Hi JK, I was on DMSA not ALA, but I found very similar. I had some tougher rounds and some easier rounds (even without change of dose). So I think it is indeed the rate of mercury removal and perhaps it peaks and dips sometimes, as it does naturally as well, even without chelation. Chelation just speeds it up and sometimes increases symptoms, OR can help suppress them a bit.

It is unpredictable as you said, but I find Cutler's is less unpredictable than most other protocols I tried and did at least, to "some" degree, control symptoms that would have been much worse had I kept going on the other protocols which I found intolerable.

I used to get symptoms of being tired, drained, muscle aching, sometimes massive brain fog, or sometimes weepy and depressed, or even hyped up. I'd get swollen tongue as well sometimes. REally bad when I was really chelating the stuff out. At times, during chelation, there would be no way I could have worked or done much at all. I really felt pretty revolting sometimes. Other rounds weren't so bad. But over time, I knew I was getting better. There was just less mercury in me to cause problems as much and even high sulfur foods didn't produce as many symptoms as they once did. Which I think was also an indication of less metal to mobilise.

My symptoms during chelation would increase as the round went on. I may have been ok the first day or so, but after that I would really start feeling it kick in. This is why you need to be careful not to increase the dose too soon. Sometimes you find that out the hard way. You should do about 4-5 rounds on the same dose before you decide to increase. That's what I heard anyway and I think that's good advice.