Family vows never to return to Asia after holiday turned into a nightmare after sharing a Pad Thai

‘I won’t go back – ever!’ Family vows never to return to Asia after dream Thailand holiday turned into a nightmare when they shared a Pad Thai meal at a local food court

  • Perth couple Stacey Barnes and Ryan Prigg had their holiday turn into nightmare
  • The active pair suddenly felt drained of all their energy and lost all motivation
  • Tests later revealed they had contracted a parasite from food court Pad Thai
  • After almost two years they finally found doctors who would offer treatment

A young couple say they’ll never to return to Asia after contracting a parasite that left them with a debilitating illness – which took almost two years to cure.

Perth couple Stacey Barnes and Ryan Prigg suddenly became unwell after returning from a family trip to Thailand with their two children in 2017.

The pair, who run their own health and wellness business, said they were stuck in a nightmare – feeling drained and their energy sapped – but had no idea what was causing their illnesses. 

After a months-long mission to find the cause, they discovered they had contracted a parasite called Dientamoeba Fragilis after eating Pad Thai at a food court during their holiday. 

Perth couple Stacey Barnes and Ryan Prigg (both pictured) suddenly became unwell after returning from a family trip in Thailand in 2017

The pair, who run their own lifestyle coaching business, were stuck living a nightmare as they suddenly felt drained of all their energy and lost their motivation

The pair, who run their own lifestyle coaching business, were stuck living a nightmare as they suddenly felt drained of all their energy and lost their motivation

‘I won’t go back, yeah life changing, I won’t go back – ever,’ Mr Prigg told Seven News

‘We would look at each other and say ”is this going to end? When is this going to end? Is this our new normal – feeling like this”?’. 

Dientamoeba Fragilis is a common parasite that can cause health issues like diarrhoea for some people. In rare cases it can cause nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue. 

Ms Barnes and Mr Prigg described the past two years as the hardest they have ever experienced.

‘It’s not nice to know that something inside of you is taking all of your nutrition and depleting your body of energy and life,’ Ms Barnes. 

Ms Barnes said there were many days when she couldn’t get out of bed.   

Ms Barnes shared a post on Facebook showing her undergoing an iron infusion to 'replenish my body from the depleted state the parasite has left'

Ms Barnes shared a post on Facebook showing her undergoing an iron infusion to ‘replenish my body from the depleted state the parasite has left’

She said every day was struggle as a result of the parasite that drained the pair of their energy

She said every day was struggle as a result of the parasite that drained the pair of their energy 

‘Every day was a struggle from the get go. I had no memory I couldn’t recall anything I was in a constant state of fogginess,’ she shared on Instagram.

‘The malaise, not wanting to so anything, was something I have never understood or want to experience ever again.’ 

And it wasn’t just their health that suffered, their business did too.

As the couple lost motivation, their passion also began to slip and their business took a hit. 

They went from making about $10,000 a month to being on the brink of collapse.

The active couple had many days when they struggled to get out of bed, their business also suffered as a result

The active couple had many days when they struggled to get out of bed, their business also suffered as a result 

After a four-week course of antibiotics the pair are now back to their old selves and encourage others to get checked out if they have any doubts

After a four-week course of antibiotics the pair are now back to their old selves and encourage others to get checked out if they have any doubts 

The couple had to go to three doctors before they were treated for the parasite, as some medics were hesitant out of fear that treating it would cause further harm.

What is Dientamoeba fragilis? 

Dientamoeba fragilis is a parastie commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans.

It can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue.

It is believed to be spread through poor food handling. 

Source: Health, New South Wales 

They finally found a doctor earlier this year who was willing to offer a treatment. 

And after a four-week course of antibiotics the pair were back to their old selves.

Ms Barnes has encouraged anyone who feels that something is not right to get it checked out.

Professor Miles Beadman, a specialist in infectious diseases, said Dientamoeba Fragilis was usually not associated with any type of disease, and that about 25 per cent of people have it in their gut. 

He said it had polarised the medical industry as some believe it was not a disease causing parasite. 

Mr Prigg has vowed to never to return to Asia after he and his wife contracted the contracted a parasite that left them horrifically ill

Mr Prigg has vowed to never to return to Asia after he and his wife contracted the contracted a parasite that left them horrifically ill

Ms Barnes (left with her husband) has encouraged anyone who feels that something is not right to get it checked out

Ms Barnes (left with her husband) has encouraged anyone who feels that something is not right to get it checked out



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