Birdlady:

See paragraph below regarding the baldness problem you asked about...

The carrier protein that transports magnesium is damaged during disorders like the leaky gut syndrome, this is despite of the very high intake of the essential mineral magnesium through the diet and via regular supplementation-this can result in serious deficiencies of the mineral within the body of the affected individual.

Impaired absorption of the mineral magnesium results in a the development of a magnesium deficiency within the body. As a long term result of this deficiency, spasms and muscle pain begin to affect the person and cause a great deal of discomfort besides other symptoms.

The deficiency of another essential mineral namely zinc also occurs in a similar manner due to an improper absorption of the mineral form the diet, this results in symptoms such as rapid hair loss or baldness that resembles the type of symptoms which occurs in another condition called alopecia areata. Similarly, identical impaired absorption of the mineral copper can lead to very high blood-cholesterol levels and this can easily complicate things for the individual.

Bone problems can also occur as the impaired absorption of important minerals like calcium, boron, silicon and manganese are also evident-all these minerals are important for healthy bones.

Thanks for the info, Glancina.

I assume there is some sort of blood test I can do to check my magnesium levels. Perhaps I can start there. On my hair analysis magnesium was off the charts, so I'm not sure what that means. Maybe there is magnesium in my well water?

I know that my potassium is always low. When I was 18 I went to the ER for severe kidney pain and they told me my potassium was about as low as what they'd expect a 90 year olds to be. They gave me pills to take and that was the end of it. To this day I STILL have low potassium and nothing seems to help it. I know there is a correlation between magnesium and potassium, but to further complicate things I have problems with fluid balance.

My electrolytes are always screwed up because of my damn pituitary. Sodium tends to be on the low side, which is likely a side effect of me trying to stay hydrated and taking anti-diuretic hormone. Calcium levels are always good though.

When I take zinc, I immediately have to throw it up. I'm not sure if anyone else has this side effect, but it won't stay down. One day I added in 1 zinc tablet. About 20 minutes later I was so nauseous I had to breathe really really deep and slow to keep myself from throwing up. From that day on I just stopped even trying to take it. If my body needs zinc, why would I immediately become so ill I have to throw it up?

Maybe I'll swing by the one pharmacy here and pick up some zinc sulfate and go from there. That's the type that's been used in the studies, so I might as well try it. Just this week I developed white specks on my nails that haven't been there for the past 4 years. I'm wonder if it's because I'm stressed out at the moment.

Lots of deadlines to meet that are going to be extremely difficult to meet...Haven't been sleeping much.

You might want to try adding foods higher in zinc. I think pumpkin seeds are high in zinc and are often recommended for men for their prostate....

There are other foods also. I'd google foods high in zinc. You may not be able to tolerate the supplement kind, OR something else contained in the supplement.

I take a multi vitamin/mineral powder, which I mix in water like an orange drink (though it contains no sugar) and that contains zinc already in there. perhaps you could find a similar mix? The combination of everything may help you keep it down too.

There is 15mg of zinc in my multi which doesn't make me sick, but the zinc tabs alone feel like there is a bag of sand in the bottom of my stomach. It only passes after drinking a bunch of water, so perhaps you are right. Something in the zinc tab is not agreeing with me.

I find it hilarious that the FDA says adult women only need 7mg a day. But the Australia government says adult women need 12-16mg a day. Oh no! How could 2 governments be right at the same time?..ahhh *brain explodes* The FDA knows best! /sarcasm

I like pumpkin seeds, so I'll look for them the next time we go shopping. Thanks Bex!

Zinc picolinate is an excellent form of zinc...minerals bound with picolinic acid are called picolinates are commonly found in milk (specifically human milk) and are very readily absorbed and utilized.

It can be really inexpensive if you search around.

Yep that's the type in my multi. I use Thorne's Basic Nutrients 1.


I'm going to look into getting my urine checked for sodium, potassium and magnesium. Something tells me my body is throwing these things out even though I have adequate ingestion.

