomach problems have become at least 70% better… I have done 3 doses so far… I have had this disease (Crohn’s/colitis) since i was 12 and had IBS since i was around 6. This has made a ginormous difference in my life. I dont really get sick from food stuffs any longer. Its amazing.” [21]

“At my worst flares, I could not leave the house for fear of messing my pants. Any trip over 30 minutes was a risk and had to be after noon. Mornings were spent on the toilet most of the time. The burn was so bad that I had to sit in the tub after every trip to the bathroom. Now, I go about 3 times per day. Each time is usually a type 3 on the Bristol chart. It has been 4 months since I began the TSO. My Crohn's symptoms are gone. No night sweats or cramps. I am not taking any medicines whatsoever. When I really started to see results, I stopped everything but the worms. I can honestly say that the worms were the biggest reason for my recovery.” (Edited from two posts: [22] [23] Also see [24])

“LDN got me better but not 100%. Worms helped me more.” [25]

"I have Crohns that has been focused in the upper colon and what used to be my ileum. I have been taking 2500 TSO for nearly 2 years. After one year I was significantly improved - down to a single small ulcer." [26]

"I have Crohn's and helminthic therapy has completely changed my life. I'm on NA and TTO although I think the NA does most of the work. I do still take Entocort but I have energy, I have hobbies, I have friends, I can eat food, and I'm not in constant pain... It is slow going though. I felt some improvement after 3 months but it took about a full year before I felt good." [27]

“Moderate to severe Crohn’s for 23 years. Been dosing (NA) for around 7 or 8 years. Totally drug free for the first time in two decades. While I did decide eventually to supplement my treatment with additional medication, I have never felt better than I currently do. Not a stretch to say that it's changed my life.” [28]

“I started with HDC last year for my Crohn’s and went into remission within a week. I’m treating with NA now and haven’t had a single relapse ever since I started helminth treatment, except for the little window when I switched between helminths and had none alive in my gut. Also my overall food sensitivities and allergies decreased. I went from throwing up from a sip of water to being able to eat almost everything.” [29]

“My son is 19 yrs old and was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s at 16. He has been on NA for 2 years and currently takes 20 every 4-5 months. He’s in remission and has never had any side effects. Every time he does labs, the numbers get better and better. He also takes humira once a month.” [30]

“I have Crohn’s disease, and started with UC at age 12. I’m now 60. I tried all the drugs, last attempt was entyvio and budesonide which stirred things up for me. I’ve been on NA for 15 months, and I’m now drug free. My calprotectin is in normal range and I’m feeling great. Low dosing for me keeps the symptoms under control. I seem best with 3 NA every 10 weeks and 250 TSO every 13 days, or so. I love the combination, especially because TSO gives me such a beautiful bounce and I can regulate dosing.” [31] [32]

“I was diagnosed with IBD, first UC, then indeterminate colitis, and finally mild Crohns. On colonoscopy, the inflammation spread from the ascending colon to the rectum, and was quite severe. I have not stopped searching to regain my health for the last 8 years. Immunosuppressants didn’t help, FMT didn’t seem to work, and strict diets were hard core, mentally, physically and socially, But it’s now 6 months since I inoculated with 5 NA, and it’s been a textbook journey. A life changing treatment. I experienced all the side effects, as described in the hookworm timeline. It was tough going at about week 4, with strong nausea, etc., but that started to reduce by about week 7. This is when the improvements began - a reduction in gut gurgling, indigestion, chronic dry eyes, joint pain, chronic headaches, severe brain fog, depression (worry), and the rest. Before NA, I followed the RPAH Elimination Diet which allowed me to pinpoint food chemical intolerances, but without much success. Following this diet with NA on board, I’m doing the best I have since becoming chronically ill. By week 10, I started eating grains, something I hadn’t been able to digest for many years. From there, it’s been improvements all the way and I now have normal digestion. I would encourage anyone with ill health to try this fearless treatment. NA have changed my life.” (Edited from posts in this support group thread and this post.)

