Parasites, parasites, parasites

I am new to HealingWell.com, was diagnosed with late-stage chronic Lyme in October 2015, and strongly suspect that my DD, now aged 9, contracted the disease from me in utero. My own symptoms have historically been more along the lines of "classic" Lyme. My DD's issues, on the other hand, have been primarily neurological -- she has suffered for years from a sensory processing disorder, mainly acute dysesthesia, which makes it difficult for her to tolerate the feeling of her clothes against her skin (she can't wear underwear, socks, closed-toe shoes, long-sleeved shirts, hats or helmets, any tight-fitting pants, etc.) She was given an unspecified PANS/PANDAS diagnosis a couple of years ago, and her condition did improve (without resolving completely) with long-term antibiotic use, but up until I got sick, no one even thought to mention the possibility that the triggering pathogen could be Lyme disease. Her western blot was negative for Borrelia but with "IND" results on a couple of suggestive bands (whereas my WB was all lit up like a Christmas tree!) We are now both seeing an LLND in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I have already learned so much from things others have posted in this forum, and have so many questions to ask all of you lay experts!

Today, though, I have sort of a two-pronged question having to do with PARASITES.

Although my co-infections panel came back negative for Babesia, I've been undergoing treatment for Babesia for the past three months based on clinical symptoms. I started out on a cocktail of atovaquone and azithromycin, and just recently moved on to Alinia and azithromycin. Since I started the Alinia, I have been experiencing EXTREME digestive unrest and bout after bout of diarrhea. I do have a long history of IBS (to which Lyme and other underlying infections have probably been contributing factors), but my symptoms aren't usually this bad. I'm also sort of puzzled by my reaction to the medication as I know Alinia is often prescribed as an anti-parasite medication to *stop* diarrhea -- in other words, diarrhea is not a common side-effect of the drug, but rather is one of its primary indications.

I just wondered if others out there had experience with Alinia, and if anyone had a similarly strong reaction to it. Barring the possibility that I'm allergic to the drug (which I suppose I might be, though I don't have any other allergies that I'm aware of), could it be that this is a die-off reaction from another undiagnosed parasite *besides* Babesia that's been residing in my gut?

My other question concerns some lab results that my DD just got back showing that she has elevated eosinophil levels (more than 2x the upper limit of the normal range) and *extreme* iron deficiency/low iron saturation levels. It's actually really scary how low her iron is -- and this is after my giving her iron supplements for two months (I stopped after the supplements ran out about a month ago, per the doc's instructions). Of course my head is going to some scary places with this but one of the only things I've found to be associated with both high eos and low iron is parasites. Could this be suggestive of Babesiosis in my DD? She does have other symptoms of Babesia, including night sweats, sleep disruptions, and a gasping tic that developed a year or so ago and then eventually went away.

Anyway I know this is not enough info for anyone, including our doctors, to make a definitive diagnosis, but I find it really helpful to compare notes with others who are going through this.

Hi DelOueste!
Welcome (officially!) to our community! I'm so glad you found us.

Since you have been reading, did you read the "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread yet? If not, I really encourage you to read though it as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more. And this is another good list of possible detoxing routines: www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html

I'm sorry, I've not used Alinia.

As for your DD's situation, elevated eosinophil levels could indicate infection - or food allergies. It's a white blood cell that can be present in both cases. I would say that it's likely the infections, but don't ignore the possibility of food allergies, please.

I used to go through bouts of some pretty serious anemia every so often. Severe anemia can be a sign of Babesia, as it's a blood parasite and the RBC will burst, leaving us without enough RBC's to keep from becoming anemic:
"The disease can cause a specific type of anemia, called hemolytic anemia, since the parasites infect and destroy red blood cells.'
http://danielcameronmd.com/coinfections/

The learning curve for these infections is sooo very steep that we need all the help we can get! Knowledge is power, so keep asking questions!!

I have read about the high eos connection and parasites. It very well could be another parasite that you are killing off. I know many with Lyme have parasite issues. I have slightly high abs eos and so does my youngest.

And it would not be unlikely if it was some other parasite that you both have it.

Nosilia - I am currently doing the humaworm cleanse too - halfway through. I haven't seen anything noticeable but without getting too graphic it was much more grainy with lots of white specs. I'm guessing eggs. Ewwww! I'm hoping getting rid of some of this junk will free up my immune system a little. Next need to kick butt on metals, and Lyme of course.

Glad to hear your son did well on it. I am planning on trying it with my 3 children. I have often heard with parasites you should treat the whole family.

Blood parasite and stool parasite tx are way diffeeent but necessary ...so many different aspects ...i also have heard ivermectin can have effect on babs it maybne protomazoa also...i am on tini and suppoada switch to alinia ..it is affordable online ...also just started csa and art is on the way...