Birdlady I took Zinc Citrate at 30 MG a few times and I did throw up one Sunday after taking it, it made me so naceous like you said I just had to go throw up. The next few nights I just felt sick to my stomach after taking it, but when added to to a meal I got over it and got used to it and no more nausea. You might want to take that one with meals, if on an empty stomach it messes me up badly too. You will get used to it over a short period of time and your body will accept it more IMO. Try different forms as well to see whats right for you. Magnesium Taurate is my fave magnesium to take, that gave me little diarreah and made me feel really energetic while taking it, I need to get back on that SOON.

I started my next round of DMSA today and my kidneys are really hurting. Is this something I should be concerned about? About 20 minutes before I was due for another pill, it hit me and hasn't gone away since. It subsided but never went completely away.

I'm due for my next pill in about an hour and the pain is already kicking back up again.

Yes, Kidneys hurting are a sign of too fast of detox be it Candida or mercury etc., your body is detoxing too fast and you should slow down. I would not do DMSA or ALA personally, I would take Selenium in low doses and turn it up later and use other means like Algin or Kelp (Metal free) or Chlorella to as much as you can handle. I would not do DMSA or anything like that personally, Chlorella never made my kidneys hurt but Cilanrto and Zeolite did in high amounts, I started out too quickly. You should detox slowly and safely, this is your life you are playing with not a game. I dont like the too fast detox programs, they are not safe for me, there is no quick fix to this Birdlady.

Hi birdlady,

I take zinc and it doesn't make me sick, so it maybe the brand or something. Not sure. But yeah, I have it in the multi (like you) and that's ok too.... But I'd definitely go for the pumpkin seeds I'll take a look in one of my health books and see what they say about foods with zinc for you.

Here are the foods containing zinc:
brewer's yeast (be careful if you have candida. Oddly enough, nutrional yeast is apparently ok).
liver, seafood (not so good, mercury problem)
soybeans
sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds
mushrooms (again may not react too well with candida)
raisons (again too sweet if you have candida)
wheat germ and bran (careful if you're wheat/gluten intolerant)
eggs
milk
herring,
whole grains

I hope this helps somewhat. I am a big consumer of eggs. I have liver also and of course I have the pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, plus the multi. I do sometimes take an isolated zinc supplement (which I'm meant to take before bed), but I often forget. I just hope what i'm doing is enough.

Just to comment on your kidney ache? This is normal. I only ever had that problem with DMSA, when I was very mercury toxic. I no longer get anything when I take DMSA, so I doubt it's the DMSA itself. Since I have permanent lowered immunity from ongoing virus/infection and candida issues, it would no doubt have done something. But again, I am eating well, so that may help.

however, when I was mercury toxic? I ached there and elsewhere too. I felt very very ill on round sometimes. The symptoms were not pscyho ones, but they were still difficult and I usually had to stop the round a bit early because I couldn't continue.

Just make sure you eat really well and drink enough fluids too. Good to have enough healthy salt in your diet (adding it to vitamin C drinks is great - quarter teaspoon) about twice or more daily. Getting enough of the minerals into you 3-4 times a day is necessary too whilst taking DMSA. The chelation will drain you and minerals are reduced, which may also be a cause of the aching.

The kidneys are also working overtime to try and keep up with the toxins being shifted through. This is good, but this is also why you need breaks inbetween rounds and why you should not push yourself too hard either. Keep the dose tolerable, keep up the breaks between rounds and monitor yourself.

I had a few things that occured with chelation that I would get a bit alarmed at. I would get a swollen tongue that would ACHE and almost hurt. So bad, that I often felt it was permanent (it wasn't). Though the effects continued, even after stopping the round. I know now it was mercury still being moved/removed. Just because you stop the chelation round, doesn't mean things are still going on. They are. I also used to feel so bone tired too. Aching, exhausted, swollen tongue, sickly, tearful sometimes, or even hyped up other times. I also used to get a strange pain/ache in my abdominal area (by the tummy button). A real sore spot that would hurt too. Burning sensations is another one. I still get that too in my mouth/throat area.

Hence why I had to take breaks and sometimes for longer than suggested. I did what I had to do to keep myself as well as I could.

This is years ago and I did finally get better. It just takes time. Keep antioxidants and minerals going and good diet and essential fats. And if you can exercise? Do so, but not over the top where you're bouncing too much metal around. It DEFINITELY works, but it's gotta be monitored too. I reduced mercury also by treadmill walking and rebounding believe it or not, as well as hot baths (with epsom salts or baking soda and sea salt - about a cup each). Selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E were also VERY effective then as well. So it was not just chelation, but all had a part to play.

