Parasites Archives

Walt - recent tests ordered for me

Hi, Walt:

I'm gradually working on my doctors since due to insurance reasons I need to see how much I can get them to cooperate with me. Yesterday I saw the internist, who is becoming extremely interested in what I'm doing to have gotten so much better already, and a visit to the allergist who is the one interested in pinning down any way possible to diagnose and help treat the EBV.

I asked the internist for testing for parasites. Still thinks he knows it all but despite not thinking it was necessary he ordered stool analysis. I think this lab routinely examines 2 specimens for this. The lab is NE Georgia Reference Laboratory and was founded by David Lockman, M.D., an infectious disease specialist. Its the lab whicih found giardia 5 years ago (ever heard of David or his lab?) and every doc I know considers it "the best in the state".

I wanted your advice on giving them the best possible specimen (a gross request -sorry). Should I do some mag citrate night before, or wait until I feel one of the less normal ones about to happen or should I just take them any specimen? I was thinking the looser the better. Also, is it beneficial to stop any or all supplements before getting a specimen?

Since I have an idea how my internist feels about GSDL (I think he feels a little threatened by things he doesn't understand), I asked my allergist's opinion about both labs. He told me he'd sent specimens to GSDL at request of a patient before (wonder if they read about it here?). So I am thinking he may be convinced to do some of the labwork I want that my internist may not do. Going to "feel out" my former gastroenterologist on all this first, as allergist admitted he wasn't sure what to make of results.

Dr. Edelson is still on my "to do" list and I think his name was on ACAM list and GSDL list as well - but I'm starting with current docs as it is necessary to take proper steps for insurance reasons.

I just want to give NE GA Reference Labs the best possible specimens. Thanks for any advice. My Plan is going fairly well. I enjoyed our talk very much.

June

Follow Ups:

• Re: Walt - recent tests ordered for me (archive under parasites) Walt Stoll 08:50:03 7/30/00 (0)

In Reply to: Walt - recent tests ordered for me posted by June on July 29, 2000 at 10:48:44:

Hi, June.

I am not familiar with David Lockman's lab. In order to get certified as a parasitic lab, the lab has to test specimens that the state has placed parasites in. Since the average lab only finds 1/50 to of those test parasites placed in the specimen, and GSCL find 1/5 of them, it would be valuable for you to ask the certtifying state department how any lab did on the tests for certification.

Since parasites tend to attach themselvesa to the wall of the intestine, the harder the gut "shakes" to produce a specimen the more likely it will shake off a parasite for the specimen. This is why a "purged" stool is the best for parasites and that means a very harsh laxative. About 6 separate specimens would give one a pretty good chance of finding what was there.

Hope this helps.

Walt