Hi Birdlady,

Not everybody has a problem that is attributed entirely to mercury. I did chelation after my amalgam removal many many years ago now. I was healing from mercury over time, but it took ages to get the poison out. I did not finish with ALA, I have tried it a few times however.

My reason is, I was still getting detox symptoms with DMSA at that time and didn't want to start ALA until detox symptoms subsided with DMSA. However, before that happened, I got a serious bacterial/viral infection and further dental work (replacement of an ageing composite and wisdom tooth removal), which I believe may have caused a hidden infection. No matter what I did from that moment on, I was unable to bring on any improvements/healing symptoms as I had previously.

So it's not me being in a rut, or not doing anything for myself. You'd be surprised at the efforts i have made over the years. I am not going to go through each and every senario of what I have done. I have tried plenty of things over the years. It is often unexplained hidden impacts on immunity that maybe hindering the body's ability to continue healing from mercury or dealing with it. I can chelate till I'm blue in the face with DMSA, nothing happens.

I tried ALA and nothing happened. The only thing was an increase in yeast. Some tell me this is a sign I need to continue. Maybe, but it's made me wary. I tried it a few times and on very high doses with NO metal detox symptoms. NONE. Only worse yeast. IF that is a symptom? THen yes I may have to start doing it again.

But I wouldn't assume that people here who have happened to been here for a few years aren't doing the right things, or haven't chelated. You only have to ask Jinx, Linda Lou, etc whether they have used chelation and ALA. How have they used it? Cutler style. Have they done the diet? YES. Detoxes have also come into it. Cleanses etc. There are plenty of things people have done. Just because some maybe improving and others are struggling, does not always indicate one party is pulling their finger out, whilst others are twiddling their thumbs.

Sorry, I'm not getting at you. But this has been brought up a few times now on here and I am standing up for those who struggle regardless of efforts, because I know how it feels. Before I had this occur? I was healing from mercury and perhaps I too could have taken the stance that those who are not getting better like I was, are probably not doing anything. Yet many times it may well be a completely wrong assumption.

I've seen some on here do little and still get well and leave. Others make marathon efforts and still struggle. One does not necessary go with the other. But there have and are people who do it right, get the amalgam out, chelate their mercury and move on. Good for them. NOt everybody has a road like that and it takes YEARS to remove mercury anyway. For many people, amalgam removal is only the start. Then they have to go on chelation to start pulling it out. NO wonder you might see people on here for a few years!

I'm another story. My issues are not all related to mercury anymore. Perhaps some might share the same problem.