Hi Linda, I hate to tell you this but ALA should be taken every 3 hours. To stretch it to every 4 gets risky because ALA does not remain in the blood quite as long as DMSA. So you can then get worse symptoms of possible redistribution.

Though some people may get away with it, it is probably not the best. You can take it every 4 hours during the night if it helps you sleep more, but try and go to every 3 during the day if you can. I know it's not ideal, but unfortunately that's how this stuff is.

Also ALA is usually the one that is most difficult because it's pulling out more mercury and out of the areas that are probably causing the most problems. DMSA can help with the side effects somewhat, increase the rate of chelation a bit more and possibly make things more stable but ALA side effects can really be difficult.

Some people have to start as low as only a few mg. Like 5 mg or something. 12.5 mg I'd say would be a pretty good one to start. Be careful not to overdo it. You can feel like you are regressing with it because of the detoxing, but I hope things begin to turn around as you continue.

This is THE chelator to use apparently and the main one because it gets brain/organ mercury. DMSA is really good too, but mainly gets blood/tissue mercury (possibly a little organ mercury but not nearly like ALA).