Thanks guys for your contributions. I'm learning that I need to introduce supplements one at a time so that I know how each is affecting me. What's more, things aren't necessarily affecting me the way they used to, so I can't make assumptions. I reintroduced zinc and ended up having some rough days. That may or may not be the zinc but there's no harm in putting it on hold for now, as I have done with the iodine. I've got milk thistle on order, which I avoided in the past because it's expensive here, but I think it will be very helpful for me to take. I've also been able to take some pancreatin digestive enzymes without the problems I've had with other types.

To be honest, the past week or so has been difficult. I had the Sunday where I tried to do a round of 25mg ALA only and had to stop after 5 doses because my stomach was hurting, I had a constant headache and I was nauseous. I did, however, find that some of the "heaviness" and emotional and sensory numbness I'd been feeling has lifted considerably. I therefore rested a day, then started a round of 12.5mg ALA and 6.25mg DMSA. That was good at the beginning, but the heaviness and numbness quickly returned. I attributed this to the iodine trial stirring up extra mercury, which possibly the ALA was letting into my brain -- bad news. I continued to feel like this when I finished the 3-day round, so I started the next round early in order to try to address the remainder of what the iodine might have done.

I felt gradually worse on the round, which I didn't panic about because that is normal. It did concern me that my adrenals were taking a hit, and I felt a few hypothyroid symptoms such as a dry throat and sinuses -- I've had these in the past. I am on medication for adrenals and thyroid but after a year of trial and error I think I'm on optimal doses of both. If I take more of the corticosteroid, it has unpleasant effects. I guess I have to work through this and be glad that I am supported by the meds, because without them I would presumably be doing my body greater harm.

I also found that I was becoming short-tempered and irritable, which I suppose is common too, and for me it's an indication of adrenal stress. I found myself less able to cultivate patience and overlook things. Also I had minor palpitations from time to time, and I had trouble getting to sleep at night -- the opposite problem to what I usually have at this time of year. And I lost my appetite, though that's no big worry because I need to lose weight. I still made sure I ate healthy meals.

Today is my first day off chelation after the second round. I'm finding that I feel more motivated again. My body is not quite so sluggish and achy. I've been able to go around tidying the house, which would have required lots of effort before. So this is good. I think my adrenals will need the full 3 days to recover though. I just hope I can sustain chelation this way. Looks like I've got a lot of time of feeling "yuck" ahead of me yet.