Hello All
I'm new here and have been reading many of your posts with great interest. You've already answered so many of my questions, but I have a few more.

First a bit about me.

I've had CFS & (or) multiple chemical sensitivity for nearly 5 yrs.

I've have tried heavy metal detox in the past (using Ian Solleys protocol, under the care of the same nutritionst who cured him). I can only say that it was hell on earth and that I geniunely wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy; I've read some of the posts here about the severe detox/psychotic symptoms that some of you have endured and thats what this protocol did to me. I stuck with it for months and it left me dangerously close to suicide.

Suffice it to say that I swore I'd never again listen to another so-called professional over the messages my own body was trying to send me. You live and learn. Having read about chlorella etc on this forum, I now understand why I suffered so horribly. Pity this same nutritionist didnt do more research and it might have saved me a lot of pain. So... moving on....

About 10 days ago I stared taking alpha lipoic acid for its antioxidant properties. I knew nothing about it also being a chelator but when I broke out in hives 24 hours after starting it, I did some more research, found this website and began educating myself. I have ordered A Cutlers book, some DMSA and was hoping start the entire protocol as soon as it arrives.

However, a health-care professional whom I trust and who has some experience in this field has advised that even this gentler approach of DMSA + ALA may be too harsh for me. When supplements dont agree with me, I tend to have severe fatigue/headache type reactions and clearly I want to avoid that as far as possible. I'm also wary of potentially inflicting any damage on my body. By that I mean, stirring up any chemical or heavy metals but not getting them out of my body.

He says that I should first build up my strength using diet + supplements and then begin a detox. I can see his point; he makes a lot of sense. But I also thought that the ALA & DMSA was a gentle approach if started on very low doses.

I had assumed that the headaches/fatigue/hives were an indication that the ALA was doing its thing and despite the symptoms I was happy that I was making progress. They werent terribly bad as these things can go, so I figured I could tough it out. The reaction started at a daily dose of about 150mg ALA spread through the day.

Am I wrong? Are these symptoms a sign that I needed to start with a much lower dose?

I know AC says that DMSA is not necessary whereas ALA is, but do some of you find DMSA easier to tolerate in terms of fewer symptoms?

Or do some of you find that the ALA + DMSA combination works better.

Is the answer going to be that everyone reacts differently?

Question 2. 2 years ago I had a blood test done which showed I had no mercury in my blood but did have nickel.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that after 20 years with amalgams, cancer at 17, suffering from CFS and multiple chemical sensitivity in my 30's that mercury isnt in some way responsible. I had the amalgams removed 3 years ago.

How reliable are blood tests if the mercury is safely stored away in bone, brain or other tissue?

If this is answered in ACs book then tell me to be patient and wait for it to arrive

There is so much great info on this site; I'm very glad I found it! YOu dont know what a relief is it to find that there are other people who cannot tolerate the standard detox regimes. After my previous attempt at detox I was left to feel that I was the only person for whom it didnt work (in fact that is exactly what she told me - that she had a 100% success rate!).

The fact that I couldnt get it to work for me meant that I was just giving up too soon (after 6 months of hell) and meant that I was stuck with a lifetime of illness. That was so demoralising; this site has opened my eyes.

Thank you all for that!