First I got myself a good doctor/naturopath. Then I got informed. I read and read and read and read on what to do about mercury poisoning.

My doctor first had me change to a non-diary, no sugar, organic diet. He also gave me herbal support for my adrenals and liver. I was already on Armour thyroid and sleep meds. He had me do the diet to rid my system of toxins. I also did the Hulda Clark liver/gallbladder cleanse around 5 times because I also was diagnosed with gallstones. I am STILL working on this because I was too weak to continue these earlier in the year due to the stress the amalgam removal had on my body.

I found a few biological dentists on the www.ioamt.org website and had consultations, if they had websites I looked at those first. then called around to see who followed the Huggins protocol the best and what their prices were. I was very blessed to find a dentist who was around an hour away and had a lab onsite. This allowed me to have my amalgams removed one quadrant at a time, one week apart. I do NOT recommend this for everyone. However, my doctor felt that I could handle it. Then I had my root canaled teeth pulled. During the time of replacement and removal I started to immediately feel better. I should also mention I had braces until 12/06 and as soon as those were removed I also had some twitching start to lessen, but not disappear.

I started chelation 1 week after removal. First DMSA 100mgs every 3 days, then read about Andy Cutler's protocol (you can buy the book on this website-Herballure). After reading this and finding my doctor was resistent to the protocol, I happened upon a monthly health newsletter at my local health store which advertised a metal detox center 15 minutes from my house - Praise the Lord, I was driving 2 hrs one way to see the first doctor. Sometimes you have to switch doctors or see 2 at a time to get everything you need. The new place had a doctor and a naturopath working hand in hand and I hit the jackpot as far as finding ones who would work WITH me and would help me follow Andy's protocol.

I have stuck to the diet and lost 20 lbs, it also makes me feel better. I started the Andy Cutler chelation protocol DMSA 12.5 mgs every 4 hours 3/17/07. When I found the new doctors I convinced them to let me try oral DMPS. Because I had chelated for 3 weeks by then I think I was able to handle the DMPS 50 mgs every 8 hrs. After 2 weeks I took a chance and added ALA (protocol says to wait until you hit the 3 month post amalgam removal date to start this, so I did that) and have seen wonderful results since adding the ALA (25 mgs every 4 hrs along with the DMPS). I also take 2 Algin capsules 2 times daily in between meals to help get the mercury out of my gut. I should also say I added supplements a little at a time. At first I could hardly handle the drops (herbal), now I can take minerals, drops, medicines, etc. BUT I had to work up to that because my body just could not tolerate much. It's May 22nd, I started Dec. 1st, some can go faster, I had to go slow.

I also stopped working and I rest a lot. I stretch activities into spurts and try not to overdo it. It only took a few times to get this one as my adrenals really won't let me do more than I can handle. I also convinced my doctor to let me try hydrocortisone because the herbal support wasn't cutting it. I could not grocery shop or make dinner and I needed to function. I should also say my doctor ran several tests: cortisol (adrenal), thyroid, parasites, gluten, hair and red blood cell elements. From this we were able to confirm low adrenals, thyroid and parasites as well as mercury poisoning. We determined supplements from these tests.

The biggest advice I can give to anyone is to take it one day at a time. I know once I found out I had mercury poisoning the first inclination was to find anyone that would rip those things outta my mouth...however, it pays to do your research and wait. It pays to take your time to find a good doctor, it pays to read the posts and weed out what you don't need.

Start with the basics, get the Andy Cutler book. Read, reread and reread that thing until you understand it backwards and forwards, join this forum and Andy's forum, read the links people insert that pertain or you suspect pertain to you. I would stay away from other forums, these two seem IMHO to be the most sound. If you have a question about a dentist or doctor don't hesistate to ask, you never know who has been there.

I hope this helps <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Gabriella