Back in August 2006, in two separate visits, I’d had 5 out of 7 silver amalgam dental fillings removed and replaced with composite. I hadn’t requested this be done. I hadn’t been to a dentist for about 7 years and the dentist determined that I had enough additional decay to warrant the removal and refill of my fillings. I wasn’t aware at the time of any potential problems with amalgam removal, so I didn’t protest. Also, this was a standard dentist, not someone who specializes in safe amalgam removal.

To make a long story short, I became acutely ill in September, two weeks after having silver amalgams removed. My main symptoms included nausea, loss of appetite, GERD, IBS-like symptoms, fatigue, poor memory, difficulty focusing/concentration and low body temperature(96.8F). Although, to some degree, I have experience numerous symptoms related to both mercury poisoning and candida. Since then, I have seen slow, gradual improvement. I feel that I am about 75% of normal at this point. I have some days that are better than others, but the trend is definitely toward improvement. I have treated myself with herbal/vitamin/mineral supplements which I believe has helped contribute to my improvement. Also, during this time, I seem to become intolerant of simple carbohydrates. So a diet with low carbs has been benficial. I have had some blood work and several GI-related tests which have revealed nothing.

I have done endless amounts of research since I have received no help from my doctors or dentist. I have been told that it is not possible for the removal of my amalgams to be the cause of all my symptoms. Prior to becoming ill, I was very healthy with maybe some slight fatigue issues. I never had GI problems whatsoever.

I have a few of questions for the forum.
Does this fit the pattern for toxic exposure to mercury?

Also I would like to have my mercury levels tested. Should I see a neurologist or is someone better qualified to test for mercury? Should I expect the same resistance to amalgam mercury exposure from this person as has been my experience in the past? Since possible exposure to mercury occurred about 10 months ago, can I expect to still be mercury toxic?

I have heard some mercury tests are unreliable. What would be the most reliable test available?

I still have two silver amalgams remaining that I would like to have removed. I am tempted to remove them, however, I am concerned that the same problem will occur. I have also read that one should begin mercury chelation after all fillings have been removed. What would be the suggested course of action here?

Sorry for the long-winded post. I will look forward to any responses/advice you may have. Thank you in advance!

CK

Remove the last two amalgums. You might feel worse temporarily, but in the long term it will be beneficial. Perhaps a few months after that you might start on low dose DMSA? Blood tests for mercury are unreliable. The way to test is to measure excretion of mercury before taking a chelating agent anfter taking it.

I still have perhaps around a dozen mercury fillings. I have had 7 already replaced. I felt very naseous the day after the most recent three were replaced. I am waiting until I feel better to have more replaced. My dentist is not a holistic dentist. He wants to replace many of my mercury filling since they are 20-35 years old and the margins are starting to separate. I already needed one root canal due to decay under a filling.

Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I became sick after unprotected dental work three years ago, and am still dealing with the aftermath. I have now had all my fillings removed, and am slowly chelating, but I got very sick indeed - housebound for 4 months last year, and still on very low energy. Also had to go on steroids for my adrenals, which basically packed up. It's one of many sorry and pathetic stories about mercury fillings totally trashing people's health.

The best way to determine your degree of mercury toxicity is to have a hair analysis done, and see if you have minerals which are out of whack. Mercury causes deranged mineral transport, showing up as high calcium for example, or it causes the body to hold on to other metals, so you might have high aluminum or tin. There is a book (available from this website - Russ I'm doing it for you!) which will give you the knowledge to interpret your hair analysis and how to treat your individual problems.

You might want to look at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/frequent-dose-chelation/messages

for other reading and advice on mercury and chelation.

Hope this helps
Best
Nicola

PS - yes do remove your other amalgams!!

Welcome and I hope this forum provides you with the information you need.


Yes, perfectly. In case you're interested, here are links to other stories that you may be able to relate to:

My Mercury Story

Mercury Poisoning and Amalgam Stories


I would personally see someone who is better qualified. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find Doctors who know much about this subject. Unfortunately, most other medical professionals will brush off mercury toxicity as a non-issue. How wrong they are.


Absolutely. Depending on a number of factors, mercury doesn't generally leave the body, or if it does, it does so very slowly unless you have a lifestyle that helps it mobilize.


There is no single test. You have to have a few different tests and see if there are enough mercury "signatures" to deduce that mercury is the problem.

A few of these signatures are high blood calcium, high urine porphyrins, low T-3, etc. In stage I and II mercury toxicity, mercury will appear low in blood and hair analysis. In stage III, mercury will be higher.


I would not chelate mercury with fillings still in. That will mobilize mercury and could make you sicker.

Personally, I would have the fillings removed by a Dentist that knows how to safely remove them. Don't take their word for it. I would get referrals from others who have had good experiences and also ask the dental office if they take precautions.

Here is a link to more information including what precautions you should check and make sure your dentist will take:

Mercury Amalgam Information

Hope this helps.

Thank you to all those that responded. Thanks Russ your suggestions and for providing a great forum for discussing mercury and dental amalgam issues.

Just a quick update. I am going to have my last two amalgams replaced tomorrow (Monday). Then on Tuesday, I have an appointment to visit my GP. I am going to request tests for heavy metal absorption and toxicity. From what I have read, mercury stays in your bloodstream for 2-5 days. I'm hoping that any mercury that was absorbed into my system will be visible if I am tested right after the removal process. I'll post back my findings.

One good thing is that I am much better prepared and more informed for my amalgam removals this time around. Thank you all!

The information I've read says that mercury stays in the blood for only about 15 to 120 minutes. I just though I'd mention this. I don't remember where I read it but it was some kind of medication research I believe.

Please let us know how you do.

Thanks.

I was poisoned by two dentists, one did a root canal with an amalgam filling and then placed a PFM crown over that, and another who filed down a broken amalgam filled molar for another crown, all of this starting in Mid-november 2006, and pretty much ending with the sloppily filed tooth by the second dentist in early/mid-january 2007. I waited 4-5 weeks before seeking a doctor because I was getting worse, not better as I thought I should be after even sloppy dental work (I was mostly unaware of mercury problems). I was tested for heavy metals on about Feb 20th 2007, given my first DMPS IV injection that day also. So a good several weeks after the bad dentistry, and my mercury blood levels were off the chart. Off the charts means too high to measure, in other words, deadly.

I had not done any formal chelation prior to seeing the doctor. Suspecting mercury, I had bought some chlorella but it didn't help much.

Just for what it's worth.