"I started NA on Jan 4th this year (2022) for Crohn’s Disease and Sweet Syndrome. I was not in a good way. In 2020 I was told I was going to die due to inflammation in my bowel, and it perforated while hopping into bed. I was in hospital 4 times, each for 2-3 weeks and tried every medicine available. I refused surgery due to the fact it almost always fails in my situation, so I was discharged. I managed to do nothing, and hardly moving for a year, I got a little better. Then I found NA. I've taken doses of 3, 3 and 5 worms so far, at around 10 weeks between each dose. I had a specialist appointment on Friday and, for the first time in 20 years, my blood work is fabulous. My CRP is 7, my cal protectin is 50 and my eosinophil level is raised, which is also good. My CRP has never been below 280 and my cal protectin was normally around 6000. So I have no signs of disease in my blood and I'm no longer an extreme surgical case. I'm not even sick as far as doctors are concerned. I still get a little arthritis in my hands but that could be because it's winter. And my tongue still has geographical patterns, but otherwise I'm pretty great. Thank you my worm friends." [33] "I am in complete remission on 6NA every 10 weeks." [34]

"My brother used the TSO 2500 eggs twice a month for 18 months to cure his Crohn’s disease, and it worked wonders for him." [35]

"This is my 1 year update of using helminthic therapy for severe Crohn’s disease and total food intolerance. Right now I am ecstatic! As of this week my doctor has told me my labs show that I am in clinical remission!! My calprotectin is at a 15, and my CRP is within the normal range. In the past my Calprotectin has been so high that it was beyond the range they test for… I am still in disbelief. This is the first time I have been in remission in over 3 years. I am still currently experiencing 50% loose stools and nocturnal bowel movements… but that’s it! Symptoms that have been healed are: weekly vomiting, weekly blood in stools, constant nausea, pain, discomfort and unease, urgency, fatigue, and all issues with eating (like having to run to the toilet immediately after putting something in my mouth) and total complete food intolerance. For 3 years I got most of my calories from meal replacement shakes but, in the past year, my total food intolerance has been reduced by about 80%. So overall amazing progress!!… I feel positive and am looking forward to my future for the first time in a long time. For the first time in over 12 months I am fully off of the steroid prednisolone!!! After trying and failing so many times to get off the drug because IBD symptoms would come back so full on, I’ve now successfully gotten off of it! I have found the natural medicine I have been searching for all these years. 13 years of suffering and all I had to do was take some bloody worms…" (Edited from this blog post.)

"Have Crohns and was in hospital with 600+ calprotectin and 60+ CRP (ten months ago). After 15 doses of TSO am off all meds and CRP is <1 and calprotectin normal. I have 5 more doses left but transitioning to NA because it's cheaper. Just took 10 NA." [36]

"I have watched my child's Crohn's Disease improve vastly since beginning HDCs. He had no quality of life, prior." [37]

Ulcerative colitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Testimonials:

The first seven reports are more detailed than the quotes that follow them.

"... the great thing, the amazing thing, the wonderful joy is that when i need to go that it is not urgent." (Link expired)

"...all the bleeding was gone, Stools were well formed, Frequency decreased to only once or twice a day. I feel completely normal now. What a change! I attribute this completely and wholly to the Whipworm.” (Link expired)

"Repeated colonoscopies revealed that wherever worms colonized his colon, the symptoms of colitis were significantly reduced or nonexistent." [38]

The following two reports are by the same person, 14 months apart.
- "I previously tried TSO and it dampened the UC somewhat, but not to the extent that human whipworms (TT) have." (Link expired)
- "I undertook helminthic therapy with open eyes and the realization that it doesn't work for everyone. So, regretfully, I am probably going to kill off my human whipworm (trichuris trichuria, TT) infection soon after around 1.5 years. Unfortunately, the critters have not had any noticable benefit on my Ulcerative Colitis after all this time." (Link expired)