Though my mercury days in that respect are long gone and I'm dealing with different problems now, I have found something odd just recently. I am not sure what has caused it, but here goes. I purchased some crushed garlic in a jar from the supermarket. I LOVE garlic, but don't usually have it much. For some reason, whether coincidence or not, I was mixing it with my onions and consuming it and now I feel massive detox type symptoms (metal ones). I can taste metal, feel it behind or in the eyes and everywhere. I can't figure this out, since DMSA isn't producing a thing! I have done a round of DMSA with 50 mg, and no symptoms, not even improvement or worsening.

So I can't honestly say what is going on, but I do know I've had recent dental visits and possible mercury vapor exposure from teh office. But why is DMSA not doing a thing? Yet this garlic seems to have erupted something major? Either that, or it's the increased activity I've had to do (since work experience), but I swear it started with the garlic more.

Whoa! Potent stuff if that's the case. I can't handle the supplement, it's dangerous to me and I've been hit severely twice by taking it. But the food is different.....does anybody else here notice something when using garlic in food (or supplement) that tends to really move toxins/metals? OR is it coincidence?

The kidneys hurting which led to actual UTIs, etc. for me is why I had a hard time chelating.... You may want to do some detoxing first before chelating. And make sure you drink drink drink. Good for you, though, for trying! I found out my endo won't prescribe the DMSA. I think, when I'm not working, I might try ALA. (I'm not working today, but did the last couple of weeks full time).

Thank you everyone for the info.

I'm not exactly sure how much slower I could go. I am only taking 15mg. I took 5 days off because I was waiting for a timer to come in the mail to help me be more consistent. In those off days I felt completely normal. Ironically today my kidneys aren't hurting. I did wake up with some sore muscles. However the soreness went after about 30 minutes after being awake. I bet my potassium is really low right now. Probably need to go get some bananas.

My bald spots are itchy today, which is really bad...Perhaps the metals are moving around. That probably means I am going to lose some hair in the next few days. Itchiness in those areas always comes before hair loss.

I had a kidney stone or something a few years back (they didn't know) and the pain was so excruciating. I am no where near that level, but if I do get to that point I will be taking a break and heading to the ER. That was the worst pain I had ever felt in my life.

Hi Birdlady,

15 mg is a low dose, but it is high for some. There are people who have gone down to 6 mg. Most begin on 12.5 mg. It just depends on the person and how poisoned you are. I have found even 12.5 mg on occassion strong, but only when I had significant mercury. 15 mg maybe more than enough for you at this stage and it's obviously impacting you. Low dose does not mean that it's not high for you.

Yeah, I'd go for the bananas also. Minerals are really used up with chelation. Magnesium should be taken apparently 3-4 times daily to be effective on a mercury toxic person, because they are using it up so much, particularly when chelating. Vitamin C and B complex the same. Vitamin E and zinc etc can apparently be taken once or twice. Don't forget essential fats/oils. Really important too for cells/brain healing.

I am sorry to hear about the relationship to itching and balding. I keep hearing about itching being a sign of healing. One forum I am on, the lady in question is well versed in healing symptoms and candida etc and itching she reckons is a sign of toxins coming out via the skin.... She thinks it's a good sign. I am not sure what to think about the balding.... it maybe your body's way of disgarding "bad hair", but it maybe something else. It's upsetting to hear about something like this occuring. are you finding any regrowth? Is it a case of the area damaged by toxicity having to heal first before regrowth will properly occur? Surely there is hope?

Is there a kidney relationship to hair falling out also? Sometimes in health alternative medicine, they can often figure out that on organ being affected can then affect something else. The hair falling out might not be the hair itself or that area, but some organ weakness instead. I know mercury can do all these things and removing it might then allow the organ in question to heal (or area). But in removing it, it also means further stress also.....

Can you find any homeopathic or naturopathic support for the organs of elimination like kidneys and liver etc? Particuarly as you are chelating? They can really help. I'd look into that and perhaps see someone about it. Support is required for people like us who are weakened and perhaps damaged by toxins like mercury. But repair also happens! Given that the source of those toxins and the toxins themselves are removed. However, if there is an ongoing source of problems? that might not respond to detox, then that is another matter.

