In addition to the excellent information James provided, I just thought I'd add that there is a book called "Eating Alive," by Dr. John Matsen, N.D. In his book he focuses alot of the illeocecal valve issue. And he feels strongly that addressing this issue will help in eliminating candida problems. He also talks into metal toxicities as well.

Our Forum friend, Sandi Flood, was able to get her candida under control finally by doing an antifungal diet, natural antifungals and also following Dr. Matsen's recommendations. If memory serves, alot of the recommendations were along the lines of trying to eat in season. She did antifungal protocols for a couple of years but did not get her candida problem under control until she address the illeocecal valve problem and did some heavy metal detox.

Sandi would have been so happy to see this post from you James. She insisted that addressing the IV issue was crucial in dealing with candida. Deal with the IV issue and then do the detox.

Here's a link to his site in case anyone is interested:

http://www.ndaccess.com/EatingAlive/Page.asp?PageID=5

On a personal note, I've had my illeocecal valve tested via Applied Kinesiology and also by ART (autonomic response testing) and also via electrodermal testing with BioSET. My valve, at least at the time of testing, always tested ok.

I now know that in my case my candida will not resolve until I get rid on my metal burden (mercury, lead and cadmium). And in my case, I simply can't do that effectively until I get a handle of and get rid of the surplus bacterial infections (Lyme, Bartonella). I'm hoping that once I get started on that, then my body will allow me to slowly and carefully begin to chelate.

Unfortunately, I'm so ill that I need to be under a doctor's care for this. Wish I could do it all on my own. But the new doc I'll be seeing is certified in chelation therapies and also is a Lyme and Tick Borne Disease doc. Fingers crossed everything will fall into place!

Golly it sure is hard to work to get ourselves well, isn't it?! And answers don't come easily sometimes.

Good luck with your amalgam removal, James. Let us know how you do, ok?

Sharon