The following two reports are by the same person, 7 months apart.
- "Over the last two months, I have had perfect bowels, every single day. One BM per day, solid, no mucus, no pain. Every time I go into the bathroom it’s like christmas morning." (Link expired)
- (At one year post-inoculation) "I’ve literally even invited people into the bathroom to look at my stools they look so good… The quality of life I enjoy is better than at anytime since I was diagnosed back in 2005." (Link expired)

"I have been suffering from UC for two years now… having 6-8 terrible, bloody and painful BMs nearly every night… I took my first dose of human whipworm this past June, and in the past two weeks I have been seeing my symptoms simply disappear… I have even forgotten to take my meds several times because I AM NO LONGER IN PAIN! I have my life back." (Reported in a private discussion, Jan 2012)

"I had UC for 5 years and was in a clinical study in Iowa city that changed my life. I've been in remission for 8 years now. No sign of the disease on my last colonoscopy. Thanks to the Trichuris Suis worms. These worms saved my life also!" (Reported on a Facebook page. [39])

"This treatment has put my UC in complete remission and I am prescription free (yippie). I was able to get completely off prednisone, 6-MP, and asocol. I am medication free and symptom free. I feel and function completely normally! I would not have graduated, or have a career, or a normal life in any way had it not been for this therapy. I can't say enough good things about it!!!" (Reported in a private discussion, May 2012)

“I was diagnosed with UC in 2008… Started HT therapy in May 2011... and I've been in complete remission for over 6 months now. I'm very happy and very grateful. I just graduated from a graduate program in May 2012 and I'm starting a new career. It would not have been possible without this treatment. HT gave me my life back.” (Reported in a private discussion, Jun 2012)

"I suffered from a serious case of UC… I've been hospitalized several times with serious bleeding and infection, the doctors told me to evaluate surgery if it ever flared up again. After starting HT (human whipworms) my UC is completely gone, so is my asthma, and my allergies and hypoglycemia as well. I still can't believe it. It actually started working 2 weeks into therapy after the first dose (improvement in pain/stool/stomach activity/rumbling etc.) so I feel like it's a miracle… It's so nice to able to live again! (I work again and function normally) It feels like I can hardly remember how it was to be 'normal' … as I see it the whipworms saved my life :-)" Edited from two posts. (Links expired)

“Helminthic therapy has put my UC in remission with only minor symptoms every now and then. Before HT I was not able to eat very many foods and would have never been able to hold down a job.” (Reported to the Facebook Helminthic Therapy Support Group [40], Jul 2012)

"I was on 6mp when I started HT. I was also on 40mg prednisone daily. I was off both drugs in about 6 months… I had ulcerative colitis." (Reported to the Facebook Helminthic Therapy Support Group [41], Aug 2012)

“My UC is now 100% in remission. it was months ago i saw any bleeding or mucus.” (Reported to the Facebook Helminthic Therapy Support Group [42], Aug 2012)

"I dosed with 750 whipworm over 5 months starting in january. saw great results after one month. in june, I had one of the most stressful situations of my life at work, and flared again … 750 WW wasn't enough to temper the effects of that much stress on my system. I'm dosing again, and have already seen very positive results." (Link expired)

"Everything is going great. A year after starting whipworm, I'm off drugs again, hoping it continues as i'm loving living life drug free and feeling awesome!" (Reported in a private message, Mar 2013)

☹️ "I tried various worm therapies, including human hook and whipworms, for around three years and never had any success whatsoever with them for my UC-leaning IBD- well, I had some very mild dampening with TSO, but both HW and human WW just made my symptoms worse. Tried various innoculation strategies, tried aiding the innoculation and suppressing the side effects with high dose prednisone - they did nothing." (Link expired)

"I am off all drugs for my colitis which has been so bad at times 8 pentasa a day wasn't working and even prednisone started to be less efficient! Now it's been a year since starting Human Whip worm and i'm feeling amazing, off drugs as of 2 weeks, hoping to hold my helminth community and monitor keeping an amazing quality of life i have back!! … VERY HAPPY helminth host, thanking them everyday i wake up!!!!" (Link expired)

"Hookworm working, feeling great! I feel ‘normal’ again… better than I have in about 15 years. Seriously!" [43]