Yes you are right. 15mg may be low, but not for everyone. I actually feel pretty good with this dose considering the type of detox. The kidney pain caught me off guard. I haven't changed a single thing in my schedule, so I must be doing good. haha

When my hair first fell out my scalp was very smooth and shiny looking. There wasn't a single piece of hair or fine hair on it. Now there are lots of white fuzzy hairs that have grown in over the past 6 months. There is definitely a small amount of growth near my ear and on my sideburns that didn't exist before. It is my normal hair color too so that is great. The growth actually started when I was doing EDTA before I learned about Dr. Cutler. After my 2nd dentist appointment I lost a little more hair. That appointment also made me relapse slightly too. That makes me think it is the mercury.

The reason why alopecia areata occurs is because your hair follicles begin to attack themselves. They turn off prematurely. I'm not exactly sure why it always occurs in small circle patches. Conventional medicine doesn't know why this occurs and usually the prognosis is bad. Their treatment is to inject steroids directly into your scalp to stimulate growth. But all that is doing is telling your immune system to stop working and I'm not about to do that.

The longer you go without regrowth the lower the chance of regrowth. For me it will be a year in Oct, which isn't promising. There are women who lose all of their hair on the head. Some women lose all of their hair on their entire bodies. If my hair would progress to the point where I couldn't cover it, I'd shave it off and just get wigs. They make some really nice wigs these day and I could be any color or hair style I choose.

However I feel my hair loss is different. I am actually taking "action" and trying to get my health in order. Most of the women who get AA just go to the doctor and get prozac or paxil. The hair loss is so traumatizing for these women that they'd rather take a pill or drink themselves into a stupor to "forget" it. No one on that hair forum got better because it wasn't a group to get better. It was a group to complain, whine and moan. I definitely don't need to waste my time on that haha!

I want to take action and figure out WHY. I think it's the mercury. Mercury can affect all sorts of things in our bodies. Heavy metals can attach themselves to hair or another part of the body which confuses our bodies into attacking itself. I'm hoping once the mercury is moved out of the body it will get better.

Yeah I think I might stop down at the one health food store and ask for some suggestions on liver and kidney support. The problem is is that the person who runs it thinks DMSA is a waste of time. He told me take everything that Dr. Cutler says NOT to. It's hard to say no to a friend without offending them.

I've been taking something called Natural Calm for the magnesium. It's actually pleasant tasting, so that helps out. They do sell something for the kidneys and liver, so maybe I'll check that out.

Thanks again Bex. I appreciate your comments and questions. It gets me thinking and figuring out what to do next.

Hi birdlady,

I think you are doing alot for yourself. The hair falling out could well have been triggered by the mercury, hence worsening from removal/exposure and chelation. I'm amazed at your positivity and I know these things do happen to people, but I really do hope that there will be a regeneration. The body is a strange thing and we're all affected differently and to different degrees, even by the same toxin sometimes. I don't underestimate it's healing ability, but I'm also well aware that if the source and underlying condition is not removed, then it maybe unrealistic until that is done.

The fact you had a slight improvement after EDTA, also tells me it could WELL be metal related and then the relapse after the dental appointment is indicative of mercury also....so you could be onto the real culprit here, but why your body has decided to react this way to it is the mystery and seems unique, but that happens. My way of responding was bizzare. Screaming fits, salivating uncontrollably and crying non stop, with swelling in the eyes from so much crying and pressure. That's not all either. Very strange stuff. My face would take on a pulled in appearance (drawn), my tongue swelled up and all kinds of funny and weird things occured. That is how my body responded to mercury and why I would spend hours holding my head over a bowl or toilet. Very very strange, very rare apparently, and that's just the response my system had. It just went NUTS. So imagine what happened when I would increase this by using mobilising agents? YIKES.

Not always able to be explained. So what is happening to you, maybe your body's response, which seems also unusual.
Good attitude though! Yes, wigs are amazing today. Considering we're all going to go grey anyway, if that ever did become the case for you (needing a wig), you'd never need to dye your hair....small comfort I guess, but at least you still see other alternatives if the worst ever did happen to come to the worst. I think there are also methods of replacing hair strand by strand? It is done in this country in new zealand apparently.

