HI Rachel, I can't figure out why your doctor is making you wait so long for chelation. This does not make sense, as this is the point of getting you well and delaying it is fruitless (unless he is preparing you for it by diet and supplements) which should not mean delaying chelation for this long. 5 months is a long time to leave you waiting.

Yeah, your symptoms could well be related to the ALA. I'd bet on it. But you may not be tolerating it too well, depending on how you are taking it and what dose. According to Andy Cutler (biochemist) it MUST be taken every 3-4 hours non stop (yes even at night), for about 3 days on, then 3 days or more off for a break and repeat the same on and off cycle until you are healed.

If it is not taken every 3-4 hours, you may risk far worse reactions, becuase of the infrequent dosing, which can cause random movement of mercury and increase the risk of further uptake into the brain and other sensitive areas..

You would be wise to try it that way to see how it works for you, if it works and taking it at a low dose to start, e.g. 25 mg or even less until you are able to tolerate higher doses.

And yes, your symptoms could also be related to candida, so it is often essential that people address their diet (even before chelating). certainly this can help with symptoms and allow you to cope easier. Also ALA can often flare up yeast, directly and indirectly by moving metals.

some people find if they use DMSA with the ALA every 3-4 hours, the symptoms go easier. DMSA appears for some people to keep things more stable and also increases mercury chelation at the sametime. depends on the person though and what they tolerate.

Many people start with DMSA first, because they feel it's safer to do that, because it doesn't pass into the brain. So it's a good one to begin with (if you tolerate DMSA). You don't have to wait for your doctor, you can order it online if you want and at a good lose does. Should be taken the same way as the ALA.

Here is where you can order some if you want to try it. You can do it first without ALA, as it does a good job of reducing mercury in the blood, or you can use it with the ALA, or not at all. It's up to you.

Here is where you can order some online if you want
http://www.vivagen.net/detoxprods.htm? If you scroll down, it's the second bottle of DMSA from the top. The one that has 120 capsules of 25 mg each.