"I've been taking the doses (of whipworm) since May 19, 2013 and I got blood test results today and for the first time since I was diagnosed with UC six years ago, I am not anemic nor do I have low vitamin D levels (another recurring problem). At some points during the last six years I've had to recieve iron infusions because my iron levels were so low, but now my iron is actually on the high side of normal. I have one dose left and still have some UC symtoms, but overall things have improved and the lab results are really quite surprising." (Reported in a private message, Aug 2013)

“Unless the other foot is about to drop, my worms have absolutely changed my life. Off of immune modulating drugs and in remission. New years eve was an emotional night out feeling like I have my life back. Whipworms and hookworms treating my once severe ulcerative colitis.” [44]

“I have had this monster for 13 years and I am almost at 2 years of combination therapy with NA and TTO for a long list of symptoms I won't go into as it can get lengthy. I was a year and a half into HT at the start of the year and flaring. My GI wouldn't do my colonoscopy because I was so inflamed he thought I would perf. He thought I should be admitted for IV steroids and started on Remicade (but) I have been in complete remission for the past two months and have never felt as good.” [45]

“I have UC and I take HDC (30/month) and made dietary changes. I am now symptom free.” [46]

“Just before starting treatment with TTO I had colon biopsies that showed dysplasia (precancerous cells or cell changes due to severe disease). After 7 months of TTO treatment I had a repeat colonoscopy which showed healed tissue in the colon and only mild inflammation in rectum. I just got the pathology report of the biopsies which showed no sign of dysplasia! Yippie!” [47]

“I got the TTO and was thrilled with the results. I went from being threatened at having my entire colon removed, to eating and feeling normal. As long as I keep my colony, I feel good. My GI was amazed to do a colonoscopy and my insides looked great. It's been about 5 years. I do not take any medication now.” [48] [49] And an update two years later: “I have NO symptoms and colonoscopy shows a happy healthy colon!!!” [50]

“Going on almost two years of NA for ulcerative colitis. I started with 10 NA and that put me in remission within 2 months. My symptoms seem to flare when NA gets low. I keep adding 10 NA every 4 months and that seems to be working out. No side effects aside from inoculation rash. I think NA helps tamp down inflammation overall and gives the TTO a chance to take hold. I think NA helps with stool formation while TTO heals colon ulcers, thus stopping blood and mucus loss, restoring gut wall. Not taking any other meds. I'm amazed and grateful.” [51] [52]

“I have Crohns Colitis — all my inflammation has been in my colon and rectum. I spent ungodly amounts of money over several years working with elite functional medicine docs. And I eventually came to the conclusion it wasn’t going to work for me… I’ve been doing helminths for about 2 years, and I am completely symptom free and have almost weaned off meds entirely (I take 25mg of 6mp/daily). I used to eat strict Paleo but now I eat 80% really clean and the other 20% I don’t worry as much about. Last night I had vodka, beer, bread, and a donut at my friends wedding. I’m fine today. Crohns Colitis really doesn’t impact my life anymore. Last colonoscopy was basically squeaky clean and my doc is ok with me going off all meds in March if nothing changes.” (Edited from two posts: [53] [54])

“At my worst flare, I had 15 ulcers in my colon. None of my colon was functioning, it was just trying to survive the attack from my immune system. The HDC was remarkable! My response to them convinced me to try the NA and TSO. My first colony of NA did not survive my immune response. However, the TSO was like a miracle drug. I felt better almost after the first dose. TSO really help when a flare is coming on. I calmed 2 flares using those. After taking the TSO for a year, I have decided to give the NA another try because the cost of the TSO is not sustainable for me.” [55]

