WHAT’S BUGGING YOU? Part 6/7 - What to Expect
Part 5 of “What’s Bugging You?, The Action Plan” outlined an array of options that can be applied to mitigate and potentially eliminate parasites and/or improve our overall well-being. Applying any of them can seem daunting if what is down the pike isn’t in clear view. Not to worry, this section will take a look at a few possible outcomes resulting from implementing any of the therapies so you can move forward well informed.
SO, WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE PROCESS?
Whether the goal is ridding the body of parasites, addressing a specific condition, or simply seeking vitality, an awareness of potential jogs in the journey will help make it a positive experience with a successful outcome.
Some of the things you may experience include:
SIDE EFFECTS
I raise this hesitantly because any diet, lifestyle, supplements, and medications as they pertain to the subject of this series and that may be voluntarily applied by the reader are relatively benign and aren’t likely to elicit any major side effects. For context, the same anti-helminthic medications mentioned in Part 5 are routinely applied in pediatric cases and are usually well tolerated. However, there is aways a remote chance someone could have a reaction, just as they could to anything new in their diet or routine.
Always educate yourself on potential side effects of anything you might expose yourself to, consulting trusted professionals for guidance. If you have a known allergy or sensitivity, it is common sense to not partake and - if you are trying something you’ve never had or done before - do so carefully, understanding that you may discover that it is not agreeable for you and you should act accordingly.
A Jarisch Herxheimer reaction, also referred to as a Herxheimer, Herx, Herxing, or a Healing Crisis, is a phenomenon that presents in a manner akin to a cold, the flu, rashes, and a number of other complaints. Though first identified as it applied to symptoms that arose as a result of the treatment of syphilis, Herxing can also be a result of a number of therapies and protocols (natural or prescriptive) as the body detoxifies and restores. This “die-off” is said to come from things such as the:
life-cycle of parasites
extermination of predators
result of antibiotics or anti-fungals
shedding of viral or bacterial loads
sloughing of dead cells
release of endotoxins, proteins, oxidized agents, and pathogens
and can result in an increase in inflammatory cytokines. In most cases the Herx response is mild and manageable but in some instances, it can be severe and require medical intervention - often in the form of antibiotics and antihistamines.
For additional reading, see these resources:
I want to mention here that there is another point of view that goes against the mainstream narrative asserting that there is no such thing as a cold or flu (germs) and that certain symptoms (and diseases) are actually the body’s effort to repair - but I’ll save that rabbit hole for another day as, in this application, aside from the cause or process, the approach and result is the same:
a) it is important to create an environment that is conducive to good health, keeping your body resistant to illness and making it easier to bounce back
b) it is not uncommon to feel off as your body rebalances no matter what is to blame
c) many of the steps taken to ameliorate the manifestations apply in either case.
That being said, Herxing (or whatever you want to call it and regardless of what is causing it) is generally short-lived (days to weeks) and often mimics the same dis-ease that is being treated, noted as a temporary increase of existing symptoms. Severity can range from mild to significant. Some of the more common ones are:
Inflammation
Rashes or flushing
Headache
Low-grade fever
Heart palpitations
Stuffy nose, increased phlegm
Anxiety
Flu-like symptoms
Fatigue
Nausea
Brain fog
Body and/or joint aches
Neurological sensations
Change in bowl habits
Though uncomfortable, these are usually easily managed. It is important to support the body during the transition to facilitate the safe elimination of the toxins, though. Some of the ways to do this are:
Ensuring elimination pathways are open, assisted, and running smoothly
Rest and quietness
Therapeutics, as needed (e.g.: aspirin, antihistamines, select antibiotics)
Detox baths and dry brushing
Sauna, sun, or red-light therapy
Castor oil packs on the liver
Gentle exercise or rebounding
Insightful information to guide your understanding
If available, a nurturing, versed, provider can also make the process much easier. Of course, if your symptoms are severe, never hesitate to seek appropriate medical attention.
EMOTIONAL EMISSION
Many people report they are surprised by the emotional release that accompanies the presence and detoxifying of the body from parasites or addressing a long standing condition, regardless of the presence of critters. This can include a range of feelings such as:
Irritability
Anxiousness
Sadness
Stress
Tearful
Pensiveness
Calmness
Clarity
Relief
Peacefulness
Prayer and reading scripture, breath work, meditation, employing patience, journaling, hanging out in nature, grounding, watching something funny, surrounding yourself with good company, confiding in a close friend or trusted professional, showing mercy, and offering forgiveness are all powerful tools to balance emotions and keep perspective.
SELF - AWARENESS
Whenever anyone takes on the goal of improving their constitution, a new-found appreciation for how our bodies function is bound to surface. We start to notice big changes, subtle improvements, reactions, and lack of action. This is a happy consequence to us becoming in tune with our innate intelligence - something we are all endowed with but has been chased away. Embrace this God-given gift and respond by listening and appropriately addressing the signals.
LACK OF SUPPORT
Sadly, whether due to ignorance or cognitive bias, and in spite of what condition you are trying to resolve, you may be met with disbelief, lack of advocacy, indifference, and even have your sanity questioned by those from whom you need encouragement the most.
People who suspect they are dealing with parasites report friends and family being grossed out by the subject or, in some cases, their doctors referring them for psychological help - even when they’ve brought in evidence of parasites in their stool. Others who are thinking outside of the box, applying natural remedies, or using medicines “off-label” for any number of conditions, with or without the intention of targeting of parasites, are deemed conspiracy theorists.
