Hello all!
I was diagnosed with ALS six years ago. I am in a power wheelchair and need occasional mechanical breathing help. Have mcs, allergies to dust, mold, etc. Have lot 70 lbs. of muscle. Still working, barely, and functioning somewhat with lots of outside help. I had 19 amalgams out over the last 16 months and have done 3 rounds of dmsa 12.5 mg so far. Weakens me temporarily but severely. Just wanted to say hello. Also have VERY high lead levels.
MarkNH

Hi Mark, I'm very sorry to hear of this! I am disgusted and astounded that you had 19 fillings, yet have heard of this before in a few others. I do not know how anybody can even survive with that amount, as 8 amalgams debilitated and poisoned me severely. The fact you are still working in your condition is pretty admirable!

I'm glad you got those amaglams out. How did you have them removed? Was it done by a biologic/holistic dentist? Or just by a general one... Did you have protection during removal? If so...what?

Because I know how the removal procedure itself can be very risky because of the increased exposure to mercury during removal..

Sounds to me like you're doing the right thing with the frequent low dose DMSA (andy cutler?). It will also chelate lead from you, so it's a bonus that it can chelate both lead and mercury. In actual fact, it is even more effective with lead.

It is a pity that the chelating process makes you feel so much worse for wear, but maybe indicative that you're on the right track and it's removing mercury. Are you taking supportive supplements, particularly antioxidants? They can be very necessarily through this process, plus healing fats/oils to help heal up and protect the brain.

I know that Andy Cutler mentions some basic supplements that should be used -
vitamin C, B complex, magnesium, milk thistle, vitamin E, zinc, etc. The C, B, milkthistle and magnesium need to be taken 3-4 times a day to be effective apparently. The rest can be taken once or twice. This is the bare minimum, he does mention other supplements.

He also feels that flaxseed oil is important due to essential fatty acids. I take it in acidophilus yoghurt, just mixing it in. I take a teaspoon in yoghurt probably 3 times a day. Andy feels 1-2 tablespoons should be used daily. He also feels borage oil is one to use with it!

Hal Huggins (mercury pioneer) is very strong on diet too in his book and feels that it can help heal a mercury toxic person. His advice is plenty of proteins (eggs, chicken, meats) and fats (like butter) to provide raw materials for hormones, brain healing, skin, cells, etc. And the total avoidance of sugar, caffeine, grains, milk, cheese. He even feels salt is necessary to add to the diet, which is great because that is something I definitely do like having on my food. Though I've chosen to get rock salt from "redmonds real salt".

Vegetables are also necessary along with the proteins and fats. But be careful of high carbs like potatoes, beans, sweet corn etc, as because of the high carb (sugar) they can still have potential to feed yeast. And you may need to reduce or eliminate fruit for the same reason.

In doing this, it also reduces high yeast levels in the body which is often caused by metal toxicity and causes many of the same symptoms as mercury and can become an illness on its own. Candida it is known as and is an opportunistic organism. Takes over in any immune compromised situation or metal toxic body. Basically it flourishes and gets right out of control.

In some people, reducing candida alone can result in sometimes dramatic health improvements. The diet must be stuck to without cheating for it to work and it can take weeks to improve after you can go through an initial detox period.

Sometimes when the body reduces the yeast, it is better able to deal with mercury and other toxic conditions and can more readily detox, because it improves the state of the gut and liver.

But obviously chelation is the way to cure these problems if in fact it is caused by mercury and/or lead. DMSA should really start to help you over time. I hope you begin to see improvements!!

Thanks for the reply! I unfortunately had the fillings out with a dam but no separate breathing air and too many at once. I didn't take the precautions seriously enough and suffered as a result, but not being able to find a dams dentist I felt it was more important to get them out NOW before the killed me, regardless of the damage. You've gotta remember, dead is dead. Here's what I am currently taking for supplements. Is magnesium for on or off round? I believe I have a variant of als that is induced by metal toxin overloads.
Curcumin w/peperine 800 mg x 2
NAC 600 mg x 2
Selenium 200mcg x 2
Ess. Fatty Acids 1800 mg x 2
CoQ10 100 mg x 2
Vitamin E 400 IU x 2
Vitamin C None
Silymarin 600 mg x 2
Quercetin 500 mg x 2
Ginger Root 1100 mg x 2
Sam-e 400mg x 1
Artichoke Leaf 500mg x 2
Quercetin 500mg x 2
Flaxseed Oil 1000mg x 2
Mineral Support x 2 (Off round only)
Glutathione Cream
Forskolin 10mg x 2
Vitamin A 10,000 IU x 2
A.C.E.
Periodic Lactobacillus & digestive enzymes.
Since I have a reaction to dmsa I take it as a sign I am toxic. What are the signs of candida/yeast?