“For the first time in my chronically ill life has my scope been NORMAL! No inflammation. I have had this illness since I was 12 and, till 24, I have been having scopes yearly or every 2 years at max and they always always have shown either mild, moderate or severe inflammation. At my worst, I was recommended to take Humira/ Remicade due to severe illness that put me out for about 2 years. I refused it and was on the verge of total collectomy… Before I started Hookworms, I was at the beginning of a relapse and had pain, nausea, cramping, diarrhea and constipation alternating each other and a lot of fatigue etc. After my first dose - 3 weeks into - I started to feel a positive difference and it's been upwards since then.” [56] “UPDATE: I went in to my doctor today (and) what shocked me and my doctor are my biopsy results. I am clinically free of Ulcerative Colitos and have zero inflammation on a cellular level. My doctor is now working on taking me off Immuran/Azathioprine as my status has gone from having moderate to severe colitos to IBS!!!” [57] Hookworms have saved my life. [58]

“Week 25 (with 10 NA). Probably my most consistent month since having colitis. So glad i did hookworm. I have to say that i rarely get a fart that smells now, something i have to attribute to them, they have sorted whatever was wrong in my digestion. As soon as i get my pancreas/liver issues sorted i believe i will have near perfect digestion.... UNBELIEVABLE... 6 months ago i would never have thought this.” [59]

“I am at week 16 with the first inoculation of 5NA. My UC symptoms are normalizing… urgency has lessened *significantly*, blood/Diarrhea have normalized almost completely. I have not taken my Asacol in months... I seem to feel like a normal person again, not realllllllyyy worrying about traveling, car rides, social activities, etc!! (although some of the learned anxiety still remains).” [60]

“My husband has UC and we have had great success with the TTO for the past 3 years, he takes 400 every 4 months. Was able to get off of prednisone. Thank goodness for this page and the info! It’s saved my husbands colon!” [61]

“I've been using TSO for UC and it was a little rocky starting out but after about 10 doses I'm feeling the best I've felt in 2 years.” [62]

“My son who is hosting TT for UC had a scope on Wednesday and has had a dramatic improvement since the last one 2 years ago. Only change in what we are doing is the HT which he has been on for 17 months. I have been quietly confident it was helping as his bloods have been perfect and he has been growing this last year much more that before, but still really great to see inside and confirm.” [63]

“I have UC and, after several years of the usual drug therapies, was on track to have my colon removed ten years ago. Started helminths in combination with maintenance drugs. Sure it’s a sample size of one, and sure it’s anecdotal, but I still have my colon, and I lead a pretty normal life.” [64]

“I have UC, inoculated 6 months ago and again 3 months ago. I was in the middle of a pretty severe flair. I’m in complete remission now. I haven’t had a colonoscopy to confirm, but I’m symptom free. This treatment is the real deal. I will be forever grateful for these worms!!!” [65]

“Moderate colitis since age 23. Ulcers, urgency, the whole digestive problems. Inflammatory arthritis so bad I couldn’t walk from the car into my classroom. Sores in my mouth, on my eyelids, fatigue mental and physical. Extreme food sensitivity, emotional distress as a result. I tried dietary modifications, acupuncture herbal therapy, massage, mental health therapy, western meds… A bunch of stuff. I am now on (human) whipworm and hookworm and have a completely different quality of life. I can go biking, skiing, skateboarding, backpacking... All sorts of different activities that I couldn’t do beforehand. I can eat a great variety of foods and even cheat a little bit on my anti-inflammatory diet. I stay away from gluten, soy, dairy, and eggs. But I can cheat on the gluten soy and eggs with minimal digestive rumblings. The greatest benefit has been to my anxiety about daily life. I have a regular digestive function now and can, for the most part, go about my life without worrying. I can’t say enough good things about the therapy and it’s consequences for me.” [66]

“I am 40 years old and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about 20 years ago. About five years ago, my gastroenterologist wanted to start discussions about removing a portion of my colon because of several precancerous polyps found during a colonoscopy. Not long after that, I started HT with 50 HDC every 2 weeks, and have continued that regime for the last 5 years. I started seeing improvements almost immediately. The day after my first dose I had fewer urges to go to the bathroom and, after a week or two, I had no more blood in my stool. I also take TTO at about 600 ova every year, 50 bi-weekly until I have taken all 600, or about 12 weeks. I’ve done that every year(ish) for the last 4-5 years. I have achieved 5-6 years of remission, and I am 100% better today compared to before I started taking helminths. My gastroenterologist was skeptical until he had confirmation through a colonoscopy. I've since had other colonoscopies and still found to be in remission.” [67]