I hate to tell you, but this type of response is more common than some may realize, especially when the issue you are trying to improve is chronic and not visible. Many have confided in me (and I have experienced myself) that, unless a “white coat” and a standardized test to “prove it” validate their efforts (be it parasites, weight-loss, thyroid issues, fatigue, pain, unusual sensations, etc.), they don’t have the love and backing they need to make the journey easy. It’s hard. I know.
Preparing your heart for the stings, zings, and rejection you may get from your community will help lessen the disappointment as will finding like-minded friends with whom to share. Social media groups can be a good place to find your tribe when local, in-person meetings aren’t feasible but always use caution that you are with a respectable group and keep your wits about you to avoid being misled by trolls.
Once you’ve crossed the threshold to a vibrant life, their attitudes should change. And when that happens, remember, forgiveness is powerful.
THE INVESTMENT vs THE EXPENSE
Not all efforts undertaken to improve wellbeing have to cost a lot, or anything, really. Relatively speaking, preventative measures to preserve health are a cheap investment compared to subsequently chasing after it at a far greater expense. I can’t give you exact prices on anything cited since they fluctuate and I don’t know the details of your plan but I can help set your expectations.
TIME
Healing and balancing the body can take time irrespective of the cause or the ultimate goal. What most fail to realize is the progress that is being made while aiming for total recovery. In this “there’s a pill for that world”, instant gratification is seen as success and not recognized for the band-aid it is. When supporting the body in the healing process, it isn’t just about alleviating a symptom, it is getting to the source, then mending, re-building, fortifying, and creating new habits that will help the body resist future assaults. Walking before running comes to mind.
Specifically, the amount of time it takes to “de-worm” may several months and is largely dependent on the type of infestation, how imbedded/prolific the presence, and the protocol chosen.
Setting aside the reason or method, the day-to-day involvement to achieve better health is mere moments or less (about as much as it takes to eat, drink, maybe swallow a supplement, or do your regular exercise routine). It’s more about the commitment to being consistent, educating yourself, and making thoughtful choices throughout the day.
MONEY
Products, prescriptions, foods, herbs, and lifestyle adjustments range from free to whatever a product’s price point is set at. I suggest you research and comparison shop to find the best fit for your budget but, to give an idea, here are some extrapolations:
Pre-made, universal products, or resources, such as a special gadget or an “exclusive” program “just for you” (that isn’t really just for you) are usually not necessary or beneficial but can be costly. If anyone tries to sell you something that promises to cure all your ails, I’d be leery. I am not talking about support from a professional or proven techniques, I’m talking about gimmicky things that swear to quickly resolve your situation or give you the impression that “one thing” is all it will take. Healing is a very personal journey and rarely one-size-fits all. If it sounds like snake oil, it probably is. Save your money.
Strictly using pharmaceuticals isn’t overly expensive (in fact, anti-parasitics are some of the cheaper medications on the scale) but, unless you have a medical professional who is willing to write a script or you opt to shop unconventional outlets, you’ll have to allow many weeks for the medicine to arrive from a reputable overseas pharmacy like this one (they are often sold over the counter in other countries).
A supplement only program can range from inexpensive to pricey. Any purchase should be well researched for not only the effectiveness but also its quality. Look for opportunities to save through sales, discounts, and competitive pricing, and consider allowing yourself a buffer to gather and prep gradually, when prices are right. Making your own supplements is not as labor-intensive as it may sound and can also bring costs down. See my Retail Therapy page for budget friendly resources. Either way, take care not to go hog-wild on supplements. If you’re taking handfuls throughout the day or a married to them, I can assure you, your regimen needs re-evaluating. To answer a question I get often, no, I am not a fan of “multi” supplements (e.g., multi-vitamins, supplements that have more than one or a few main nutrients) for a few reasons including, it’s too hard to tell what works and what doesn’t when there are lots of ingredients involved; if something isn’t agreeable, how do you know if it’s the whole supplement or one component that’s bothering you; the ratios may not be what is best for your unique you.
Foods, herbs, and spices won’t upset the budget too much as you will likely be trading them for ingredients and splurgy behaviors that do not fit a wholesome lifestyle. You may even have a number of solid candidates on your regular grocery list, growing in your garden, or in your spice cabinet already. Where it can bump up the bottom line is if it is something you typically don’t buy (and therefore is an added expense), if it is a unique item (perhaps out of season), and/or you are committed to organic, non-GMO only (tends to be more expensive, though well worth the up-charge). The good thing about many herbs and spices is they can be easily stored, a little goes a long way, and growing/making your own is simple, if you’re game.
Most changes in habits don’t have to cost anything and might even put pennies back in the pocketbook or priceless minutes in your day!
Besides offering the most thorough coverage, I find that a combined strategy can be very effective, affordable, gentler on the constitution, and is far more sustainable.
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You just have finished the presentation portion of the 7-part series, “What’s Bugging You?”! But wait, there’s more! The final piece, Bonus Material: Important Information, References, Resources, and Questions is intended to help you dig deeper and determine for yourself the degree of impact from parasites as well as more examples of the utilization of anti-parasitic modalities (regardless of the presence of parasites).
If you have enjoyed this free series, uninhibited by noisy ads, annoying pop-ups and membership requirements, please visit my Support page for ways to offer encouragement and appreciation.
In ant-icipation of good health,
Marie Stumphauzer, FNTP
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