Hi Mark and welcome. cool supplement list. That’s more then me!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi there, I did the same thing when I removed most of my fillings. Had most done without precautions. I do not know if any damage was done or not to be honest. Appeared to get away with it, but it's definitely not advisable. I didn't know then about protection during removal, I rushed and got them out. But for some it is totally devastating! But it's done, and the main thing is getting on with trying to heal from this.

INterestingly enough, my last removal (even with protection) was the one that devastated my health (go figure). But again that could be attributed to the fact that the dentist removed the rubber dam, before the assistant used suction on the removed grains of amalgam and I swallowed them.

I was so ill, that I had tremors on the way home in the car and ended up with crying, headaches and after that a very strange thing happened. My face became very pale and drawn, like the cheeks sunken. So either it was the fact that there was suddenly no more amalgam and my body was now reacting and withdrawing, or it was swallowed amalgam that did it. Either way, I was ill.

So I chelated for a bit (the wrong way), and did actually get some relief from that which was great. BUT, one year or more down the track the dumping stage started (which is very common). This is called the second phase of suffering and can happen anytime once all amalgams are out. Your organs start to dump out the storage of mercury and for me it was hell on earth. I can only describe it as total torment because I spent most days in a state of acute detox - crying, salivating uncontrollably, feeling so ill. However, I did not know about andy's protocol at that time and any other attempts at chelation would encourage this process but to an intolerable degree to where I could not handle it. It may have sped things up, but at what cost? Finally found andy's protocol, got on a proper chelation route and I believe that's what got me better in the end. I tolerated the protocol, though it still produced detox symptoms. I could have taken less of a dose and for not so many days when I look back, which wuld have made it much easier.

Your supplement list looks pretty good to me. If you can handle NAC that's great, some cannot because it can mobilise mercury and make people very sick. But it is also very good for the liver, increases gluathione, so can be very valuable. Whatever works! If it keeps you going and aids you in anyway, go for it. It is different for everybody, though andy does have a basic supplement plan that he feels is good for most people.

You can take magnesium on and off round. You do not have to stop it at all. Andy mentions taking supplements the entire time you chelate, as well as on the breaks inbetween.

Symptoms of candida are very similar to mercury, so much so that it can be tough to distinguish at times which one is responsible for what. Though metal detox is pretty obvious, candida is usually responsible for many other symptoms too.

Here is a page I have copied and pasted that will give you some idea of what candida can do:

Symptoms, Diseases & Organ Malfunctions Caused by Candida

By Bee Wilder

July 9, 2006



Allergies, Sensitivities & Intolerances:

· Symptoms that worsen in damp, muggy or moldy places.

· Food sensitivities or reactions.

· Hay fever and asthma.

· Intolerances or allergies to perfumes, odors, fumes, fabric shop odors, grass, cats, dogs or other animals, tobacco smoke, chemicals, smog, molds, dust mites, dust, and other airborne substances.

· Symptoms that increase when the weather is damp, muggy or rainy.



Symptoms:

· Athletes' foot.

· Babies - colic, diaper rash and cradle cap.

· Bruising easily.

· Cheekbone or forehead tenderness, pain.

· Cold hands or feet, low body temperature.

· Cold-like symptoms - excessive mucus in the sinuses, nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs.

· Cravings or addictions for sugar, bread or alcohol.

· Cysts, abnormal formation of - in different parts of the body, especially around the neck, throat, and ovaries, and in the bladder.

· Digestive problems - diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distention, bloating or pain, gas, mucus in the stools, hiatal hernia, ulcers, suffering from food-borne bacteria, i.e. salmonella, E. coli, h. pylori, etc.

· Ears - ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sounds in the ears, ear infections, dryness, itchiness, ear pain, ear aches, ear discharges, fluid in ears, deafness, abnormal wax build-up.

· Eyes - erratic vision, spots in front of eyes (eye floaters) and flashing lights; redness, dryness, itching, excessive tearing, inability to tear, etc.

· Fatigue (chronic fatigue syndrome, Epstein Barr) or a feeling of being drained of energy, lethargy, drowsiness.

· Flu-like symptoms.

· Glands – swollen, too little saliva (dryness in the mouth), blocked salivary glands, swollen lymph nodes.

· Hair loss, scum on the scalp, itchy scalp, scalp sores and dryness.

· Heart palpitations and irregular heart beat.

· Headaches, migraines, brain fog, dizziness, etc.

· Hemorrhoids, and rectal itching, rash, irritation and redness.

· Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and diabetes

· Hypothyroidism, Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome, Hashimoto’s disease, etc.

· Irritability, nervousness, jitteriness and panic attacks.

· Male associated problems - jock itch, loss of sex drive, impotence, prostitis, penis infections, difficulty urinating, urinary frequency or urgency, painful intercourse, etc.

· Feeling of swelling and tingling in the head.