“I will reach the 3 month mark this week. Treating IBD (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) with 5 NA. Unbelievable the improvements. Heart palpitations gone, vertigo significantly reduced, abdominal gurgles/gas/pain gone, dry eyes gone, headaches, joint pain gone, normal digestion… This is the best I have been since falling ill 7 years ago. Life changing.” [68]

“Going on 6 years hosting hookworms for colitis, along with TTO. Helminths are part of the regime keeping me in remission. I plan on hosting a colony for life.” [69] Update, June 2022: "I've been in a good remission for a year now, got a stable colony of hookworms and whipworms (seen on my colonoscopy last year). I add 10 hookworms once a year now, although I added them every 3 months for a couple years. [70]

"I have been building my colony (NA) very slowly for a year now, and no longer have colitis which is fantastic. No more head fog either and my joint pain is majorly reduced. I can eat broccoli and cooked apples and cooked onions now! [71]

☹️ "Stopped the helminths... due to expense, and they seemed to lose effectiveness. [72] First (I used) TTO then TSO for a total of 4 years. About 2 years on both." [73]

"In 2018, I was starting the conversation with my doctor to remove my colon. Prednisone wasn't having any effect whatsoever. That experience was what pushed me to pull the trigger on hookworms (and they) turned off my ulcerative colitis and celiac disease like flicking a switch. I was able to get back on an unrestricted diet 40 days after inoculation. I had known about hookworms for years as a treatment for IBD but it took the real possibility of bowel surgery in my near future to push me to pull the trigger. I felt immediately relieved and silly at the same time. I had endured so much unnecessary illness when I had the answer the entire time." (Edited from three posts: [74] [75] [76])

"I've had UC for 18 years, mostly mild to moderate. Azathioprine finally got me into remission, but I couldn't stay on a higher dose that would keep me in remission. Finally started helminthic therapy beginning in 2012. Took me several years, but eventually settled into a dosing/treatment regimen that keeps me in clinical and endoscopic remission with no diet restrictions of any kind. I take 25-50mg azathioprine daily and 250 TTO every 12 weeks." (Edited from this post)

"11 doses of TSO in, my father is cured from his colitis." [77]

"I had a patient who he'd had ulcerative colitis and had not been in remission for 20 years. And usually, I'm a naturopathic doctor, I'm not doing one thing. I'm looking at the whole person and saying, "Oh, let's give a nudge here, a nudge there, what can we do?" And so it could be hard to tease out what is helping and what is not helping. But this guy came to see me and he said, "Look, I read an article you wrote about helminths. I want to try helminths." He wasn't interested in any of my other stuff, which is fine. And so we did. Now, for him, we gave him Necator americanus and Trichuris trichiura. Well, I love that combo actually. So we didn't have that to tease out because he got both at once, but six months later, he came to me and he said, "I feel like I want to cry because I'm just completely better. And if I just known about this 20 years ago, I would've had such a different life maybe at this point." But he was very, very thrilled to finally, finally be in remission for the first time in decades. So that was great." (podcast with Mark Davis ND)

Eosinophilic enterocolitis[edit | edit source]

Testimonial:

"I once had a young boy in the age of 8 years who developed an eosinophilic enterocolitis when he was 14 months old. During the course of the disease he was treated with Mesalazine, Prednisolone, Budenoside, Ecoli Nissle and Montekulast without any success. When he was hospitalized at the pediatric gastroenterology of Bremen University in Germany he was treated with 10 escalating TSO doses starting from 100 ova ending up with 2000 ova biweekly. He did not show any improvements during the treatment until the last dose. The first time after 6 years he had formed stool without any bleeding anymore. The Doctor in Chief made a poster presentation at the German pediatric gastroenterology conference and won a poster prize." [78]

Lymphocytic colitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Testimonials:

