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My Mother’s Fascination with Parasite Cleanses: Is She Actually at Risk?

Summary: My mother has been trying out a parasite cleanse she found on Instagram, and she insists she has seen worms in her stool. However, she is reluctant to visit a doctor, as she believes we all harbor these parasites that can only be eliminated with the help of Instagram-sold oils. Interestingly, she does not consume anything less than well-done meat and avoids pork entirely. At 61 years of age, my mom has become engrossed in Instagram, but rather than indulging in trivial content, she has fallen prey to the ideas propagated by anti-vaccine and anti-parasitic groups. They’ve managed to persuade her that everyone carries worms and that they can be flushed away with some mineral oil or a similar product they’re selling. My family hasn’t been swayed by this trend, and we’ve been questioning the validity of her claims. She mentions experiencing "symptoms," but when pressed, she can’t recall all of them, aside from feeling tired and having sweet cravings. After receiving a "consultation" from an online source, she ordered her cleanse oil and has been adding it to her water twice daily, morning and night. While it inevitably has resulted in frequent bathroom visits—since it acts like a potent laxative—she is convinced that she has spotted worms. I can’t verify this, as I’m not about to investigate her claims, but I wonder whether this is a case of a trick or if I should insist she seeks medical advice. Her current mindset is quite alarming to me, especially considering her unwillingness to heed warnings from friends, including her closest companion. The puzzling aspect is how she could even become infected with worms, if that’s the case. I understand that there are various types, but typically, aren’t they contracted via consuming undercooked or raw foods? My mom is very particular about her meals, insisting everything be well-done, and she returns any dish if it has even the slightest hint of pink meat. Moreover, she doesn’t touch pork. What steps should I take regarding this situation?

Internal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
15 minutes ago

Questioning a Mysterious Illness After a Public Pool Visit

Recently, I (31F, otherwise healthy) enjoyed a swim with a friend at a local public swimming pool on Thursday evening. The place was quite crowded, filled mostly with children splashing around. I felt perfectly fine and healthy at that time. After about an hour in the water, I noticed a slight dizziness and figured it was best to exit the pool. Within just five minutes of sitting back at our table in the sweltering 90-degree heat, a shivering sensation overtook me, and it felt as though every nerve in my body was ignited. I can hardly articulate the discomfort; it was as if my entire body was in a state of tension and I was freezing. We decided to leave. By the time I arrived home, I felt incredibly weak and was moving at a snail's pace. I was experiencing a fever of 101.3 degrees and my heart rate was significantly elevated—normally at 65 but peaking at 116 while resting. In addition, I had a mild sore throat, which I attributed to potential chlorine irritation from the pool. At the emergency room, I unfortunately threw up during the triage process. I continued to battle intense nausea, fever, and an increased heart rate for several hours. Although all tests came back negative, it was noted that my white blood cell count was high. They administered fluids, prescribed an antibiotic, and I was sent home. Fast forward to Saturday, day two on antibiotics, and aside from the sore throat, which has now escalated to severe, I'm thankfully symptom-free. My throat, while devoid of pus and not strep, appears extremely red, and the lymph nodes are swollen, leading to a tightness in my jaw that radiates to my ears. Does anyone have insights into what might be going on? The ER physician was unable to determine the cause of my symptoms and speculated it might be some sort of infection. They were particularly puzzled as to why my heart rate remained elevated even after my fever had decreased for a few hours. While she observed some redness in my throat, it's evident that the condition has worsened since then. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

InsomniaAnxietyDepression
Male25-34
25 minutes ago

Two Days of Vomiting: Seeking Relief Without Another ER Visit

I’m a 25-year-old male, standing 5'4" and weighing 130 pounds. I live with Type 1 Diabetes and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and I currently use an insulin pump. My medications include citalopram, testosterone, and a daily multivitamin, with hydroxyzine as needed for sleep. I also drink alcohol regularly, about 4 to 5 drinks several evenings a week. Last Wednesday, I had a heavy drinking session. I can't recall the exact quantity consumed, but I estimate that it included around four beers and some vodka. The following Thursday went smoothly until I decided to eat some spicy cauliflower bites that were clearly undercooked. They were my only option that day, so I went ahead. Then, early Friday morning around 2 AM, I began feeling nauseous and started throwing up. On Friday, I experienced four vomiting episodes, mostly expelling bile. Later that night, I consumed approximately 300 mL of rum and didn't get any sleep until around five o'clock. When I woke up at seven, I retched again before heading to work. During lunch, I was sick once more. After returning home, I tried to eat some soup, but that came back up too—now it's all foamy and has a terrible odor. Currently, I’m unable to retain any food or liquid. Even trying to drink water makes me gag, and I’m aware that I am becoming dehydrated. My blood sugar levels are dipping dangerously low, and I’m at a loss on how to manage this without vomiting again. I’m unsure whether I’m dealing with food poisoning, alcohol-induced ketosis, gastritis, or withdrawal symptoms. I’m considering a detox at home after what transpired on Friday. However, urgent care informed me they couldn’t provide any support for withdrawal, and I can't afford either inpatient detox or another trip to the ER, especially since I was admitted in March for alcohol poisoning. My acid reflux is out of control right now, I have a persistent headache, and I can’t manage to sleep. I feel restless and yet every movement causes discomfort. My stomach feels unusually distended, almost as if it is bloated, even though I haven’t eaten anything substantial. The mere sight of food makes me feel nauseous, and bright lights irritate my eyes. My resting heart rate is at 80 beats per minute, but I currently have no means to check my temperature. Any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated. I’m open to any questions, as I truly wish to end this cycle of distress.

DehydrationPost-Viral FatigueEndocrinology
Male25-34
45 minutes ago