Can older women with COPD safely take antiparasitics?

Question

Hello doctor,

Kindly review my mother's urine, fecal, and blood test reports. She was diagnosed with COPD about a year ago. She had a collapsed lung and had a bulbectomy. She also had an abscess in her intestine with diverticulitis. She is currently taking Prednisone, Oxycodone, Morphine, and Lorazepam.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your mother appears to be affected by multiple disease conditions. It includes the following.

1. Schistosomiasis.

2. Intestinal abscess.

3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

4. Diverticulitis.

I request you to share the detailed records of diagnosis and treatments.

As per the reports you shared (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), the diagnosis is schistosomiasis. Confirmation of the diagnosis requires antibody detection, not antigen; hence, a blood test is necessary. I suggest you consult a specialist doctor and confirm the diagnosis for further treatment.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed the images and reports you attached (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). It suggests a worm infestation. However, the pathology laboratory must provide a statement to confirm the clinical suspicion. But we could certainly take antiworm medications, to begin with, including Albendazole 400 mg once daily for three days and Ivermectin 12 mg single dose. Consult your specialist doctor and take medications with their consent. The main issue, which is life-threatening, is COPD and collapsed lung, and intestinal abscess. Kindly share the clinical reports of all her medical conditions.

Thank you.