I still hope for regeneration personally. And I think it's wise of you to avoid places that are doom and gloom and concentrate on your health. I know it's painful regarding your hair, but your health is THE main importance and there isn't much you can do for the hair right now. It's like myselef, there are aspects not always in my control, so I look at what I can control and do what I feel I need to do. The diet is somethign I can control, so I am very strict on that, as I'm desperate to control the worse of my symptoms and that is probably all I have to lean upon (apart from my faith).

Hmmm, the health adviser sounds very anti Cutler....perhaps you ought to not mention him and simply ask for liver/kidney support. They may have other really good suggestions too. Are probably very up in natural health and this maybe also why they are against Cutler's methods, which are more medication related. I can understand their view of this, I really can. But they have to also understand the nature of mercury and WHY Cutler uses what he does and in the way he does, for many of us could not tolerate the mercury, OR the movement of it with any other way of detoxing. I nearly went insane a few times I kid you not. So though no it's not ideal to resort to any drug solution, but mercury isnot something one fools out with half heartedly either. Mercury doesn't differentiate between what you use. It can be volatile regardless and the side effects are mostly due to mercury, rather than DMSA. I tried natural methods, and often moved between his protocol and experimenting....I got hurt alot. I think his protocol kept things far more stable. I'm not ignoring the good of natural products either, they do indeed have their place and if a person can respond well to them with mercury and that's the way they want to go and it works, great. If not and they are noticing frightening symptoms by the mobilisation of it and no control? Then like myself, they will require a well thought out protocol with strong agents that grip the mercury enough not to let it go so readily.

To protect the Kidneys some Primrose oil or Milk Thistle which protects them also? Just a suggestion to her, I have read they protect the Liver and Kidneys alike. I use them both everyday and will not go without them. BTW I got cream of tartar today and used it (DR Wong recommends it, he is a very good holistic doctor) for my Candida and the die off is there and I am itchy as well! I always get itchy when killing Candida or whatever, especially on my neck and head. I agree on all of what you said though, I need to add Magnesium to my regime as well, I take the E, C, Zinc and Fatty Acids (Metal free Fish oil and Primrose). I need to add some Selenuim and probably some B Vimtamins sooner or later, but the Magnesium is A MUST! I need to start that again, it gave me diarreah before so I stopped it after a year or so. What form do you take? I took Glycinate, but Taurate was alot better IMO and just one 125 mg pill gave me energy when I needed it. It seems we have to take alot huh? Mind boggling at times thinking of all we have to take and what this does and that.

Oh yeah did I mention I use Kelp too lol, my God what we have to do just to even maintain nowadays. I am trying to get rid of Candida which he says you can over time with Cream of Tartar (Kills parasites also), I will let you know how that is going on and off Bex.

Bex those are some crazy symptoms. A swollen tongue must have been frightening. Not to scare you, but my sister had a swollen tongue 2 days prior to a seizure. YIKES!

The first month when I saw the hair loss was the worst. The funny thing is that, the spot was so tiny. No one could even see it. Now that it's gotten larger, I have actually come to terms with it.

It is very interesting how our bodies react differently. I think this is the reason why amalgam/chronic mercury poisoning is overlooked or even mocked. The same symptoms aren't seen in everyone affected by it. While others have neurological problems, someone else might have physical, autoimmune or endocrine problems.

There are a lot of autoimmune related conditions in my family. Lupus, psoriasis, asthma, pernicious anemia, vitiligo. It's really bad when I think about it! Doesn't surprise me that's how mercury decided to affect me because my family's immune system is shot apparently. It doesn't know what to do.

Sean this statement of yours made me laugh out loud.

You know I feel the same way. LOL I look at all the bottles of pills cluttering my kitchen counter, cabinets and refrigerator and get annoyed by it sometimes.

You mentioned Dr. Wong. Is this the same Dr. Wong who promotes Vitalzym? I took that stuff a few years ago and it really worked. I had crazy detoxing symptoms from it far worse than what I'm getting from the DMSA. The kidney pain from Vitalzym was getting to point of being unbearable, so I stopped. However, when I was taking it, I could see a white powder in my urine. It must have been the fibrin from a cyst.

