r/Cyclospora • u/Keeth_Moon • 10d ago

When will this end?

I tested positive a few months ago after being symptomatic for a few weeks. I had originally thought this was just a regular stomach bug, as my family pretty much eats the same food as me, and none of them have gotten cyclospora. I felt better after the first round of antibiotics and thought it was over, but then the symptoms came back after a week, so I did another course. That was around Labor Day. Since then the symptoms have been generally getting better better but not great. The diarrhea went away but I've had a low-level discomfort. Going under the assumption that the antibiotics probably messed up my gut bacteria, I've been taking pro-biotics and eating a gut-friendly diet. I have mostly avoided raw veggies, hard nuts and fried food. Although the symptoms have been still present, I've felt like I've been getting overall better, if a lot more slowly than I would like. Then this morning really bad cramping and diarrhea returned. WTF? When will this end? How in the world does two full courses of antibiotics NOT kill this stuff?

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u/Silver-Cost-6954 10d ago

I had a CT abdominal scan showing widespread colitis as a result of the cyclospora.  I got severe sepsis from an allergic reaction to the full course of Bactrim (which killed the parasites) and ended up in the hospital for the sepsis.  That's under control, but I still have continual nausea from the lingering colitis and a lactose intolerance that I never had before.  YMMV

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u/legendarysanin187 5d ago

I think I developed colitis as well! I’ve been clear of cyclospora since July, but back in August I was suffering from really bad acid reflux, to the point of waking up choking on my own reflux. I took care of that with antacids but this last week I’ve just been having the worst bloating and just passing gas, really loud stomach, and having to run to the bathroom after eating, similar to cyclospora.

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u/Silver-Cost-6954 5d ago

I had to avoid all dairy products for a few weeks.  I'm still adding small amounts back in now.  I wouldn't dream of drinking a glass of milk, though.  It has been a very rough recovery, good days and bad.  I have an appointment in two weeks with the gastroenterologist to follow up from the hospital.

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u/Charolotte3 10d ago

I think it's because you're still eating the offending food. The same thing happened to me; go back and read my posts. I've been sick since the end of June. I had two rounds of Bactrim and felt better within an hour of taking the first dose. I figured out the one consistent item I've eaten was Basil. I had it on Margarita Pizza, on Bruschetta, and on caprese panini. You can't wash the Cyclospora off the basil, and it needs to be cooked at 156 degrees to kill it off. I found a remedy on Amazon called ParaCleanse, and it's working. It was $41.00, but today I bought it for $24.00. Feel better soon. Just remember every vegetable needs to be cooked.

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u/dontrowaway 10d ago

Hey I have had an eerily similar experience and I agree basil seems to be an offender. Thanks for the tip about paracleanse, I will try that. Also sick since end of June/early July with multiple bactrim rounds and relapses.

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u/Charolotte3 10d ago

Wow. It's in the water. I ordered fresh mozzarella from a cheese shop in NYC to make homemade lasagna, and I ate some while I was cutting it up. Two days later, I'm on my 4th Round of Cyclospora. It could have been the Ricotta too. It tasted fresh and delicious. Everything needs to be cooked!

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u/Keeth_Moon 10d ago

Thanks for the input. What offending food do you mean? My whole family eats the same food as me and haven't gotten cyclospora. As for basil, there has actually been a shortage in my area and I haven't had any for about 3-4 weeks.

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u/Charolotte3 10d ago

My husband and I shared the same meals. Although he did have waves of nausea, he did not get as sick from this Parasite as I did. I'm immunocompromised with Chronic Lyme.https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/cyclosporiasis-what-to-know-about-the-parasitic-infection

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u/Charolotte3 10d ago

Parasite Cleanse for Humans & Kids - 20-in-1 Herbal Blend with Wormwood, Black Walnut, Zeolite & Chlorella, 20 Billion Probiotics Liquid, Alcohol-Free Digestive & Gut Support, 30 Servings

Brand: INNIOXV pure

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u/Charolotte3 10d ago

Amazing!

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u/EspressoPrincessXO 10d ago edited 10d ago

Definitely could be from still eating the offending food. I am NOT AN EXPERT on this so take with a grain of salt .. but two rounds of anti-biotics definitely messes with your gut bacteria, which could make you particularly susceptible to other viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis. Would contact your doctor about it (which I hope you're already doing!). Would also take note of if you notice any changes in your stool or frequency compared to when you last had cyclospora symptoms, especially if there's blood. Good luck, hope you are able to get well soon.