Is it right that cilantro shouldn't be taken while the fillings are in? I think I read this, but can't remember. Thanks.

Yes, the research I've done on cilantro indicates that...

(Source: HART Master Reference, 2006)

So, I do not recommend taking cilantro if you still have amalgam fillings. Even eating salsa or other foods that contain cilantro can cause an increase in mercury-related symptoms for some individuals.

Thanks, Laura. Does it ever go under another name? I sometimes buy spicy bean dishes. I avoid coriander now - at one point I was adding it to soups and things, having no idea about its relation to mercury. It wasn't long afterwards that I started having worsening symptoms - combined with the sulphate I was taking from glucosamine!

Demi:
I have also read in several places not to use cilantro until the amalgams are out.

I thought that was the case. I mentioned it on a health group I was on, not to eat the cilantro with fillings, but my messages were not approved and the end result was I was banned for misinforming and scaring people.

I am feeling so depressed right now. I don't understand why people are so nasty everywhere, and why there is so little support for those of us who are il from the mercury. It feels like no one in the world believes me, except those I've met here. I just feel some days I can't cope any more and today is one of them.

Demi,

The description of how you are feeling is also a symptom of heavy metal toxicity. Hopelessness is a [censored], pardon the expression, and unfortunately, it is a reality of this illness.

Do whatever you need to do to keep at this. The bottom line is that heavy metals need to be removed in order to feel better, and as difficult and hopeless as that feels some days, there are people out there who will support you through the process.

I have left some boards because of how rude some people are. Just telling some people of my experience triggered personal attacks that in time drove me off some boards. I have learned to ignore those people, and align myself with those who offer real support, suggestions, and helpful advice that is actually useful along this difficult path.

Hang in there and keep your eye on the goal. Heavy metal toxicity at times feels like the worst nightmare imaginable. Yet, there is hope. Slow and steady. And keep coming back to the people and boards that help and support you. If a person or board doesn't want to hear your reality, simply find those who do.

I think this board is one of the better ones.

Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I try to stay positive as much as I can, but sometimes it feels like I'm holding on only to a thin line. I try to focus on getting better, but somedays it all gets too much. Then I try to think that what I'm feeling now will pass, when I am less toxic, and that there will be a silver lining. And if I get better, maybe more people will believe it was the fillings.

Aswell as the physical problems, the psychological trauma is tough. I usually cope by trying to shut out what upsets me, to shift focus onto something else, and think that at least now I know what is the cause of my problems. But sometimes the thought of having a toxic substance in my body as powerful as mercury is terrifying, especially as I've never smoked, drank alcohol (only rarely) and tried always to avoid toxins. Then I start to think about all the people poisoned by it, children, and my mother who is really ill, and that's when I know I have to shift focus, because it's too much to deal with.

I have pretty much given up on boards, except this one and a couple of others. There is so much aggro on them. I don't know what is up with people.

It's also called coriander. I've only heard americans call it cilantro.

Thanks - the offender that I was taking over a year ago, just before I got worsening of symptoms. Could actually have been that more than the glucosamine sulphate, as I'd been taking glucosamine before I started putting coriander in foods - or maybe combination of both.

Demi,

To say that this illness is not fair is an understatement. However, it sounds like you are doing a lot to support yourself and trying to make through the long haul on this.

I've found myself in that terrified place, too. I have been terrified of what damage this metal may do in my body, I've been terrified of how dysfunctional I've become by not being able to work and earn money, and I've been terrified of losing my mind as my emotions are tossed on this rollercoaster from hell.

Yet, I've found that the bad times eventually fade and I experience a pain-free existence again, until the next time, the next round, the next dip, the cycle.

Hang in there for the long haul. It sounds like you are doing everything possible to beat this.

Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm sorry you've had it so rough. Sounds like you are doing your best to deal with it aswell.

Sorry you can't work. I don't know if I could cope with a full time job right now. I don't think so. I haven't worked since 2001, been studying and making some money from home, and am hoping to boost that up so I can make a full time living working for myself. More than anything I don't have the energy to work all day, and I just can't sit at a desk all day without getting pains or numb in my thighs, so I work a bit on the computer, then I go out for a bit, weather permitting, and then do more work at night as I don't watch much tv. I don't think I could cope with the stress of a job, and I get panic attacks in social situations. I can't even answer the phone if I don't know who it is, which I think I mentioned before.

I'm putting off my next quadrant removal until late summer or autumn. I think it's important to go at a pace that my body can cope with. I don't think it could cope with another exposure to mercury so soon. I think I am very sensitive to this toxin.

It's so devastating what it has done to people, it really is. And it's scary not knowing what will happen, not knowing if one is doing the right thing, or what health problem is mercury caused and what is something else.

I took cilantro with fillings still in and had a terrible reaction, also garlic and chlorella, even now im scared to take anything like that in case. I also feel hopeless and helpless, i have 2 kids and some nights when they come home from school, i cant even ask them how their day has been. This is the worst thing thats ever happened to me, i feel alone with this also, everyone i speak to about gives me weird looks. At least we can speak to eachother! Dawn.

I was supposed to start work this year, i feel useless to my kids, i cant give them what they need, and also its the uncertainty of this terrible illness, are we going to get better really! On my good days i belieive it but on bad days i fell like im not winning.dawn

Dawn,

Persistence, it will pay off.

On the good days, write a note to yourself saying that things are getting better. On the bad days, read the note.

The rollar coaster ride get easier and easier as time goes on.

Persistence.