Helminthic therapy and polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and hips, but which may occur all over the body. Almost all cases of PMR occur in people aged 50 or older, and about 20% of those diagnosed with PMR also have giant cell arteritis.
The anecdotal evidence[edit | edit source]
I have polymyalgia rheumatica (an autoimmune disorder mediated by interleukin-6). The worst symptoms of pain (which made me yelp out loud whenever I moved) and stiffness (like walking in hip-deep water) can be controlled with prednisone, assuming one can tolerate the side effects of that. However, prednisone does not help with the fatigue which is often quite disabling. In my case, whenever I was standing up, I wanted to be sitting down and whenever I was sitting, I wanted to be lying down. Going anywhere, doing anything was a struggle - I was swimming upstream all the time. When it was time to meet a friend to go sailing (one of my favourite activities), I’d wail to myself “Oh, no, I have to go sailing!!” because all I wanted to do was lie down. The major effect of my hookworms has been relief from this overwhelming fatigue. About 3 months after the first inoculation, this just went away. Then, maybe 6 weeks after the second inoculation, I noticed the yard was full of fallen leaves, so I got a rake and raked them. The previous year, the same sight was overwhelming and just made me want to cry and, after a few halfhearted attempts, I gave up. I am probably still somewhat less energetic than before the polymyalgia, but I no longer feel like the Earth’s gravitational field has doubled (maybe tripled). (Link expired)
I also have PMR... The standard treatment, prednisone, had worked OK at relieving the pain and stiffness, but I was still staggering around with fatigue... I can't tell whether I'd have needed more prednisone without the parasites (PMR is exceedingly variable), but the fatigue is greatly decreased and my allergies to fruit, poison ivy, and pollen have gone away. [1]
I have been donating Necator americanus (NA) to someone who is currently 67 and had been prescribed Methotrexate and Prednisone for wide ranging autoimmune pain diagnosed as polymyalgia rheumatica. He was clearly struggling when I mentioned NA to him. His first dose was 5 NA and we have dosed every 3 months or so with small doses. He hasn’t had any issues, possibly just a headache one time. We have been gradually increasing the amount of NA and, two weeks after the last dose, he was in such pain with his right hand and wrist that he couldn’t work and went to his GP begging for pain relief, However, he didn’t take the drugs that were prescribed because the pain had gone the next morning, just short of 12 months after his first inoculation. Since then, his pain levels are the lowest they have been in five years and his work is so much easier. All the evidence points to the hookworms being responsible as he is not taking any other medication. He says ‘The difference was sudden and amazing. My pain levels are still really low and the relief is fantastic.’ (Edited. Original link expired)
I had PMR. After 18 months I dosed three times with NA, and it absolutely helped. I had tried to lower prednisone - terrible pain - and after I began the hookworms it improved with each dose. Now I am totally clear... I’m 80, run four miles a day and swim a mile. I could not walk without pain before. [2]
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