Thanks for, openmindedly, suggesting this SoSick.
For what it's worth, I started Andy's 4 hour protocol with DMSA and am on my 33rd round. I wouldn't want to start any other way. It was far from a painful experience. Instead, it relieved some of my symptoms. Important to emphasize, which Bex adequately does many times, start at small doses. I started at 12.5 mg. Some even have to start out at smaller doses. When I began ALA, I had to start at 8 mg.

3 days and 2 nights are what many start out with. I have been able to do 4 days and 4 nights lately. However, that is after many rounds. The benefits have far outweighed the pain. To make the waking up more tolerable, I take melantonin. It seems to alleviate some of the symptoms, because I am able to get right back to sleep after taking my doses in the middle of the night.