· Female health problems - infertility, vaginitis, unusual odors, endometriosis (irregular or painful menstruation), cramps, menstrual irregularities, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), discharge, painful intercourse, loss of sexual drive, redness or swelling of the vulva and surrounding area, vaginal itching, burning or redness, or persistent infections.

· Fungal infections on the skin or nails.

· Joint pain, stiffness or swelling (arthritis).

· Kidney & bladder - infections, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder with possible infection), urinary frequency or urgency, low urine output, smelly urine, difficulty urinating, burning pain when urinating.

· Lack of appetite.

· Mind & Mood - anxiety attacks, crying spells, memory loss, feeling spaced out, depression (including suicidal feelings), manic feelings, inability to concentrate, mood swings, irritability, etc.

· Mouth sores or blisters, canker sores, dryness, bad breath, a white coating on the tongue (thrush) and blocked salivary glands.

· Muscle aches and pain, numbness, burning or tingling, and lack of strength and coordination.

· Nasal congestion, postnasal drip, itching, dryness.

· Odor of the feet, hair or body not relieved by washing.

· Respiratory - cough, recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia, pain or tightness in the chest, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma.

· Sick all over feeling.

· Sinus inflammation, swelling and infections.

· Skin – dryness, dry red patches, acne, pimples, hives, rashes, itching skin, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhoea, ringworm, contact dermatitis.

· Stomach - heartburn, indigestion, belching, vomiting, burning, pains, needle-like pains, food seems to sit in the stomach like a lump, etc.

· Sleep - insomnia, waking up frequently, nightmares, restless sleep, etc.

· Sore throat, hoarse voice, constant tickle in the throat, laryngitis (loss of voice).



Autoimmune Diseases, Cancer & the Candida Connection

Many autoimmune diseases and other diseases, such as cancer have a candida connection. Whenever the immune system is severely depressed and cannot function normally it opens up the body to many diseases and malfunctions. Some, but not all, of these diseases are: Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Celiac Disease/Gluten Sensitivity, Crohn's Disease, Epstein-Barr Virus (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Fibromyalgia (muscle pain & weakened), Thyroid Diseases, HIV/AIDS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis (a neuromuscular disease in which there is a failure of the nerves' ability to stimulate and control the actions of certain muscles), Sjogren's (a condition in which certain glands become inflamed, which interferes with the production of tears and saliva), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cancer, and many others.



Candida is very opportunist when the immune system malfunctions, with candida overgrowth found in most cases. Therefore autoimmune diseases respond well to the candida program, particularly the diet, because it builds up and strengthens the immune system so the body can heal itself.

Here is one of the most effective ways of finding out if you have candida (considering most blood tests etc produce false negatives). This is Dr Crook's questionnaire/quiz.
http://www.mall-net.com/cgibin/quiz4.cgi?quiz=crook.qa

Hi Bex and Mark. Please remember that we are all somewhat different. I swear those supplements would have made me bed-ridden for days, and I would have cried in agony if I took them after I removed my filling. I had to hold on onto my hat for at least a month after removal, and not even considering taking anything to speed up the detox process.

You both shouldn't be worried about your detox symptoms, if they peak around 3 days after removal. That's candida detox symptoms, and they will come regardless of how well you have been protected. In fact I would be worried if they didn't come because it shows that your body is still doing nothing even if you got your fillings out.
Here also lies a danger, some people blow their adrenals, because of the intense detoxification when the body gets its immune system back.

Hi pgm, I think I have mentioned everybody is different in most of my posts, which I why I said NAC does not always do well in other people, but ok in others.....

I myself could not tolerate some of those supplements without being bed ridden either, but if they work, then great. But I'd always be cautious with any supplement and take small doses first.

Hi Bex, yeah that about the supplements was meant to Mark, I always get a bit terrified when people load up their list of supplements. He may not realize at once that those supplements might do more harm than good. And lol yeah, I also learned soon enough to split any pill in at least 4 parts, perhaps even 8 parts before I dared to try anything new. Heheh, Bex I think we have experienced pretty much similar things. Good to know someone who has had a similar experience.

Hi pgm, I know what you mean about taking too many supplements, perhaps that can sometimes overload an already stressed system? Andy recommends a pretty long list as well, but it's a balance of trying to correct the issues these toxins are causing so we can function a bit better as we treat them. ... but not overdoing it I suppose.

I am one of those people that don't tend to respond much to supplements but I think that has a lot to do with my gut issues and simply not absorbing them and making use of them.

Whatever is in me is probably getting to them first <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Yeah lol, welcome to the club in experiencing these problems. Right now my yeast issues are absolutely rampant. The diet I'm on, which has always worked previously is really not quite cutting it at the moment, which is a bit upsetting. The smallest discrepancies are having huge and long term impacts....I feel my system must be very toxic in order for this to occur.