[red463]

Hi All!

I am a 24 year old male living in san jose CA, I have reason to believe that I might have worms in my stomach, because my I have heard it make strange noises and I also think I clench my teeth in sleep, Also, about 8 years ago, I had found a 20 cm long worm in my underwear. I think I had tests done back then and they returned negative results. My stomach is always kind of pot bellied even though I work out a lot, and I have irregular bowels.

What do you guys think about this? Who should I go to first, a general physician or a gastro?

[Wondergirl]

I'm guessing you check regularly for worms. Have you found any lately? (Do worms make your stomach gurgle, your bowels irregular, and give you a pot belly? You may have IBS instead of worms.)

Start with your regular MD who will refer you to a specialist if he finds a need to.

[Wondergirl]

My dad had IBS with all your symptoms (but no worms). He had to avoid whipped cream and certain other foods that irritated him and kept him from attending church meetings (he was a minister). My mom was scupulous about what she fed him. He also struggled with diverticulosis at times, so that made him really careful what he ate. We kids teased him about his gurgly tummy after a meal. He was always the first in the bathroom after we ate. And we thought he was just avoiding washing dishes or was wanting to read the new Reader's Digest!

[red463]

The reason I think its worms is because of that huge worm I found 8 years ago, it was SOO big that I cannot believe there was just one in my body, no matter what the tests said then, I mean what would you do, if you found just one HUGE worm in your undies and then all tests say nothing..?

But I do think there is substance in what you say because my stomach makes a lotta gurgling noises...

[Wondergirl]

The reason I think its worms is because of that huge worm I found 8 years ago, it was SOO big that I cannot believe there was just one in my body, no matter what the tests said then, I mean what would you do, if you found just one HUGE worm in your undies and then all tests say nothing...????

But I do think there is substance in what you say coz my stomach makes a lotta gurgling noises....

8 years ago. No more since. (They tend to leave the body during peristalisis or due to their own movement.) I don't think it's worms.

[Ren6]

I clench my teeth (I wear a bite guard), and my stomach makes noises, and I have no worms. Since you were about sixteen when you found the worm in your undies, it doesn't seem likely you have them now. Did you take the worm in to be identified? What did the doctor say when he saw the worm?

I should think that you could bring in a stool sample to your doctor's lab to see if there are worms or worm segments visible.

[red463]

Hey, Ren6 I didn't mean to disagree, But I guess I forgot to select the right option, Thank you for your answer...

Red.