“I struggled for over 8 years with autoimmune disease, coeliacs, lymphocytic colitis and gastritis. Progressively my immune system decided food was the enemy. I began having allergic reactions to foods I’d eaten all my life. In a short period of time, my health became so chronic I hit rock bottom. The physical, emotional and financial cost has been huge. Finding an integrative GP was the game changer for me. Helminthic therapy was recommended. Initially, as expected, my immune system was not happy about sharing my gut. Starting with just 2 HDC, after almost 5 months we’re up to 10! Helminthic therapy has brought healing, happiness and joy back into my life. I’ve re-introduced foods back into my diet, gently. I no longer experience pain, bloating, belching or diarrhoea every time I eat. Only 2 of the last 140 days with any symptoms. I enjoy eating now. Bliss.” (Reported in a message submitted to the wiki.)

“I had an accidental brush with gluten on the weekend just passed. For the first time in almost 10 years I had no immediate reaction; moreover no dread of being ill for the next few weeks and then some. Now that’s a hugely triumphant moment for me. So very happy with my life, feeling blessed. I am diagnosed Coeliac. I’ve also had lymphocytic colitis and gastritis over the past 5 years, all confirmed through biopsy by my gastroenterologist. Helminthic therapy was recommended to me after my last bout of gastritis after all other avenues had been thoroughly exhausted. I started with just 2 HDC, and now (at 7 months) I take 10 HDCs fortnightly.” [79]

“I have LC, so I know how miserable it is, and I wanted to share that TSO and LDN changed my life. I now eat a completely normal diet, except for eggs, but, if I accidentally eat something with egg, I now bounce back super fast.” (Edited from this post.)

Pancolitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Testimonials:

“I just got word after the last colonoscopy that my pancolitis is fully disappeared. After nearly a decade of failed treatments, I am fine thanks to a course of TTO. Took about 3 months for remission.” [80] [81]

“I was 19 years old when diagnosed with pancolitis. I have tried everything with minimal if any relief from my symptoms. I'm 6 weeks in hosting human hookworm (NA) and I can't tell you how much i wish I had done this sooner.” [82]

These two posts are about the same boy:
- “My son has pancolitis and we are 7 months into helminth therapy. We have had a very smooth journey on TTO with really no side effects or worsening of symptoms. My only regret is that we didn’t start sooner.” [83]
- “My boy is going really well. We have just hit 12 months on TTO. His blood results are all very good, best they have ever been, and he is growing consistently for the first time in years. He is able to go to school and has a part time job, he just turned 15.” [84]

"I’m 23 years old with severe ulcerative pancolitis. 5th time of dosing with NA, and I’ve never felt this good in all the years i have had this disease. Its like I don’t even have colitis anymore. 10/10 feel great. Currently no adverse symptoms except for diarrhea/inflammation for the first 2 weeks after inoculation." (Edited from this post.)

Microscopic colitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Testimonials:

“I finished a course of TSO (4 months ago). I had been in remission at the time, but to me it wasn't a true remission as I had to be very careful with diet and couldn't eat much fiber (fruit, vegetables) or gluten and eggs. It worked like a charm and since then (6 months) I've been able to eat donuts, cake, beer, etc. with zero issues. I did notice I still seemed to be a little sensitive to egg and was avoiding them by themselves (in baked goods they didn't bother me). I am frankly just so overjoyed to be able to have raw fruits and vegetables, baked goods, beer again... anything else is just gravy. So grateful for HT as I never thought I'd be able to indulge in a craft beer again.” [85] [86]

Ulcerative proctitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Testimonials:

"The litmus test occurred yesterday when I went into the bathroom and found something most people would shudder at, an un-flushed poo. It was gloriously solid and normal." (Comment by the patient's wife. Link expired)

“My problems mostly disappeared within few days with HT. My health significantly improved and I felt completely healthy although very few times some blood appeared… I started another course 10x2500 TSO with even better results than before. I’m completely without any problems, my blood tests at my GI showed I’m in complete remission.” [87]