Oh I thought I'd add, that my husband says my hair is looking better. There is more growth since the last picture.

Yeah that is DR WONG who promotes that and then Oxygen for alot of things and Cream of tartar for Yeast infections. His oxygen is the ONLY ONE that worked for me, I actually was sweating doing little things for the first time in YEARS on his Oxygen! Thats amazing if you know me truly. Dr. Wong is very smart IMO I visit his page often and he often mentions Zinc and Vitamin E in his audios and I take those now as well! Zinc made me throw up once, but I can tolerate it better now that I take it with meals (30mg Zinc Citrate that is). I can feel your Kidney pain though as I have had it as well as die offs, he usually tells you to take a strong effective product which will have bad die off effects. He stears you clear of BS IMO, and his products work for me usually.

BTW for you Kidneys have you ever used some Milk Thistle or GLA to help with your Kidneys? They help alot from what I heard, and I use them everyday and pain is alot less.

Hi birdlady,

Yeah the swollen tongue isn't pleasant, but I'm used to it. I had it for ages with mercury and it worsened during chelation, which was a pretty good indicator i was on the right track. It improved later, but I can still get it.

Sometimes it can be a healing reaction also.

Wow, I had no idea that it could also be related to an impending seizure! My brother gets seizures. He's on medication to control them.



Yeah exactly. I think it just shows up the genetic weaknesses and tendencies - affecting the weakest links. You can get symptoms from every system in your body from mercury. Is there anything it can't do? So yeah your hair is highly likely to be related to mercury's poisoning and the autoimmune problem you mentioned. Definitely get that neurotoxin out. And see if things begin to regenerate.



That is wonderful. Perhaps the more mercury you lose, the more hair you will gain. I was losing hair in my early twenties, but it wasn't blading. Just became thin and I was lucky that I have over-thick hair (it's just ridiculously thick). So that was a godsend at that stage. It came back later after diet adjustment though. Though mercury was responisible, the effects from getting candida can increase toxic load so badly that the body can just break down.

Just a note: A guy on here "sunshine" actually has gained improved colour vision. I think he's now able to differentiate much more and the colours are far brighter for him. I have heard of people' vision improving and everything. It's surprising what can come back. If a patient with symptoms of multiple schlerosis can make a recovery, then there is hope for your hair too!

If you don't want to take supplements here are a list of veggies w/zinc.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-011124000000000000000.html

Thanks glancina! I'll grab spinach rather than red romaine this week. =P

I thought I'd add some of my detoxing symptoms in here, just so others can see what I'm going through. So far it's been really good. Tomorrow at noon is my last dose for this round.

Main symptoms--
-gas..it's embarrassing to admit! haha
-giddy
-anxious
-hot flashes
-night sweats
-discharge from my left breast...really weird
-slight weight loss (loss of appetite) My pants are fitting looser this week.
-some hair growth!! WOOT!
-blood pressure has been higher

OH MY! I just took my blood pressure and it is normal (120/80). This is absolutely amazing to me. It's been years!

I've had those detox symptoms and still get them. Especially when I've cheated and have to start the diet again. The gas side of it is embarrassing, but I have had that really bad during detox and chelation.

I had to blame the cat oneday it was so bad.

I can also get the anxiety too. Nervousness, jitteriness etc. That can happen during die off/healing.

Not sure why you'd get discharge from your left breast, but then strange things will occur when your body is trying to heal certain areas that are not right. You will get itching in strange places too. I've had itching on parts of my ears, my face, neck etc and to the point I've caused a sore because of it. I can't explain what is going on, but that's what happens. I also get scalp sores sometimes also. Then they'll go again.

I realise this makes me sound like a really attractive individual

haha Bex you made me laugh.

Well the interesting thing about the left breast is that it's been really painful recently (before the DMSA). Somedays I couldn't even touch it. I was going to get it checked out just to make sure, but never got around to it. =/

However, the more I looked into it, it can be caused by a high prolactin level. People with Diabetes Insidipdus are likely to have this because the pituitary isn't working right. So from what I read it's "normal". I think the diabetes insipidus is caused by the mercury poisoning, so it goes full circle! Even Dr. Cutler talks about DI in his book.

Tonight I've been feeling really good. I definitely can't complain at all! I've been getting a lot of work done!