Helminthic therapy and mixed connective tissue disease
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a systemic autoimmune disease that shares characteristics with at least two other systemic autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (Ssc), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) and rheumatoid arthritis. The idea behind the "mixed" disease is that this specific autoantibody is also present in other autoimmune diseases such as SLE, polymyositis, scleroderma, etc.
The anecdotal evidence[edit | edit source]
The first report is more detailed than the quotes that follow it.
- Bleak prognosis for MCTD patient is reversed by hookworms (January 2025)
I can hardly believe it has already been 8 months since I started my helminthic therapy journey. In the briefest terms possible, it has been the more dramatic, mind-blowing, and wonderful decision of my life... I began to notice the crippling symptoms of my autoimmune diseases (MCTD/lupus, Fibromyalgia, Raynaud's, and Autoimmune hepatitis) fading about 1 month after my second dose ... I Feel Normal: hardly any severe, debilitating, mind-numbing, exhausting, unrelenting P.A.I.N. Energy levels on par with other people my age, as opposed to narcoleptics and flu-patients. The ability to get up in the morning without wanting to cry from the pain, dizziness, and crippling fatigue. The ability to think and speak clearly. The ability to play with my son, do the laundry, brush my teeth. Basically, all things I completely took for granted before I got sick, and which I had waved goodbye to for good, so I thought... Just like falling in love, I see the world in a whole new light. I see possibilities and hope where I once saw nothing but blackness and despair. My new love affair with life has begun. [1]
☹️ 18 months ago (I was) finally correctly diagnosed as having an autoimmune mixed connective tissue disorder. I've also had IBS my entire life. So far, at 30 HDC every 3 weeks, my symptoms (severe pain in my muscles, that is crippling at times) are not improved. I am also going to be experimenting with much higher HDC doses on me. At the very least though, I hope that HDC will stop me developing yet another autoimmune disease. [2]
The following three reports are by the same person.
- I'm about 11 months into my HT (hookworm, for lupus and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease), and doing really well. There are long periods (days, even a week or more) when I have zero pain in my body. My recurring nephritis now sits dormant for weeks at a time. I no longer have chest pain every single day, my heart doesn't race several times a day, and I hardly ever choke. Almost every symptom I had at the beginning has been reduced about 80% or so. Almost every symptom - my malar rash worsened. I'm treating it very carefully, though, and I see small improvements every few days. In the end, I've decided that if HT allows everything else to disappear, I can put makeup on the rash. It's worth it. The depression has also melted away... I believe that the improvement in my quality of life is at least partly responsible. I am happy now - happier than I have been in a long time. I don't dread waking up in the morning to discover what's going to hurt today. I don't dread stepping out of bed, unsure if my legs will actually hold me up. I am comfortable making plans with people several days out, instead of putting them off until I know how I'm feeling. [3] I really wish I had done this way back when I first heard about it… If I could go back and get hookworms five years ago, I would. [4]
- I’m almost a year past my first dose of HW. I've had four doses all together. Last week, I worked eight days in a row without a day off … mostly working on my feet in a retail environment … and worked almost 40 hours on the sales floor. Before my HW, I was limited to 20 hours a week… While I was getting ready for bed, my daughter said, "You know Mama - I can't even remember the last time I had to help you get dressed. Can you?" No, I could not. I'm doing so much better! [5]
I am using Human Hook Worms for the Treatment of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease with my predominant symptoms being Lupus… So almost 5 months after first inoculation and my labs are all normal except my eosinophils (0.7 against a normal of 0.4). I googled this and it indicates that I have helminths in my body.” [7] [8] And, posted 2 years later: "I have been off all meds for 2 1/2 years now. [9]
A 33-year-old woman with a history of mixed connective tissue disease presented for routine follow-up… Her presenting symptoms included polyarthritis, mouth sores, photosensitivity, malar rash, dry eyes and mouth, and Raynaud's phenomenon… She procured Necator americanus larvae and self-inoculated… She reports significant improvement in symptoms (joint pain, swelling, rash) after her second inoculation… On this visit, she was asymptomatic. There was no evidence of rash or synovitis on examination. Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and complement levels were within reference ranges. She was contented with helminthic therapy and wanted to continue it. [10]
I was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disorder about two years ago. Plaquenil and some huge dietary changes helped significantly, but I still had some problems… So I dosed with my first five NA. I'm not quite at twelve weeks yet and I already see improvements. My energy level was decent before, but even better now. My skin is starting to look like human skin for the first time in years. No more hardening and splitting skin, it's less scaly and dry, less swelling around the joints. I ate a tiny bit of curry with pepper in it and I didn't have a terrible rheumatoid arthritis flare in response. [11] (Post includes before-and-after pictures of this self-treater's hands.)